Seattle, Wash. – Shelly Stouffer finished as the runner-up after falling in the final 3 and 2 to Nadene Gole at the 2024 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday.

Stouffer, of Nanoose Bay, B.C. finished atop the leaderboard in a field of 132 players at 4-over following rounds of 71 and 73 to grab the top seed heading into the knockout round and earned stroke-play medalist honours.

Stouffer defeated Shelly Haywood of Laguna Woods, Calif. 6 and 5 in the Round of 64. On Tuesday, Stouffer won both rounds, defeating Corey Weworski of Carlsbad, Calif. 5 and 4 in the Round of 32 and then Stephanie Kiefer of Germany, 3 and 2 in the Round of 16.

On Wednesday, Stouffer continued her run defeating Kathy Hartwiger of Pinehurst, N.C. 4 and 3 in the quarterfinals and Ellen Port of St. Louis, Mo. 2 and 1 in the semifinals.

In the final, third ranked Gole of Australia took the lead following the second hole. Stouffer squared the match with a par on the very next hole, before Gole regained her lead on no. 4. She went on to increase the lead to two following a par on no. 7. Stouffer battled back to tie the match through 10 holes after back-to-back birdies on nos. 9 and 10. Gole regained the lead with a birdie on no. 12 and increased it with a par on no. 14 and birdie on no. 15 to go three up. Both Stouffer and Gole recorded par on no. 16, ending the match in favour of Gole.

As a finalist, Stouffer has earned exemptions into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur, August 4-10, at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes) in Bandon, Ore., the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, August 21-24, at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista, Calif., and the 2025 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur at September 13-18, at Troon Country Club and Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Stouffer has enjoyed a successful season, winning the 2024 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur, Mid-Master and Inter-Provincial Team titles in July at Crowne Isle Resort and Golf Community in Courtenay, B.C. She also won the B.C. Women’s Mid-Master Championship and the B.C. Women’s Senior Championship and added a bronze medal from the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship. Stouffer won the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.

Fellow Canadians Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. and 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Champion, Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont. finished the stroke-play portion of the tournament inside the top 10, with Kyrinis finishing T4 at 7-over and Samuel in 6th at 8-over. Samuel was eliminated by Dawn Woodward of Greenville, S.C. 3 and 2 in the Round of 16. Kyrinis was eliminated by Ellen Port by one stroke in the Round of 32.

The Presidents Cup begins on Thursday at Royal Montreal Golf Club. The best-on-best match-play tournament sees 12 American golfers take on 12 players from around the world, excluding Europe.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the elite men’s golf event:

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME — Despite the high quality of the golfers in the tournament, the Presidents Cup is unique on the PGA Tour because there is no prize money. Mackenzie Hughes, one of three Canadians on the International team and a member of the PGA Tour’s player advisory council, said he is OK with that arrangement.

“I love these competitions. I love the game,” said Hughes, who is playing in the Presidents Cup for the first time. “If you said, ‘hey, you have to pay to play in this,’ I would love to pay to play in this. 

“There would be guys, I’m sure, on the other side that have won multiple majors and maybe feel like they deserve to be paid to be here. I never feel that way. I feel like it’s an honour that doesn’t need to come with any monetary value.”

POUTINE IS UNREAL — The International team is made up of golfers from five countries: Canada, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and South Africa. To overcome the cultural and linguistic differences, captain Mike Weir has introduced the golfers to Canadian culture, like hockey and poutine. Australia’s Min Woo Lee tweeted that Quebec’s signature dish was “unreal” and elaborated at a news conference on Wednesday.

“It looked amazing, and I tried it, and it was even better than it looked,” said Lee. “I thought it was a bit more complicated, but it was just fries, cheese curds, and gravy. It was unbelievable.”

DARK CLOUDS — A thunderstorm is forecast for the Montreal area on Thursday, with heavy rain expected through the daylight hours at Royal Montreal on L’Ile Bizard, Que. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 21 Celsius, despite the rain. The weather is expected to clear on Friday, but the temperatures will remain relatively cool.

SCOTT IS DUE — Australia’s Adam Scott had been a mainstay on the International team, participating in 11 Presidents Cups. However, the Internationals are winless in that span, last winning in 1998.

“I absolutely do not feel bad for Adam Scott,” said American Xander Schauffele. “I like Adam Scott a lot, but I do not feel bad for him at all. 

“I’m stubborn, and the more I get knocked down, the harder I push back up. If I had lost 10 times in a row, I’d come back champing at the bit even harder than ever. I’m sure that’s what they’re doing.”

