Tiger plans to play Torrey Pines, Riviera on west coast
KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) — Tiger Woods is playing twice in California over the next six week as he begins another comeback on the PGA TOUR from back surgery.
Woods announced Thursday he will play the Farmers Insurance Open on Jan. 25 at Torrey Pines, the San Diego course where he has won eight times. That includes the 2008 U.S. Open, his 14th and most recent major.
He also says he will play the Genesis Open at Riviera in Los Angeles that starts Feb. 15. Riviera is where Woods played his first PGA Tour event as a 16-year-old amateur. He last played in 2006, though it now is back in play because the Tiger Woods Foundation runs the tournament.
“I’m very excited to be back at Riviera,” Woods said. “To be able to play in an event that I used to come to as an amateur, as a junior and now as the tournament host, that is on one of the most historic sites in all of golf, it’s a dream come true.”
The schedule is similar to the one last year when Woods was returning from back surgery. It just didn’t last long.
He played in the Bahamas against an 18-man field with no cut, said he was feeling good about his health and his game, and then resumed a PGA Tour schedule at Torrey Pines. But he missed the 36-hole cut for the first time in San Diego, flew to Dubai and withdrew after opening with a 77 because of back spasms.
Two months later, Woods had fusion surgery on his lower back — his fourth back surgery in three years — and was out the rest of the year until he returned at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas and tied for ninth, 10 shots out of the lead.
Different about this return was that Woods was hitting with power, at times hitting it past Justin Thomas and Henrik Stenson, and he played several practice rounds before the Bahamas with Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Daniel Berger and Dustin Johnson. All of them remarked that he looked much fitter, healthier and happier.
The PGA Tour figures to get an even bigger boost.
“I think Tiger’s return and the excitement based on how he looked … based on what it does for ratings, what it does for a non-golfer’s interest in golf, it’s got to be at the forefront of the excitement,” Jordan Spieth said.
“With Tiger, we just don’t exactly know what it’s going to bring. But I think because of the way that the Hero went and the confidence that he’s talking with, the place that he’s at in life right now, I think he’s in the best position he’s been in in a few years to come back and be a regular out here competing.”
Woods did not mention any other events he might play. He is No. 656 in the world ranking and not eligible for the two World Golf Championships in March, key tournaments leading into the Masters.
He has not played all four majors since 2015 — he missed the cut in three of them — because of his back injuries. He has not made the cut in all four majors since 2013.
Woods has 79 career victories on the PGA Tour, the most recent at the Bridgestone Invitational in 2013. He needs four more to break the record held by Sam Snead.
Adam Hadwin extends partnership with Levelwear
Levelwear confirmed today that it has resigned Adam Hadwin to a multi-year deal and the PGA TOUR member will continue to be a global brand ambassador for their brand moving into 2018.
“I absolutely loved working with Levelwear last season to ensure that each week I was dressed with high-performance and top quality apparel that enabled me to continuously compete at the top level; I’m thrilled to continue to wear their apparel moving into this season,” says Hadwin. “The fact that I can not only work with a Canadian brand but feel great in their apparel week after week means a lot, and I look forward to playing in some new styles this season on TOUR.”
. @Levelwear, our apparel partners for the @RBCCanadianOpen & @CPWomensOpen, confirmed today that they’ve resigned @ahadwingolf to a multi-year deal as a global brand ambassador. pic.twitter.com/W1Hw2uVPPx
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) January 4, 2018
Hadwin had a breakout season during the 2016-2017 PGA TOUR campaign, making history at the CareerBuilder Challenge, becoming the 4th player in PGA TOUR history and first Canadian ever to shoot sub-60 on a par 72 course. Seven weeks after his impressive performance at the CareerBuilder, Hadwin then went on to capture his first PGA TOUR title at the Valspar Championship, defeating Patrick Cantlay in a tightly fought battle. To conclude his third season on TOUR, Hadwin earned a spot to compete in the Presidents Cup, making him the third Canadian in history to do so. Hadwin is in a great place right now both on and off the course, and hopes to continue this momentum into the 2017-2018 season.
