POTTSTOWN, Pa. — The 132-player field for the inaugural Valley Forge Invitational set fire to Raven’s Claw Golf Club today, as 48 competitors sit at 1-under par or better after the first round.

Canada’s own Christina Foster carded a 4-under 67 after a stellar bogey-free first round. The Toronto, Ont. product, who made her professional debut at the 2015 US Women’s Open, fired four birdies to end the day tied for third, two-strokes shy of the lead.

Leading the way is rookie Pajaree Anannarukarn (Bangkok, Thailand) and Laura Wearn (Charlotte, N.C.), both at 6-under par. For Wearn, she avoided complete disaster on No. 11—and the rest of her round, for that matter—by salvaging a double bogey. Otherwise, today was very kind to the fourth year pro.

“Everything started out really well, I birdied my first two holes and had a couple chances after that,” said Wearn, who recorded eight birdies in the round. “When I got to 11, tee shot ran a bit through the fairway. It was a tough one to swallow, but came back with a birdie on 12. That got me rolling again.”

Meanwhile, Anannarukarn was sharp once again. The 18-year-old has recorded three top-10 finishes in her first four career Symetra Tour starts and is right on her way to another. Currently No. 5 in the Volvik Race for the Card, Anannarukarn went bogey-free to card a 65, courtesy of six birdies.

“I was striking the ball very well and I’m really happy with the result,” Anannarukarn said. “The pin positions were in a very good line for me. I felt confident with it and my irons are working well, so it helped a lot.”

Wearn and Anannarukarn take a two-shot lead into the second round. Sitting in a tie for third at 4-under par is a group of eight players. In total, 67 individuals are even par or better.

Although plenty of low scores filled the leaderboard, the cumulative average score for the first round was 71.879, slightly above par.

“I think there’s going to be some low scores out here everyday,” Wearn said. “The greens are rolling really well and the balls are stopping. I saw a lot of good shots from the girls in my group and I think everybody out there is going to take advantage of the birdie holes.”

With 28 different countries represented in the field this week, six nations have at least one player in the top-10. Second round action gets underway tomorrow at 7 a.m. ET and all play will begin off No. 1 tee.

HAGLUND WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE

Coming off her first Symetra Tour win at the rain-shortened Symetra Classic, Jenny Haglund (Karlstad, Sweden) continued the momentum in the first round of the Valley Forge Invitational with a 5-under par 31 on the front nine today at Raven’s Claw Golf Club.

“I started out really well, hit a lot of shots close. I didn’t have to hole any long putts, so I didn’t put any pressure on myself,” said Haglund.

Meanwhile, coming in, the Southern Methodist University (SMU) product found her way to three bogeys and two birdies for a 1-over par 36 back nine.

“At the end, we kind of waited a lot so I lost some focus and made a few bad decisions where I didn’t commit to my target and pick the right club,” Haglund said. “Overall, it was a good day.”

This isn’t unfamiliar territory for the Sweden native. After the first round at River Run Country Club in Davidson, N.C., for the Symetra Classic, Haglund trailed by four strokes. However, she has now found the formula for what it takes to win out here on Tour.

Furthermore, the way that Raven’s Claw Golf Club is setup has her attention because it resembles many courses back in her home country.

“It fits my eye, definitely. I like the grass and it’s more like home, it’s not Bermuda,” Haglund said laughingly. “That’s always nice. Pretty wide off the tee and not that long either, so you’re going to have a lot of short irons into the greens.”

Watch out for Haglund when she begins the second round tomorrow at 1:14 p.m. ET, as she continues to pursue a second straight Symetra Tour win.

Three Canadians — Elizabeth Tong of Thonhill, Ont., Samantha Richdale of Calgary, Alta., Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C. — posted an even-par 71.  Fellow Canadians playing in the tournament include Augusta James of Bath, Ont. (+2), Jennifer Ha of Calgary, Alta. (+4) and Anna Young (+6).

Former Golf Canada National Amateur Team member Blair Hamilton has been awarded the 2018 Mackenzie Investments-GJAC Player Bursary.