PRIME MINISTER’S CUP — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was named the honorary chair of the Presidents Cup on Sept. 9. It’s expected that he’ll be at Royal Montreal on Sunday to hand the trophy to the winning team as part of the tournament’s championship ceremony.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2024.

Rahontsá:waks Albany’s father had already planned to take his son to watch Thursday’s opening matches of the Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club.

Little did he know, the 12-year-old would end up being part of the day’s festivities, one of four First Tee participants selected to carry the flags of the United States, Canada, Quebec and the International Team at the event’s Opening Ceremonies.

“It was just like, what are the odds of having this opportunity?” Rahontsá:waks’ mother, Lacey Paul, says.

Rahontsá:waks, Nashtyn Mayo and Aronhiakèn:ra Martin were chosen from the Kahnawá:ke Mohawk Territory First Nations reserve and First Tee – Quebec’s partner, Club 24 Athletics. Club 24 seeks to build future leaders in the indigenous community through educational support and sports participation.

The fourth flag bearer, Jarred Pompey, is from nearby Montreal and a member of First Tee – Quebec, too. Earlier this year, he caddied at a charity shootout in conjunction with the Presidents Cup media day where First Tee – Canada received a $250,000 donation from the biennial match-play competition.

The other charitable beneficiaries of the Presidents Cup are McGill University Health Centre Foundation, One Drop Foundation and Montreal Children’s Hospital.

On a recent Zoom call, it was hard to tell who was more excited – Rahontsá:waks, whose name in Kanien’kéha, which is the Mohawk language, means “He shakes the Earth” – or his mother.

Paul, who works for the Kahnawá:ke Tourism office, was about to go into a strategic planning meeting when she was notified that her son had been chosen. She remembers bursting with pride and telling anyone who would listen.

“To see our little guy represent Kahnawá:ke on the international stage, it truly is an honor, to have and see indigenous representation at the Presidents Cup,” Paul says.

Kahnawá:ke, which comes from the Mohawk word meaning “place of the rapids,” is located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, about an hour from Royal Montreal.

Paul is fiercely proud of her son and other indigenous athletes like Notah Begay III, a Native American and five-time winner on the PGA TOUR. Performers like Lily Gladstone, an actress raised on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana who was nominated for an Academy Award last year, have also raised awareness of the indigenous community.

“We have so many children who excel in sports that we’re going places,” Paul says. “The world is opening up, and seeing all the indigenous – the actors, the soccer players, the lacrosse players, the hockey players, even Brandon Montour who played for Florida Panthers. He’s from Six Nations.

“So, I think right there, it’s opening up a world like this international stage.”

Rahontsá:waks expects to be nervous on Thursday at Royal Montreal. But he is hoping for a chance to see his favorite player, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, and pick up any pointers he can during his visit to the prestigious competition that began in 1994. He’s been a member of the Club 24 program since it started three years ago and recently started competing in nine-hole events.

Club 24 Athletics seeks to build future leaders in the indigenous community through educational support and sports participation. (Courtesy Lacey Paul)

“It’s really nerve-wracking,” says Rahontsá:waks, flashing an engaging smile. “I never really played competitive golf, but I liked it. I made new friendships with other kids, and I want to go back to playing them next year, too, or even the 18-hole tournaments.”

Rahontsá:waks, who also plays lacrosse and hockey, started going to the golf course with his older brother, Tehorahkwaneken, during the COVID-19 lockdown. Tehorahkwaneken, who was recently invited to play in an amateur tournament in Dubai, attended the Hernan Rey Golf Academy in Orlando for the last two years.

Paul has seen her younger son grow beyond simply mastering the rules and fundamentals of the game. At 12, he’s become more self-confident and mature than he once was.

“But you’re still a kid,” she says. “(He’s learned) to play the game of golf and to have patience. … And that also golf is a mental game. And just for the love of golf to keep pursuing the game.”

According to Martin Barnard, CEO of the Golf Canada Foundation, the return of the Presidents Cup to Royal Montreal was the catalyst for the launch of First Tee – Canada. In a partnership announced in 2020, the PGA TOUR committed $250,000 to the effort, and the first chapters were created in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic a year later. There are now six chapters serving all 10 Canadian provinces.

