New Mexico’s Johnnie Clark wins individual competition to earn exemption in 2027 RBC Canadian Open; Alexis Rouleau wins Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp for second straight year

FOOTS BAY, Ont. – The New Mexico Lobos battled the elements to complete the wire-to-wire victory at the 2026 Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in Foots Bay, Ont. on Tuesday.

The sunny skies of Monday turned grey bringing cooler temperatures and rain throughout the morning on Tuesday making for a challenging final round for the field with only two players shooting under par.

New Mexico finished the tournament at a collective 5-under following a 10-over round, to finish 10 shots clear of the two-time defending champions, Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

New Mexico coach Jake Harrington and Johnnie Clark both described the day as a “grind” but were able to get the job done.

“We were able to maintain and hang in there and pull it together and finish it off. To go wire-to-wire and lead in the opening round and finish off with the lead is not easy to do in college golf especially when you have a team like Notre Dame, one of the best teams in the country chasing you down, I am extremely proud of these guys and what they accomplished,” said Harrington.

New Mexico’s Johnnie Clark led the way for the Lobos shooting a respectable 1-over 72, Oliver Scriven’s 2-over 73, Clark Sonnenberg’s 3-over 74 and Wyatt Provence’s 4-over 75 contributed to the team score on Tuesday, ensuring all five team members had scores count for the championship highlighting the depth and resiliency that Harrington praises his group for.

“We’re a solid team, we’re an underrated team and the problem is they keep giving me bulletin board material because they didn’t put us in the top 30 in the country in the Coaches Poll and I made sure the guys knew about that, we were 26th in the country last year and you can slide us all you want, we’re a pretty good team. I tell the guys you put in so much hard work, you come here and enjoy it.”

Harrington added that the tournament exceeded the team’s expectations and complimented their host family for the memorable experience.

“This place is special, the staff and everybody here, to be able to come to Canada and have a life experience for the young men but then to win and make it a good golf experience as well is the cherry on top. That’s what you try to do as a coach, yeah, you’re a golf coach this is what I get paid for but to have life experiences that’s what these kids are going to remember for the rest of their life and they’re going to remember this week forever because it was a special week.

“It’s been amazing, the people are amazing, the place is beautiful, the golf course is amazing everything about it is first class and it’s an honour to be here and be the champion,” said Harrington.

Notre Dame finished the tournament at 5-over to earn runner-up honours and Santa Clara finished third at 12-over.

In the individual competition New Mexico’s Clark’s 1-over 72 put him to 6-under for the tournament and gave him individual honours by one over Emil Nielsen (Santa Clara), carding 15 pars to close things out.

“I didn’t do anything particularly well today, it was just solid golf. Made a lot of pars on a tough day and I guess that’s what you have to do. I made a few clutch putts and coming down the stretch I had a couple 60 footers that I two-putted, so the lag putting was really good and on a day like today it’s hard to hit it close, the pins are tucked the lag putting helps a lot,” said Clark.

The win marks three consecutive regular season wins for Clark, who won the Thunderbird Collegiate in April and earlier this month at the Pan Pacific University Golf Super League in Shizuoka, Japan.

“It means so much, just been playing really solid golf and just having the confidence I can go to each week and win is huge and knowing my game is good enough to perform at the highest D1 level and win here, hopefully that shows a little something towards the future in that regard. It’s awesome,” he added.

With the individual win, Clark has earned an exemption into the 2027 RBC Canadian Open, returning to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, June 7 – 13, 2027, where he will compete in a PGA TOUR event for the first time.

“I think it’s amazing the opportunities we have in college golf, you win a tournament like this, and you get to go play on the PGA Tour and compete with the best in the world so I couldn’t be happier to go play,” he said with a smile after earning his exemption.

Along with Clark and Nielsen, Veikka Viskari (Missouri), Provence (New Mexico) and Rocco Salvitti (Notre Dame) have also earned exemptions into the 122nd Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO for finishing in the top five individually.

The 54-hole tournament featured an expanded field of 13 teams and eight individuals, totalling 73 collegiate players competing for the top spot in both team and individual competitions in Foots Bay, Ont. The top four scores from each team of five counted towards the daily team combined score.

To view the final team and player leaderboards following the 2026 Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational click here.

Alexis Rouleau of Montreal, Que. completed the wire-to-wire victory, finishing atop the Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp leaderboard for a second consecutive year.

Rouleau finished the tournament at 2-over following rounds of 69-72-74 to win by four shots. The win sees Rouleau secure his place on the 2027 Team Canada – NextGen Boys roster.

“It feels great, I proved a lot of things, all the hard work this summer, it’s incredible,” said Rouleau on securing his place on the team next year.

Rouleau added that he has grown a lot in the past year being part of the Team Canada program.

Andy Dai of Markham, Ont. and Team Canada NextGen member, Eddie Gu of Aurora, Ont. finished tied for second at 6-over.

The selection camp ran concurrently with the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational with a field of 21 junior boys. To view the final leaderboard click here.

