TORONTO – Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. and Golf Canada are pleased to announce that Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand, The Glenlivet, will continue as the official spirit supplier of Golf Canada’s National Open Championships—the RBC Canadian Open taking place from July 23-29, 2018 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. as well as the CP Women’s Open, August 20-26 at The Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.

“We’re excited to extend our partnership with the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open as it allows us to celebrate the tremendous excellence and heritage of golf in Canada with The Glenlivet,” says Bryan Lin, Scotch Whisky Brand Manager, Corby Spirit and Wine. “The Glenlivet is the ultimate Single Malt Scotch whisky that was distilled for pleasure since 1824. We are committed to delivering a first-class experience that can be shared by golf fans and patrons throughout the championship with multiple onsite activations and touchpoints.”

Attendees at the RBC Canadian Open Spectator Village will have the opportunity to sample the award-winning Single Malt Scotch Whisky The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve and take home their own custom label with The Glenlivet Label Maker Experience.

Fans can also enjoy a more premium viewing experience inside the Single Malt Super Seats Lounge behind the 16^th Hole Green, with feature tastings of the newly launched Ballantine 15 Year-old Glenburgie Single Malt Scotch led by The Glenlivet Brand Ambassador, Frank Biskupek.

Additionally, Corby Spirit and Wine will feature several of its premium spirits at public concessions, including Absolut Vodka, Havana Club Rum, Altos Tequila and Ungava Gin.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. an offer our fans a truly world-class whiskey at both the RBC Canadian Open as well as the CP Women’s Open,” said Craig Sharp, Golf Canada Managing Director, Partnerships. “The tremendous history behind The Glenlivet pairs perfectly with well over 100 years of delivering a premium spectator experience at our historic National Open Golf Championships.”

More details about Golf Canada’s National Open Golf Championships including tickets can be found at www.rbccanadianopen.com and www.cpwomensopen.com.

PORT BLANDFORD, N.L. – Owen Mullen emerged as leader in the Boys Division while Haley Baker captured a playoff victory at the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship at Twin Rivers Golf Course on Thursday.

Mullen, who started the day co-leading with Peter Blazevic, shot a 1-over-par 72 — the low round of the day — to earn his victory in the Boys Division. The Truro, N.S., talent had a slow start with three consecutive bogeys but rebounded with an impressive eagle on the 9th hole, followed by three birdies on the back-nine to earn a two-stroke victory.

“I’m really excited. It’s my second win of the year. I haven’t been playing my best lately so it was good to close this one out and get the win. It’ll be my first nationals and going to Medicine Hat should be a good time looking to play well and hoping to make the cut.”

“It’s my second win of the year. I haven’t been playing my best lately so it was good to close this one out and get the win,” said the 14-year-old, who is heading to the Canadian Junior Boys Championship in near the end of the month. “The tournament will be my first nationals. I’m just looking to play well there and am hoping to make the cut.”

Blazevic, Mullen’s second round co-lead, finished close behind in second after carding a 3 over. The 14-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., struggled throughout the round but ended strong with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. He finished at 6-over-par 221.

Finishing in third place was Ewan Jr. Kelly from Beaver Bank, N.S., at 11-over-par 224. The 17-year-old fired a tournament-low 70 on Tuesday to lead after the first round but fell to third place after carding 78-76.

The other top-six finishers earning exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta., are:  Michael Simms of St. John’s, N.L., Mark Chandler of Chester, N.S., and Eric Yun of Richmond Hill, Ont.

In the Girls Division, Haley Baker and Raesa Sheikh fired final rounds of 11 over and 7 over, respectively, to finish the round at 17-over-par 230 and enter into a playoff for first. Baker outlasted Sheikh and won the playoff by one stroke on hole number one.

“I think it’s a pretty big win for me. It was probably one of the better tournaments I played in score wise but it was pretty nerve-wracking,” said Baker, who played alongside her younger sister in the final round. “My sister was really supportive of me because she saw I was struggling. She just told me to stay with it, so that was very helpful.”

Four shots back from Baker and Sheikh was Haley’s younger sister, Abbey Baker. The 13-year-old finished in third at 21-over-234.