Hamilton, 24, was given the $3,000 award after a vote of the membership of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada, an organization that represents the majority of Canada’s golf media.

“I feel very honoured and blessed to be awarded the 2018 GJAC bursary, and to have received the nomination from some of the most respected individuals in the sport means a great deal,” Hamilton said. “Competing full time as a pro carries a significant financial burden and this bursary will go a long way for me this season. I am truly humbled and grateful for the support.”

“Canadian golf has a number of strong young players in the mix, and Blair Hamilton is certainly among them,” added GJAC President Robert Thompson. “One of the goals of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada is to support young talent in this country, and we are thrilled to help Blair on his journey in the professional ranks.”

Hamilton turned pro in 2016 following three years experience with Team Canada’s Amateur squad and four with the University of Houston, where he graduated with a degree in Corporate Communications. Last year was the Burlington, Ontario native’s first full season on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada. He had three Top 25 finishes in 11 events; his best finish was a T19 at the 2017 National Capital Open to Support Our Troops. This season he plans to compete on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica with his sights set on making the Web.com, and eventually the PGA TOUR.

Hamilton ended his amateur career with a stellar campaign in 2016 that featured a runner-up finish at the Jones Cup, four Top-10 NCAA finishes, and cracking the Top-20 in both the prestigious Monroe Invitational and the Porter Cup.

“We are thrilled to once again partner with the Golf Journalists Association of Canada for this award and continue our support of golf in Canada,” said Court Elliott, Vice President Sponsorships, Mackenzie Investments. “Congratulations to Blair! We hope winning this award gives him the confidence he needs to strive to the next level.”

In 2019, the player bursary will be awarded to a member of the Symetra Tour. The bursary will be awarded to Symetra Tour/Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada members in alternating years. Last year’s winner was Brittany Marchand, who is playing on the LPGA Tour in 2018.

CHILLIWACK, B.C. – Canada’s top student-athlete golfers will descend on Chilliwack Golf Club in Chilliwack, B.C., from May 29 – June 1 for the 2018 Canadian University/College Championship.

2018 marks the 16th playing of the event, which was established in 2003 by Golf Canada to give the country’s best college and university golfers a chance to compete at a national championship.

The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades will host the event this year on the magnificent tree lined fairways of Chilliwack Golf Club.

Established in 1958, the course has played host to every major provincial tournament in British Columbia. The course, which celebrates their 60th anniversary this year, features a creek that meanders through the back nine and breathtaking mountain vistas in every direction.

“We are thrilled to welcome the best Canadian student golfers to Chilliwack Golf Club. We’re looking forward to a competitive championship, and showcasing our beautiful course,” said host club General Manager, Bryan Ewart.

Golf Canada prides itself on conducting a top-notch tournament that is the highest level of national competition for college and university golfers in the country.

“The Canadian University/College Championship provides a unique opportunity for the best student-athlete golfers in Canada represent their school and compete for a national championship,” added tournament director, Adam Cinel. “Golf Canada is proud to conduct this event to showcase the talent from universities and colleges across the country.”

In 2017, defending champion Kat Kennedy went wire-to-wire to capture medallist honours and lead the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to their second consecutive Canadian University/College Championship. Her final-round 78 was the lowest of anyone in the women’s draw and helped her finish 14 over par for the tournament, 15 strokes ahead of field.

Evan Holmes of Calgary, Alta. captured medallist honours with a 5-over-par effort.  His win, however, was not enough to catapult the University of British Columbia into top spot as the Université Laval Rouge et Or walked away with a two-stroke victory at 75 over par for the tournament.

UBC returns to the tournament having won 12 women’s and five men’s titles.

University of the Fraser Valley Cascades will look to draw upon the magic of the University of Manitoba Bisons—the last host institution to win a team title—when they captured the men’s division championship in 2014 at Southwood Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg.

The 72-hole stroke play competition will feature 20 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams from across the country vying for the national championship titles.

Following the third round, the field will be reduced to the top 10 men’s teams and the top six women’s teams, in addition to any individuals within 15 shots of the lead. Individuals within 10 shots of third place will also make the cut, or any player within the top 10. Additional information regarding the 2018 championship, can be found here.

