Sacramento, Calif. – Leah John secured her spot in the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open after finishing in a tie for first in open qualifying at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento, Calif. on Monday.

The Team Canada member from Vancouver, B.C. fired rounds of 65-70 (135) to finish at 7-under for 36 holes and earn one of three spots available along with her former University of Nevada teammate Gabby Kano. John became overwhelmed with emotion once she finished her second round, knowing she secured her spot.

“It was a really long day and hard to hold the lead for 36 holes and I honestly just sort of broke down a bit, so happy to have done it and I am beyond beyond beyond excited.

“It probably felt like one of the best days of my life, I was over excited and proud and also super excited to see my teammate Gabby also qualified as well. I had some former teammates there, my caddy this year is really wonderful, so to share that with them and reassuring that I trust my process, trust who I am and the things that I am working towards,” said John.

John couldn’t have asked for a better start as she opened the day with a hole out for eagle from 97 yards out. She went on to add five birdies to finish with an opening round of 6-under 65. She was happy that there wasn’t a long break in between rounds.

“I didn’t want time to think, I just wanted to get back to doing and the mindset was to just be joyful. That was my goal, my focus for the entire round, the whole day, I just wanted to enjoy my time on the golf course with my caddy and that was it, so really just joy and embracing the moments, the pressure, the nerves knowing that’s exactly where I want to be,” she said.

John describes herself as a conservatively aggressive player who likes to play bold. “I tend to stick to what my gut tells me to do and if we do need to change things we talk about it, but for the most part I keep my foot on the gas and just go. I’m just playing for me and whatever happens happens.”

That mindset certainly helped, as she opened her second round with an eagle on the par five first hole. She went on to complete her second round bogey-birdie-bogey to record a 1-under 70 and secure her spot into the U.S. Women’s Open.

“On the 18th hole I was in the rough, I knew where I was in the rankings, and on this particular hole you cannot miss short, missing long isn’t amazing but you absolutely cannot miss short so I ended up bogeying my last hole and I just had to be ok accepting that even a bogey can be good enough.”

Good enough indeed as John will be making her U.S. Women’s Open debut and playing in her second career LPGA Tour event, having played in the CPKC Women’s Open last summer in Calgary.

“I am over the moon and so excited, I have not been able to sleep, it’s been tough to focus, I am just so excited and really excited to share it with people.”

There is no time to rest as John is back in action this week on the Epson Tour at the IOA Championship in Beaumont, Calif. John has made three starts this season, her second season on Epson. She will play a practice round on Wednesday, followed by the pro-am on Thursday before tournament play begins on Friday.

Even after a hectic travel day from Sacramento to Beaumont, John is still riding high.

“Feeling pretty pumped, it’s so nice to be with some awesome friends over here celebrating, so looking forward to bringing that momentum with me and just keep working on the simple things of how I want to be and my values and enjoying the game. I really think things are more meaningful when you can share it with those who care about you so just happy to be doing all this.”

The 2025 U.S. Women’s Open is taking place May 28 – June 1 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis.

On March 6, during Golf Canada’s 2025 Annual General Meeting, Adam Daifallah of Westmount, Que. was elected as the organization’s 118th President. He most recently served as vice president for consecutive terms and has been a board member since 2018.

Golf Canada sat down with Daifallah to talk about a range of topics, from his early days as a competitive golfer, where he became a provincial champion, his wide-ranging career path, what led him to join Golf Canada and eventually becoming the youngest president in the organization’s history. We also discuss his thoughts on the strength of Canadian golf and much more.

You grew up in Peterborough, Ontario…what sports or activities were you drawn towards as a child? Was golf always high on your list?

I wasn’t interested in any sports until I found golf at age 10. My parents didn’t play but my grandfather did, though wasn’t playing anymore. I sort of caught the “golf bug” channel flipping the TV one day. The Skins Game was on, and I saw Lee Trevino make a hole-in-one, then proceed to jump up and down and hug his caddie, Herman. I said to my parents that I really want to try that game! I asked them to go to the bookstore and I picked up an instructional book. It was called The Golfer’s Bible. I spent that winter in the basement copying the swing movements in the book’s photos, so that in the spring, I would be ready to play for the first time. I started that year and totally loved it.  

That is a perfect segway into my next question, you were a competitive junior golfer and won the Ontario Bantam Boys’ Championship in 1992. What are your memories from that win? Do you still have the trophy or medal?

(Laughing) Yes, I still have the trophy. I also still have the prize that the OGA (now Golf Ontario) used to give for provincial winners, which was a Tudor watch. My main memory of it was playing with [eventual PGA tour member] David Hearn and defeating him by eight shots. That was the first and last time I ever beat David! We became good friends.