“It is really a three-way partnership between Golf Canada, PGA TOUR and the Golf Canada Foundation, and that announcement really spurred all of this tremendous growth that’s happened since 2020,” Barnard said. “When we launched, we had to sort of set about saying, ‘Okay, we need the support of the philanthropic community. We needed the support of some of the corporate partners that we had as well.’ …

“And last year we were thrilled to announce that we’ve reached more than 100,000 kids through the program in Canada and more than 19 million raised since that time.”

Barnard says First Tee, which uses the game of golf to develop character and life skills, works with its local chapters to make sure they bring kids from a variety of backgrounds into the program to “better represent the fabric of Canada.” The partnership with the Presidents Cup will only add to that legacy.

“It’ll be hundreds of thousands of kids, to be honest, that’s affected by this announcement and by this tournament coming to Canada,” he says. “As you know, International Team Captain Mike Weir is an advocate for this. He’s been amazing. He’s given a ton of his time and energy into promoting First Tee. And so really at the end of the day, because the TOUR and the Presidents Cup got behind us, we were able to raise a lot of money.”

And many more kids like Rahontsá:waks will benefit.

Team Canada 1 set to defend the title against the largest field in tournament history featuring 23 countries and 72 competitors

Mississauga, Ont. – Canada will once again play host to the world’s best junior golfers at the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship. The annual global showcase will be contested September 30 – October 5 at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

The ninth edition of the world championship will feature the largest field in tournament history, with 23 countries and 72 competitors in Mississauga. In total, 24 teams will compete for the championship while also competing for individual honours. The individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open being held at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., August 18-24, 2025.

“We are very excited to get the ninth playing of this prestigious championship underway next week at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club as we welcome the world’s best junior golfers to Canada,” said Adam Cinel, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “This championship has grown each year and has become a showcase event on our schedule, featuring talented young athletes competing for team and individual glory. We want to thank the staff and membership of Credit Valley Golf and Country Club and the City of Mississauga for being incredible partners and welcoming hosts.”

Team Canada 1 will be defending the championship after a thrilling final round in 2023 that saw them push ahead of the Republic of Korea to win the title for the first time in tournament history. Canada will be represented with two teams again this year.

Team Canada 1 is represented by 15-year-old Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont., 14-year-old Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. and 14-year-old Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. Liu, a Team Canada NextGen member secured her spot on the team after winning the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship in July at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C. Liu also won the Team Canada NextGen Selection Camp tournament last month at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. to secure her place on the 2025 Team Canada NextGen squad. She added her third title of the year after winning the CDW Girls Junior All-Star Championship in Riverwoods, Ill. last month as part of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Lin earned her spot through the Team Canada NextGen Selection Camp qualifying tournament and has won twice on the AJGA, including The AJGA Panama Junior, presented by St. Georges Bank in March and The Spin Junior Championship in August. Lin was also runner-up at the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship. Deng qualified as the low eligible Canadian on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) as of August 7. Deng was ranked no. 175 and has since improved to no. 160 and is Canada’s lowest ranked player. She has won twice as part of the AJGA this season including The Nelly Invitational in Bradenton, Fla. in May and the New Jersey Junior Girls Championship in West Windsor Township, N.J. in June.

Team Canada 2 is represented by 15-year-old Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta., 17-year-old Lindsay McGrath and 14-year-old Nobelle Park, both of Oakville, Ont. The trio all earned their places through qualification at the Team Canada NextGen Selection Camp. McGrath finished second followed by Nobelle Park and Eileen Park. McGrath has been part of the Team Canada NextGen squad for two seasons and won the Visit Goldsboro NC Junior Championship in Goldsboro, N.C. in April as part of the AJGA. Nobelle Park won the inaugural Canadian U15 Championship last month at Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont. along with three Ontario Provincial Championships this season. Eileen Park is the lone returning player for Canada this year’s tournament, having played for Team Canada 2 last year in Brampton, Ont. This season, she won the NextGen Pacific Championship at the Summerland Golf and Country Club in Summerland, B.C. in May and the AJGA Junior All-Star at College Station in College Station, Texas in March.

Jeff MacDonald returns as the coach of Team Canada 1. MacDonald of Chester, N.S. coached Team Canada 1 to the championship last season and is currently coaching the Team Canada NextGen program. MacDonald has over 20 years of coaching experience, is a three-time PGA of Atlantic Canada Coach of the Year recipient and a past provincial coach of the Nova Scotia Golf Association.