Rounding out the top six earning exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C. are Ashley Chow (North York, Ont.), Taylor Cormier (Corner Brook, N.L.) and Mackenzie Deveau (Moncton, N.B.).

2018 FUTURE LINKS, DRIVEN BY ACURA ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – JUNIOR BOYS DIVISION

1. Owen Mullen, Truro, NS, *76-71-72-219 +6
2. Peter Blazevic, Mississauga, ON, *74-73-74-221 +8
3. Ewan Jr Kelly, Beaver Bank, NS, *70-78-76-224 +11
4. Michael Simms, St. John’s, NL, *77-73-76-226 +13
5. Mark Chandler, Chester, NS, *77-75-76-228 +15
6. Tae Kyoung (Eric) Yun, Richmond Hill, ON, *77-78-75-230 +17

2018 FUTURE LINKS, DRIVEN BY ACURA ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – JUNIOR GIRLS DIVISION

1. x-Haley Baker, Halifax, NS, *73-75-82-230 +17
2. Raesa Sheikh, Caledon, ON, *74-78-78-230 +17
3. Abbey Baker, Halifax, NS, *81-75-78-234 +21
4. Ashley Chow, North York, ON, *75-82-79-236 +23
5. Taylor Cormier, Corner Brook, NL, *86-89-80-255 +42
6. Mackenzie Deveau, Moncton, NB, *88-91-90-269 +56

Full results.

With the Rules Modernization Initiative set to take effect in January 2019, Golf Canada is in the midst of preparing resources and educational material for all golfers, member clubs and referees. Our Rules Education will begin in the fall of 2018 to prepare everyone for the changes for next year.

New for 2019, Golf Canada will be adopting the R&A’s Rules Education system. One of the main objectives of the Rules Modernization Initiative was to create consistency around the world in many facets of the Rules of Golf, including educating and training referees. The exams that Golf Canada will use and the designation by marks achieved will be consistent throughout the countries allied to the R&A, such as Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

While Golf Canada traditionally has employed a four-level system, the R&A’s Rules Education program consists of a three-tiered approach. In order to align the programs, Golf Canada’s current Levels 1 and 2 will be consolidated into just one level (the new Level 1). We will maintain separate programs for individuals to continue through our Rules Education Pathway at the provincial and national level, which will be the new Level 2 and Level 3.

The chart below compares the Levels from 2018 to what will be in place for 2019:

Level 1 provides an interesting and easy way to learn the basics of the Rules of Golf. This level will focus on Etiquette, the principle definitions and commonly encountered situations on the course. As part of the Level 1 program, students will be able to test their knowledge by taking the review questions at the end of each section before attempting the online Level 1 Exam.

Level 2 (Provincial) seminars will be conducted by provincial golf associations, and the curriculum will begin to look at the more important playing Rules in detail. Some of the complexities that are found in the Decisions book are introduced along while also implementing on-course demonstrations. Level 2 (Provincial) will be designed for individuals with an involvement in tournament administration, or a desire to have such an involvement.

Level 3 (National) will consist of a three-day seminar run by Golf Canada, also called Tournament Administrators and Referees School (TARS). It serves to give guidance and advice on running tournaments and refereeing by including sessions on course set-up, course marking, pace of play, suspension of play, and starting and recording.

OAKVILLE, Ont. — The 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Event will take place on Saturday, July 21 at Glen Abbey Golf Club, the host of the 2018 RBC Canadian Open.

Twenty-four golfers from three age groups will compete in the 10th edition of the Junior Skills National Event which returns to Glen Abbey Golf Club as a lead in event to Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.

The participating juniors will compete in a four-part skills challenge (putting, chipping, driving and iron play) with one overall winner per age group and gender.

Golf Canada, in partnership with Acura and the PGA of Canada will host the national finals of the 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge on Saturday, July 21 at Glen Abbey Golf Club. The event is the culmination of more than 3000 Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills participants competing at 171 golf facilities across Canada. The field is comprised of 24 golfers from across Canada: five boys and girls in the 9-11 age group; four girls and boys in the 12-14 age group; and three boys and girls in the 15-18 division; all selected from the top of the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills Challenge National Leaderboard.