Levelwear works with roughly 80 of the top 100 golf clubs in both Canada and the US, as well as continuously growing their portfolio of top tier golfers joining Adam Hadwin.
“We are thrilled Adam will be continuing to wear Levelwear on TOUR this season after his stellar performance last year. His attitude on and off the course reflects the core values Levelwear boasts internally and externally,” said Hilton Ngo, Levelwear’s CEO. “We can’t wait to further grow our relationship with him as he competes on TOUR this season and watch him continue to reach new heights.”
Levelwear has established enduring business verticals in licensed and team sports, golf apparel, and men’s and women’s lifestyle wear, with core strengths of innovation, decoration, and industry leading service. The company holds licensing partnerships with some of the top global brands, including the NHL and NHLPA, NBA and NBPA, 140 US Colleges, Hockey Canada and various soccer properties (Bayern Munich, Paris St. Germain, Juventus, Celtics, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, etc.) globally. At the PGA Merchandising Show in Orlando later in the month, Levelwear is unveiling its 2018 collection and the Insignia Program, a highly innovative logo treatment collection, that gives a rich gloss metallic like finish with custom embellishments. For more information, please visit www.levelwear.com.
Statement on the passing of former Shaw Communications CEO Jim Shaw
It is with sadness and respect that Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation extend sincere condolences to the entire Shaw family as well as to our friends at Shaw Communications on the passing of former CEO Jim Shaw who passed away on January 3, 2018.
“On behalf of Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation and the Canadian golf community, we extend our most sincere condolences to Jim Shaw’s entire family and his many friends and colleagues with Shaw Communications,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “The Shaw family and the team at Shaw Communications have been passionate supporters and promoters of the game of golf in their community. From their partnership with the RBC Canadian Open and deep philanthropic ties to the Golf Canada Foundation to their incredible vision in transforming the Shaw Charity Classic into a gold-standard charitable platform and so many other endeavours, the Shaw family has had an incredible impact on Canadian golf and our deepest thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”
Harry White, a champion of junior golf in B.C., passes at age 72
The British Columbia golf community is mourning the passing of Harry White, a tireless promoter of junior golf who influenced the lives of countless youngsters and made an enormous contribution to the game.
White died Tuesday in Vancouver following a lengthy illness. He was 72. White was a longtime member of Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver and ran the Junior Linkster Golf Tour where kids as young as five years old learned the game.
“Nobody has given more to junior golf in Vancouver than Harry White,” said Tim Tait, the head professional at Marine Drive, where White had been a member since 1957.
“Harry is responsible for introducing thousands of kids to the game of golf in B.C.,” added fellow Marine Drive member Doug Roxburgh, the 13-time B.C. Amateur champion. “He put forward non-member kids for membership at the club that he came across and felt could benefit from being there.”
One of those kids was Richmond’s Chris Crisologo, who is now a member of Golf Canada’s national amateur team. Crisologo, a senior on the Simon Fraser University golf team, said White had a profound influence on his life that extends far beyond golf.
“I will always remember the passion he had for the game and the way he gave back to the community and kids,” Crisologo said in an interview. “He spoke a lot to us about the integrity of the game. That kind of passion and integrity has carried on through my golf and how I view the game.
“And it was more than just golf. He helped me get into Marine Drive as a junior and from there you learn respect and everything. He graduated from Vancouver College and he wrote me a nice little letter to help me get into the high school. There were just so many small things he did for me over the years that have touched and influenced my life.”
White was a huge supporter and organizer of the annual Junior America’s Cup competition that features 18 teams from 12 western U.S. states, two Canadian provinces and Mexico.
Crisologo played on two America’s Cup teams captained by White — in 2011 in Colorado and again in 2013 in Hawaii. Crisologo visited with White just days before his passing.
White, along with his late brother Dick and Michael Riste were founding members of the B.C. Golf Museum, which opened its doors on the grounds of University Golf Club in Vancouver in May of 1989.
Riste, whose tireless efforts have helped keep the golf museum afloat, said White’s support was crucial in getting the museum up and running. “When we built the golf museum, all I’d have to do was tell Harry, we need some insulation or I need drywall, and the next thing I knew it would arrive,” Riste said.