Shifting gears if I may to your studies. You hold a BA with honours in history and political studies from Queen’s University, and began working as a Washington correspondent at the New York Sun. From there you joined the editorial board of the National Post and wrote two books on Canadian politics. You’ve also contributed pieces for SCOREGolf. What about the journalism world interested you to pursue that early on in your career?

I have always loved writing. I was always interested in public policy and public debate, and I saw journalism as a way to advance the ideas and the causes I believed in. I liked the idea of getting those ideas out to a wider audience.

You were a Sauvé Scholar at McGill University and enrolled into law school at Université Laval. You later became a member of the Quebec Bar and practiced law at Norton Rose Fulbright (then Ogilvy Renault) in Montréal. What was the draw for you to transition from the journalism world into practicing law?

I was interested in politics from a young age and someone I idolized was Brian Mulroney. I always wanted to be near him, and he was a lawyer at Ogilvy Renault in Montréal. He was the primary reason that drove me to do that.

You later co-founded HATLEY Strategy Advisors, which was then acquired by Teneo in 2020, where you currently work as a senior managing director. Teneo offers corporate consulting, strategy and advising. On paper, those are three different paths in your career from journalism to law to consulting, but I have to feel there would be many similarities in each profession?

Absolutely. The corporate consulting work I did at HATLEY and now at Teneo allows me to draw on the skills developed from past experiences in politics, journalism and law. I use them daily in my work.

In addition to your role with Teneo and serving as president of Golf Canada you’ve also given your time as a volunteer to Dunham House in Dunham, Que. a residential treatment centre specializing in mental health and addiction recovery. What drives your passion to give back to your community?

It really boils down to wanting to get directly involved in causes you believe in. When you have a personal interest, and you’re invested in it on an emotional level, you do more. In the case of Dunham House, it’s an institution that founded by a very good friend who was touched by the issues of addiction and mental health. So, I am happy to contribute and support that cause.

Let’s talk about how you joined Golf Canada. Your journey originally began in 2013 as a volunteer. Was there something or someone that drew you or spoke to you about joining?

I had always wanted to get involved and I was fortunate to have a friend, Norman John Hébert, whose mother, Diane Dunlop Hébert, was then president of Golf Canada. She is the one who opened the door to help me get involved as a volunteer.

In your time with Golf Canada, you have sat on the committees across a number of areas including Compensation, Investment, Governors Council, People and Culture, Heritage Services and Volunteer Services Working Group, and volunteered on duty rosters, including as a starter at the RBC Canadian Open. You were then elected to the Board of Directors in 2018, became vice president for consecutive terms in 2023 and 2024, and are now the 118th president. I would have to think, that amount of experience across a number of committees has helped you ahead of joining the board and eventually becoming VP and now president?

Without a doubt. I think it’s important to know the organization well if you’re going to lead the board. I’ve benefited from being involved in a lot of areas of the organization which has allowed me to not only understand how it works operationally but also get to know a lot of the key staff, which is nice.

There has been a shift in governance at Golf Canada in compliance with Sport Canada best practices, recently the addition of an athlete category on the board and many working professionals have taken positions. In your opinion, what makes for an effective board for a national sports federation.

I think there are two things. One is people who bring a passion to the cause and a deep affection for the sport in question. And two, a diversity in range and skill sets so that everything required to govern effectively — things like legal background, accounting, human resources, etc…is covered. You need people who represent all the different skill sets and backgrounds needed.

You were on the board when the current strategic plan launched. What are your thoughts on the operational and commercial success of the organization coming out of the pandemic and the strength of the organization’s financial performance in recent years?

We’re so fortunate to be in such a strong position. We’ve been the beneficiaries of strong leadership by our CEO, Laurence Applebaum, combined with good fortune. A lot of new people have picked up the game due to the pandemic, and many who had quit have come back. The numbers keep on increasing even though we’re a few years out of the pandemic. So I think it’s a combination of good leadership and the positive impacts of external factors. There’s that saying that “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

People across Canada are engaged in golf. Record numbers of participation, 11 million scores posted on the Golf Canada App. There is great strength in Canadian golf and programming from First Tee – Canada, She Plays Golf, the Team Canada High Performance program and those competing professionally on the world stage. It’s all been a point of pride for Golf Canada, what are your thoughts on the state of Canadian golf today?

I would say we’re in an enviable position. I’m not sure that anyone could have predicted where we would be right now, both in terms of the amateur game and the pro game, a few years ago. Tee sheets are jam packed at public courses. Private clubs have waiting lists. We had four Canadians participate in The Masters.

If you could pick one event or moment during your time with Golf Canada thus far that would be your fondest, what would it be?

