As indoor golf grows rapidly across Canada, off‑course facilities are gaining a better understanding of the benefits of Golf Canada’s new membership program — and why it matters. Early operator feedback highlights practical wins that help manage their businesses, keep players engaged throughout the year, and strengthen connections within the wider golf community. From digital tools that confirm simulator usage to simplified access to national programs, their on‑the‑ground perspective is beginning to show how this model can deliver meaningful value right where it matters most: in their bays, with their customers.

One of the clearest examples comes from operators who have embraced the program’s new digital features tailored to indoor facilities. Ged, who founded DBLCRS Sim Lounge in Guelph, Ont., three years ago, praised the updated Golf Canada app, emphasizing how important it is for customers to see their simulator sessions acknowledged alongside outdoor rounds. Tracking indoor activity within a familiar national platform helps reinforce that sim golf is part of the overall game, enhancing credibility for operators and offering more engagement points for players year‑round.

“I just want to give a massive shout‑out to having that functionality on the actual app itself. I noticed people scrolling through the Golf Canada app [while at our facility]…” — Ged, DBLCRS Sim Lounge

Many operators are also discovering how the membership opens doors to national programs that can help drive traffic during slower seasons. In Calgary, JJ Golf’s Jamil was considering strategies to attract players as winter winds down. He has started coordinating with his local First Tee chapter and Golf Canada’s She Plays Golf leadership to introduce more organized programs at his facility. He views membership as a way to connect with the right people faster and turn those ideas into action. For operators experiencing seasonal fluctuations, such direct connections can be the difference between a slow spring and a bustling one.

“…through this membership, I get in front of the right person quicker. What can I do to keep my facility busy? So these types of programs, like She Plays Golf, [are interesting to me]. I have to get them running, and I’d love to have the support.” — Jamil, JJ Golf

Operators are increasingly recognizing opportunities beyond digital tools, especially through programming and membership resources. Interest in initiatives like She Plays Golf and First Tee – Canada is growing among indoor venues, which see simulators as low‑pressure, accessible environments for newcomers. Some facilities are already turning that potential into action. At Centre de Golf de Lanaudière, staff have hosted three themed First Tee nights — including a wildly popular Minecraft‑inspired event — that introduced children to golf in a playful, welcoming way. These sessions helped lower barriers for many parents and young golfers, demonstrating how off‑course facilities can serve as meaningful entry points for the next generation.

Looking ahead, the potential for off-course facilities goes far beyond introductory programs. Golf Canada and its Member Facility operators see growing opportunities to create community‑driven initiatives, structured leagues, and even regional or national indoor tournaments. These future developments will be guided by operator input to ensure they align with the needs of their businesses and communities. Whether it’s local events, cross-facility competitions, or a nationwide simulator series, the aim is to develop a flexible framework that allows facilities to implement ideas that suit them while fostering a more connected, year-round golf ecosystem.

As Golf Canada’s Just Swing campaign and off‑course strategy continue to expand nationally, operator perspectives are helping steer this evolution. With scalable programming, year‑round marketing support and an expanding digital ecosystem, the membership program is positioning off‑course facilities as an integral part of the sport’s future.

Ready to join? Just Swing

OAKVILLE, Ont. (February 5, 2026) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce a new multi-year partnership with BFL CANADA, which has become the Official Commercial Insurance Brokerage of Golf Canada. As part of this long-term collaboration, BFL CANADA will also serve as the new Presenting Sponsor of the 11th World Junior Girls Golf Championship to be hosted at the Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. in September.

BFL CANADA is a trusted and leading commercial insurance brokerage firm with long-standing experience in servicing sports organizations. We are proud to officially welcome this Canadian flagship organization as the newest partner of Golf Canada.” said Mark Palmer, Chief Commercial Officer, Golf Canada. “The World Junior Girls Golf Championship brings together some of the top female amateur golfers from across the globe. It is only fitting that a company recognized and respected worldwide is now the Presenting Sponsor, and we look forward to continuing to elevate this special championship alongside BFL CANADA.”