FIELD

Girls 9-11
Lea Lemieux (Garson, Ont., Timberwolf Golf Academy )

Sophia Xu (King City, Ont., Kings Riding Golf Club)

Avery Cohen (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Katherine Hao (Vancouver, B.C., Fraserview Golf Course)

Lindsay McGrath (Milton, Ont, Glencairn Golf Club)

Boys 9-11
Manav Bharani (Brampton, Ont., Turnberry Golf Club)

Colby Bent (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Andre Zhu (King City, Ont., King Valley Golf Club)

Grady Cohen (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Brayden Boge (Winnipeg, Man., Golf Mentor Academy)

Girls 12-14
Alissa Xu (King City, Ont., Kings Riding Golf Club)

Annabelle Chapleau (Mont Tremblant, Que., Club des Champions)

Jahnavi Bharani (Brampton, Ont., Turnberry Golf Club,)

Jean Craig (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Boys 12-14
Cale Maclaughlin (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Matis Lessard (Québec, Que., Académie de Golf Fred Colgan)

Brent Chapman (New Glasgow, N.S., Brian Affleck Golf Academy)

Nicholas Colton (Bathurst, N.B., Gowan Brae Golf Club)

Girls 15-18
Taylor Cormier (Corner Brook, N.L., Blomidon Golf and Country Club)

Camille Gagnon (Sainte-Julie, Que., Club de Golf la Vallée du Richelieu)

Chelsea Joseph (Lethbridge, Alta.; Lethbridge Country Club)

Boys 15-18
Owen Gauder (Thornhill, Ont., Bayview Golf and Country Club)

Gregoire Vincent (Québec, Que., Académie de golf Fred Colgan)

Jack Rain (Sudbury, Ont., Idylwylde Golf & Country Club)

The winners of the Future Links driven by Acura Skills Challenge National Event in the boys and girls 15-18 age groups will receive an exemption into their local Future Links driven by AcuraChampionship in 2019. All other attending participants of the Future Links driven by Acura Junior Skills National Event will receive prizing courtesy of Titleist Footjoy.

On Sunday, July 22, Future Links, driven by Acura Skills Challenge National Event participants will have the opportunity to play the famous Glen Abbey layout in an exciting match play format, outfitted by program sponsor Cobra Puma Golf. Following that, participants will be provided weekly grounds passes and have an opportunity to be involved in Monday’s Golf Canada Foundation Pro-Am and secure a spot in Wednesday’s Walk with a Pro event during the RBC Canadian Open Pro-Am.

For more information on the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Skills National Event click here.

PORT BLANDFORD, N.L. — Haley Baker holds onto her lead in the Girls Division while Peter Blazevic and Owen Mullen co-lead the Boys Division at the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship on Wednesday.

Baker held on to the top spot in the Girls Division after posting a second-round 4 over.  The Ashburn, N.S., native extended her lead to head into the final round with a comfortable four-stroke margin. Despite being unable to register a single birdie, Baker tied with her younger sister Abbey for the low score of the day.

Raesa Sheikh was in a great position after 9 holes but struggled on the back-nine with two double bogeys, eventually sinking a birdie on her last hole. The Caledon, Ont., product sits in second place at 10-over-par.

Rounding out the top-three in the Girls Division is Abbey Baker at 14 over. The 13-year-old was the only junior girl to score multiple birdies during the second round.

In the Boys Division, Owen Mullen moved from fourth to a tie for first after firing four birdies and posting an even-71, the low score of the day.

“It’s a little tight off the tee so you can’t be super aggressive out there and have to strategize well because it was so windy today. The stretch from 4 to 12 really got my round going and kept it together,” said the 14-year-old from Truro, N.S. “My plan tomorrow is just to play my own game and not worry about what the other guys are doing.”

He will enter the final round tied for the lead alongside Mississauga’s Blazevic, who started round two in a tie for second.

Yesterday’s leader, Ewan Jr. Kelly, sits one shot back from the leaders. The 17-year-old, who shot a 7 over, faced troubles throughout the round but found redemption with an eagle on hole 16.

The top six finishers in the junior boys’ division will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta. The top six finishers in the junior girls’ division will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

Up-to-date results can be found here.