That’s a tough one. Probably being a first tee starter at the RBC Canadian Open. Meeting the players, introducing the players –especially the Canadians and the ones you’re personally a fan of –that’s a really neat experience. Another that comes to mind is meeting Lee Trevino, who originally sparked my golf interest. He came to the RBC Canadian Open a few years ago and we spoke for about two hours!

In your first year as president of Golf Canada. Are there any particular goals you hope to achieve or see continue this year?

Capitalizing on the growth of the game and the gains of recent years is top of mind. We need to keep the momentum going. Also, good governance and modernization of our volunteer infrastructure. Over the years, people have asked whether I have enough time to volunteer for Golf Canada because I worked full time. We must continue to make our organization friendly to those who work and who have other commitments, like young families.  

During your time as president, Golf Canada will transition its national headquarters to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, home of the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, how exciting is that and another new chapter for Golf Canada?

Tremendously exciting. It’s a project that I’ve seen go from a mere concept to now almost being a reality. There’s been a lot of work and commitment from staff to make this happen and I think everyone is just excited now to see it come to fruition and to be ready. It will be a new era for Golf Canada.

You have been a generous donor to the fundraising activities of the Golf Canada Foundation – how impactful have the efforts of the foundation and its network of donors been to the advancement of Canadian golf?

It really makes a difference. The Golf Canada Foundation under the leadership of Martin Barnard must be lauded for the growth we’ve seen in fundraising in the last number of years – particularly when it comes to the First Tee – Canada program, lining up a lot of major gifts across the country to fund provincial First Tee chapters. It’s going to take a while for us to see the fruits of that because it’s a fairly new program, but I am confident it’s going to pay huge dividends down the road.

I’d like to ask a couple personal questions. How do you maintain relationships? I am sure there are many areas, places and people you’d like to connect with, or re-connect with. How do you achieve that? How do you maintain relationships?

At a basic level it’s about reaching out and keeping frequent contact. Emails, calls, text messages, playing golf together, you have to keep the effort going through touchpoints to keep relationships alive. It does take effort, and it has to be a mutual effort.

You live in Westmount, Quebec with your wife and two young sons. Are they golf enthusiasts?

Everyone plays, including my wife. We have a family membership at Knowlton Golf Club and the boys and I play nine holes almost every weekend there in the summer. They’re showing a keen interest, which is exciting.

I am sure that your responsibilities as a father and husband take you in many different directions. On-top of that you work full-time and volunteer your time extensively. With that, how important is it to maintain a good work-life balance?

It’s very challenging, but it’s essential. There’s always a tension between the two and you just have to do the best that you can. It’s a juggling act. It helps if you have a supportive spouse or partner, and I am lucky to have that.

How would you describe your golf game today?

(Laughs) I’d say that I am pleased with it, considering my age and how often I play. I am very happy to break 80 on any given day.

Finally, what is something that we should know about you, beyond reading your bio?

I am a very communicative and open person. I am an open book. I want to be accessible so if anybody ever wants to reach me, please do not be shy. Pick up the phone or send the email if I can help with anything.

Oakville, ON – Golf Canada and Stalk&Barrel Whisky are proud to announce a multi-year partnership extension that will see Stalk&Barrel remain the official Canadian Whisky partner of Golf Canada and both the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open.

The new agreement will run through 2027 and will see Stalk&Barrel Handcrafted Canadian Whisky poured exclusively at the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open in hospitality and concession locations at both championships.

“We are excited to extend our partnership with Stalk&Barrel, a premium Canadian whisky as we collectively continue to deliver exceptional experiences for fans at both of our National Open Championships,” said Mark Palmer, Chief Commercial Officer, Golf Canada.

Stalk&Barrel is a handcrafted Canadian whisky, produced locally at a craft distillery in Ontario. Stalk&Barrel’s commitment to a ‘grain to glass’ process offers a small-batch, single malt that is 100% Canadian owned and operated.

“We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with Golf Canada as the Official Canadian Whisky. Over the past few years, this collaboration has grown into something truly special – built on shared values of excellence, integrity, and a deep appreciation for the Canadian spirit. Like a great round of golf, Stalk&Barrel Whisky is all about patience, precision, and celebrating the moment. We couldn’t ask for a better partner to help us toast the best of Canadian sport and culture,” said Karen Lai Drake, Senior Brand Manager, Stalk&Barrel Whisky.

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open takes place June 4-8 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. The 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will be contested, August 20-24 at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

Ryan Paul grew up just down the street from Glen Abbey Golf Club and his father, Bill Paul, was an instrumental part of the RBC Canadian Open for more than three decades. He started working at the tournament as a summer job while in college and has moved up the ladder at both Golf Canada and Wasserman before returning full time to Golf Canada in 2016.