“As a proud Canadian firm, partnering with Golf Canada gives BFL CANADA the opportunity to help grow the game across the country and champion the next generation of athletes through the World Junior Girls Golf Championship,” said Lisa Giannone, President and COO at BFL CANADA. “Our shared commitment to excellence, teamwork, and integrity makes this a natural partnership. This represents the beginning of a long-term strategic collaboration, with our teams being focused on developing comprehensive and exclusive solutions and on delivering long-term value to Golf Canada and its members.”

Golf Canada is also proud to announce that the Brampton Golf Club will host the 2026 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by BFL CANADA. This marks the second time that Brampton will host the championship in the tournament’s history.

“We are incredibly honoured to be selected to host the 2026 World Junior Girls Golf Championship for the second time. Brampton Golf Club has a proud tradition of hosting high level championships, and being trusted with this event again speaks to the strength of our course, our organization and our people,” said Boris Uvakov, General Manager, Brampton Golf Club. “Our volunteers, members and staff take great pride in showcasing the Club, and we are excited to welcome the next generation of elite junior golfers back to BGC.”

Brampton previously hosted the event in 2023, which marked Canada’s thrilling gold medal finish following a three-way battle with the Republic of Korea and the United States. Team Canada 1, led by coach Jeff MacDonald, was represented by Vanessa Borovilos (Etobicoke, Ont.), Anna Huang (Vancouver, B.C.) and Vanessa Zhang (Vancouver, B.C.). Denisa Vodickova of the Czech Republic won the individual title and tied the Brampton Golf Club women’s competitive course record with a 5-under 66 during the third round. The record was previously set by Brooke Henderson during the 2014 Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship.

“We are delighted to welcome BFL CANADA as the new Presenting Sponsor of the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, an event that in a short time has become one of the signature junior girls golf championships in the world. The tournament will greatly benefit from this partnership as we strive to deliver a world-class experience for everyone involved,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We would also like to thank the Brampton Golf Club, its staff and membership for hosting this year’s tournament. Brampton is an incredible partner and supporter of amateur golf, and we look forward to returning to the site of the historic 2023 championship later this year.”

In hosting this year’s championship, Brampton becomes the third club to host multiple World Junior Girls Golf Championships, joining The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont. (2015, 2017) and Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont. (2014, 2019, 2022).

The prestigious Brampton Golf Club has hosted a number of high-profile provincial and national championships. Brampton Golf Club was named the Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC) Club of the Year in 2023 and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 14-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014. Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include current World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019, as well as Yuka Saso (competed for the Philippines), who won the 2016 World Junior title.

The 11th playing of the global showcase will take place from September 28 to October 3 and feature 23 countries, 24 teams, and 72 players competing for team and individual honours in Brampton, Ont. The individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2027 CPKC Women’s Open. The full field for the 2026 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by BFL CANADA will be announced later this summer.

For more information on the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, please click here.

For many Canadian golfers, winter practice takes place under a roof, in simulators, performance studios and indoor training centres. Launch monitors have become essential tools for staying sharp year-round.

What many golfers may not realize is that Titleist has developed a golf ball engineered specifically to perform better in indoor, radar-based simulator environments, helping players get more accurate data from every swing.

It’s called Titleist RCT – short for Radar Capture Technology – and it’s quietly changing the way golfers practise indoors.

Why indoor golf needs a different kind of ball

Radar-based launch monitors track a golf ball’s flight to measure spin. Indoors, where shots travel only a fraction of their normal distance before hitting a screen or net, measuring spin accurately can be challenging.

Titleist’s RCT golf balls address that challenge by embedding a radar-reflective element directly into the ball’s cover, enabling radar systems to measure spin rather than estimate it, even with limited flight.

The result is more reliable launch data, including spin rate, spin axis and carry distance – all without changing how the ball feels or performs.

Importantly, RCT golf balls are identical in construction and performance to their non-RCT counterparts, meaning players don’t have to trade realism for better data.

What it means for beginners

For golfers new to the game, indoor simulators are often the first exposure to structured practice. Accurate feedback can help beginners understand how their swing affects ball flight – without overwhelming them.

Using an RCT ball means launch monitors can provide clearer, more consistent numbers, helping beginners more easily connect cause and effect. That confidence matters early on, especially when learning basics like solid contact, launch angle and shot shape.