Jennifer Ha of Calgary, Alta. will be the coach of Team Canada 2. Ha returns after coaching Team Canada at the 2022 World Junior Girls Championship. She spent eight years as part of Golf Canada’s National Team Program as a player and earned five NCAA wins as a member of the Kent State Golden Flashes. Ha played four years professionally including one year on the LPGA Tour. She is currently the assistant coach of the Team Canada – NextGen girls’ program.  

Joining Canada are past champions, Italy (2018), Republic of Korea (2015, 2019), Spain (2017, 2022) and the United States (2014). In the eight-year history of the tournament, aside from the host nation, six other countries have participated in every tournament including: Denmark, England, Italy, Mexico, Spain and Sweden.

The Republic of Korea (Korea) are the most successful team in tournament history. In addition to two championships, the team has also finished in second on three occasions (2016, 2017, 2023).

Sweden have finished on the podium on four occasions including two runner-up finishes (2014, 2022) and two third place finishes (2015, 2017). The United States have also earned a second-place finish (2018) and third-place finish (2016) along with being the inaugural champions. In addition to tournament wins, Team Canada 1 and Italy have also earned a third-place finish in 2014 and 2019 respectively.

This year’s tournament will mark the debut of Hong Kong, China and Morocco who will both be competing for the first time. Last year’s tournament saw the first appearances from Iceland, Peru and Poland. All three countries are returning this year.

This year’s field for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship features nine players in the top 200 of the WAGR. Soomin Oh from the Korea is the lowest ranked player in the field currently at no. 14. Oh, was part of Korea’s runner-up finish last year in Brampton, Ont. and finished third in the individual competition. Teammate Seojin Park also returns this year and is currently ranked no. 80. The United States feature two players inside the top 200 including Nikki Oh (no. 112) and Scarlett Schremmer (no. 184). France and Hong Kong, China both feature two players inside the top 200. France will be represented by Sara Brentcheneff (no. 97) and Alice Kong (no. 128). Arianna Lau (no. 67) and Sophie Han (no. 98) will represent Hong Kong, China.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 13-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia as well as Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.

Credit Valley Golf and Country Club will play host for the world championship and boasts a challenging 18-hole Robbie Robinson designed parkland course. Nestled alongside the winding Credit River and the natural setting of the valley, it offers members a hidden golf and country club oasis within the bustling cityscape of Mississauga.

The following is a list of competing countries in the ninth annual World Junior Girls Championship:

Belgium

Canada (Team Canada 1 and Team Canada 2)

Chinese Taipei

Colombia

Czechia

Denmark

England

Finland

France

Germany

Hong Kong, China

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Mexico

Morocco

Peru

Poland

Republic of Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United States of America

Practice rounds for the 72-hole competition will take place September 30 and October 1 with the first round of play set for Wednesday, October 2. The tournament’s closing ceremony will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Saturday, October 5.

Admission to 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free for all spectators. For more information on the championship, please click here.

St Andrews, Scotland & Oakville, Ont. – The R&A announced new participation figures that show an increase of more than three million adult golfers playing the sport.  

According to new research undertaken for the governing body, there are now 42.7 million on-course golfers (9 and 18-hole) in R&A affiliated markets (outside the USA and Mexico).

The research figures for 2023 indicate a growth of 3.1 million on-course golfers since 2022. The growth trend began before the onset of Covid-19 and is now accelerating faster than the 2020-2022 pandemic period when there was an average of 2.5 million new on-course golfers per annum. The sport continues to increase in popularity, now up 44% from 29.6 million on-course players in 2016.

The new data is provided by national federations in The R&A’s affiliated markets in Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania.

The research also shows that 62.3 million adults (outside the USA and Mexico) consume the sport in some format, an increase of 1.1 million since 2022. It is just the second time an estimate has been made beyond on-course activity to include alternative-only formats, such as pitch & putt, indoor simulator golf and driving range use.

“Golf’s popularity continues to grow with a significant increase in the number of people playing the sport both on and off the course,” said Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A. “There are now 13 million more golfers playing on the course since 2016 in R&A affiliated markets, while there are also millions of others enjoying alternative formats of golf, such as driving ranges, adventure golf and simulator golf, which are vital to the growth of the sport.

“New golfer participation programmes with appealing propositions, promotion and imagery are important for encouraging more people into the sport and retaining them in greater numbers. This is why we continue to work collaboratively with our affiliated national federations and stakeholders to build on this momentum and ensure golf continues to thrive.”