Michelle Xing’s first collegiate tournament was one for the UCLA women’s golf record books. 

The freshman from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, delivered a remarkable performance at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, rallying from five shots behind to claim medalist honours in her UCLA debut. Her performance earned her both Big Ten Golfer of the Week and Freshman of the Week honours. 

A member of Team Canada – NextGen, Xing finished the tournament at 9-under 207 after rounds of 70-72-65. Her final-round 7-under 65 was the week’s low round and tied the UCLA freshman record for the lowest 18-hole score, joining Bruins Bronte Law, Mariajo Uribe and Jane Park. 

The victory was even more impressive given the conditions and the deficit Xing faced entering the final round. 

After making par on her opening five holes, Xing caught fire, recording seven birdies over an eight-hole stretch. She ultimately carded eight birdies to move to 9-under for the tournament with five holes remaining. 

A bogey on her 16th hole briefly interrupted her momentum, but Xing responded with a birdie on her final hole to finish 7-under for the day and secure the individual title by one stroke over Kovelesky. 

Only 10 players finished under par at Royal Golf Club. 

With the victory, Xing became the first Bruin in program history to win her first college event and the first UCLA freshman to claim an individual title since Francesca Fiorellini won the 2025 Bruin Wave Invitational. 

Xing and the Bruins return to action September 21-22, 2026, at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Ontario, giving the Canadian freshman the opportunity to compete in her home province.

Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).

Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.

Ashwyn Lalji, Banff Springs Golf Course, Hole #4

My 9-year-old son, Ashwyn Lalji, made his first hole-in-one at the Banff Springs Golf Course on August 12, 2026. Ashwyn was playing the 4th hole of the Tunnel Nine from the red tees, a 104-yard par 3. He hit a 7-iron, and the ball bounced short of the green and rolled toward the hole. Nobody in the group saw it go in, but when they arrived at the green, they found the ball in the hole! Ashwyn was playing with his older brother and younger sister – all three of the kids are Youth on Course members.

– Submitted by Ashwyns parent

Karen Lewis, Kenora Golf & Country Club, Hole #15

I was playing in the “Monday Morning Ladies Best Ball Match Play League” at the Kenora Golf & Country Club. It was a windy rainy morning. We pulled up to the picturesque par 3, hole #15. An 80-yard shot from the red tees. I normally play my 52 degree wedge, but with the rain I opted for my 48 degree. My friends Liz McKenzie reports, “I witnessed it and there was a downpour with tree branches flying by like tumble weeds. We were under cover in the cart. She stepped out into the storm, teed up and into the hole!”

Jin Wen, Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto, Hole #13

My first hole-in-one! I used a 6 hybrid and I am still processing the fact that I had a hole-in-one.

Ben Fraser, River Oaks Golf Club, Hole #3

A blind tee shot on the 344-yard par 4. The ball rolled onto the green and dropped into the cup out of sight from the tee. The achievement was witnessed and confirmed by the group playing directly ahead of us on the green.

Mark Skidmore, Carstairs Community Golf Course , Hole #12

It was Sunday August 30th, 2026 on hole #12 at Carstairs Community Golf Course in Carstairs, Alberta. It was a 176-yard par 3 over water and a bunker with the flag at the back of the green. I pulled my new 7 wood and watched it fly the water and bunker and take one hop to the right and disappear. From 176 yards it was tough to tell if it had gone in the hole or rolled off of the green. My wife had videoed the walk up to the hole and found the ball in the hole for my first ever hole-in-one.

Terry Fascione, Naturally Pacific Resort, Hole #18

I was playing a Spectrum Therapeutics sponsored scramble tournament and scored the hole-in-one on hole #18, a 155-yard par 3. We were playing from the white tees with a blue pin at the back of the green. I measured the yardage at just over 170 so I used my 5 wood with an easy swing to avoid danger to the left. The shot flew straight into a light breeze and rolled directly to the pin and dropped. This is my second career hole-in-one.

Lisa Nevakshonoff, Creston Golf Club, Hole #4

It was very exciting! I was golfing with my husband Mike Nevakshonoff and our friends Kathleen Elias and her husband Garry Thiessen.

I hit my new Calaway 9 wood from 123 yards and the ball bounced once rolled a few feet, hit the pin and dropped in the cup! Kathleen and I started screaming and jumping up and down and then our husband’s joined us in the celebration.

Two local men were on the top tee box behind us and seen the hole-in-one as well. They started cheering and clapping! My husband and I will be going back to Creston to attend their clubs annual hole-in-one dinner.

New Mexico’s Johnnie Clark and Wyatt Provence co-lead individual competition;
Alexis Rouleau leads Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp

FOOTS BAY, Ont. – The New Mexico Lobos followed up Sunday with a collective 7-under to remain atop the team leaderboard in the third playing of the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in Foots Bay, Ont. on Monday.

The Lobos now sit at 15-under for the tournament and take a six-shot lead into Tuesday’s final round over the two-time defending champion, Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Johnnie Clark and Wyatt Provence led the way for New Mexico on Monday, posting scores of 4-under 67. Thayer Plewe’s 1-under 70 and Clark Sonnenberg’s 2-over 73 counted toward the team total in the second round.