Now Paul is in the leadership chair at Canada’s National Men’s Open as tournament director and this year is set to be bigger than ever – as the RBC Canadian Open makes its debut at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley – but Paul is more than up to the task.

Paul had spent the last six years at the helm of the CPKC Women’s Open and was the tournament director when Brooke Henderson made history in Regina in 2018. He also oversaw the event as it won back-to-back Tournament of the Year awards at the LPGA Tour’s year-end award ceremony in both 2022 and 2023.

He says one of the biggest things he’s excited about for 2025 as the championship makes its debut at TPC Toronto is watching the spectator journey unfold from plan to practice.

Paul has been used to getting to a course for the first time (each of the CPKC Women’s Open events in 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024 took place at first-time venues although Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in 2023 had hosted the RBC Canadian Open in the past) so he and the team are no strangers to this effort.

“It’s fun to put together a plan that we think will work great for spectators and players and volunteers and just to really see that come to life when we open the gates on June 2 will be unbelievable,” Paul says.

Paul knows how cool an opportunity it is for the golfing public in Canada to have the RBC Canadian Open once again on a public course.

“We’ve seen it at Glen Abbey and my hope is that you have those ‘where-were-you moments like a Nick Taylor putt to win, or a Tiger Woods bunker shot. Those things become the ‘moment’ at TPC Toronto and we get people who throw a ball in a bunker or try to drain a long putt. It just makes (the Canadian Open) that much more special,” Paul says. “When you have that opportunity and you can see the fans where they’re like, ‘I hit my drive here!’ And all the players are just so far ahead, it’s really cool.

“TPC Toronto is such a special property where it’s got teeth to host a PGA TOUR event but it’s such a great golf course to just play as a public golfer. We’re really looking forward to it.”

Paul spent a good amount of time at THE PLAYERS Championship in March introducing himself to plenty of golfers who will make up the RBC Canadian Open field. He says speaking to the Canadian contingent has been super helpful as he gets a better understanding of what they’re excited about for TPC Toronto and all the venues they’ve been to – what’s been good and what can be improved on.

On the PGA TOUR, the Canadians (and, thankfully, this country has never had a bigger or more successful group all playing week-in and week-out) are the tournament’s biggest ambassadors.

“Having (the Canadians) also do my job a little bit, walking the range and telling players how great it’s going to be in Canada this year is certainly important. We’re always striving to have the best field we can and having Rory McIlroy back again, as well, is incredible and really shows what the player experience means and if we’re putting on a good show, taking care of these players, they’re always going to come back,” Paul says. “Rory, outside the Canadians, has been our biggest ambassador celebrating this as a National Open and how important that is and what it’s like to play in Canada and with our fans. It’s been remarkable and those things go a long way.”

The RBC Canadian Open has undergone an impressive evolution over the last half-decade or so with even more fun on-site activities than ever before. Paul remembers when The Rink hole, for example, was just an idea – and all we had were hockey boards and a Zamboni. Now it’s a “must-visit” destination at any RBC Canadian Open, and despite the fact that the tournament travels each year, The Rink gives the tournament a signature hole, even though it’s at a different course every time.

With the new date in 2019 the RBC Canadian Open really launched into this new era, Paul says, of being more than a golf tournament. It was all about food and music and was more of an outdoor festival than just a golf tournament.

As the snow melts, Paul says, he’s just excited to get up to TPC Toronto and see all the building unfold. The tournament is around the corner.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how it all plays out,” Paul says, “and I know it’s going to be a great week.”

Houston, Texas – Golf Canada and the United States Golf Association (USGA) wrapped up their two-day international friendly match play event over the weekend at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas. The U.S. National Junior Team emerged victorious by a 16-8 point total.

Team Canada – NextGen was led by Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont., Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. and Alex Zhang of Richmond, B.C. who all earned three points for the team from their three matches. Antoine Jasmin of Blainville, Que. also earned two points from three matches and Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. won her individual match on Sunday to also earn a point for Team Canada – NextGen.

“We are very proud of our team from their performances on the course and representing Golf Canada off the course as well,” said Darcy Dhillon, Coach, Team Canada – NextGen Boys. “We are very appreciative of our friends at the USGA for hosting us and providing our team the opportunity to play in more competitive events early in the season. This was a great experience for everyone involved and we look forward to more collaborative opportunities in the future.”

The two-day event featured 12 players (six girls and six boys) representing each team in a mixed competition that was World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) sanctioned. The match play format consisted of mixed Foursome team matches and mixed Four-Ball team matches on Saturday with individual single matches to close the event on Sunday.