FAST FACTS
The Université Laval Rouge et Or and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds are this year’s defending champions in the Men’s and Women’s Division, respectively.

In 2016, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds swept the championship, winning all four events. It was the first time in the tournament’s history that a school won the men’s and women’s team and individual events in the same year.

UBC has won the most women’s titles with 12 out of the last 15 editions in the team event and the most men’s championships with 5.

The individual men’s and women’s champions receive exemptions into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, respectively.

For pairings and additional information, click here.

ABOUT THE COURSE
Chilliwack Golf Club was established in 1958.

The par-72 layout has played host to every major provincial championship and was recognized as the PGA of BC’s Facility of the Year in 2013.

Course record of 61 was set in 2017 by James Allenby.

MEN’S TEAMS
Bishops’ University Gaitors
Brock University Badgers
Concordia University Stingers
Durham College Lords
Humber College Hawks
Queen’s University Gaels
University of Alberta Golden Bears
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
University of Calgary Dinos
University of Guelph Gryphons
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns
University of Manitoba Bisons
University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades
University of Victoria Vikes
University of Waterloo Warriors
Université de Montréal Carabins
Université Laval Rouge et Or
Western University Mustangs
Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks

WOMEN’S TEAMS
Humber College Hawks
Queen’s University Gaels
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades
University of Manitoba Bisons
University of Toronto Varsity Blues
University of Victoria Vikes
University of Waterloo Warriors
University of Windsor Lancers
Université de Montréal Carabins
Université Laval Rouge et Or
Western University Mustangs

Golf Canada’s second regional junior golf championship of 2018 is set to take place from May 25-27 as the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship gets underway at Otter Creek Golf Club in Otterville, Ont.

With support from Golf Ontario, the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship is the second of six regional junior championships presented in partnership with Acura. The 54-hole stroke play tournament will begin with a practice round on May 24 before the tournament gets underway with round one on May 25.

Founded in 2008, Otter Creek Golf Club will be hosting its first ever Future Links Championship. Encompassing 300 acres and carved through the wooded valleys of Otter, Cedar and Spittler Creeks, the golf course meanders cleverly over former farmer’s fields and tobacco lands.

“Golf Ontario is pleased to present the 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship in partnership with Golf Canada,” said John Lawrence, this week’s Tournament Director and Manager of Competitions at Golf Ontario.  “We look forward to seeing some of Canada’s premier junior players showcase their skills as they navigate the beautiful fairways at Otter Creek Golf Club.”

The field will consist of 87 junior golfers in the Junior Boys Division with the top six earning exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 30-Aug. 2 at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club in Medicine Hat, Alta. A tie for the sixth position will be decided by a playoff following the conclusion of play.

The Junior Girls Division will consist of 33 golfers with the top six (including ties) earning an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on July 31- Aug. 3 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

Four additional Future Links, driven by Acura Championships will span the country this summer.

• June 1-3 – Future Links, driven by Acura Western – High River, Alta. – Highwood Golf & Country Club.
• June 8-10 – Future Links, driven by Acura Québec – Lachute, Que. – Club de golf Lachute.
• June 15-17 – Future Links, driven by Acura Prairie – Portage la Prairie, Man. – Portage Golf Club.
• July 17-19 – Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic – Port Blandford, Nfld. – Clare Golf & Country Club.

The 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship took place on May 11-13, where Cole Wilson and Monet Chun earned medallist honours in their respective divisions. Additional information regarding the 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship, including participants, start times and full results can be found here.

NOTABLES
Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont.
The 17-year-old member of Team Canada’s Development Squad is ranked No. 2 on the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Girls Order of Merit and comes in as the event’s defending champion. She would go on to place T4 at the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship. Her recent win at the 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship made for her third Future Links victory.

Alyssa DiMarcantonio of Maple, Ont.
Team Canada Development Squad’s youngest member, the 15-year-old made her breakout start when she finished fourth at the 2017 Ontario Women’s Amateur and T19 at the Canadian Women’s Amateur. At this same event in 2017, she finished T3.