As Laurence Applebaum marked his first year as Golf Canada’s CEO on July 10, it would have been easy to point to a couple of recent announcements as early anniversary presents.

On July 3, it was revealed that the RBC Canadian Open would vacate its logistically problematic date the week immediately after The Open Championship in July and shift to the week prior to the U.S. Open, taking place the first week of June starting next year.

On July 9, Canadian Pacific and Golf Canada announced that CP had extended its title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, the only LPGA Tour event in Canada, for five years through 2023. The announcement was made at Magna Golf Club, the opulent and outstanding facility in Aurora, Ont., which will host the 2019 CP Women’s Open.

Just as significant was the news that the event’s charity, CP Has Heart, has raised almost $6.5 million for heart health initiatives in just four years. CP’s sponsorship also supports Golf Canada’s National Team Program (Team Canada) and the Young Pro Program which aids emerging Canadian professionals as they transition to the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour. CP is also the title sponsor of the CP Women’s Leadership Summit which will make its debut on Aug. 21 during the CP Women’s Open at Wascana Country Club in Regina.

But in an interview after the CP Women’s media conference at Magna, Applebaum was quick to deflect the credit for these notable accomplishments.

“We are extremely fortunate to have great partners like CP and RBC and so many others who support the game of golf in Canada. Without them and a supportive Board of Directors and our talented and hard-working team of staff and volunteers, I doubt very much would get accomplished at all, much less in a year.”

So giving credit where credit is due, it must be noted that the past 12 months have been, if not tumultuous, at least a “whirlwind,” according to Applebaum.

“One of the biggest highlights and I have to admit, one of the biggest surprises, was the reception I enjoyed from the golf community both within our borders and outside. I was overwhelmed by how much Canadians love their golf and also by how welcoming the global golf community, like the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, the USGA and the R&A, has been to a newcomer.”

Building relationships was a keystone of Applebaum’s priority list when he came on board to lead Golf Canada. He traversed the country, listening to golfers to determine how Golf Canada could become “more relevant,” in his words.

One of the positives he noted was the reaction to Golf Canada’s new membership model. The hope is to transition all member clubs to the Gold Level by the end of next year. The Gold Level comes with a laundry list of benefits from an official handicap factor to incident protection (up to $2,500 reimbursement for damaged, lost or stolen equipment, plus other unfortunate golf-related events), discounts on merchandise and event, tickets, and more).

“I had many golfers come up to me and say ‘I’ve been a Golf Canada member for a long time but I’ve never really seen the value. But now I do.’”

Another thing Applebaum noted during his travels was that the “Canadian golf community” is anything but. It’s fragmented, to say the least.

But the good news is that when he joined Golf Canada, work was well underway on the organization’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy (by a task force headed by current Golf Canada President Leslie Dunning. Published last winter, it is a leading-edge document that, says Applebaum, “shows that we welcome all of Canada’s almost six million golfers with open arms. It’s a great outreach initiative that we are determined to live up to.”

About the same time as the Diversity and Inclusivity Policy was released, Applebaum appeared at a media conference with PGA of Canada CEO Kevin Thistle to announce that the two national organizations have teamed up to combat and prevent abuse, bullying and harassment in golf by adopting Respect in Sport and Respect in the Workplace as part of a deepened commitment to the Responsible Coaching Movement.

Laurence Applebaum and PGA of Canada CEO Kevin Thistle signing the Responsible Coaching Movement for golf in Canada

After such a hectic yet rewarding first year, Applebaum might be excused if some of the memories are a touch hazy. But that’s not the case in at least one instance.

“It had to be at last year’s CP Women’s Open at Royal Ottawa,” he recalls as his face lights up with a smile. “To see Brooke Henderson make the cut on the number and then go out on Saturday and shoot a course-record 63, well, what a great moment for Canadian golfers! It’s something I’ll never forget.”

And with that, he stands up, shakes hands, and heads into Year Two.

WINNIPEG – Brooke Henderson is looking forward to some much-needed time off and then returning to the golf course with a “vengeance.”

After the Canadian star failed to hang on to her final-round lead and finished third at last weekend’s LPGA Tour Marathon Classic in Ohio, she planned to spend some time at home before getting ready for the British Open on Aug. 2-5 in England.