More reliable data can also prevent beginners from chasing misleading numbers — allowing them to focus on building sound fundamentals.

Why advanced players should care

For experienced golfers, details matter. Spin rates, launch windows and gapping precision are critical, and inaccurate indoor readings can lead to incorrect assumptions about performance.

With RCT technology, advanced players can trust that the numbers they see indoors closely match real-world ball flight. That makes winter practice more meaningful and club-fitting sessions more precise.

Whether fine-tuning wedge spin, dialing in driver launch or comparing equipment, RCT balls allow players to train with confidence that their data tells the true story.

A powerful tool for coaches and fitters

For coaches, instructors and club fitters, accuracy is everything. Reliable spin data is essential for diagnosing swing issues, teaching shot control and recommending equipment.

RCT balls eliminate the need for stickers or workarounds often used indoors to help radar systems detect spin. There’s no setup required and no change to the ball’s orientation — it works automatically.

That efficiency allows coaches to focus on instruction rather than technology, while delivering clearer insights to players of all skill levels.

Built on trusted Titleist performance

RCT technology is available across several of Titleist’s most popular models, including Pro V1, Pro V1x, Pro V1x Left Dash and AVX. Each version delivers the same feel, flight and consistency golfers expect — indoors or outdoors.

For Canadian golfers spending more time in simulators, RCT golf balls offer a simple yet meaningful upgrade: better data, better feedback and better practice — all year long.

Calgary, ALTA. – Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is proud to announce that Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation has been chosen as the primary charity partner for the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open, to be held at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alberta from August 19 – 23, 2026.

“Together with the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, we are focused on raising funds at the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open to advance cardiac care for children and families throughout our home province of Alberta,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and CEO. “Support for children’s heart health is a central pillar of our community investment initiative, CPKC Has Heart. This summer, as we welcome some of the world’s most talented golfers to Edmonton, we look forward to leaving a legacy that makes a difference in the lives of children who need it most.”

CPKC’s goal in 2026 is to raise more than $3.9 million in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. These vital funds will support the advancement of their world-renowned pediatric cardiac program by providing state-of-the-art equipment including ultrasound echocardiography machines and neuromonitoring systems. In addition, funds will fuel cutting-edge research through the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute and enhance specialized staff training and family outreach initiatives. Together, this support will make a difference in the lives of children requiring complex heart care for generations to come.

“We are incredibly grateful to CPKC for choosing Edmonton and for their generous support of cardiac care at the Stollery Children’s Hospital,” said Karen Faulkner, President and CEO of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Their commitment will make a real difference in the lives of children and families facing heart conditions which helps us expand critical services, invest in leading-edge technology, and give every child the best chance to live a long and healthy life.”

“CPKC Has Heart has made an extraordinary impact in every community that has hosted our National Women’s Open Championship, and we are thrilled to welcome the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation as the charitable beneficiary of the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open,” said Laurence Applebaum, Chief Executive Officer of Golf Canada. “The return of the CPKC Women’s Open to Royal Mayfair Golf Club and the City of Champions this August is going to be electric. Fans will experience the world’s best players in action while helping drive the incredible, life-changing work of the Stollery Children’s Hospital.”

The CPKC Women’s Open community charity partner will be announced in the coming weeks.

There is nothing that makes spring feel around the corner more than an annual trip to the PGA Merchandise Show.

The thought of fresh-cut fairways, drinks at the turn and good friends is never more at the forefront than walking the miles of aisles while the warm sun shines down just outside.  

The PGA Show is an annual opportunity for both well-established brands and garage-based dreamers to bring their newest products to the masses, while also providing those in the golf industry an invaluable opportunity to connect with friends – both old and new.  

The 2026 edition marked the 11th time that I made the mid-January trip south. And while the PGA Show has had its ups and downs over the last decade or so, this year might have been the buzziest (and busiest!) Here are, appropriately enough, a foursome of takeaways from this year’s show.

GOLF IS HOT

I attended the PGA Show in 2021 while most of the world was still firmly navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and what to do and what could come next. That year, I declared the PGA Show would be finished – there would be no way this particular effort could continue.

Not only was there no buzz, but there was also no momentum or even signs things could turnaround.

Alas, I was wrong. Very wrong.