But Riste said White’s legacy will definitely be his contribution to junior golf. In addition to the Junior Linksters Tour, White and his late business partner Fred Wellsby started a Junior Zone tour in the Vancouver area that helped produce many top players.
“I wouldn’t even want to guess how many guys at Marine Drive played the junior tour, were good players and Harry got them into Marine Drive as junior members,” Riste said. “If there were 100 down there it wouldn’t shock me. . .Junior golf will definitely miss Harry White.”
While best known for his work supporting junior golf, White was also a fine player in his day. He played alongside Roxburgh on two Willingdon Cup teams for British Columbia. The team of White, Roxburgh, Johnny Russell and Dave Mick won the Willingdon Cup in 1972 at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary.
White was the stroke-play medallist at the 1969 B.C. Amateur Championship at Richmond Golf Club, but fell to Roxburgh in the match play semi-finals. Roxburgh, who visited with White just days before his passing, remembers winning that match on the 20th hole. He chuckled while reminiscing about the match.
“I think on the second hole I hit a wedge six inches from the hole and Harry turns to me and says, ‘I never give birdie putts.’ He made me putt it. I also remember he got it up and down on 18 to take it to extra holes and I beat him on the 20th.
“He was a very good player. He kind of had a funny swing. He had a dip in his backswing, he dipped his head down and his left knee down. But he was a strong guy and could hit the ball pretty solid. Back in his heyday he was a very good putter.”
White was also a past Vancouver City Amateur champion. Later in life, he turned pro and made an unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the Senior Tour. “Harry was a fine player and in his prime always a contender,” said Kris Jonasson, longtime executive director of British Columbia Golf. “As a builder, Harry was an unequalled champion. Golfers will miss his passion, his mentorship, but will always remember the legacy he leaves behind.”
Riste said a celebration of White’s life will be held later this month at Marine Drive Golf Club. Riste also hopes to set up a junior golf scholarship in White’s name.
Canadian Jamie Sadlowski partners with Cleveland Golf
Cleveland Golf is pleased to announce the addition of Canadian Jamie Sadlowski to their professional tour staff. Sadlowski, a two-time World Long Drive Champion, agreed to terms on a multi-year contract to serve as a global brand ambassador for Cleveland Golf.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Cleveland Golf as a global brand ambassador,” Sadlowski said. “As I begin my second year of professional golf around the world, I know the Cleveland Launcher HB Driver, along with the compliment of irons and wedges, will deliver the performance I am looking for.”
Sadlowski, 29, hails from St. Paul, Alta., where he actually started out as a junior hockey player. Sadlowski began his golfing career on the World Long Drive circuit where he won back-to-back championships in 2008 and 2009, and never finished lower than fifth in the world while competing. In 2016, Sadlowski made the transition to competitive professional golf where he competed in different events around the world. Last year, Sadlowski made his PGA Tour debut at the Dean & Deluca Invitational at Colonial Country Club and the Safeway Open, while playing in 10 events on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada.
Sadlowski will play the Cleveland Launcher HB Driver, Srixon Z-U65 Utility 2i and 3i, Srixon Z Series irons, Cleveland’s RTX-3 wedges (52°, 56°, 60°), and Srixon’s Z-Star XV golf ball. In addition, Sadlowski will wear a Cleveland Launcher HB hat, Srixon glove, and carry a Cleveland Golf bag.
“As one of the longest tour players on the planet, we know Jamie had many options when selecting his driver,” said Rodney McDonald, Vice President of Tour Operations. “We designed our Launcher HB driver to help all golfers bomb it long and straight – and we’re glad Jamie agrees. I’ve seen many tour players hit drivers, but watching Jamie hit it 370 yards down the fairway in competitive rounds is almost unbelievable. His validation of our technology is really exciting for us.”
With a refined swing geared towards competitive rounds, Sadlowski put together some impressive launch conditions with Cleveland’s Launcher HB Driver in his hands: ball speed of 190.3 mph, launch angle of 9.7°, spin of 2,454 rpm, carry distance of 343 yards and total distance of 372 yards.