“It’s so important to be physically ready but also mentally,” Henderson said Tuesday after headlining a pro-am and junior clinic at the St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg.

“And, especially in the summer months when it’s so hot and you’re grinding every single day. It is tiring and you have to really pay attention and know that rest is just as important.

“So I’m excited to kind of have some downtime, get some rest and be balanced, and then get back at it and work hard. I feel like it’s good for you to kind of refresh and then go forward with a vengeance.”

Her break actually got off to a bit of a rocky start as two flights to Winnipeg out of Toronto were cancelled Monday night. She arrived Tuesday morning and the event was a hit despite some scheduling changes.

“It definitely does bring back a lot of memories,” Henderson said. “I think it kind of gives me that lift as somebody else was mentioning earlier, just that kind of little extra boost, that little extra confidence that I am on the right track, I am doing things the right way.

“I’ve just got to keep moving forward and good things are going to happen.”

Good and bad things happened to the Smith Falls, Ont., native last Sunday, but after assessing her play she was letting the disappointment of not claiming a seventh Tour victory roll off of her.

The 20-year-old still had a one-shot lead after the 14th hole, but then bogeyed the 15th and 16th. She made par on the 17th and 18th par-five holes, but missed out on a playoff that was won by Thidapa Suwannapura of Thailand over American Brittany Lincicome.

“Leading up to that, I played amazing golf all week,” Henderson said. “The four holes kind of don’t give the respect to those other holes that much but I was playing great.”

She had believed her final putt was bang on.

“I thought it was in, to be honest,” she said. “It’s right where I thought and it just stopped breaking, I guess a foot or two to go.

“But that’s all you can do. I hit it on the high side. It had a chance to go in. It looked awesome and, unfortunately, it just didn’t go in and that’s cool.”

Henderson is sixth in earnings after taking home $843,597 this year, following seven Top 10 finishes in 18 events, including winning the Lotte Championship in April. Her six career Tour victories is two shy of Sandra Post’s record for the most by a Canadian woman.

She plans to continue working hard on improving her short game.

“Putting has been a huge focus for me over the last few months, I guess since the start of the season,” she said. “That’s where I’m trying to make big gains.”

Her break will also include important time off with her family.

“This year definitely has been challenging for my family,” said Henderson, who withdrew from last month’s U.S. Women’s Open after her grandfather on her mother’s side passed away.”

“My other grandpa is sick now, too, and it’s really kind of scary. But I feel like I’ve been handling everything, the ups and the downs, pretty well.”

“I’m just trying to overcome those things and hopefully get some more wins in the near future.”

VANCOUVER, B.C. –  Marine Drive Golf Club is prepared to host the world’s premier female amateur golfers from July 23-27 for the 105th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

The top-two ranked players on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) headline the 156-player field as Marine Drive hosts the Women’s Amateur Championship for the first time. World No. 1 and defending champion Jennifer Kupcho headlines the group alongside Lilia Kha-Tu Vu (No. 2) and Patty Tavatanakit (No. 6).

Designed in 1922 by the late Arthur Vernon Macan, Marine Drive has been home to many champions. The 6,300 yard, par 71 course is known for its difficulty and has continued to provide an exceptional test of golf. Macan will be celebrated at RBC Hall of Fame Day on July 24 during the RBC Canadian Open as one of two inductees this year into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame for his excellence in Canadian golf architecture.

“We are so excited to host the 105th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Marine Drive in the beautiful city of Vancouver,” said Tim Tait, Director of Golf at Marine Drive. “We look forward to welcoming the world’s up-and-coming stars to Marine Drive, and crowning the next champion of this storied tournament.”

LPGA stars Brooke Henderson (2013) and Ariya Jutanugarn (2012) are two of many great champions to have hoisted the Duchess of Connaught Trophy before moving on to the professional ranks. 

“This tournament has proven to be a stepping stone for many amateurs working towards joining the professional ranks,” said Tournament Director, Dan Hyatt. “Eight of our past 10 winners, including 2013 champion Brooke Henderson, have gone on to find success as professionals. We are very excited to write the next chapter of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Marine Drive.” 