The top five on-course adult golfer markets overall reported are in:

• Japan (11.4 million)
• Republic of Korea (8.7 million)
• Canada (6.3 million)
• England (4.2 million)
• Germany (2.4 million)

Asia is the leading region for people engaging with golf among R&A affiliated regions, with total adult engagement in golf of 26.2 million. Europe is next highest with 19.7 million adults having some form of golf engagement.

The number of adult registered golfers (those members of a golf club within their national association or affiliated through a direct subscription) increased from 8 million in 2022 to 8.2 million in 2023, with an overall growth of 10% since 2020. Registered women golfers have grown from 1.5 million in 2020 to 1.6 million in 2023.

There was a decrease in those adults who only played formats other than 9 or 18-hole golf  – 21.6 million in 2022 to 19.6 million in 2023 – but this is likely to positively reflect on those moving instead to full-length on-course golf. The percentage of golfers only using alternative formats that are women did grow from 47% in 2022 to 52% in 2023, specifically in key golfing markets.

A combination of intangibles and data-driven analysis has Corey Conners thinking the International team is due at this year’s Presidents Cup.

Conners, from Listowel, Ont., is one of three Canadians donning the black and gold of the International team for this week’s Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club. The United States has historically dominated the best-on-best tournament that sees 12 Americans face 12 players from around the world — excluding Europe — in match play.

“I think everybody on our team knows we’ve been trending in the right direction. We’ve got a good plan in place,” said Conners after a practice round on Tuesday. “We can definitely do it.

“They’ve had our number in the Presidents Cup, but I think everyone on the team, the captains, are instilling a lot of belief in us.”

The 32-year-old Conners also played in 2022 when the Internationals lost to the Americans 17 1/2 to 12 1/2 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C. It was the U.S.’s ninth straight win, and 10th out of 12 Presidents Cups. The Internationals earned a decisive victory in 1998 and the tournament ended in a draw in 2003.

Conners and Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., were two of eight rookies on the International team two years ago, but this year’s group only has Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Australia’s Min Woo Lee as first timers. Conners said that having one Presidents Cup under his belt has taught him what to expect.

“It’s a demanding week,” said Conners, who did not earn a single point in 2022. “The crowds in the last Presidents Cup were pretty crazy.

“I’m excited to feel the hometown support here this time, but definitely learned some things and excited to get another crack at it.”

But the Internationals won’t just be relying on momentum, a partisan crowd, and good clubhouse vibes to end their losing skid.

Instead, captain Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., relied heavily on advanced analytics in choosing his team and will use the same data to strategize in real-time when the four-day, five-round match-play competition begins on Thursday.

“I think through the whole process for me these last couple years is relying on those numbers, relying on having the ear of my five assistant captains and talking to them throughout this whole process helps with the pairings, helps with the picks,” said Weir.

“Once the guys get on the course, you start to maybe see some different things. As a captain, you’re kind of rolling around a little bit more so you have the guys out there to really keep a closer eye on maybe an individual match and give you that feedback. You can make the adjustments, if needed.”

American captain Jim Furyk estimates that his side really started to use analytics to help strategize in 2016, but now it’s become the standard across the PGA Tour.

“It’s just a process that we’ve built up over time,” said Furyk. “Our analytics team trusts us as captains now as far as what we see and the advice that we can give and vice versa.

“We’ve really kind of leaned on them and, I think, built a process that we’re comfortable with.”

Conners uses analytics but also relies on his previous experiences on a course.

“I try and simplify things as much as possible, but certainly looking through the yardage book and knowing my game, just trying to stick to my strengths as much as possible,” said Conners, noting he played Royal Montreal as an amateur at the 2014 RBC Canadian Open.

“I wouldn’t say I’m crunching too many numbers.”

Conners — who graduated Kent State University with a degree in actuarial mathematics — said it’s not about being intimidated by the numbers, just keeping his mind clear when he’s on the course.

“I’m not afraid of them,” said Conners with a laugh. “It’s been cool to be a part of this team again and learn from some of the captains and some of the analytical guys on how they get things done.

“I’m good with numbers, but I just try to simplify things as much as I can.”

Weir and Furyk will announce their first-round pairings on Wednesday. The opening round the following day will be foursomes. Heavy rain is expected on both days.

Golf Canada is now accepting nominations for its 2024 National Facility Awards for Junior Golf, presented by HUMI. 

This award program was created with the intention of celebrating and recognizing facilities across Canada who are making outstanding contributions to junior golf in their communities. Our hope is that these awards will shine a spotlight on the extraordinary support of junior golf by these facilities and set a positive example for others to follow. 