“With the Launcher HB driver, I know I will be able to drive the ball longer and straighter which is the key to my game,” Sadlowski said. “I’ve never been more confident in my golf clubs.”
On Jan. 23, 2018, Sadlowski will be giving a demonstration and clinic in the Cleveland Golf area at the 2018 PGA Show Demo Day in Orlando, FL. He will be available to meet with the media during that timeframe. If you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Noelle Zavaleta to set up a time to speak with him.
In 2018, Sadlowski will play in events on the PGA Tour, Web.com Tour and the Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada.
Canada’s Foley to join Golf Channel in 2018
Golf Channel has announced that renowned teaching professional Sean Foley has joined Golf Channel’s instructional talent roster as the new primetime host of Playing Lessons, which takes viewers on the golf course to learn directly from professional golf champions. Additionally, Foley will bring his expertise of the golf swing to the network’s news programming, including Golf Central and Golf Central Live From during golf’s biggest events.
For years, Foley has brought a modern perspective to golf instruction, utilizing a data-supported, biomechanical approach with his individual students. He is most notably working with 2013 U.S. Open champion, 2016 Olympic gold medalist and eight-time PGA TOUR winner Justin Rose, along with a number of other top players on the PGA TOUR. Foley’s unique vantage point also has made him a prominent fixture in Revolution Golf’s premium content offerings to its 2 million subscribers. As he becomes a key contributor across Golf Channel, Foley will be expanding his instructional content offerings via Revolution Golf, which has grown to become the largest direct-to-consumer digital platform in golf.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with Golf Channel in re-launching Playing Lessons, as well as sharing my observations and analysis throughout the year during the most exciting moments in golf,” said Foley. “I’m also looking forward to discussing my perspectives and teachings with millions of Golf Channel viewers and having in-depth conversations with some of the top personalities in the game.”
Foley, born 1974 in Burlington, Ontario, decided to become a world class instructor at a young age after watching David Leadbetter work with Nick Faldo at the RBC Canadian Open in the early 90’s. He teaches out of the Foley Performance Academy at EaglesDream outside Orlando and coaches the likes of Rose, 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett, reigning PLAYERS champion Si Woo Kim, and highly touted and newly turned professional Cameron Champ. Foley also has worked with a number of the game’s elite players over the years, including Tiger Woods, Hunter Mahan, and Lee Westwood.
TaylorMade Golf unveils Twist Face technology in new M3 & M4 drivers
Carlsbad, Calif. – TaylorMade Golf has shifted the paradigm of golf club engineering with the introduction of the M3 & M4 metalwoods, highlighted by the company’s breakthrough innovation – Twist Face technology.
Re-imagining traditional driver face design, TaylorMade’s Twist Face technology is truly the first of its kind. Twist Face, featured in both the new M3 & M4 drivers, is TaylorMade’s solution to counteract golfers’ most common misses, more specifically, those resulting from the high toe and low heel impacts.
M3 Driver
Armed with Twist Face, the M3 is the sequel to TaylorMade’s highly successful M1 driver. The M3 driver features a new matte silver front section and a raised, aerodynamic five-layer carbon composite crown.
Exclusive to the M3 in both 440cc and 460cc models in a new Y-Track adjustability system that allows the CG adjustment of the head. The Y-Track allows for two 11 gram weights to be moved for both heel and toe control, as well as center of gravity. It offers golfers more than 1,000 CG configurations, more than twice as many as the M1. With the weight in the back position, the MOI (or essentially the club’s forgiveness) is 10% higher than M1.
Availability & Pricing
Available for pre-order on February 1 and at retail on February 16 .
M4 Driver
Complementing the M3 driver and its unrivaled personalization is the M4 driver, which differentiates its design by putting an emphasis on unparalleled forgiveness with straight distance. The M4 driver not only utilizes the new Twist Face and Hammerhead technologies, it also incorporates Geocoustic™ engineering.
Availability & Pricing
Available starting February 16, 2018.