Olivier Ménard of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.
The 18-year-old finished last year’s event in a tie for fourth. He is fresh off a win at the 2018 CJGA Quebec Junior Open at Hawkesbury Golf & Curling Club, which took place from May 5-6.

Louis-Alexandre Jobin-Colgan of Québec City, Que.
The 18-year-old finished T4 at this event last year and T3 at the 2017 Future Links, driven by Acura Québec Championship. In 2017, he also ranked No. 8 on the Future Links, driven by Acura Jr. Boys Order of Merit. 

Emily Zhu of Richmond Hill, Ont.
The 14-year-old is coming off a win at the Investors Group Junior Girls’ Spring Classic at Sleepy Hollow Country Club. Zhu finished last year’s Canadian Junior Girls Championship T4.

FAST FACTS
In 2018, Golf Canada is conducting its six regional Future Links, driven by Acura championships in conjunction with the Provincial Associations.

Top six finishers in the Boys Division earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

Top six finishers (including ties) in the Girls Division earn exemptions into the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

Defending champion Monet Chun started the tournament two-shots back before dominating the final two rounds to earn her victory.

Christopher Vandette won the junior boys division after out-dueling Jeevan Sihota.

More information on the event can be found here.

ABOUT THE COURSE
Opened its doors to the public in 2008, the club will celebrate their 10th anniversary this year.

Designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Dick Kirkpatrick.

More information on Otter Creek Golf Club can be found here.

To catch up with Todd Fanning is not unlike anyone else who may work in a non-descript office building. Your conversation gets interrupted by a group of people looking to use the meeting room for a conference call, and when asked how often he gets to play golf, the answer (“I don’t”) comes with a hearty chuckle.

But Fanning, who is a sales manager for a large equipment leasing company in Winnipeg, isn’t just that.

For years he chased a professional golf dream, playing on the Web.com Tour and making a few appearances at the RBC Canadian Open before rescinding his professional playing privileges and returning to regular job and a regular life.

That is, until last summer.

Fanning shot a 2-under-par 69 at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Wascana Country Club to nip three-time champion Garrett Rank and 54-hole leader Steven Diack in a four-hole playoff a year ago this August.

He didn’t plan on playing a championship schedule in 2017, but when it was announced The Wascana would play host, he signed up to play the Manitoba Mid-Amateur to try to qualify (which he ended up winning), since his father lives in Regina and he had played Wascana a lot in his golfing life.

With the win at the Canadian Mid-Amateur, Fanning will make his fifth appearance at the RBC Canadian Open this summer when it returns to Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

“I’m just going to be the guy in the middle of the range and they’re going to say, ‘well who’s that?’ says Fanning. “It’s going to be quite funny.”

Self-deprecating humour aside, Fanning truly earned his spot in the RBC Canadian Open. He held off one of the furriest charges in the Canadian Mid-Amateur’s history, as Rank, who started the day eight shots back of Diack’s lead, shot a 5-under-par 66 to jump into a tie for the lead.

“It was the best nine holes of golf I’d ever seen,” Fanning says of Rank’s final nine holes, where she shot a 31.

“I just executed down the stretch. I almost won it in regulation. I had an eagle putt from the back fringe and thought it was going in, and I looked foolish when it didn’t. But out of the hundreds of people watching with 45 minutes to go, I don’t think anyone would have thought, other than my wife, that I would have won that tournament.”

But as per usual with golf, the most unpredictable of games, it was indeed Fanning who came out on top. He made a par on the fourth playoff hole, and when the 25-year-old Diack made a bogey, the championship was his.

He unleashed a Tiger Woods-esque fist pump and a little dance (“I don’t know what happened there… it was very bizarre,” he recalls with a laugh) and the accomplishment finally set in.

“I realized what happened. I was turning 50 and I get to play Glen Abbey again. All those thoughts raced through my mind,” he says.

Fanning says one of his good friends arrived in Regina from Winnipeg to watch the final round, and will have “quite a few” people out with him at Glen Abbey later this summer to celebrate his success.

At work, he says, it made for a great story. People would come up to him to say they watched the live-stream of the playoff (Golf Canada’s social media team played it out on Twitter, via Periscope) and his colleagues said he looked calm.