The Team Canada – NextGen squad featured 10 current members of the High-Performance program. Two additional U17 players were selected on the boys’ side to round out the team. The roster for the event included:

BOYS

Charlie Gillespie – 18, Calgary, Alta.

Antoine Jasmin – 19, Blainville, Que.

Austin Krahn – 17, Christina Lake, B.C.

*Dawson Lew – 15, Toronto, Ont.

Jager Pain – 16, Woodbridge, Ont.

*Alex Zhang – 16, Richmond, B.C.

Coaches: Darcy Dhillon – Calgary, Alta., Dr. Charles Fitsimmons (Mental Performance Coach) – King City, Ont.

*- denotes selected player

GIRLS

Aphrodite Deng – 15, Calgary, Alta.

Clara Ding – 14, White Rock, B.C.

Shauna Liu – 16, Maple, Ont.

Eileen Park – 15, Red Deer, Alta.

Nobelle Park – 15, Oakville, Ont.

Michelle Xing – 16, Richmond Hill, Ont.

Coaches: Jeff MacDonald – Halifax, N.S., Jennifer Ha – Calgary, Alta.

For more information on Team Canada, please click here.

In addition to the match play competition, there was joint team dinner following practice rounds on Friday and a closing awards ceremony following play on Sunday.

For the full results from the international friendly, please click here.

Even casual golf fans in Listowel, Ont., were invested in Corey Conners’s run at the Masters.

Brian Hare and Brian Paulmert were sharing a beer at Crabby Joe’s on Main Street in Listowel as Conners teed off in the final round of the Masters on Sunday, four shots back of Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy for the lead. Although neither bar patron know Conners personally or follow golf closely, they were rooting for their hometown’s star.

“It’s always good to see someone from a small town doing well or prospering, doing what they love to do,” said Hare.

“Listowel’s a bump, eh?” added Paulmert. “When I’m in the States people ask where I’m from and I say ‘an hour and a half from Toronto’ because no one knows Listowel.”

“You talk about Corey, he’s a small-town boy doing good.”

Conners shot a 3-over 75 on Sunday to finish the tournament tied for eighth at 5 under. 

It’s the fourth time he has finished in the top 10 at Augusta National. He tied for 10th in 2020, tied for eighth in 2021 and tied for sixth in 2022.

McIlroy beat England’s Justin Rose in a one-hole playoff for his first-ever Masters title.

Conners was the top ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour heading into the Masters, the first major of the men’s golf season, sitting sixth in the FedEx Cup standings. His eighth-place finish will drop him down to No. 7 in the rankings.

The 33-year-old has built his professional reputation on consistent play with remarkable ball-striking ability.

He shot a 68 in the first round, then back-to-back 70s to enter Sunday’s final round in sole possession of third. McIlroy was the third-round leader at 12 under, American Bryson DeChambeau was second at 10 under, and Conners was 8 under.

“Like I said, I’m not a big golfer, but I’ve heard he’s made a fight to win this tournament,” Hare said.

Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., is the only Canadian male to ever win a major. He claimed the green jacket as Masters champion in 2003, inspiring a generation of Canadian golfers including Conners.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., has won two majors on the women’s schedule: the Women’s PGA Championship in 2016 and the Evian Championship in 2022.

Winnipeg’s George Knudson, who is tied with Weir for most PGA Tour wins by a Canadian at eight, was the closest to winning a major before Weir’s triumph. He lost the 1969 Masters by a single putt.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., was the other Canadian to make the cut at Augusta this year. He shot a 1-over 73 on Sunday to finish a 3-over overall, good for 40th.

Around the corner from Crabby Joe’s was the Back 9 Sports Bar, a golf-themed spot where a half-dozen people were watching the action from Augusta National but also keeping an eye on the Toronto Blue Jays game out of Baltimore, Canada’s national women’s hockey team at the world championships in Czechia, and anticipating that evening’s Toronto Maple Leafs game in Carolina.

Conners himself often stops by the Back 9 when he’s in Listowel and in one corner, near the twin golf simulators, is a wall filled with memorabilia from his career including signed golf flags from the Masters and the Valero Texas Open, which he won in 2019 and 2023 for his two PGA Tour victories.

——-

Catch Corey Conners at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto Osprey Valley. For ticket info, visit www.rbccanadianopen.com/tickets.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Mixed teams are coming to golf at the Los Angeles Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee made it official Wednesday when it released the official program for the 2028 Games, in which female athletes are expected to have a slight majority for the first time.

Golf only returned to the Olympic program at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games after a 112-year absence, and it has awarded medals to only one competition — 72 holes of stroke play — for men and for women.