2017 in review: Milestones
The year 2017 is drawing to a close and what a year it was for Canadian golf. Our pros won literally around the world and on just about every tour imaginable. Our amateurs of all ages made Canada proud at home and abroad. And, off the course, there were significant moments that are well worth memorializing as 2018 looms on the horizon.
This is the third of a three-part series remembering most, if not all, of those memorable moments.(If we’ve unintentionally overlooked any—there were so many, after all!—please let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
February:
Roland Deveau of Nova Scotia returns as president of Golf Canada for a second one-year term.
Judy Darling Evans and Bob Vokey elected to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
More on Bob Vokey and Judy Darling Evans, our 2017 inductees into the @CGHF: https://t.co/moub4WZWyb pic.twitter.com/3cTksnSV9B
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) February 28, 2017
Bill Klein of Parkville, B.C., and George McLeod of Brandon, Man., named co-recipients of Golf Canada’s Volunteer of the Year award.
March:
Mike Weir, a five-time competitor in the event, is named assistant captain of the international team at the Presidents Cup.
Scott Simmons resigns as CEO of Golf Canada after 10 years.
May:
Laurence Applebaum succeeds Scott Simmons as Golf Canada’s chief executive officer.
Toronto’s Bruce Mitchell is named the first Canadian to serve as captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
June:
Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada publish the 2017 Golf Facilities in Canada Report.
September:
Golf Fore The Cure presented by Subaru announces it raised more than $300,000 for breast cancer research through more than 160 events from coast to coast in 2017.
A BIG thank you to all #GolfForetheCure participants for helping us reach $6M raised for breast cancer research??
? https://t.co/Ea7KnwH3jd pic.twitter.com/FK4L30HGn0
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) September 28, 2017
Following Adopt a School Week, Golf Canada announces an additional 240 school adoptions, representing an additional 28,800 elementary, intermediate and high-school students being introduced to the sport through the Future Links driven by Acura program.
#GolfinSchools totals 240 adoptions to date in 2017 thanks to collective efforts during Adopt a School Week ????
? https://t.co/inaE5cF4ln pic.twitter.com/fAHZ10hpre
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) September 27, 2017
The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association appoints Jeff Calderwood as its executive director, a post he will hold concurrently with his position as CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada.
October:
Golf Canada announces that in 2018, for the first time, the National Development Squad program will feature a centralized component which will be based out of Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, B.C.
Kevin Thistle is named CEO of the PGA of Canada to replace the retiring Gary Bernard.
New PGA of Canada CEO Named to Lead Association to a New Era of Success https://t.co/N7lQrg3GYd
— PGA of Canada (@pgaofcanada) October 10, 2017
November:
The 2017 CP Women’s Open, held in Ottawa, wins the Best Charity/Community Engagement award from the LPGA Tournament Owners Association.
A crowd-funding initiative by the Canadian Golf Museum and Hall of Fame raises thousands to digitize and preserve irreplaceable volumes of Canadian Golfer magazine.
Craig Loughry, Golf Canada’s director of handicap and course rating and Golf Ontario’s director of golf services, is named president of the International Association of Golf Administrators.
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mike Weir is inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
December:
Calgary’s Shaw Charity Classic wins the PGA TOUR Champions President’s Award for the third time in its five-year history.
Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada announce a partnership committed to the principles of the Responsible Coaching Movement, endorsed by the Coaching Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
Canadian Press names Brooke Henderson female athlete of the year
TORONTO – Canadian golfer Brooke Henderson is barely out of her teens and her list of accomplishments on the LPGA Tour is already a long one.
She won her first LPGA Tour event in 2015, added her first major championship last year and picked up two more tournament titles in 2017. Henderson capped her latest impressive season Wednesday by winning the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada’s female athlete of the year.
“I’ve always kind of felt like I belonged out there, which I think is a big part of why I’ve had so much success so early,” said Henderson, who turned 20 in September.
Henderson picked up 35 of 63 votes (56 per cent) in a poll of broadcasters and sports editors from across the country.
“Not only is the young golfer an international champion, but she’s also playing a monumental role in helping young children get into the game,” said Mitch Bach of CHAT TV news in Medicine Hat, Alta.