“I said it was because I have a great job and get to work with (them) so that was just fun for me,” says Fanning, laughing.

Before the RBC Canadian Open Fanning will return to defend his title at the Manitoba Mid-Amateur in early July, and says he will also play this year’s Canadian Mid-Amateur at Victoria Golf Club in August.

But he says what he’s most looking forward to this summer is another shot at Glen Abbey.

Fanning had the morning draw on Thursday in 1998, the last time he played there (he played the RBC Canadian Open at Royal Montreal in 2001 and at Angus Glen in 2002), and he managed to get off to a great start. He says he told his caddie he was having fun, but his caddie wasn’t.

“’Not yet, not until we got to the top of the leaderboard,’” Fanning recalls what his caddie told him.

Fanning hit a 6-iron into the par-3 7th and knocked in the birdie putt, so he got to 4-under par on his round and got to the top of the leaderboard in the morning. He went on to miss the cut, however, and will be thinking about that when he goes back.

But the fact that he gets to go back at all is the most exciting thing of all.

Fanning says there’s nothing on his radar to come to Oakville prior to July to get in a practice round, but he will arrive on site a little earlier than most to ‘cram for the exam,’ he says.

When he played Glen Abbey in the late-90s the golf course setup was different, but there’s nothing that will catch him off guard, as he watches the tournament on television and sees what the current course looks like. He admits he’ll be behind in his preparation, but is looking forward to watch should be a fun week.

“I have a full-time job so I don’t expect to go out there and contend and be in the last group on Sunday, but to me it’s all about family,” he says, as his 17-year-old son will be his caddie for the week. “My whole family is coming. My children never got a chance to see me compete as a professional, and now I have three of them and they’re all going to be there. It’s going to be a really fun time for them.”

STILLWATER, Oklahoma – Ohio State standout Jaclyn Lee recorded a 4-under 284 to end the 2018 NCAA Championship in a tie for fifth, the best individual finish in Buckeye history.

Lee, a member of the Team Canada Women’s National Amateur Squad, went into the final day one-stroke behind the lead after recording a 6-under 66 during the third round.

The Calgary, Alta. product kicked off the final round with back-to-back birdies on the first two holes, scoring 1-under 35 across the front-nine.

After 13 holes, the 21-year-old was at the top of the leaderboard. Bogeys at 15 and 16 and a double bogey at 17, however, dropped her from first position. After closing with a birdie from the greenside bunker on 18, Lee finished four-strokes behind the tournament medallist Jennifer Kupcho.

Post-round reaction from @JaclynLee57#GoBuckspic.twitter.com/H0mfnabOdJ

— Ohio State W Golf (@OhioState_WGOLF) May 22, 2018

Kupcho, the reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur champion, posted 8-under 280 to capture the title and become the first Wake Forest woman to win an NCAA golf title. The reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur champion overcame two bogeys and a double bogey across the front-nine with five birdies over her final eight holes.

Congrats to reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur champion Jennifer Kupcho on capturing the #NCAAGolf title ????

She’ll be back to defend her #CDNWAm title this summer @MDGC1922 from July 24-27 pic.twitter.com/xoQHBLna8l

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) May 22, 2018

Lee’s stellar junior season with Ohio State saw her winning three individual tournament titles, including a record-tying performance at the Big Ten Women’s Championship and an overall scoring average of 71.14, the lowest in Buckeye history. She will have another chance at winning the NCAA next year in her final collegiate season.

I can’t thank everyone enough for all the support this past week at #NCAAGolf ☺️ it always puts a smile on my face to see people following along. I appreciate it more than you know! Even though I didn’t finish the way I wanted to, I played my heart out there today #GoBucks ❤️

— Jaclyn Lee (@JaclynLee57) May 22, 2018

Lee’s fellow Team Canada member Maddie Szeryk closed out her outstanding collegiate career with a tie for 17th after scoring a 2-over 290. The Texas A&M Senior won four tournaments in her collegiate career and leaves with career records for stroke average, birdies, eagles and rounds played. She set the NCAA career record with 91 rounds of even-par or better and an SEC record with 32 Top-10 finishes.