In 2024, you could feel the energy, and while I missed 2025, most people I spoke with said the 2026 edition was the busiest they’d ever seen it. Anecdotally, I agree, and the numbers don’t lie – about 1,000 exhibiting companies and brands across 1.1 million square feet of exhibition space.

The pandemic did, of course, bring in plenty of new golfers (Golf Canada recorded a historic high of 11.2 million scores posted in 2025. A lot of people are playing a lot of golf!) and remote work made it easier than ever to play more often. There was also a hearty boom in digital creators; golf on YouTube may not be for everyone, but there’s no denying its popularity. Most of the longest lines at the 2026 edition of the PGA Show were for a chance to meet content creators and influencers, who have helped to put golf literally at more people’s fingertips. It’s an insular setting – golf people talking about golf stuff – but the energy was undeniable.

CASUAL IS IN

The biggest trend while walking through the aisles of gear is how much key brands are thinking about multi-use pieces. Plenty of the new golfers don’t come from the game’s “traditional” settings and are used to wearing whatever feels comfortable to them. That’s had some facilities pivot their dress codes to be more inclusive.

All of the biggest brands in the game are recognizing this in spades and even the most classic of designers (think FootJoy or Levelwear) have items in their line that would look just as good with a pair of jeans as a part of shorts. There are also more style and more comfort, and on-course casual has gone from being something you might see late on a Friday night nine-and-dine to fairly standard fare.

CANADIANS ARE COOKING

It was a very special week for Canadian connections.

Some of the biggest and busiest booths through the week were Canadian – like Levelwear (which announced a fun and different kind of partnership with skate-and-surf brand Hurley just prior to the show) and Lululemon. This year also marked more than a decade for the brothers-founded and Nova Scotia-based Dormie Workshop, whose leather goods can be found in pro shops around the world and whose custom pieces continue to make waves on social media and in locker rooms.

The PGA of Canada also hosted its annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, during which all of the national award winners were appropriately feted.  

A special and deserving shoutout to two of Golf Canada’s own, Derek Ingram and Tristan Mullally, who took home two of the most notable nationwide trophies for their work in 2025.  

“The single most important entity for me, being where I am right now, is Golf Canada,” said Ingram in his acceptance speech after winning the Ben Kern Coach of the Year award. “There is no way I’d be where I am without you, and I just want to thank you guys for putting your trust in me.”

“Golf Canada – it’s been 15 years this year. Thank you for being a phenomenal company to work for and giving me an opportunity to make a difference,” said Mullally, who won the Tex Noble Professional Development Award in recognition of his contributions to coach education, mentorship and the advancement of professional development in Canada.

THE BEST KEEP GETTING BETTER

While there is always a feel-good story at the PGA Show of a little-engine-that-could kind of brand that comes from nowhere, at the end of the day, the brands that have been a huge part of golf for so long are often the headline stealers – and for good reason.

Whether it’s adidas or FootJoy’s new shoes for 2026, Levelwear’s new line of polo shirts, Foresight’s latest simulator tech, Puma’s freshest gear launch, or Titleist’s golf balls – which continue to be No.1 in the game year after year –  the stuff that’s been long trusted by so many just, somehow, continues to improve.

“At the end of the day, it comes down to Titleist’s quality and consistency. As a professional golfer, the whole job is to hit the ball when you want to and where you want to – and if you can eliminate any variables, that’s 101,” said Frederick Waddell, Titleist’s director of golf ball product management. “That was the promise in 1935, and that’s the promise today. Our track record of delivering that for players is what brings them to our product time and time again.” 

With the top brands in the game continuing to put out some seriously good stuff – along with unprecedented buzz for the game we love – the 2026 PGA Show was a success on a lot of fronts.

And now, if this snow would just start melting already…

The Women in Coaching Program is a joint initiative by Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada that strives to achieve stronger gender balance among high-performance coaches in Canada. Now entering its sixth year, the program provides in-depth career development opportunities for women coaches working along the competitive pathway.

“The Women in Coaching Program plays a critical role in strengthening Canada’s high performance coaching system by ensuring more women are supported, developed, and retained along the competitive pathway,” said Emily Phoenix, Golf Canada’s Director of High Performance.