Swimmer Kylie Masse was a distant second with seven votes. Gymnast Ellie Black and soccer player Christine Sinclair were tied for third with four votes apiece.
Henderson, who also won the Rosenfeld award in 2015, is the first golfer to win the award on two occasions since Lorie Kane (1997, 2000). Swimmer Penny Oleksiak took the honour last year.
“(Henderson) captured the attention of Canadian golf fans in a way not seen since the adoration given previously to Mike Weir,” said Winnipeg Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons.
Henderson had a slow start to the season with just two top-10 finishes in her first 10 events. She found her form in June by winning the Meijer LPGA Classic and just missed out on a playoff at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship later that month.
Her second title came in September at the New Zealand Women’s Open.
“Patience I think is a key word that basically describes my whole season,” she said.
Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., finished sixth on the money list at just over US$1.5 million and was 13th in the world rankings. She did it by relying on her impressive long game and consistent accuracy from the fairways.
She finished 20th on Tour in driving distance this season (263.58 yards) and was 10th in greens in regulation (75.10 per cent). That helped her average just under 70 strokes a round (10th at 69.88).
Another big moment for Henderson came in August at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in Ottawa. She nearly missed the cut before giving her army of fans something to cheer about on the weekend.
Henderson surged up the leaderboard before finishing in a tie for 12th place.
“I can’t even really put into words what it meant to me to see all that support and those people cheering me on,” Henderson said from Naples, Fla. “To get that 63 course record on Saturday in front of all those people in my hometown was truly amazing and one of the highlights of my year for sure.”
Henderson’s five career LPGA Tour victories leaves her only three behind Sandra Post for most wins by a Canadian.
“She knows how to score and she’s not afraid to go low,” Post said. “Some people, they get to 5 under, and they quit. She keeps going.”
Henderson, who had eight top-10 finishes, plans to focus on improving her short game as she prepares for the season opener next month at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.
Her putting average of 29.77 per round was 58th overall and she sat 100th in sand saves at 42.67 per cent.
“I have big goals and hopefully in 2018 I’ll have my best year yet,” Henderson said. “But to have a year like 2017 to back up what I did in 2016 – which was really a miracle season for me, everything went perfect – so to grind it out in 2017 and to have the finishes that I did, I’m really proud of that.”
Tennis player Denis Shapovalov won the Lionel Conacher Award as Canada’s male athlete of the year on Tuesday. The CP team of the year will be announced Thursday.
Bobbie Rosenfeld, an Olympic medallist in track and field and a multi-sport athlete, was named Canada’s best female athlete of the half-century in 1950.
The first winner of the Rosenfeld award was golfer Ada Mackenzie in 1933. Marlene Stewart Streit leads all golfers by taking the honour on five occasions (1952, ’53, ’56, ’57, ’63).
“I’m extremely proud to be named Canada’s female athlete of the year,” Henderson said. “I was just looking at some of the names … Marlene Streit, Lorie Kane, Sandra Post, all golfers that have won this award. Even the last few years, I just saw Christine Sinclair, Hayley Wickenheiser, Eugenie Bouchard.
“Those names are huge names in all of sport and all of Canada. So to be amongst them is a great honour for me.”
2017 in review: Amateur golf
The year 2017 is drawing to a close and what a year it was for Canadian golf. Our pros won literally around the world and on just about every tour imaginable. Our amateurs of all ages made Canada proud at home and abroad. And, off the course, there were significant moments that are well worth memorializing as 2018 looms on the horizon. This is the second of a three-part series remembering most, if not all, of those memorable moments.(If we’ve unintentionally overlooked any—there were so many, after all!—please let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
January:
Grace St-Germain and Maddie Szeryk, members of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad, win the team title at the Mexican Amateur.
ICYMI – Canada’s @gracestgermain & @mszeryk combined scores to win team event at last week’s Mexican Amateur.
? | https://t.co/L7DwcwwfwK pic.twitter.com/2Wjz1g9qbe
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) January 14, 2017
February:
Jared du Toit of Kimberley, B.C., wins a U.S. collegiate tournament, The Prestige at PGA West, in California.
Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., a sophomore at North Carolina State, wins a playoff to claim her first NCAA title, the Lady Puerto Rico Classic.
A BIG congratulations to #TeamCanada‘s @naomiko_golf, who captured her first #NCAA win today at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic ?? pic.twitter.com/siqUgMslbI
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) February 14, 2017
March:
Maddie Szeryk, a third-year member of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad and a junior at Texas A&M, wins the NCAA’s Dr. Donnis Invitational in Hawaii.
April:
Emily Leung and Chris Crisologo, both B.C. natives and students at Simon Fraser University, win their respective NCAA Division II individual titles at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championship in Idaho.
British Columbians Stuart Macdonald, the event’s medallist, and Lawren Rowe team up to win the Peruvian International Amateur Championship.
Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., wins her division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National, home of The Masters in Augusta, Ga.
How about a BIG round of ? for Canada’s Savannah Grewal, winner of Girls 14-15 division @DriveChipPutt – congrats!! ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/LLustCgOUe
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) April 2, 2017
June:
Team Canada Amateur Squad member Maddie Szeryk, a junior at Texas A&M, wins the Western Women’s Golf Association Amateur Championship in Illinois.
The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds women, led by Kat Kennedy, claim their second consecutive Canadian University/College Championship at Tangle Creek GC in Barrie, Ont. Universite Laval wins the men’s title.
July:
Colorado’s Jennifer Kupcho wins the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ont.
The “Future Links, driven by Acura, Junior Skills Challenge” national event commences at Glen Abbey GC in Oakville, Ont. For the ninth consecutive year, the event crowns female and male champions from three age groups. The 2017 champions are Andre Zhu, Kelly Zhao, Felix Bouchard, Emily Zhu, Nathan Hogan and Mackenzie Morrison.
August:
Winnipeg’s Todd Fanning wins the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Wascana CC in Regina.
Congratulations to Todd Fanning, who won the 2017 Canadian Men’s Mid-Am in a playoff over Rank & Diack at @The_Wascana ! ????? #CDNMidAm pic.twitter.com/riAVIeC16W
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) August 25, 2017
Australian Sue Wooster wins the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship in a playoff over Mary Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont., at Humber Valley Resort in Newfoundland and Labrador. Lauren Greenlief of Australia claims the Mid-Amateur title.
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mary Ann Hayward defeats reigning champion and fellow Canadian Judith Kyrinis in a playoff to win the Women’s North and South Senior Championship in Pinehurst, N.C.
Quebec wins all four medals at the Canadian Summer Games at Southwood G&CC in Winnipeg.
Zach Bauchou of Virginia wins the 113th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Toronto GC.
Susan Xiao of Surrey, B.C., wins the Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Ottawa’s Camelot G&CC.
Calvin Ross wins the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Cataraqui G&CC in Kingston, Ont., becoming the first New Brunswick native to claim that title.
September:
Team Spain wins the World Junior Girls Golf Championship in Ottawa in a playoff over Korea.
Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., defeats fellow Canadian Terrill Samuel to win the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. Of the nine Canadians in the field, four advanced to the quarter-finals.
Team Canada wins a total of five medals in the inaugural adaptive golf competition of the Invictus Games in Toronto.
Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee, a junior at Ohio State, wins her first NCAA collegiate tournament, the East & West Challenge in Wisconsin.
Gene Elliott of Iowa wins the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Kanawaki GC in Quebec.
October:
University of the Fraser Valley wins both the men’s and women’s titles at the Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association national championships in Oshawa, Ont.
November:
Team Canada—Joey Savoie of La Prairie, Que., and Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont.—win the Tailhade Cup in Argentina.
December:
Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont., and Maddie Szeryk, a dual citizen of London, Ont., and Allen, Texas, recognized as Canada’s top male and female amateur golfers for 2017 by Golf Canada.
Hats off to @JWhalen8 and @mszeryk, Golf Canada’s amateur players of the year for 2017 ????
? https://t.co/AKnPwTRzI1 pic.twitter.com/ZcX4hQ9TtV
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) December 12, 2017