Full tournament results can be found here.

Having recorded some impressive results, Monet Chun is proving herself to be a promising and talented young golfer with a bright future ahead.

Among the highlights for the second-year member of the Team Canada’s Development Squad are three victories at Future Links, driven by Acura Championships: Quebec, Ontario and Pacific, winning this past May by a two-stroke margin.

Other highlights of her impressive 2017 season include a win at the Investors Group Junior Girl’s Spring Classic, a top-10 finish at the prestigious Porter Cup along with a 3rd and 4th place finish at the Junior Orange Bowl and Canada Summer Games, respectively.

Looking back on her humble beginnings, the Richmond Hill, Ont. native says she got started at the age of five with the encouragement of her mom, Elena.

“My mom looked for a sport with limited possibilities of injuries. I started taking lessons once a week and participated in my first tournament at the age of seven,” she recalled.

Growing up, Chun would dabble in other sports—but after committing herself to golf at the age of 10, she has not looked back.

“I played other sports like volleyball and basketball for fun, but never competitively,” she pointed out.

“I realized I wanted to play at a high level since I was 10. Playing at an international golf event made me want to continue to play at that level and I want to compete with the best players.”

After a number of runner up finishes, Chun’s first big victory came at the 2015 Ontario Junior Girls’ Match Play championship where she defeated Alyssa Getty 5 & 4 in the championship match. In 2016, Chun would win the Golf Quebec Junior Spring Open and finish in a tie for second at the Ontario Women’s Amateur.

Having spent some time working with Chun, 2007 Ontario Women’s Amateur champion, coach Rebecca Lee-Bentham sees a lot of potential in the young golfer.

“I see a lot of myself in Monet because I can see that she’s really disciplined and works really hard; and is really dedicated to getting better each day,” said Lee Bentham, a retired LPGA pro and current PGA of Canada Class “A” coach.

“She’s consistent off the tee and has a good long game and her short game is sound also,” added Lee-Bentham. “Overall, she’s very talented and has a promising future ahead.”

The 17-year-old golfer is quick to credit her mom and her dad, Peter, for their unconditional support over the years.

“I would not be able to play the sport without the support of my parents and their dedication in driving me to practices and taking me to tournaments. I think their commitment to my game has been a key factor to my improvement over the years,” said Chun.

She is also quick to credit her time on the women’s development squad for her progression as a player.

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

Currently Chun is part of the first group of golfers who have relocated to Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, B.C. as part of the revamped development squad program.

The change in program structure and commitment to a centralized training environment over four and a half months of the year are designed to better support emerging talents as part of Golf Canada’s next generation strategy.

“The training facility in Victoria is well equipped and suited for our practices. I think it is a great idea for the team to be centralized in Victoria,” said Chun.

“It will help to improve my game since I will be receiving better support, more time with the coaches, better weather and facilities, and programs that fit our needs including schooling.”

The Richmond Hill, Ont. native was chosen to represent Canada—for the second year in a row—at the World Junior Girls Championship this past September in Ottawa.

“The field has many strong players and I was able to meet new people from all over the world. Being able to take part in a team is a different experience to other competition which I think makes the World Junior Girls Championship a wonderful experience. Also, I was able to get to know my new teammates better. It was a fun tournament,” said Chun about the event which was held at the Marshes Golf Club.

Looking ahead, the talented and promising young golfer is clear on both her short and long-term goals.

“My goals over the next year are to play consistently during (and outside) of tournaments; and commit to a school in the States,” said Chun.

“And my goals over the next five years is to win a national title, play in the NCAA representing a college team, and play in an LPGA Tour event.”

The Great Canadian East-West Contest is back for 2018, giving one lucky draw winner the golf trip of a lifetime to one of Canada’s most renowned golf courses. This year will include an all-expenses-paid trip for two to either Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club in B.C., or Kingswood Golf & Country Club in N.B.