“The introduction of the advanced cohort in 2026 reflects both the maturity of the program and the growing depth of experienced women coaches across the country. We are proud to deliver this program alongside the PGA of Canada and thankful for the ongoing support from Own the Podium and the Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund, whose commitment continues to move the needle for women in high-performance sport,” said Phoenix. 

For 2026, the program will offer a unique intake through the Women in Coaching – Advanced Cohort.

This cohort is designed for coaches with greater coaching experience who are already working with competitive or high-performance athletes and are seeking to further refine their coaching practice, expand their leadership capacity, and deepen their impact within the high-performance system.

The Advanced Cohort will continue to focus on the program’s four core pillars:

• Individualized learning plans
   
• Regular check-ins with a coach developer
   
• Virtual and in-person coaching education
   
• Hands-on training experiences alongside experienced coaches and top players

In this advanced intake, emphasis will be placed on peer learning, applied leadership, and the sharing of lived coaching experiences, with participants expected to contribute meaningfully to the development of the cohort as a whole.

The goal of the application process is to identify coaches who would benefit from this advanced learning environment and who are motivated to both learn from and contribute to a group of experienced peers. Applicants should have demonstrated experience coaching athletes on the competitive pathway and a clear interest in continued growth within high-performance coaching.

For example, coaches currently working within Provincial Golf Association programs, coaching university or college teams, or otherwise supporting advanced competitive athletes are encouraged to apply.

Application deadline:  Monday, February 9^th at 12:00pm (noon)

To apply, click here 

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact:
Bella Veloso (iveloso@golfcanada.ca)

OAKVILLE, On. – Three Canadians have been invited to compete alongside many of the world’s top aspiring golfers at the seventh annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) in Augusta, Ga. from April 1-4.

Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont., Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. and Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. will represent Canada in the field and in doing so will set a record for the number of Canadians competing in a single year at ANWA.

Deng, 15, is currently ranked No. 13 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and is Canada’s lowest ranked amateur golfer. Last season, Deng won the 76th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, becoming the first Canadian to win the title in tournament history and earned exemptions into ANWA and the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open. She added two additional junior titles last season including the 2025 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley and the 2025 Mizuho Americas Open and was named junior player of the year by the American Junior Golf Association. Deng also earned the Marlene Stewart Streit Medal, finishing as the Low Amateur at the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, finishing T20 at 4-under.

“I am honoured and excited to be invited to play in the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. It will be my first appearance at the event, and I am looking forward to competing with the best amateur players in the world at such a historic location in April,” said Deng.

Kim, 20, is currently ranked No. 18 on WAGR and will be competing in her third consecutive ANWA, the most appearances by a Canadian. Kim finished T14 in her debut in 2024, tying Monet Chun for the best result by a Canadian at the event. Kim is currently in her Junior year at the University of Texas and has earned two collegiate titles to date. The first in her freshman year at the Jackson T Stephens Cup and last year at the Betsy Rawls Invitational. Last season, Kim added eight top 10 finishes and represented Canada at the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships. She also competed in her third consecutive CPKC Women’s Open last August.

“Receiving an invitation to play for the third time at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur is really an honour and I think that as my amateur career is coming to a close and I am graduating in a year, I’m just even more honoured to be able to go play at Augusta, especially knowing that when I turn professional, I won’t get this opportunity ever again.”

It’s such a special event, it’s magical and being in Augusta and being on the grounds and playing such a prestigious golf course is really fun and these memories that you make at events like this last forever. I am honestly looking forward to this event, April couldn’t come sooner and I am excited to be there with two other Canadians in the field,” said Kim.

Borovilos, 19, is currently ranked No. 31 on WAGR and will be competing in her first ANWA, however it will not be her first trip to Augusta National. Borovilos will be making her fifth appearance having competed in four Drive, Chip and Putt Championships, and won the 2018 championship in the Girls 10-11 age division. Borovilos is currently in her sophomore year at Texas A&M University. Last season, she earned her first collegiate title at the Chevron Collegiate in February 2025 and added three runner-up finishes during her freshman year. Borovilos also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open, her first time competing in the major championship. This season, Borovilos has earned a T2 finish at the Carmel Cup and T16 at the Folds of Honor Collegiate. She also competed in her third consecutive CPKC Women’s Open last August.