New Mexico coach Jake Harrington praised his team’s resiliency on Monday after a tough stretch through the day resulted in a strong finish with the team shooting a collective 11-under through their final six holes of the day.

“Just finishing strong and that’s what we talk about all the time. You’re going to have adversity out there and every day is going to be a different kind of adversity and how you handle it so that’s what the guys did.

“Obviously, Johnnie and Wyatt picked us up today with 67s and even Thayer had a stretch of four birdies in a row and as long as you’re playing consistent golf those birdies can happen at any given moment and we’re lucky that’s what happened today and made a little run at the end,” he added.

Notre Dame responded with a collective 9-under on Monday to cut into the Lobos lead after entering the day eight back. Three of the four members of the Fighting Irish fired in the red figures on Monday with Rocco Salvitti’s 4-under 67, Mike Qui’s 3-under 68 and Peyton Blackard’s 2-under 69. Jacob Modleski added an even par 71 to help the two-times champs get within six of the leaders.

“Notre Dame is not going away, they’re a great squad, coached by a great coach and we know they’re great and they’re going to come after us with everything every single day, so we just got to try and win the day,” said Harrington.

Harrington has said his team will need another round like Sunday, tomorrow to hold off the Fighting Irish.

“Those guys, they’re solid, they’re one of the best teams in the country for a reason. John [Handrigan] being from around the area, I know how bad he wants it, so I’d like to knock him off his pedestal a little bit,” he said with a laugh.

“It’s just fun competing against great coaches, great players and they’re a really good group of guys. We’ve been with them the past two days and it’s been super enjoyable and they’re a class act and they’re powerful so we can’t let our foot off the gas.”

Harrington will reiterate that things are all even in his message to his team tonight.

“We’re still tied at even, you better go beat them today because they’re coming for you tomorrow and that’s the message and I think if we do that, we can hold our own and it’s going to be a fun day tomorrow and that’s what I hope, I hope they play great and I hope we play a little better.”

In the individual competition New Mexico’s Clark and Provence co-lead at 7-under in a crowded leaderboard.

Clark carded six birdies in his round on Monday, narrowly missing an eagle putt on the par-5 18th that would have given him the solo lead. Clark credits his iron play as the strongest part of his game and that aspect helped him today.

“My distance control on iron shots was really good today. I hit a few loose drives but was able to recover and controlling distance out of the rough and putting was pretty solid as well,” he said.

Clark has enjoyed a successful run recently, winning in April at the Thunderbird Collegiate in Tempe, Ariz. and earlier this month at the Pan Pacific University Golf Super League in Shizuoka, Japan and is currently playing with a lot of confidence and will try to carry that into tomorrow.

“If the putts fall, they fall and if they don’t, they don’t so just try to come out and do my thing and if it leads to a win then great,” he added.

While the teammates battle for individual honours, Harrington praises his team’s selflessness.

“All they want to do is win as a team and they’re going to go out and try to win the day but they’re not going to do anything stupid. If they’re out of position they’re going to lay up to a spot that they need to for the team. At the end of the day we want them both to play great and fight it out and one of them will have bragging rights on the way home and that’s just how they are as teammates to each other, they’re all friends and the friendship goes out the window when you’re on the golf course but we’re all still fighting for each other, you fight for something bigger than yourself and that’s how you win tournaments.”

Clark agrees with his coach citing the team’s focus of playing for each other and having each other’s backs.

“We’re all going to be out here grinding and trying to finish it off and if one person isn’t playing well, we’ll have their back. We have a really good group of guys, great group of ball strikers and I think that’s important on this course. Keeping it in play and on the correct side of pins.”

Bennett Espenshade of Rutgers who led after round one, is currently one shot back of the leaders in third at 6-under. Salvitti of Notre Dame is fourth at 5-under, and four players are tied for fifth at 4-under.

The 54-hole tournament features an expanded field of 13 teams and eight individuals, totalling 73 collegiate players competing for the top spot in both team and individual competitions, running concurrently over 54 holes. The top four scores from each team of five count towards the daily team combined score.

This year’s individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2027 RBC Canadian Open, returning to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, June 7 – 13, 2027. The top five individual finishers will also receive exemptions into the 122nd Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Current Team Canada – NextGen member Alexis Rouleau of Montreal, Que. holds a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp.

Rouleau shot a 1-over 72 on Monday to sit 1-under overall. Trailing the 2025 selection camp winner is Team Canada – NextGen teammate Eddie Gu of Aurora, Ont. Gu shot a 2-under 69 to drop to 1-over for the tournament.

The selection camp is running concurrently with the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational with a field of 21 junior boys competing for one secured spot on the 2027 Team Canada – NextGen roster. To view the leaderboard following the second round click here.

To view the team and player leaderboards following the second round of the 2026 Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational click here.