Please consider nominating your facility based on the six categories below: 

Junior Golf Opportunity Award 

Awarded to a facility that provides exceptional access and membership opportunities for junior golfers. Special consideration is given to facilities with strong non-family sponsored junior programs and facilities with fundraising programs to help athletes compete at provincial, national, and international competitions. 

2023 Winner: Sawmill Golf Club (Fenwick, Ontario) 

Competitive Junior Program of the Year 

Awarded to a facility or academy program with many junior athletes competing in provincial and national championships and earning strong results in those championships. 
 
2023 Winner: Royal Ottawa Golf Club (Gatineau, Quebec) 

Grassroots Junior Program of the Year 

Awarded to a facility or academy program that is excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming. 
 
2023 Winner: Deep River Golf Club (Deep River, Ontario) 

Tournament Host of the Year 

Awarded to a facility that gives back to junior golf by embracing the opportunity to host junior competitions. The facility creates an excellent tournament experience for players and involves the local community through volunteers and fundraising support. 
 
2023 Winner: South Muskoka Curling & Golf Club (Bracebridge, Ontario) 

First Tee – Canada Program Location of the Year 

Awarded to a First Tee – Canada Program Location that demonstrates excellent enrolment in First Tee – Canada programming and makes a significant impact on growing participation among new juniors within its community. 
 
2023 Winner: Fraserview Golf Course (Vancouver, British Columbia) 

Youth on Course  Program Location of the Year 

Awarded to the facility that provides the largest number of Youth on Course green fee subsidies to junior golfers in the calendar year.  
 
2023 Winner: Shaganappi Point Golf Course (Calgary, Alberta) 

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Click the button below to nominate a facility for an award for 2024.

National Facility Awards for Junior Golf 

Nominations are set to close Friday, November 15, 2024  and we will announce the 2024 Awards Winners at the Golf Canada Annual General Meeting in early 2025. 

If you have any questions regarding the awards or nomination process, please feel free to email NFAJG@golfcanada.ca. 

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.

André Couet, Club de Golf Algonquin, Hole #2

Wow, this was my first-ever hole in one! It happened on a regular Tuesday skins day at our club while I was playing with my usual partners, Luc Laframboise, Steve Proulx and Dave Beresford.

We were on the second hole, a straight forward par 3 that measures 129 yards with a blue pin placement. The green is small and pretty narrow, and I very often pull the ball left into the sand. Interestingly, I witnessed my partner Steve make a hole-in-one on this same hole last year (on a red pin), and I do believe I was more excited than he was when it happened. Having done it myself, I completely understand his reaction.

Now for some reason on that day, I approached the hole differently. Instead of hitting a full wedge, I choked up on a 9 iron and aimed straight at the pin. I struck the ball well, and we all watched as it flew directly toward the pin, bounced once, and rolled so gently into the hole. I couldn’t believe my eyes, and my heart skipped a few beats before I was able to catch my breath! My partners were jumping for joy, and to my surprise, the previous owner of the club, who lives right by the hole, ran out in his robe, cheering and celebrating as he had witnessed this as well from his kitchen table overlooking this hole.

It was an unforgettable moment, and yes, I won a skin on that hole!

Arden Kidd, Musqueam Golf Course, Hole #17

It was a first for me after taking up the sport on retirement 22 years ago. Our club captain, Diane McNeely kindly put together a collage of the event.

On the day, it was quite a surprise to watch that yellow ball disappear over the rise in front of the 17th green, then reappear and roll right up the green and into the cup! From the blue tees it was about 135 yards and I used my trusty driver, a TaylorMade Burner.

I took up golf later in life after giving up skiing and later tennis and I find golf much easier on the body. For the first few years I took lessons and enjoyed learning about club choice and the satisfaction of achieving some success.

What I love about the game is being outdoors on the fairways with the good company of my ladies club members, and of course enjoying occasional success. I also enjoy being greeted by the friendly staff and volunteers of our club. I’d certainly recommend the game to anyone, to join a club and to get involved in its activities remains something to look forward to for many years. Though my scores reach new highs these days, I hope to keep golfing as long as I’m able.

Peter Bartus, St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, Hole #4

I was playing with two of my good friends John Vander Hoeven and Eric Woodland on a beautiful afternoon when I got my hole-in-one. The fourth hole at St. Catharines Golf and Country Club was playing 196 yards from the back tees that day. I hit a great 6 iron off the tee and watched it land on the green. Thinking I’d have a putt for birdie I picked up my tee and put my club away. My friends were saying they couldn’t see the ball and thought it went in. I wasn’t as optimistic but sure enough when we got up to the green the ball was in the hole!