“Not many things can beat the feeling you get when driving down Magnolia Lane. It’s going to be a fun three months gearing up for April. I can’t wait to experience Augusta in the prime condition we all see on television,” said Borovilos.

The ANWA features a field of 72 amateurs competing over 54 holes of stroke play with a cut following 36 holes. The opening rounds will be contested at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. on Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2. The top 30 players and ties will advance to the final round at Augusta National on Saturday, April 4. The entire field will play a practice round there one day prior on Friday.

The first two rounds of the ANWA will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET. NBC will air the final round on April 4 from Noon – 3:00 p.m. ET.

For more information on the ANWA including past results, click here.

Veteran sports journalist dedicated to elevating Quebec’s sports community and its athletes

Sherbrooke, Que. — Golf Canada mourns the passing of Mario Brisebois, a journalist and columnist who died following an illness. A respected voice in Quebec sport for five decades, Brisebois helped raise the profile of golf, skiing and tennis through his reporting and his longstanding support of athletes and the organizations that serve them.

Brisebois spent 36 years at Le Journal de Montréal and also worked in radio, including 98.5 FM, and appeared on television as a commentator on RDS. His knowledge and insight were frequently sought by sport organizations, including Ski Québec, Tennis Canada and Golf Québec, and he worked closely with Golf Canada for many years.

Born in Shawinigan, Que., Brisebois developed an early love of golf. In 1973, he caddied for Jocelyne Bourassa during her victory at the LPGA’s La Canadienne tournament in Montréal, an experience that helped shape his path in sport and journalism.

Brisebois was inducted into the Quebec Golf Hall of Fame in 2018. He received Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award in 2003 in recognition of his contributions to the game in Canada. In 2005, he co-founded the Pierre-Nadon Award, presented annually to recognize individuals who have contributed to the development of golf in Quebec.

His coverage of Quebec athletes in skiing was recognized by the International Ski Federation, which named him an outstanding columnist. In tennis, he was named Journalist of the Year by Tennis Québec and was inducted into the Québec Tennis Hall of Fame as a Builder.

Known for his professionalism, kindness and attention to emerging athletes, Brisebois earned the respect of colleagues and competitors across Quebec’s sport community. His storytelling focused not only on results but also on the work and sacrifice behind them.

Diane Dunlop-Hébert, former president of Golf Canada and Golf Québec and a board member of The R&A, said Brisebois was “a true gentleman” whose career was devoted to elevating Quebec’s top talents.

Brisebois is survived by his partner, Nicole, his daughters, Andréanne and Catherine, and his grandchildren, Olivier, Sara Maude, William, Édouard and Henri. The family thanked the medical teams at the Jewish General Hospital in Montréal and the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke for their care.

A memorial event will be held in the coming weeks. Details will be shared by the family at a later date.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Brooke Henderson will have a new face on her bag for the bulk of the 2026 LPGA Tour season as her sister and longtime caddie, Brittany, prepares for a different kind of delivery.

The Henderson family confirmed that Brittany is pregnant and expecting her first child with husband Zach Sepanik in June. As a result, Canada’s winningest professional golfer will turn to veteran looper John Killeen to handle caddie duties for most of the upcoming campaign.

“Britt and I have worked so well together for the past 10 seasons — and she is my best friend,” Brooke Henderson said in an interview with Sportsnet’s Adam Stanley. “We travel together all the time, so this is going to be a big change, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

The Henderson sisters have formed one of the most formidable and recognizable partnerships in professional golf. Since Brittany took over full-time caddie duties in 2015, she has been on the bag for 12 of Brooke’s 14 LPGA Tour titles, including two major championships.

The transition will not be immediate. Brittany is scheduled to caddie for the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, which begins Jan. 29. Brooke enters that event as a past champion, having won the tournament with Brittany in 2023.

Following the opener, Killeen will take over the bag as the tour moves to Asia. Killeen brings more than 40 years of experience to the role, having previously worked for Hall of Fame members Juli Inkster and Meg Mallon, as well as major winner Cristie Kerr.