Field of 123 will compete for the Ada MacKenzie Challenge Trophy as well as Super Senior Championship and Inter-Provincial Team Championship

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. – The field is set for the 2026 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, set to take place, September 16-18 at Pine Hills Golf Club in Rocky Mountain House, Alta.

Defending champion and three-time winner, Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay, B.C. (2021, 2022, 2025) leads the field of 123 competitors from across Canada and the United States. Joining Stouffer is four-time winner, Canadian Golf Hall of Famer, Mary Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont. (2010, 2011, 2013, 2023), three-time winner Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont. (2012, 2015, 2024) and two-time champion Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. (2016, 2019). In July, Kyrinis added the Irish Senior Women’s Amateur Championship title to her long list of accomplishments. Stouffer, who was defending champion, finished second in Ireland. In June, Stouffer won her seventh consecutive British Columbia Senior Women’s Championship.

“We are excited to welcome a strong field with four past champions competing for our Canadian Women’s Senior Championship this week at Pine Hills Golf Club,” said Madeline MacMillan, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “We’d like to sincerely thank the course staff and volunteers for their warm hospitality in the buildup to this national championship and we look forward to another memorable tournament this week.”

The Canadian Women’s Senior Championship features a pair of competitive divisions, the Senior division and the Super Senior division that run concurrently throughout the competition’s 54 holes. Females with a handicap index of 16.4 or less are eligible to compete in the 2026 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship. After 36 holes the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties based off the Senior division with a minimum of five Super Seniors making the cut and anyone within 10 shots of the lead in the division. Hayward enters as the defending champion of the Super Senior title. Hayward and Samuel have both won the title twice in the past four years.

Team British Columbia will look to claim the Katherine Helleur Trophy for a third consecutive year and fourth in five years. Since 2002, Team British Columbia and Team Ontario have claimed the coveted team title 11 times. Team Alberta was the last province outside of B.C. or Ontario to win in 2001. The Inter-Provincial Team competition runs concurrently over the first 36 holes of the national championship.

Pine Hills Golf Club is the perfect balance of challenge and beauty with 18 performance inspiring holes embraced by countless awe-inspiring scenic views. The Club is perfectly secluded with nature and is considered a delight to play yet difficult to master. Pine Hills was established in 1964 originally as a 9-hole layout. In 1989 renowned Canadian golf course architect Sid Puddicombe integrated an additional nine holes in unison with other improvements resulting in an 18-hole, Par 72 championship golf course that harmonizes perfectly with nature. The 2026 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship will mark the first time that Pine Hills has hosted a national championship.

“Pine Hills along with the community are extremely honoured to be able to host this event and showcase our club and surroundings to competitors from all over North America. Our staff, members and volunteers are looking forward to ensuring our club shines during the championship week,” said Dave Drake, Executive Professional and General Manager, Pine Hills Golf Club. “The field can expect a challenging yet fair setup during the week with an emphasis on accuracy off the tee as the rough will be penal and the greens will definitely test the players short game nerve.”

Conducted since 1971, the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship has featured many of the country’s top senior golfers. Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Marlene Streit, Gayle Borthwick, Marilyn O’Connor, Margaret Todd and Mary Ann Hayward all own senior championship titles.

The event’s historic past is paired with a notable list of exemptions awarded to the winner of the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, including a spot in the field at the 2026 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship set for September 26 – October 1 at the Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore. Additionally, a spot in the 2027 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, 113^th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, 2027 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and a 10-year exemption into the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship.

For the full player field competing at the 2026 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

VICTORIA — Étienne Papineau celebrated his 30th birthday with a final-round 61 and a four-stroke victory Sunday at the Digital Commerce Group Open.

The Team Canada member from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., finished at 25 under at Uplands Golf Club after rounds of 65, 64, 65 and 61. American Charlie Nikitas placed second at 21 under following a closing 66.

Papineau’s parents were waiting beside the 18th green, making the victory even more meaningful.

“My dad was there in Toronto when I won a couple months ago. My mom wasn’t there, so having both of them here, it means a lot,” Papineau said. “It’s the first time my mom sees me win, so it was awesome to celebrate and give her the first hug after the putt on 18.

“I’m still on cloud nine.”

Papineau began the final round tied for sixth, three strokes off the lead, and stumbled with a bogey on the par-4 second hole. His response was emphatic.

He made five consecutive birdies beginning at No. 3 and birdied seven of eight holes during one stretch. Three more birdies on the closing nine completed a round of nine under.

“I think the bounce-back right after the bogey on two was incredible,” Papineau said. “Making a birdie after a bogey is good, but making five of them right after a bogey in the final round was pretty incredible.

“I’m proud of the way I handled the whole week.”

Papineau said he did not begin the round with a target score. He simply knew he would have to be aggressive on the par-70, 6,420-yard layout.

“I just tried to go as low as possible because one of these guys at 16 or 17 under was probably going to go low as well,” he said. “I stayed patient out there. I knew there were going to be a lot of chances on the course, a lot of opportunities, and I just had to take advantage of them.”