In 2018, the Marlene Streit Trophy will be awarded to the runner-up for the first time since its retirement in 2006. Streit, a Canadian golf Hall-of-Famer, holds the record of 11 victories at the Canadian Women’s Amateur.

All four members of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad will be in attendance: World No. 16 Maddie Szeryk (London, Ont.), No. 26 Jaclyn Lee (Calgary, Alta.), No. 177 Naomi Ko (Victoria, B.C.) and No. 249 Grace St-Germain (Ottawa, Ont.). Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., will be joined by her fellow Team Canada Development Squad members Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Ellie Szeryk (London, Ont.) and Alyssa DiMarcantonio (Maple, Ont.).

In addition to Kupcho, Vu, Tavatanakit, Szeryk and Lee, players in the field from the top-30 world rankings include Mariel Galdiano (No. 19), Haley Moore (No.25) and Emilia Migliaccio (No. 27). Also included in the field is Avril Li, who earned her spot in the event after winning the 2018 Canadian University/College Championship.

A practice round will be conducted on July 23 prior to the championship’s opening round. Following the first two rounds of play, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties. A tie for the championship will be decided by a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following the conclusion of play.

An inter-provincial team championship will take place in conjunction with the first two rounds of play. British Columbia’s Naomi Ko, Michelle Kim and Gloria Usu Choi claimed the team title in 2017. 

The winner of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship will earn an exemption into the CP Women’s Open from Aug. 20-26 at the Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.

For more Information on the 2018 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship including the full field, starting times and live scoring, click here.

NOTABLES
Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont.
The National Amateur Squad member is the highest ranked Canadian in the field (No. 16). The three-time All-American golfer already has two wins in 2018:  the Bruzzy Challenge and Dale McNamara Invitational. In 14 events this season, the 21-year-old has five top-five finishes and eighteen top-twenty finishes. She captured both the BC Women’s Amateur Championship and Women’s Western Amateur Championship.

Jaclyn Lee of Calgary, Alta.
The Team Canada National Amateur Squad member has made a name for herself this season with wins at the NCAA Big Ten Championship and Westbrook Invitational and six top-ten finishes, including a tied for fifth at the NCAA Women’s Medal Championship. The 21-year-old recently climbed up ten spots to No. 26 in the world rankings after a strong showing at the Meijer LPGA Classic and making it to the semi-finals at the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship.

Jennifer Kupcho of Westminster, Colo.
The defending champion and current world No. 1 has three wins so far this season: the NCAA Medal Championship, the NCAA Tallahassee Regional and the Bryan National Collegiate. Kupcho won the event last year by a 5-stroke margin. The 21-year-old amateur most recently finished T16 at the Marathon LPGA.

Lilia Kha-Tu Vu of Fountain Valley, Calif.
The current world No. 2 has four victories in 2018 so far: the Pac-12 Championship, the Arizona Wildcat Invitational, Bruin Wave Invitational and the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge. The 20-year-old placed second in this event last year.

Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand
The current world No.6, Tavatanakit has won three of the seven 2018 tournaments she has played in, including the NCAA San Fransisco Regional, Pac-12 Championship and Silverado Showdown.

FAST FACTS
Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship is among the oldest golfing competitions in Canada.

The champion will earn an exemption into the CP Women’s Open from Aug. 20-26 at the Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.

Ten provincial teams with three players each will compete in an inter-provincial championship that will take place in during the first two rounds.

The Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship is an ‘A’ ranked event on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. 

Last year’s champion: Jennifer Kupcho from Colorado, current world No. 1 amateur golfer.

Recent past winners and current LPGA major winners include Brooke Henderson (2013), Ariya Jutanugarn (2012)

During the 1901 season, the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Que. hosted the first competition which was won by Canadian Lillas Young.

Canadian Marlene Streit has the most wins at the event (11) in its history: 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973.

Canadian Mary Ann Lapointe is the oldest to ever win the event at 44-years-old. 

Judy Darling Evans and Dora Darling are the only mother-daughter combo to win the event.

Five golfers have won the tournament at least three years in a row: Mabel Thomson, Dorothy Campbell, Marlene Stewart Streit, Debbie Massey and Lisa Meldrum. 