The International Golf Federation had been lobbying for a mixed-team competition for the last several years without taking away too much time from golfers’ schedules on various tours.

Still to be determined are how many teams will compete and the qualification process.

“The International Golf Federation is thrilled with the IOC Executive Board’s decision to approve the addition of a mixed-team event to the Olympic Golf program,” the IGF said in a statement. It said more details would be released next week.

The IOC had an online board meeting Wednesday that was co-chaired in Lausanne, Switzerland, for the first time by Kirsty Coventry since she was elected IOC president last month. She takes over in June for Thomas Bach and will be the first female IOC president in its 131-year history.

The men’s competition would start on Wednesday — one day earlier than before — and end on Saturday. The mixed teams would be held on Sunday and Monday, with foursomes (alternate shot) used for one round and fourballs (better ball) the other.

Tuesday would be a practice day for the women, and their competition would start Wednesday through Saturday, one day before the Summer Games come to a close.

The golf competition is scheduled for Riviera Country Club, a revered PGA Tour stop that has hosted major championships. Riviera is to host the U.S. Women’s Open for the first time in 2026, and the U.S. Open returns in 2031.

A mixed team event would require only two more days for the players who qualify for the Olympics. It’s unlikely any of the top players would be competing the following week at a regular PGA Tour or LPGA Tour event.

Scottie Scheffler won the men’s gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games by closing with a 62 at Le Golf National. Lydia Ko won the women’s gold in Paris — she won the silver in Rio and the bronze in Tokyo in 2021 — which also gave her points required for the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Despite being one of the best Canadian golfers on the PGA Tour, Taylor Pendrith didn’t really grow up dreaming of playing in the Masters.

Instead, his goal was to play in Major League Baseball or the NHL.

Pendrith, who was the MVP of his high school baseball team in Richmond Hill, Ont., and also played junior A hockey, will make his Augusta National Golf Club debut on Thursday. 

“Honestly, even the first few years in college playing college golf, I didn’t really know I was going to play professionally,” Pendrith told reporters on Tuesday. “So obviously I watched the Masters tournament and followed golf, but never really thought I would be here until probably the last year of college.

“Once I got my PGA Tour card it became more of a reality that, ‘hey, if I do play well I could get here.'”

Pendrith played at Kent State University before turning pro in 2014, working his way up from the PGA Tour Canada to the Korn Ferry Tour and finally the PGA Tour. The 33-year-old qualified for the Masters, the first major of the men’s golf season, when he won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on May 5.

“I had been a couple times as a spectator and it will be a really special week,” said Pendrith. “It’s already been such a cool week, and to have all my family and friends here, it’s awesome.”

Pendrith will be joined at Augusta by Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., and Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont.

Conners and Pendrith played together at Kent State and were the best men at each other’s weddings. They’ve gone on to play together on Golf Canada’s national team and were twice members of the International Team at the Presidents Cup.

“(Pendrith) looked great out there,” said Conners after the four Canadians practised together. “It was awesome to share that experience with him. 

“Tried to tell him a few of the things that I learned over the years. But I think this golf course is great for him.”

Conners is the highest ranked Canadian on the FedEx Cup standings, sitting sixth heading into the Masters. He’s played in the tournament seven times, finishing in the top 10 in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

“I think there is an added comfort level knowing you had some good rounds out here, knowing what it takes to play well,” said Conners, who is also 33. “I think that’s definitely huge here compared to some of the weeks.

“Obviously, it’s the biggest golf tournament in the world. Just fun to be here any time, but definitely having had some decent results, there is lots of positives I can draw from.”

Taylor is 16th on the FedEx Cup rankings and Pendrith is 39th. 

The 54-year-old Weir primarily plays on the Champions Tour and is therefore unranked on the PGA Tour, but automatically qualifies for the Masters as the 2003 champion. Weir is still the only Canadian man to win a major.

Taylor, 36, has won on the PGA Tour five times, including three playoffs. He thinks a major win could be close for him.

“I know I’m not far off, it’s just getting through that barrier of probably the belief standpoint and then I’ve played well enough at a vast majority of golf courses that there’s no reason I can’t compete out here,” said Taylor, who will be competing at the Masters for a third time. “So getting that belief is definitely probably the next step and then from there I can shoot some good scores.”

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.

Sergio Picco, Northlands Golf Course, Hole #14

I was playing with three gentlemen that are regulars at the course, as myself. My playing partners for the round were Stew, Norm and Sass. It was 10:58 am on hole #14 at Northlands Golf Course. It was playing 136 yards with the flag in the middle position of the two tiered green. My club of choice was a smooth 8 iron, which landed on the top tier and rolled down to the lower level and then in the hole. We all watched it go in the hole as I was playing a yellow Srixon ball.