The victory was Papineau’s second at the Digital Commerce Group Open. He also won the tournament in 2023 and joined Rick Todd, the champion in 1991 and 1997, as the only two-time winners in the event’s history.

Neal Ryan, a member at Uplands, was Papineau’s caddie for both victories.

“It was awesome to have Neal on the bag again,” Papineau said. “He’s super calm, super positive, and that’s what I need on the course.”

Papineau joked that Victoria’s growing place in his career could make the city a long-term destination.

“It might be my retirement home, we’ll see,” he said. “Maybe I’ll retire, whenever I retire, and come here and play golf.”

Papineau said Uplands suits his game, even though his ball-striking was not at its best during the week. Strong putting and timely par saves allowed him to remain in contention before his closing charge.

“This course is just something else for me,” he said. “It fits my game extremely well. I didn’t hit my best, to be honest, but I was extremely, extremely good on the greens this week.”

The victory was Papineau’s second of the PGA Tour Americas season following his playoff win at the Osprey Valley Open in July. He became the circuit’s first two-time winner of 2026 and moved to No. 2 on the season-long points list.

It was a significant turnaround for Papineau, who missed the cut in each of his first five starts of the season. He has since recorded four top-five finishes, including his two victories.

“The first half of the season was a struggle, but the last three months have been incredible, and I’m proud of it,” Papineau said. “Sometimes it’s good that it happens because you learn a lot from it. I was able to learn from it, bounce back and find my confidence again.”

His position on the points list has put him on track to regain Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2027. The top 10 players at the end of the PGA Tour Americas season will earn Korn Ferry Tour status.

Papineau competed on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024 and 2025 but lost his membership after finishing No. 121 on last year’s points list.

“If I’m able to go back on Korn Ferry, it will give me a second chance,” he said. “I played there for two years and I learned a lot. Hopefully, I don’t make the same mistakes and I go there more prepared.”

Papineau is now within reach of the top position on the PGA Tour Americas Points List, although he acknowledged that leader Thomas Ponder remains the player to catch.

“The goal is to get that first spot,” Papineau said. “I’ll go out there, play my best and we’ll see what happens. Now it’s definitely reachable, but I still have to play some good golf to get to that spot.”

Papineau’s victory continued a strong Canadian run at the Victoria tournament. A Canadian has won four of the past six editions, with Papineau taking the titles in 2023 and 2026, Drew Nesbitt winning in 2025 and Blair Bursey prevailing in 2021.

Riley Lewis and Thomas Longbella tied for third at 20 under. Kyle Cottam, who began the final round with a two-stroke lead after setting a PGA Tour Americas record with a third-round 58, closed with a 70 and tied for fifth at 19 under.

PGA Tour Americas continues Thursday with the ATB Classic presented by Building Trades of Alberta at Blackhawk Golf Club in Edmonton. Following that tournament, the top 60 players on the points list will qualify for the season-ending Dominican Republic Tour Championship presented by Scotiabank, scheduled for Oct. 15-18.

Rutgers’ Bennett Espenshade leads individual competition;
Alexis Rouleau and Max Li co-lead Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp

FOOTS BAY, Ont. – The New Mexico Lobos shot a collective 8-under to sit atop the team leaderboard following the opening round of the third playing of the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in Foots Bay, Ont.

The opening round saw numerous lead changes in the team competition with the two-time defending champions, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mississippi State Bulldogs and New Mexico holding the lead as the players battled windy conditions on Sunday.

“Lots of consistent play. We didn’t make a lot of mistakes as far as compounding mistakes we’d follow them up with par or birdie and that’s the key out here we talked about, don’t compound your errors because you’re going to make some out here, you’re going to hit in the heavy rough but just make sure you give yourself a chance at par and if you miss it you tap in for bogey and go get the next one,” said Jake Harrington, head coach of New Mexico.

Leading the way for the Lobos was the trio of Johnnie Clark, Wyatt Provence and Thayer Plewe who all recorded rounds of 3-under 68 along with Oliver Scriven’s 1-over 72 counted for New Mexico in the opening round, who take a six-shot lead into Monday.

“Just came back from Japan where everything is super tight so you come out here it feels a little wider even though it’s not, you get off the beaten path out here you’re going to get penalized for it but we were in control of ourselves today. We don’t need to be a hero, just put ourselves in position and win the day and that’s what we did today. Thayer, Johnnie and Wyatt all shooting 3-under today, that’s a solid top three right there and we’ll take that every day,” added Harrington.

The Lobos recently finished as runner-up at the Pan Pacific University Golf Super League in Shizuoka, Japan and Clark took home first place honours individually. For Harrington keeping this momentum through the next two days to put the Lobos in a position to win would mean a lot to the program.

“It would justify to my administration why we haven’t played golf in the U.S. yet,” he said with a laugh, adding “it’s life experiences, it’s experience for these guys and you want them to see everything and that’s what it’s all about.”

Despite the longer round and tougher conditions on Sunday, Harrington and his team are impressed with the first experience at the invitational.