The Duchess of Connaught was donated in 1914 as the new championship trophy, Dorothy Campbell had won the Lady Grey Trophy outright in 1912 after her third consecutive victory.

The tournament was not held between 1939-1946 because of WWII.

The Marlene Streit trophy, awarded to the runner-up, will be returning for the first time since its retirement in 2006.

ABOUT THE COURSE
Designed by A.V. Macan, who will be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame at the 2018 RBC Canadian Open.

Established 96 years ago. 

6,300 yard, par 71 golf course 

Host Club for past Canadian Men’s, Men’s Senior and Junior Boys Championships.

PORT BLANDFORD, N.L. — Ewan Jr. Kelly and Haley Baker carded a 1 under and 2 over, respectively, to lead their divisions at the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship at Twin Rivers Golf Course.

Kelly was the only player to score under par during the first round of the tournament. The Beaver Bank, N.S., native overcame a couple of bogeys on the front-nine with four birdies to head into the second round with a four-stroke lead.

“I hit it pretty solid and managed really well,” said the 17-year-old. “My plan tomorrow is to keep it in play and miss in the right spots. I only hit one driver today and probably not going to hit any more.”

Jordie Cooper of Fall River, N.S. and Peter Blazevic of Mississauga, Ont. both shot 3 over to share a piece of second place.

In the Girls’ Division, Haley Baker fired four birdies in order to recover from a rough front-nine that included three bogeys and a double-bogey.

“My start was a little shaky but my putting was really good today,” said the 16-year-old Halifax, N.S. product. “I got into some trouble on a couple of holes today so my plan for the second round is to keep it in play.”

The race in the Girls’ Division will be tight on Wednesday. Raesa Sheikh of Caledon, Ont., sits one shot behind Baker in second place at 3 over while Ashley Chow of North York, Ont., is in third at 4 over.

The top six finishers in the Boys Division will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta., while the top six (including ties) in the Girls Division will earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31- Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

Up-to-date results can be found here.

Marc-Etienne Bussieres held on to the top spot of the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC following the recent PGA Championship of Canada presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf.

With the No. 1-ranking, the 31-year-old from Club de golf Longchamp in Sherbrooke, Que., earns an exemption into the RBC Canadian Open, which takes place July 23-29 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

Pierre-Alexandre Bedard moved into the top-five of the player rankings after his first national championship win at the PGA Championship of Canada presented by TaylorMade and adidas Golf at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club. Bedard, an assistant professional at Club de golf Cap Rouge in Quebec, is the PGA of Canada’s reigning Mike Weir Player of the Year Award winner. The 23-year-old is now in a good position to become the first back-to-back player of the year in the history of the association.

The Mike Weir Player of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding player among the ranks of the PGA of Canada membership. The Player of the Year is awarded to the member who attains the most points based on the criteria within the PGA of Canada Player Rankings for the calendar year of the award.

Other nice jumps in the player rankings after the PGA Championship of Canada include Gordon Burns (who placed second at Credit Valley) who moved into the top-10 at No. 8, up from No. 16. John Shin of the Northview Golf Academy in Surrey, B.C., jumped 20 spots to No. 21.

The new look PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC are as follows:

1. Marc-Etienne Bussieres, Club de Golf Longchamp
2. Bryn Parry, Point Grey Golf & Country Club
3. Billy Walsh, Modern Golf
4. Dave Levesque, Golf Chateau Bromont
5. Pierre-Alexandre Bedard, Club de Golf Cap Rouge
6. Danny King, The Performance Academy at Magna
7. Oliver Tubb, University Golf Club
8. Gordon Burns, Gord Burns Golf School
9. Lee Curry, Camelot Golf & Country Club
10. Dustin Risdon, National Golf Academy Dome

The PGA of Canada Player Rankings is based on a points-based system from a number of national and zone championships.

The remaining events for points are:

• PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada
• PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada
• PGA Head Professional Championship of Canada
• British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northern Ontario, Ontario, Ottawa Valley, Quebec and Atlantic Zone Championship and Club Professional Championship
• Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Ottawa Valley, Quebec and Atlantic Assistants’ Championship

For more information about the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC, CLICK HERE.