The winner is drawn from all score entries posted by Golf Canada members from April 1 – Oct. 31, 2018. Each additional score posted counts for an additional entry. In addition to the golf, the winner will receive:

• Two nights accommodation at hotel near chosen golf course
• Round trip airfare (with either Delta or WestJet)
• Three-day car rental (with National/Enterprise)
• One hour lesson and one round of golf with the PGA of Canada professional
• $500 spending money

In 2017, the Great Canadian East-West Contest came to an end Oct. 31, with North Vancouver’s Patrick Lloyd winning the draw amongst over 7 million scores posted by Golf Canada members.

As the winner, Lloyd was given the choice of a golf vacation for two in 2018 to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club (also in B.C.) or The Links at Crowbush Cove in Morell, P.E.I.

Lloyd, a member of Seymour Golf & Country Club in North Vancouver, B.C., will head east to Crowbush Cove alongside wife Linda this summer.

Click here for contest details.

DALLAS – Aaron Wise strolled up the 18th fairway in the fading twilight, lifting his hat over his head a couple of times as the thinned-out crowd cheered what would soon be his first PGA Tour victory at the AT&T Byron Nelson.

The 21-year-old rookie pulled away from Marc Leishman at the turn after a four-hour rain delay to start the final round at the new Trinity Forest course Sunday. Then it was just a race to finish before nightfall so he wouldn’t have to wait at least another 12 hours to celebrate.

Wise shattered the Nelson record at 23 under, shooting a 6-under 65 to beat Leishman by three strokes as both became the first to finish the Nelson at 20 under or better. Leishman, who shared the third-round lead with Wise after leading the first two days, shot 68.

The treeless links-style par-71 layout, a few miles south of downtown Dallas, was defenceless with softer fairways and greens and no wind once the morning storms passed.

The Nelson celebrated its 50th anniversary with a return to Dallas after 35 years at the TPC Four Seasons in suburban Irving. Rory Sabbatini set the previous record on that par-70 layout at 19-under 261 in 2009.

“It’s everything I’ve dreamed of,” said Wise, who won once each on the Web.com and Canadian tours. “I felt like when it rained today I was really going to tear the course up just because it allowed me to hit driver, which is my strength. I got a lot of short irons in my hand and was able to make a lot birdies.”

Branden Grace matched his career-best 62 from last year’s British Open _ which was the lowest round ever in a major and finished at 19 under with J.J. Spaun and Keith Mitchell, who had matching 63s.

Hometown star Jordan Spieth again couldn’t improve on his best Nelson finish from his first start as a 16-year-old amateur in 2010. The three-time major winner, and highest-ranked player in the field at No. 3, shot 67 to finish at 11 under. Spieth tied for 21st.

Instead, Spieth has been joined by another 21-and-under winner, with Wise cruising a month shy of his 22nd birthday and two weeks after the 2016 NCAA individual champion at Oregon tied for second at the Wells Fargo Championship, two shots behind Jason Day.

Spieth doesn’t have a top 10 finish in eight Nelson appearances, the most of any tournament for him.

“Felt like I played better than I scored,” Spieth said. “Typically when you say that, it just means putts didn’t go in.”

Mitchell, also a rookie seeking his first win, and Ryan Blaum had matching 30s on the front nine, with both playing the last six holes on that side in 5 under. But Wise had five birdies over those six holes, and added one on the 10th while Leishman bogeyed.

His lead suddenly at four shots, Wise cruised from there without another par _ and didn’t need one. Blaum’s run of five straight birdies ended with a bogey at 10, one of three on the back nine for him. He shot 66 and finished at 16 under with Kevin Na (68) and Jimmy Walker (67).

Leishman set a 36-hole Nelson record that was previously shared by Tiger Woods because of calm wind the first two rounds. A blustery Saturday brought scores up, but Trinity Forest was even more benign for the final round than it was the first two without its firm fairways and greens.

“Springtime in Texas, this is very rare to have three days with no wind,” Spieth said. “This course typically plays like (Saturday). That’s what you’re looking at normally three out of the four days here.”

Adam Scott shot 65 to finish tied for ninth at 15 under but was projected to finish just outside the top 60 needed to avoid sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open. The 2013 Masters champion hasn’t missed a major since 2001.