“We’ve heard nothing but great things about this event. Before we even stepped foot on the golf course, they [team] said coach can we come back. Our host family is so great, and the people here are so great so it’s like guys let’s pump the breaks a little, let’s go see the golf course and then we can figure out if we can come back. It’s been everything everyone told us, it’s been an incredible experience.”

Trailing New Mexico is Mississippi State who currently sit in second at 2-under and were the only other program under par on Sunday. The Bulldogs were led by Bryson Hughes who shot a 3-under 68 with Arth Sinha 1-under 70, Finn Burkholder even par 71 and Gavin Isbell 2-over 73 counting to the team total for round one. The Fighting Irish are third at even par.

In the individual competition Bennett Espenshade (Rutgers) of Baltimore, Md. shot a 4-under 67 to lead by one over four others at 3-under. Espenshade admitted sorting out some struggles with his driver today.

“Found something on the range this morning and had a lot of confidence with that and if you hit fairways out here, you can hit some pretty close and I made a couple putts but I kept it pretty clean, couple hiccups in the middle but was able to bounce back pretty well,” he said.

Espenshade grabbed four birdies on the front nine before giving two shots back with consecutive bogeys at nos. 11 and 12. He then responded with two birdies from his final three holes to jump back atop the leaderboard.

Espenshade has familiarity with the course after finishing T18 last year in the Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

Trailing Espenshade are Bryson Hughes (Mississippi State) and New Mexico trio Johnnie Clark, Wyatt Provence and Thayer Plewe at 3-under. Two players are T6 at 2-under.

The 2026 Canadian Collegiate Invitational features an expanded field and is led by co-hosts Kent State University and Penn State University. Returning this year are the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Rutgers University and the University of Missouri. Six new teams are competing including Mississippi State University, Santa Clara University, Abilene Christian University, Northen Illinois University, Cal Poly University and the 2026 Canadian University/College champions, University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO).

The 54-hole tournament features an expanded field of 13 teams and eight individuals, totalling 73 collegiate players competing for the top spot in both team and individual competitions, running concurrently over 54 holes. The top four scores from each team of five count towards the daily team combined score.

This year’s individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2027 RBC Canadian Open, returning to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, June 7 – 13, 2027. The top five individual finishers will also receive exemptions into the 122nd Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Current Team Canada – NextGen member Alexis Rouleau of Montreal, Que. and Max Li of Richmond Hill, Ont. are tied for the lead at 2-under following rounds of 69 in the Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp.

Rouleau, who won the selection camp last year, carded five birdies in his round on Sunday. Training the leaders is fellow Team Canada – NextGen member, Chase Jerome of Ottawa, Ont. who shot a 1-under 70.

The selection camp is running concurrently with the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational with a field of 21 junior boys competing for one secured spot on the 2027 Team Canada – NextGen roster. To view the leaderboard following the opening round click here.

To view the team and player leaderboards following the opening round of the 2026 Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational click here.

2023 champion Doug Hanzel wins Super Senior division in playoff;
Team Manitoba took home Inter-Provincial Team title on Wednesday

WINNIPEG, Man. – Bryan Hoops fired a 4-under 68 to pull away from the field and win the 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at the Niakwa Country Club in Winnipeg, Man. on Friday.

Hoops, of Tempe, Ariz. shot rounds of 74-69-72-68-283 to finish at 5-under to win by two shots over Daniel Neveu of Pinehurst, N.C.

“Very rewarding that all the time and effort…I put a lot into this, I travel a lot and hotels, I think 27 events on the calendar this year. To know I’m getting somewhere, checking the boxes that I’m supposed to be checking, the wins I want to do and expected to do. Sometimes it’s a lot of pressure. I’m happy to check one of those boxes again,” said Hoops following his win.

Hoops entered the final round one back of Todd Wiseman of Port Moody, B.C. The leaderboard had its work cut out as numerous changes were made through the opening holes of the final round. Following a double bogey from Wiseman on no. 4, Hoops jumped into the co-lead with Wiseman and David White of Winnipeg, Man.

Todd Fanning of Winnipeg, Man. carded birdies at nos. 4 and 6 to pull himself into the co-lead with the trio before back-to-back birdies from White put him at even par and ahead through six. Hoops responded with back-to-back birdies of his own to get to 1-under for the championship and took the solo lead through seven.

For Hoops, not being able to run through his full warm-up routine during the tournament meant the front nine was all about building momentum for him during the week and again on Friday.

“Felt good late on the front to get momentum and not by score but my momentum and hitting solid shots, not big hard drivers and feel a wedge or 9-iron or carve something in there it’s just hit a smooth wood or iron off the tee and keep that tempo like you build on the range so that’s what I used the front for and started to feel it later on the front side,” added Hoops.

That momentum from the front carried into no. 10 as Hoops, Fanning and White all found themselves tied for the lead following birdies.

Being tied again through 10 put Hoops right where he wanted to be.

“I knew once I got to the back if I was within one or two, I could kind of drop the hammer and be alright,” he added. Hoops did just that finishing at 13-under on the back nine for the championship.