Bryan Sandmaier, PGA West – The Citrus Club, Hole #7

Playing partners were Dallas Sandmaier, Garth Turgeon and Alison Turgeon. Hole #7 from 139 yards and the club used was a pitching wedge.

Philip Wade, Quarry Pines, Hole #6

I got a hole-in-one at Quarry Pines in Tucson. A group of us were visiting Tucson for a few weeks. It was on hole #6 and the pin was left centre. About 176 yards. The green had a high side on the right side. I hit a solid 7 iron but was right of the pin and hit the slope and the ball bounced towards the pin, but we could not see the hole. When we got up to the green we were expecting the ball to be on the green, but it was not there. We looked in the rough and couldn’t find it. Then looked in the cup, and there it was. Great time. My fourth hole-in-one.

Jeanne Glavec, Canoa Ranch Golf Club, Hole #8

Canoa Ranch Golf Course in Green Valley, Arizona on March 6, 2025. Par 3, hole #8 from the Blanco tees and the distance was 95 yards. Blanco tees are the senior men’s white tees. I used a 9 wood and the wind speed was between 15 – 20 kms per hour. My husband Andy Glavac witnessed along with two very good golfing friends from Montana, Cathy and Bob Repnak. Very exciting as this is my fifth hole-in-one.

Fred Mensink, Pestana Golf Resorts (Silves Golf), Hole #13

I was in Portugal and signed up to play the Silves Course in the Algarve. I was playing with two players from Norfolk, Great Britain; Matt and Sarah. It was an overcast day that started to drizzle. The hole was 150 yards and I used an 8 iron. The line looked good but the green was slightly elevated and there is a ridge from the bunker on the right side which I went over. I didn’t see it land or run out. Matt hit a good ball too, but it had a lower trajectory. When we went up to the green we only saw one ball. It was 20 feet past the hole. We both walked up to the ball and it was Matt’s. I knew I hit a higher ball so I walked back to the hole and there it was. Lucky #13! Never did see it go in!

Rob and Carolyn Grinton, Riverstrand Golf Club, Hole #2 and #5

Something quite unique and unusual happened at our Florida golf course. On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, my wife had her fourth hole-in-one at Riverstrand Golf Club Estuary Course hole #2 from 101 yards using an 8 iron. At our club, we have a hole-in-one pot that you can sign up for costing $5 each time a member gets a hole-in-one. We discussed several times that we need to sign up but neglected to do so. The next day, March 12th, I signed us up for the hole-in-one pot before I went out for my usual Wednesday afternoon round with three friends. On our Estuary hole #5 I also got a hole in one, from 195 yards using a 7 wood! I cashed in on the pot for quite a sum. I searched to see what the odds were that a couple made hole-in-one’s on consecutive days on a different hole and they are 1 in 17 million!

Ernie Parent, Mount Brenton Golf Course, Hole #7

I scored my first ever hole-in-one, March 16th at Mount Brenton Golf Course on hole #7. I hit my 6 iron 130 yards to a blue flag straight into the wind on a sunny, blustery morning. My first thought was that my shot had gone a little long and disappeared into the grass behind the green but my playing partners Charles Gallagher, Ted Valleau and Dan Whitelaw assured me that they thought the ball had gone in the hole.
Upon a closer inspection my Wilson Fifty Elite ball had landed six feet in front of the hole and rolled straight in. After high fives all around and a ball mark repair I left the green with a check mark in a box that all golfers hoped to get a chance to do.

Dave Sanders, Copetown Woods Golf Club, Hole #7

Long time golf buds from left to right , Jon, myself with the ball, Nick and brother Herb are pictured in the group photo.

The hole was playing about 160 yards, uphill, with the pin hidden behind a knoll so we didn’t actually see it drop. I used a 6 iron. Jon got to the green first and started hootin’ up a storm once he found it in the hole. This is my sixth hole-in-one, my first was back in 1992.

Nichoulas Hunter, Starfire at Scottsdale Country Club, Hole #14

My mom and I went down to Scottsdale for a trip over spring break and in my first round since October I got my hole-in-one. I was playing with my mom and two guys from Oregon who were there on a trip as well. It was hole #14. I remember shooting 154 yards on the tee box with my range finder. I hit my pitching wedge.

Christopher Love, Northview Golf & Country Club, Hole #11

I was playing with my buddy Brennen Ekelund. I had the hole playing at 140 yards, back pin. I used a 9 iron, dead straight, took two bounces and the ball disappeared into the cup. I just recently purchased a tripod to film a couple of holes per round as I have been pretty blessed to play some amazing courses over the years. Luckily this was one of the two holes I filmed that day so I have a video of it. Hole-in-one while on video and it was my 39th birthday to top it off. Needless to say I bought a lottery ticket that night.