Howard Herman, Silver Creek Golf Course, Hole #8

I played a round with three young men (who each had a caddy, due to a lost bet). I had a fantastic round and a great day with the boys. Hole #8 on the North course is a par 3, playing 116 yards. I chose my pitching wedge and hit a clean shot at the flag. The ball landed about 14 inches from the hole and slowly rolled in. This hole is an elevated tee, over a pond, so I was able to see the ball drop. My first after nearly 60 years of playing.

Richard Grimes, The Oaks of St. George Golf Club, Hole #5

It was on the fifth hole from 127 yards. Oddly, it was one year to the day since my last hole-in-one. Witnessed by Dan Demurak, Bob Hillstrom and Ian Lim.

I was competing in the Tri-County league which includes Guelph Country Club, Stratford Country Club, Elmira Golf Club and The Oaks of St. George. I am told that the league, which continues to be active today, remains the oldest regular interclub golf contest in the Western hemisphere and has previously include Westmount Golf & Country Club and The Galt Country Club.

Ben Hendsbee, Brightwood Golf & Country Club, Hole #15

Visiting the Halifax area on vacation, I played Brightwood Golf and Country Club for the first time on with my brother-in-law, Andy Arsenault, who is a member. We played with two other members, Bill McBurney and Noel. It’s a nice old Donald Ross course in Dartmouth N.S. On the 15th hole I hit a 9 iron from 145 yards that drew toward the flag. I thought it would be inside 10 feet. We saw it land, then disappear. Not having played there before, I thought it might have caught a hidden slope and drifted away. The other three guys, all members, were adamant it went in. Sure enough when we got to the green it was in the hole.

Steven Kodama, Remington Parkview Golf and Country Club, Hole #7

I was playing on the first day of the two day Toronto-based Senior Japanese Men’s League tournament. My friends, Tony, Ron and John joined me. It was a perfect morning for golf; it was slightly cool with no wind. I used my Adams 8 iron for the 167 yard, par 3. After looking for my ball for a couple of minutes past the green, my playing partner Ron, discovered my ball in the cup to our surprise. This was my first hole-in-one in 45 years. I want to thank our club organizers, Bob, Harold, Tony and Dennis for their wonderful support and the staff and Remington Parkview Golf and Country Club for their hospitality.

Canaan Marche, Lake St. George, West Course, Hole #2

First hole-in-one! Playing the second hole at Lake St. George West, hit a gap wedge that rode the cross wind perfectly back in front of the pin, took one big bounce then trickled in the front of the cup. Got to watch the whole thing from the tee block with a good friend and our wives.

Marty Mercieca, Rivendell Golf Club, Hole #12

Used a 6 iron from roughly 140 yards on hole #12 in the wind. I was playing with my wonderful wife Joanne who started golfing together with me. This was my first hole-in-one, the hole was playing downhill and I aimed it to the right. It bounced off the fringe while rolling to the left and into the pin.

Herb Page was going about his business on a Tuesday morning when Mackenzie Hughes, one of his former star players on Kent State University’s men’s golf team, reached out to him on FaceTime.

Hughes said he just wanted to say hi because he was killing time at the kind of corporate function PGA Tour players are often invited to speak at. But just as Page bit on his story, Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners leaned into the frame on Hughes’s phone.

All three were in the midst of a practice round at Royal Montreal Golf Club, scouting the course ahead of the Presidents Cup. The three Canadians, all Kent State grads, would be named captain’s selections to the International team a few hours later and they wanted to surprise their collegiate coach with the news.

“I just about cried,” said Page, adding that he had goosebumps from retelling the story. “They’re better people than they are golfers. I know that’s a kind of a catchphrase, but even after they graduated, they keep me in the loop. I’m still part of their little journey.”

Hughes was a year ahead of Pendrith and Conners on the Golden Flashes, but they all overlapped at the university in northeastern Ohio in the early 2010s. They all turned pro and are now three of the top Canadians on the PGA Tour.

Canadian golf legend Mike Weir made them three of his six captain’s picks on Sept. 3 for the Presidents Cup which starts this Thursday at Royal Montreal. Their inclusion on the International team’s roster is the first time three Canadians have played in the best-on-best match-play tournament, with Hughes from Dundas, Ont., Pendrith from Richmond Hill, Ont., and Conners from Listowel, Ont.