He would pull away from the field following an eagle on the par-5 11th to move to 3-under for the tournament and open a two-shot lead.

After consecutive pars, Hoops continued his hot streak with three straight birdies on holes 14 through 16 to distance himself from a surging Fanning who was 6-under on the day through 16 to sit three back.

Fanning went on to close with a pair of bogey’s ending his round with a 4-under 68 and sit 1-under for the championship and finished third. Neveu was making a late run of his own putting up six birdies through his final nine holes to get to 3-under for the tournament following a 4-under 68 to finish runner-up.

Hoops closed with par-bogey to win his fifth tournament of the year. In July, he won The R&A Senior Amateur at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire, England.

“They’re all prestigious, this is a tough field here just like there is over there. I really had my heart set to try and win all three this year [R&A, U.S. and Canada] and I played well at the U.S. after playing well at the British,” he added.

Hoops was chasing Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C. who won all three senior amateur championships in 2010.

Hoops plans to stay intown and enjoy dinner tonight with some of the past champions in the field but knows he is on the hook when the cheque comes, “it’s fine, it’s fine,” he laughed.

Along with the John Rankin Memorial Trophy, Hoops will receive exemptions into the 2027 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, 2027 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, 2027 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship (plus a 10-year exemption, if eligible) and the 2027 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

In the battle for the Super Senior division crown a three-way playoff was required featuring David Schutlz of Calgary, Alta., Ken Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. and 2023 champion Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. who all finished tied at 6-over for the tournament.

Hanzel wasted little time, draining a 60-foot putt for birdie on the first playoff hole to claim the Super Senior division title for a second time.

On Wednesday, Team Manitoba took home the Inter-Provincial Team title for the first time ever at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship. They entered the day one back of Team British Columbia and shot a collective 1-over to finish the team competition at 4-over to win by five shots. Team Manitoba was represented by David White, Todd Fanning and Jay Doyle all of Winnipeg.

Fanning’s 1-under 71 and White’s 2-over 74 counted for the team on Wednesday with Doyle adding a 3-over 75. On Tuesday, it was White’s 3-under 69 that led the way with both Fanning and Doyle shooting 6-over 78s. The team championship fulfilled a goal that the trio had discussed completing for some time.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship was established in 1962 for golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over that was introduced in 1995.

For the final leaderboard following the 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Two-time defending champions, Notre Dame Fighting Irish lead field of 13-teams in MacTier

MACTEIR, Ont. –The third playing of the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational is set for Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 12-15.

The 54-hole tournament will feature an expanded field of 13 teams and eight individuals, totalling 73 collegiate players from Canada and the United States competing for the top spot in each of the event’s two competitions. An individual and team competition will run concurrently over 54 holes, with the top four scores from each team counting towards their final score following each of the three rounds.

This year’s individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2027 RBC Canadian Open, returning to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, June 7 – 13, 2027. The top five individual finishers will also receive exemptions into the 2027 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

“We are excited to start the third playing of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club,” said Connor Doyle, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Penn State University and Kent State University for co-hosting this event, as well as all the staff and volunteers at Öviinbyrd Golf Club for their tireless efforts to ensure that they provide the field with a memorable experience.”

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish enter the tournament as the two-time defending champions, in search of their third consecutive Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational title. Last year, Notre Dame shot a collective score of 35-under to win the team championship by 10 shots over the University of Michigan. Notre Dame won the inaugural championship in 2024 by five shots over the University of Missouri and Michigan.

In the individual competition, Notre Dame’s Calen Sanderson of Newtown, Pa. added to the Fighting Irish’s hardware, winning by one over Rutgers’ Lucas Politano of Brandon, Vt. Sanderson finished the tournament with three rounds in the 60s to secure the individual win at 18-under and earned an exemption into the 2026 RBC Canadian Open. Team Canada member Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. (Kent State University) finished third individually marking his second consecutive top five finish at the tournament having finished as runner-up in 2024 to Team Canada teammate Hunter Thomson of Calgary, Alta. (Michigan).

The 2026 Canadian Collegiate Invitational features an expanded field and is led by co-hosts Kent State University and Penn State University. Returning this year are the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Rutgers University and the University of Missouri. Six new teams will compete in MacTier including Mississippi State University, Santa Clara University, Abilene Christian University, Northen Illinois University, Cal Poly University and the 2026 Canadian University/College champions, University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO).

Having debuted in 2024, the Canadian Collegiate Invitational features NCAA Division I male golf programs with prominent Canadian ties from both a player and staff level. Co-hosted by Kent State University, Penn State University and their respective Canadian head coaches, Jon Mills and Mark Leon, the tournament aims to showcase the best of collegiate golf from both Canada and the United States with an emphasis on bringing competing players together for three days of exciting competition.

Öviinbyrd Golf Club is one of Canada’s premier golf courses, designed by Thomas McBroom and opened in 2004 in Muskoka, Ont. The 7,118-yard layout is set amongst the forests and exposed granite of the Canadian shield in Ontario’s famous cottage country and will create a challenging and memorable experience for the players.