While Killeen handles the yardages, Brittany’s absence will also be felt on the practice range. In addition to her role as caddie, she has long served as Brooke’s de facto swing coach while on the road, acting as the eyes and ears for their father and primary coach, Dave Henderson.

Brittany, a former professional golfer herself and a member of the Coastal Carolina University Athletics Hall of Fame, hasn’t completely ruled out a cameo later in the year. She suggested a return for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in November remains a “hopeful possibility,” provided the timing and logistics of new motherhood allow.

For the 28-year-old Brooke, the 2026 season represents a major shift in her professional environment, but the Smiths Falls, Ont., native said she is focused on the personal milestone for her sister.

“I’m super excited,” Brooke said. “It’s amazing. I’m really happy for Brittany and Zach and I’m excited to be an aunt as well.”

The 2026 LPGA season features a record-breaking schedule, with Henderson expected to remain a central figure in the hunt for her 14th career victory and a climb back up the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

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.

Rob Green, Briars Golf Club Ltd., Hole #5 (Twice!)

I was playing with my usual group, Chris Burling, Frank Freisen and Ken Maisonville at the Briars Golf Club in our usual 7:10 am tee time.

The first hole-in-one was at the gross match play bracket, I was playing against Mark Woodyatt. From the original blue tee deck on hole #5  from 103 yards. I hit a knock down pitching wedge.

The second time on the same hole, from the different tee deck up top. Hit a knock down pitching wedge from 102 yards. Landed about four feet short and bounced once, twice and spun back in.

Nicole Hughes, King’s Forest Golf Club, Hole #14

My hole-in-one happened at King’s Forest on the par 3, hole #14. I hit my seven wood off the lower red tee deck and it went in! It was very exciting!

I was playing with my boyfriend Chris and we happened to have been paired up with a junior golfer named Caden that day. Also, we had friends playing on the hole behind us who witnessed the commotion!

The other cool thing was that we just moved to Hamilton this year and this is our first year as members at King’s Forest. It was actually my second hole-in-one!

My first was June 30, 2023 at Don Valley Golf Course in Toronto, hole #5, par 3.

Jean-Marc Baronette, Lookout Point Country Club Ltd., Hole #2

It was my second hole-in-one. My first one was on hole #8 at King Valley on Sept 13, 2001, 24 years ago!

The photo is me with the other three members of the foursome, from bottom left going clockwise: Patryk Wasiak, Mike Venditteli, Louis Gallardi, and myself. 

The yardage was 128 and I used my left-handed approach wedge. The shot itself was smooth and crisp, and the ball flight was a slight left-to-right draw to the back right pin.

Kevin Fortin, Le Parcours du Cerf (Club de golf) – Le Faon, Hole #14

My first hole-in-one ever! What an amazing experience and an unbelievable feeling. I was fortunate enough to share this special moment with three of my good friends: Martin Adaszkiewicz, James Stewart and Matt Potocki.

With the cold weather creeping in and morning rounds regularly delayed due to frost, which was also the case for us that morning, we knew this would be our last round of the 2025 outdoor season. It also happened to be my 100th round of golf since returning to the sport in August 2024, after undergoing back surgery five years earlier to remove a herniated disc.

It was a gorgeous blue-sky day, though playing conditions were challenging, with firm, fast greens and strong winds. The magic happened on the island green at hole No. 14 at Parcours du Cerf – Faon. I was second to tee off. The posted distance was 135 yards, but the red pin location was playing closer to 125 yards. I hit a smooth pitching wedge. The ball landed softly on the green, just a little right and short of the pin, rolled slightly and appeared to stop. The boys started saying, “That looks so close!”

Pleased with the result, I reached for my tee when, what seemed to happen in slow motion, the ball disappeared. For a split second, we were all stunned and unsure of what had happened. Then we realized it had gone in. We immediately started jumping around and celebrating together.

I would like to extend a special thank you to Parcours du Cerf for making this moment even more memorable. They presented me with a commemorative bag tag, provided a complimentary bottle of champagne to share in the clubhouse, and will be adding my name to the plaque on the wall, making this a moment I will cherish forever.

Tom Johnson, Wailea Golf Club, Hole #16

Hit it from the blue tees, 145 yards and used a 9 iron. A little thin and a little right with a bounce left, straight into the hole!