Al Luomala, Yuma Golf & Country Club, Hole #8

I was golfing with Rod Brady, John McArthur and Jim Story on Wednesday, March 19th. Since Yuma is at sea level, I took one extra club on the par 3. The yardage was around 133 with a left to right cross wind. I hit a smooth 8 iron that was moved left to right and ended up in the hole. Couldn’t see it actually go in the hole but as I approached the green I thought at first I may have hit it long as a playing partners ball was on the green. I approached the hole, looking past the green first to see if it was long, then looked in the hole to find the ball was indeed there. This is my second hole-in-one with the last one being a number of years ago during the Club Championship at Kenogamisis Golf Club.

Darlene Caron, Peoria Pines, Hole #6

My foursome of Laurie Wohlfiel, Kathy Lange, Jeanne Schmidt and myself. The yardage was 82 to front of green. I used a 9 iron. There was a right to left breeze, with the pin in left centre front of an uphill green. I hit my 9 iron on right side of pin, with the ball landing on right side and rolling directly to the pin and disappeared.

Kyle Duggan, Indianwood Golf & Country Club, Hole #11

I was playing in a twosome with my great buddy and fellow caddy for the last three years at Cabot Cape Breton, Curtis Kuzmyk. It was a 183 yard par 3 over water, slight wind down and off the left, middle pin. Hit a high cut with an 8 iron with a touch of spin, landed a few feet past the hole and spun back in. We saw it disappear and before charging the green.

When she was just 17 years old, Monet Chun’s three big goals as an amateur were to win a national title, play collegiate golf in the NCAA and compete in an LPGA Tour event.  Today at 24, the university of Michigan grad has checked off all three – and now has her sights set on a successful career in professional golf.

Having worked with Chun as her personal coach since 2019, Matt Wilson speaks about the qualities that enable her to be successful and achieve her goals on the golf course.

“Monet’s general disposition allows her to be successful in the sport of golf which requires endless patience, tremendous determination, and a very clear vision,” he pointed out.

“She’s also got a healthy dose of curiosity.  You combine that with strong work ethic and you get continual improvement,” noted Wilson.

“Monet is a very steady player.  She’s pretty good at everything and plays a really tight game.  She’s a very special talent.”

Chun put her special talents on full display at the 2022 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in Kitchener, Ont.  She finished the tournament at five under and won her first national title by two strokes over runner up and fellow Richmond Hill, Ont., golfer, Alissa Xu.

“It was huge goal of mine to win a national event and I guess it showed that all the hard work was paying off,” said Chun.

By winning the Canadian Women’s Amateur, Chun received an exemption to compete at the U.S. Women’s Amateur, along with an exemption to compete in her first LPGA event at the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open.

Chun put on an impressive showing at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur where she made it all the way to the championship match and finished runner up to Saki Baba of Japan.

“That was the year that everything came together. I was playing some of my best golf,” recalled the talented Canadian National Team member.

In 2022, Chun also led the University of Michigan women’s golf squad to their first Big Ten conference title in school history.

“I spent four years there and had a great time with the team and the coaches. My game really improved during that time and it was great being part of the first women’s team to win the Big Ten conference title in 2022,” said Chun, who completed an undergrad in kinesiology.

Having achieved her top goals as an amateur, the University of Michigan grad now has a clear vision for success on the professional ranks.  This year she is competing on the Epson Tour and hopes to continue her learning on route to the LPGA Tour one day.

Wilson says Chun is on the right track and believes that by making continued improvements in her putting and getting it to a world class level, the goal of making it to the LPGA Tour is within reach.

“Her putting is good but by continuing to improve and getting it to a world class level, that’s what is going to get Monet onto the LPGA Tour and have a lot of success once she’s there.”

Chun identifies two former members of the Canadian National Team Program also from the Richmond Hill area who have provided her with a clear vision for success over the years through their success playing the sport at the highest level – specifically Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Taylor Pendrith.

“Growing up, I’ve known about Rebecca and watched her play throughout her junior career in college and on the LPGA; and its pretty cool to be in a position to try to have some of that success,” said Chun.

“I’ve played at Summit Golf and Country Club and I know Taylor has played there also. It’s inspiring to see the success he’s currently having as a professional on the PGA Tour.”

Having been on the National Team Program since her teenage years, Chun is thankful for the continued support and credits the program for playing a significant role in helping turn her vision and goals into reality.

“The program has helped improve not only my techniques, but has helped me improved physical strength and my mental game,” she noted.

“Being part of the program, we have access to so many resources to support us and help us reach our goals on the golf course.”