“On behalf of the entire Öviinbyrd community, including our membership, management team, and partners—we are thrilled to welcome the Canadian Collegiate Invitational back to Muskoka from September 12th – 15^th,” said Nick Maracle, Director of Golf, Öviinbyrd Golf Club. We are honoured to host an expanded field featuring some of the NCAA’s elite Division 1 athletes alongside 21 of Canada’s top-ranked junior golfers, providing them the opportunity to compete at Öviinbyrd. Beyond the competition itself, we hope the players, coaches and families experience what makes Muskoka so special, the natural beauty, the hospitality, and the unique character of this remarkable part of Canada.”

In addition, the Team Canada Selection Camp will run concurrently with the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club as 21 of Canada’s best junior boys compete for one secured spot on the 2027 Team Canada – NextGen roster. To view the player field, please click here.

The 2026 Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational gets underway Sunday, September 13. To view the full field, tee times and live leaderboards throughout the week, please click here.

Ronnie Clark and 2023 champion Doug Hanzel tied for lead in Super Senior division

WINNIPEG, Man. – Todd Wiseman recorded a second straight day in the red figures to move into the lead following the third round of the 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDOat Niakwa Country Club in Winnipeg, Man. on Thursday.

Wiseman of Port Moody, B.C. finished his day with a 1-under 71 to follow a 3-under 69 on Wednesday. He now sits at 2-under for the championship, holding a one-shot lead over Bryan Hoops of Tempe, Ariz heading into Friday’s final round.

Wiseman carded four birdies in his round all coming on the back nine including three consecutive from holes 14 through 16 before closing his day with a pair of pars.

For Wiseman, it may sound cliché, but one element has helped him this week.

“It’s probably an over used word in golf but I have been really patient, because out of the 156 guys there isn’t more than 10 that have played here more than this week so getting a feel for the course and then trusting what I see,” said Wiseman, who added his confidence has grown as the week has progressed.

For the second straight day the front nine gave him some trouble, but he managed to only bogey two of his opening nine holes before grabbing his first birdie of the day at no. 10. As his playing partners found trouble off the tee on 13, Wiseman sat in the middle of the fairway. It was there that he second guessed himself resulting in a dropped shot.

“Normally when I’m in between clubs, I like to take the full one and go, but I didn’t and I changed my mind on the way down and chunked it, it went like 80 yards and I chipped it to 15 feet and missed it,” said Wiseman on his bogey on 13.

On his way to the tee at no. 14, he had “a little chat” with himself that helped right the ship and put him back on track.

“Just take full swings, be committed and let’s see what happens and on 14 I rolled one in and 15 I hit a really nice wedge to about six feet and made that and they [playing partners] both went for 16, bigger hitters than me and I happened to hit a nice wedge from 70 yards to about four feet and I made that,” said Wiseman on his run of three straight birdies.

Wiseman added two pars to close his day and holds the lead over Hoops who finished with an even par 72 to remain 1-under for the championship. Hoops front nine put him at 2-over on his round before another pair of bogeys at 12 and 13, put him to 4-over on the day. He rallied Thursday with four straight birdies on holes 14 through 17 before closing with par on 18 to remain one back of the lead.

For Wiseman, he plans to ride his summer of strong play into tomorrow’s final round and credits being in a good place both mentally and emotionally this week and will work to stay within himself on Friday.

Wiseman has admitted that the front nine has been a “significant challenge” for him this week, and while he is currently playing it at a respectable 3-over through three days he knows how to approach things tomorrow.

“Front nine I just got to get into the round and get a feel for it, course has been drying out and the wind is blowing, probably going to be quicker tomorrow. So, hang on for the front nine and stay in position and the back nine here can be a lot of fun.”

David White of Winnipeg, Man. who held the lead following the opening round and co-led after round two now sits T3 with Daniel Neveu of Pinehurst, N.C. at 1-over. Two past champions are among four players lurking closely behind at 2-over including 2023 champion Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. and defending champion Don Martone of Sault Ste Marie, Ont. Dan Keogh of Toronto, Ont. and Ronnie Clark of Scotland are also 2-over.

Clark and Hanzel also co-lead the Super Senior division with Ken Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. in third and five back at 7-over. Hanzel won both the Senior and Super Senior titles in 2023.

The final grouping of Wiseman, Hoops and Neveu will tee off in search of the national championship at 9:50 a.m. local time on Friday.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship was established in 1962 for golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over that was introduced in 1995.

A trio of Canadian Golf Hall of Famers lead the way having won the most Canadian Men’s Senior Championships in tournament history including, Bob Wylie of Calgary, Alta. with seven (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995). Nick Weslock of Oakville, Ont. with six (1973, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983) and Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que. with four (2001, 2002, 2008 and 2009).

The winner will receive exemptions into the 2027 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, 2027 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, 2027 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship (plus a 10-year exemption, if eligible) and the 2027 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

For the leaderboard following the third round of the 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.