It was the morning of Weir’s announcement that Hughes played his small “prank” on Page.

“It just meant so much to me. I couldn’t have been happier,” said Page, who retired from coaching five years ago. “It’s just the way these three young men are, who they are and what they stand for. It was pretty cool.

“He got me so bad. I cannot believe how he did it. It was crazy.”

Hughes said that Page, who is from Markham, Ont., left an indelible mark on him, Pendrith and Conners and there was no way they wouldn’t tell him directly about being named to the Presidents Cup.

“My time at Kent State really helped shape the player I am,” said Hughes. ” (Page) was like a father figure to me at Kent State, someone that I really trusted and really respected his opinion.

“He’d be the first to tell you that there was lots of tough love, and some tough conversations that we had, and that’s what I think helps you grow and evolve as a person and a golfer.”

An argument could be made that the Kent State Golden Flashes of the early 2010s is one of the most well-rounded men’s golf teams in NCAA history.

Although other teams can claim more PGA Tour wins — the 1995 Stanford University team, for example, went on to win 86 titles on the PGA Tour, but 82 of them are thanks to Tiger Woods with Notah Begay III adding four — the Canadian trio at Kent State with American John Hahn has arguably been the most successful collectively with five wins between Hughes, Pendrith and Conners.

“It was a pretty stout team,” said Hughes, noting that Hahn went on to play on the European DP World Tour. “Now, at the time, I don’t think we quite had it all together and everyone clicking as a team.

“But you look back on it and individuals that were playing and what they’ve achieved it was a pretty awesome group.”

Page, who recruited and coached that team, is more effusive.

“That era was pretty darn good, Pretty darn good,” he said. “Of course, during that era, Alabama was making runs with Justin Thomas and Texas was making runs with Jordan Spieth.

“The thing about all three (Kent State golfers), they just got better and better and better. They weren’t superstars, nationally ranked, coming out of Ontario. I don’t want to say this in a bad way, but it’s not like I had to fend off tons of schools to get them to come to Kent State.”

Hughes has added Page to his VIP guest list at Royal Montreal Golf Club so that his old coach won’t miss a single swing by his former student-athletes when play begins on Thursday.

“I’m flying in Monday night because I’m going to be there the whole damn week,” said Page with a chuckle. “And I’m not flying out until Monday morning because when they raise that cup, I’m going to be there.”

PONTE VEDRE, FLA. – The PGA TOUR has released its nominees for their 2023-24 PGA TOUR Tournament Awards, with the 2024 RBC Canadian Open receiving three award nominations.

The 2024 RBC Canadian Open was won by Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre who finished at 16-under, to edge Ben Griffin by one at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. in June. It was the Scotsman’s first PGA TOUR victory, having previously won twice on the DP World Tour, the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown and the 2022 Italian Open. One month later, McIntyre went on to win the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open for his fifth professional tournament win. The 28-year-old was also part of Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup winning team. Equally as special as earning his first PGA TOUR victory, MacIntyre did so with his father Dougie on the bag, caddying his son in Hamilton.

“We are appreciative and honoured to be nominated for three prestigious PGA TOUR Tournament Awards following the 2024 RBC Canadian Open,” said Ryan Paul, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open. “These nominations reflect the hard work, dedication and passion of our team, RBC and all of our proud partners, our proud host club, our incredible volunteers and our fans. Together we are continually driven to deliver an exceptional experience for everyone involved in our National Open Championship. We are incredibly grateful to be nominated again this year.”

The 2024 RBC Canadian Open picked up nominations in the following three categories:

Best In Class Element: This award recognizes a ‘Best in Class’ element at the tournament or associated with the tournament. It is to highlight a service, an event, a venue, a campaign, a program, an activity, an operation procedure or anything would represent a ‘Best in Class’ element that others should consider following or incorporating into their own events.

Best Marketing Initiative: Criteria include the development and execution of a marketing campaign designed to increase ticket sales and attendance.

Best Volunteer Program: Conducts effective volunteer recruitment outreach, training and onboarding programs. Meets and/or exceeds the standard committee numbers required, promotes year-round engagement, communication and feedback. Showcases an outstanding element of their volunteer program, diverse and inclusive culture, embraces the Volunteer Excellent Program and implements appreciation programs leading to higher retention.

Winners will be announced at the 2024 PGA TOUR Tournament Awards Celebration, which take place Wednesday, December 11 in Orlando, Fla. 

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open will be held June 3 – 8 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont.