The opening round of the first of six regional Future Links, driven by Acura Championships is in the books after Chilliwack Golf Club hosted the Pacific edition on Friday.

Jeevan Sihota shot an opening round of 67 while Euna Han shot a 68 to lead the Junior Boys and Junior Girls Divisions, respectively.

Sihota, who is just 13-years-old, only bogeyed two holes in round one and his five birdies and one eagle vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard, with a two-shot cushion. The youngster was able to maintain his composure despite navigating the challenging tree-lined Chilliwack course.

“The course was a bit tricky, but it’s nice,” he said. “I like the way the greens are right now. I was just kind of in the moment. Same thing tomorrow, just going to play smart and hope I go low again.”

Three boys — Chandler McDowell, Samuel Su and Max Sekulic – all shot 69 to put them two back of Sihota. Su played his round bogey free while McDowell and Sekulic, who are both part of Team Canada’s Development Squad, dropped four and two shots respectively during their opening rounds.

McDowell was able to overcome his four-bogey round with two clutch eagles on holes five and nine.

“I felt good out there, and the two eagles helped for sure,” said McDowell. “Other than that I just tried to keep it in play and just cruise along.”

Fellow Team Canada Developmental Squad member A.J. Ewart sits four strokes back after his opening-round 71.

Han’s 68 puts her at the top of the girls division, also by two strokes. The 14-year-old almost played mistake-free golf other than the double bogey she registered on the fourth hole. After she was able to make the turn at even par, Han birded both 10 and 11 before adding two more on 15 and 18 to finish 4-under.

Susan Xiao sits in solo-second after she posted a 70 that was mainly propelled by a string of four birdies on the final six holes of the front nine. Defending champion Mary Parsons is the only other in the girls division that sits in the red. Her opening round of 71 has her three back in the lead and within striking distance heading to the weekend.

“I feel like I left a couple shots out of there, but I definitely gained some that could have turned out worse, so I scrambled well,” said Parsons, after her round. “I finished birdie-birdie so hopefully I can take that momentum coming into tomorrow.”

Parson’s fellow Team Canada Developmental Squad members Hannah Lee (73) and Monet Chun (75) both sit inside the top ten.

The top six finishers in the boy’s division will earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Ont. A tie for the sixth position will be decided by a playoff following the conclusion of play on Sunday. The top six in the girl’s division (including ties) will earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont.

As conditions toughened, Louis Oosthuizen and Kyle Stanley played even better. Each posted a 6-under 66 to share the lead at The Players Championship, making it even more difficult for the top two players in the world to catch them.

Oosthuizen and his sweet swing were a good fit in any conditions at the TPC Sawgrass, and he managed to play bogey-free and finish with a birdie on the par-5 ninth. Stanley had eight birdies as the wind increased and the firm putting surfaces became crusty.

They were at 9-under 135, two shots ahead of J.B. Holmes, who fell out of a tie with bogeys on his last two holes for a 69.

Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy scrapped it around Friday morning, Johnson making only one birdie for a 73 and McIlroy managing through nagging back pain for a 71. They were at even par and not too bothered. They were only five behind when they finished, and they could sense that because of steamy weather and swaying pines that nobody was going to get too far away from him.

“I definitely feel like I got the most that I could have out of that round,” Stanley said. “A couple bogeys, but you can expect that to happen around here with as difficult as the golf course is.”

Johnson and McIlroy at least are still in the game.

Jordan Spieth was headed home after missing the cut for the third straight year, yet he didn’t sound terribly upset. He chalked that up to not being able to handle this strand of grass when it gets firm and crusty. Spieth’s last hope ended with a tee shot that bounced at the back of the island-green 17th and into the water.

Equally surprising was Vijay Singh, the 54-year-old Fijian who was making putts from everywhere until a three-putt bogey on the 18th. He still shot 68 and goes into the weekend only three shots out of the lead.

David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., is the top Canadian through two rounds. He shot a 69 and is 5 under.

Hearn has a bogey free front nine, and got as low as four under for the day after back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13.

Back-to-back birdies for @HearnDavid.

He’s the solo leader at @THEPLAYERSChamp.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/L7HtcX09j1

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 12, 2017

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., began the day as the co-leader with William McGirt at 5 under, but shot a 3-over 75 and fell to 2 under. Hughes made back-to-back birdies on holes two and three and was 7-under for the tournament, before struggling the rest of the day.

1. Par
2. ?
3. ?@MacHughesGolf leads alone at @THEPLAYERSChamp.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/lO3XbkdSXc

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 12, 2017

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., shot 72 and is 1 under while Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., missed the cut with back-to-back 74s.

The cut was at 2-over 146, and there will be another cut Saturday because more than 78 players advanced to the weekend. That’s when the tournament will finally start to take shape, and while Oosthuizen and Stanley stood out with the best scores of the second round, both know it can change quickly.

“We’re in a pretty good spot going into this weekend,” said Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion who still hasn’t won in America. “A lot of golf to be played around this golf course, and as we’ve seen the last two days, you can easily make a mistake around this track.”

Yes, there were plenty of those.

Anirban hit three shots into the water and made a 10 on the par-4 18th hole. Zac Blair hit three shots into the water on the par-3 17th and made a 9.

Phil Mickelson started making putts and moved up the leaderboard, only to begin a slow slide. He made three bogeys on the back nine and then, torn between a 9-iron and a wedge on the 17th, he opted for a wedge to make sure it didn’t go over the back of the island. It still hopped hard at the back of the green and went into the water, leading to a double bogey.

That left him at 72, seven shots behind.

“It’s a hard course, and any errant swings will lead to not a good score,” Mickelson said. “But I played a good front nine and shot even. I don’t know what else to say.”

Defending champion Jason Day didn’t make up any ground, either, trading birdies and bogeys for a 72. He also was seven back at 2-under 142. Rickie Fowler shot 74 and joined Johnson and McIlroy at 144.

Ian Poulter, who only got into The Players on a clerical mistake regarding his time away for injury, shot 67 and was in the large group at 5-under 139.

Oosthuizen picked up birdies on both par 3s on the back nine, and then hit his best shot on the first hole from deep in the woods on pine straw. He managed to play a low punch shot with a draw, and it ran up to about 5 feet for a birdie. He let his putter do the work the rest of the way, holing 20-foot birdie putts on the fifth and ninth holes to share the lead.

Thunderstorms are possible for Saturday afternoon, which might be what it takes to at least soften the Players Stadium Course. That still doesn’t change the nature of the TPC Sawgrass, which can penalize a slight miss with a big number.

Among those at 4 under was Jon Rahm of Spain, who couldn’t get going because of bogeys that followed birdies and led to a 74.

“I’m playing some of my best golf and I’m only 4-under par,” Rahm said. “When you have the best players in the world and the cut is over par, it shows that the golf course is very tough.”

And it showed that Oosthuizen and Stanley were at their best.

The full leaderboard can be seen here.

The second of three RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers tees off Monday May, 15th, at Blue Springs Golf Club, in Acton, Ont. Players will be competing for a spot in the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., from July 24-30.

If 100 golfers register for a regional qualifier – as is the case for Monday’s event – the low-qualifier receives a direct exemption into the RBC Canadian Open. The top 15% of finishers, beyond the low-qualifier, will advance to the Final Qualifier at Heron Points Golf Links, in Ancaster, Ont., on July 24.

Derek Barron and Keith Martin were co-medallists at the first regional qualifier on May 9th, at Bear Mountain Resort, in Victoria, B.C.  Along with Barron and Martin, four players from the event secured their spot in the final qualifier at Heron Point.

The third regional qualifier is June 5th at Club de golf de la Vallée du Richelieu on the Rouville Course in Sainte-Julie, Qué.

The qualifying competitions are open to members in good standing with the PGA of Canada or other PGA affiliates, amateur golfers with a current Handicap Factor not exceeding 2.0 who are members of Golf Canada or in good standing with their respective associations, as well as other golf professionals.

Last year’s Ontario qualifier was played at King’s Forest Golf Course, in Hamilton, Ont. Branson Ferrier, of Barrie, Ont., shot a 4-under par, 68, to win medallist honours. In addition to Ferrier booking his ticket to the 2016 RBC Canadian Open, 25 golfers advanced to the final qualifier.

NOTABLES

Peter Campbell, Baddeck, Nova Scotia
The 34-year-old, has played five tournaments on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica this season, making two cuts. His best result was a T29 at the Essential Costa Rica Classic. He finished 44th on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Order of Merit in 2016. Campbell advanced to the final qualifier from this event last year.

Stephane Dubois, Brantford, Ontario
The 25-year-old finished third on the Great Lakes Tour Order of Merit in 2016, on the strength of three victories. He played college golf at Lamar University (NCAA Div 1) where he was twice named to the All-Southland conference second-team.

Branson Ferrier, Barrie, Ontario
The 23-year-old, was the 2016 medallist at this event. Ferrier played college golf at Alabama State University (NCAA Div I), where he was a three-time first-team All-SWAC selection.

Tony Gil, Vaughn, Ontario, (a)
The 19-year-old, graduate of the Team Canada National Development Squad, played four events this season in his freshman year at the University of Houston. His best finish was a 5th place at the Colin Montgomerie Invitational.

Derek Gillespie, Oshawa, Ontario
The 38-year-old Big Break Prince Edward Island winner is currently playing on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. He has four career top-10s on the tour. His best result this season was a T18 at the 86 Abierto OSDE del Centro presentado por FiberCorp. Gillespie advanced to the final qualifier from this event last year.

Matt Hill, Sarnia, Ontario
The 28-year-old won the NCAA Division 1 Championship in 2009 while at N.C. State, where he won 10 times in his NCAA career. He has one career Web.com Tour victory, and one career Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada victory. He currently has conditional status on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

Sebastian Szmirak, Toronto, Ontario
The 27-year-old former University of Louisville Cardinal had two top-10s on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada in 2016 and finished 42nd on the Order of Merit.

QUICK FACTS

The regional qualification process allows amateurs and professionals from across Canada and the world a chance to qualify for the RBC Canadian Open.

Every year since the two-stage regional qualification process was reinstated in 2011, there has been a regional qualifier held in Ontario

There are 14 golfers in the field who advanced to the final qualifier from this event last year.

Pairing and more information can be found here.

ABOUT THE COURSE

6,812 yards, par 72, slope 144.

Home of the PGA of Canada headquarters.

Signature features include well protected, heavily contoured greens, and several elevated tee boxes.

This is the first time Blue Springs Golf Club has hosted a regional qualifier since the two-stage qualification process for the RBC Canadian Open returned in 2011.

Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Augusta James, of Bath, Ont., fired a 4-under par 68 to share first place with Allie White of Lancaster, Oh., and France’s Celine Boutier after round one of the Symetra Tour’s Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic.

Anne-Catherine Tanguay, James’ Young Pro Squad teammate, and Quebec City native is tied for fourth with Allison Emrey of Charlotte, N.C., and Kim Welch of Sacramento, Calif., after posting a 3-under par 69.

James, who currently sits 22nd in the Volvik Race for the Card standings, is looking to improve on her 12th place finish on the Symetra Tour money list in 2016.

She chipped in for eagle on the 6th hole and made birdie on eight before ending with a par on nine.

“I was around the hole all day from 50 yards and in and chipped in from the landing spot at 38 yards,” explained James. “It was obviously big in the end number.”

From 38 yards, @augusta_james (-4) chipping in for eagle.

Shares lead at @selfregclassic in @GreenwoodCitySC!https://t.co/fZXpoViOCq pic.twitter.com/1icLBXZa5A

— Symetra Tour (@ROAD2LPGA) May 11, 2017

James’ 68 is her lowest round of the season and her first sub-par round since March 30 at the Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club.

“I’m very happy, it was great to put together a good round even with the wind picking up in some spots,” said James. “There wasn’t a whole lot that went wrong today.”

Tanguay, is having a very strong year with four top-10s in five starts, including a tie for second at the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.

She had four birdies on Thursday, including a tap-in on 18 after reaching the par-5 in two.

Finish w/ a birdie ✅@ACTanguay on in two on par-5 18th and closes at -3 (T3) at @selfregclassic!

Scores –> https://t.co/fZXpoViOCq pic.twitter.com/2tC3Ujn6TB

— Symetra Tour (@ROAD2LPGA) May 11, 2017

Both James and Tanguay had help prepping for the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic as Team Canada’s Head Women’s Coach Tristan Mullally was in town early in the week.

“Tristan is really helpful in general and it is very helpful to have him during a tournament week,” said James. “His expertise takes us all to this level so we have him to thank.”

Fellow Canadian, Elizabeth Tong, from Thornhill, Ont. was two under par after 16 holes, but a double bogey on 17 has her in a tie for 19th after an even par 70.

The full leaderboard can be seen here.

Mackenzie Hughes, of Dundas, Ont., arrived at the TPC Sawgrass with no scar tissue and played his first round at The Players Championship with no bogeys.

Pretty simple, eh?

The Canadian rookie shook his head and laughed. Even after going bogey-free in his debut Thursday for a 5-under 67 to share the lead with William McGirt, Hughes saw enough of the Players Stadium Course to realize that surprises lurk around every corner.

“There’s just not really a moment where you can let up,” Hughes said.

No need explaining that to Adam Scott, who won The Players in 2004 and was off to a strong start on a steamy afternoon when he was 6 under and heading to the infamous par-3 17th with its island green.

First, he watched Masters champion Sergio Garcia hit a gap wedge that took one big hop, land just behind the cup and disappear for a hole-in-one.

A HOLE-IN-ONE … in 360!

Let’s take a unique look at @TheSergioGarcia‘s ace at @THEPLAYERSChamp …#PGATOUR360 ◀️SWIPE▶️ pic.twitter.com/0VhyRdXWsM

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 11, 2017

Scott followed by spinning a shot off the bank and into the water for a double bogey, and he compounded that with another double bogey.

“I played some good golf out there and unfortunately not on the last two,” Scott said after settling for a 70. “It happens.”

At least he had company.

Dustin Johnson’s first wedge of the day hit the pin, caromed off the green and led to bogey. On a day when nothing seemed to go his way, the world’s No. 1 player opened with a 71. Rory McIlroy went to tap in from 2 feet and missed it, and then had to make one twice that long for his double bogey on the 10th hole. He shot 73.

Through it all, Hughes was rock solid. Only twice did he have par putts longer than 3 feet, and he made them both. The last piece of stress came on the final hole when trees block his way to the green. To chip out sideways would risk chipping into the water. He found a 4-foot wide window in which he had to keep it under on branch and go over two more. It was a large enough gap and the perfect shot for a 6-iron.

“I was close enough to the trees. It paid off,” said Hughes, who already has won (Sea Island) in his rookie season on the PGA Tour.

Mackenzie Hughes shares the lead at THE PLAYERS

See and hear what he had to say after a solid opening round ? pic.twitter.com/p9LJw6Ug6n

— Mackenzie Tour (@PGATOURCanada) May 12, 2017

McGirt played in morning and made a pair of eagles on the back nine to atone in his round of 67.

Among those at 68 was Jon Rahm, another first-timer at this lucrative event who had one of four bogey-free rounds on the steamy day in north Florida. Even with a mild wind in the afternoon, just over a third of the field broke par.

Fast starts and bad finishes were the norm, and not just for Scott.

Defending champion Jason Day ran off two straight birdies after making the turn and was in the lead at 5 under, which for the former world No. 1 was a peculiar position. He hasn’t won since The Players last year. Day, however, made three bogeys over his last four holes and had to settle for a 70.

He was playing in the same group as Rickie Fowler, the 2015 champion who also got off to a fast start until one bad shot – a really bad shot – on his 15th hole at the par-4 seventh. From the middle of the fairway, Fowler blocked it so badly to the right that it hit a cart path and went deep into the pines. It took him two shots to get out and he made double bogey. Fowler also shot 70.

Fowler managed to see the big picture.

“No one’s going crazy low or anything like that,” he said.

Garcia’s round was different. He made three bogeys and a double bogey in his opening six holes and went out in 40, the first nine holes of competition he has played since winning the Masters a month ago. He felt nerves on the first tee when he was introduced as the Masters champion.

“The feeling was great,” he said. “I think I wasn’t quite in the tournament because of everything that’s been going on after the Masters win and media and people congratulating you left, right and centre. I felt like I was a little bit up in the clouds, and when I woke up, I was 4 over after six.”

Johnson still has only two rounds in the 60s out of 27 attempts at the Stadium Course. He could accept this 71 just because of all that went wrong – the wedge that hit the pin on No. 1, birdie putts that spun around the holes at Nos. 2 and 12. Johnson rallied late with a 25-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole.

“It could have been really good today, but ended up just being OK,” Johnson said.

McGirt was among 13 players from the morning draw who shot in the 60s, but he was the only player to get as low as 6 under until he missed a short par putt on the final hole. Told that no one had made eagle on both par 5s on the back nine in the opening round, McGirt didn’t have an answer.

“Good numbers at a good time, made a good swing at a good time,” McGirt said. “You just kind of see the shot and hit the shot and see the putt and hit the putt.”

He made it sound simple, even though the Players Stadium Course can be anything but that

Brantford, Ont., native David Hearn, is T18 after an opening round 70.

The full leaderboard can be seen here.

Golf Canada’s first junior golf championship of 2017 is set to take place this week as the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship gets underway at Chilliwack Golf Club in Chilliwack, B.C., from May 12-14.

With support from British Columbia Golf, the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship is the first of six regional junior championships presented in partnership with Acura. The 54-hole stroke play tournament will begin with a practice round on May 11 before the tournament gets underway with round one on May 12.

Established in 1958, Chilliwack Golf Club will be hosting its first ever Future Links Championship. Located 45 minutes east of Vancouver, the course features tree lined fairways, a creek that runs through the back nine and mountain backdrops visible in every direction.

“We are very pleased to open the 2017 championship season in Chilliwack,” said Susan White, the Tournament Director and Senior Manager of Field Operations for B.C. Golf. “The Future Links, driven by Acura Championships are fantastic events for Canada’s premier junior golfers to showcase their skills. Chilliwack Golf Club is in tremendous shape and we look forward to seeing this strong field of juniors challenge the course.”

The field will consist of 87 junior golfers in the junior boys’ division with the top six earning exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on July 31-Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club in Kingston, Ont. A tie for the sixth position will be decided by a playoff following the conclusion of play.

The junior girls’ division will consist of 33 golfers with the top six (including ties) earning an exemption into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship on Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont.

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

May 26-28 – Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario – Brockville, Ont. – Brockville Country Club.

June 2-4 – Future Links, driven by Acura Quebec – Sherbrooke, Que. – Club de golf Milby.

July 4-6 – Future Links, driven by Acura Prairie – Estevan, Sask. – TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club.

July 11-13 – Future Links, driven by Acura Western – Fernie, B.C. – Fernie Golf & Country Club.

July 18-20 – Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic – Church Point, N.S. – Clare Golf & County Club.

Additional information regarding the 2017 Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship, including participants, start times and up-to-date results can be found here.

NOTABLES

Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C.
The 17-year-old comes in as the event’s defending champion. She would go on to place third at the 2016 Canadian Junior Girls Championship. A Team Canada Development Squad member who ranked No. 1 on the Future Links, driven by Acura junior girls Order of Merit in 2016.

A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C.
Team member on Canada’s Development Squad who topped the 2016 Future Links, driven by Acura junior boys Order of Merit. He finished at T11, five shots back, in last year’s tournament, and went on to place T14 in the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

Chandler McDowell of Springbrook, Alta.
The Team Canada Development Squad member finished at T5 at last year’s championship, the highest of all returning players in the boys division. Was No. 3 on 2016’s Future Links, driven by Acura junior boys Order of Merit. At the 2016 Canadian Junior Boys Championship he finished at T14, nine shots back of the leader.

Hannah Lee of Surrey, B.C.
No. 6 on 2016’s Future Links, driven by Acura junior girls Order of Merit, and finished in 13th at the 2016 Pacific Championship. Won the 2016 B.C. Juvenile Girls Championship.

Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont.
Team Canada Development Squad member ranked No. 2 on the Future Links, driven by Acura junior girls Order of Merit. Won both the 2016 Golf Quebec Junior Spring Open and the 2016 Future Links, driven by Acura Quebec Championship.

Mitchell Thiessen of Chilliwack, B.C.
The 18-year-old will be playing on his home course at Chilliwack Golf Club. He is coming off a T2 finish at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour series opener last month. His best finish of 2016 was a T7, also at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour series opener.

FAST FACTS

In 2017, Golf Canada is conducting its six regional Future Links, driven by Acura championships in conjunction with the Provincial Associations.

Top six finishers in the boys’ division earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

Top six finishers (including ties) in the girls’ division earn exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

Canadian LPGA Tour star Brooke Henderson won the tournament in 2013.

Defending champion Mary Parsons went wire-to-wire in her 2016 victory.

Tony Gil won the junior boys tournament in 2016, also going wire-to-wire.

The Special Olympics held a Future Links golf tournament on May 10 at Chilliwack Golf Club in preparation for the tournament.

Friday’s pairings.

More information on the event can be found here.

Admission to the event is open to the public at no charge.

ABOUT THE COURSE

Junior Boys: 6,427 yards, Par 72; CR/Slope 70.5/121

Junior Girls: 5,990 yards, Par 72; CR/Slope 74.1/128

Established in 1958

Hey, kids. Don’t let your parents read this. Let’s keep this our secret, OK?

Yeah, I’m a parent with three grown kids but, more importantly, I am a grandfather and we all know that grandparents are the best. Right?

So here’s my advice: Tell your parents you want to go to golf camp this summer.

But do it reluctantly, like it’s their idea. Parents like to think they are in charge. Just humour them and try not to doze off when they’re rambling on.

But be prepared for the usual parent stuff.

Even if they don’t golf, they’re going to natter on about how golf will make you a better person and, perhaps, a better student at school. (Yawn.)

They’ll lecture you about how most golf camps embrace the Future Links concept that not only makes you a better golfer but educates you in some valuable life skills: two core life skills (focus and sportspersonship) and six associated skills (perseverance, goal setting, emotional regulation, honesty, teamwork and respect).

But who wants to think about school right now? You’re more interested in enjoying the summer and a week or two at golf camp is the way to go. You might even persuade your folks to get you a junior membership at a local course. It’s a great way to enjoy the summer out of doors with your friends. But let them think that was their idea.

“All our kids leave with a big smile on their faces,” says Jake Patte of Geared To Golf. His innovative programs attract kids who are new to golf as well as those who want to get better. He even invites parents to come on the last day of camp for a barbecue and a scramble with the kids.

At my course, Midland Golf and Country Club in Ontario, some camps are paired with other activities, like hockey, robotics, rocketry, fishing, and mountain biking.

Most courses can provide you with clubs, so you don’t need to bring your own. Similarly, even if you don’t go to a camp with your friends, you are sure to meet new ones there. Guaranteed.

Just about every summer golf camp is organized by a PGA of Canada professional who has a background in instruction and understands the Future Links concept. That ensures you will not only learn about the game but have a great time.

If you’ve never golfed before, you’re in good company. Whether you’re five years old or 15, it doesn’t matter. Camps are designed to make you feel welcome and to have fun. Some courses even have specific weeks just for beginners as well as girls-only sessions.

So go to golf camp this summer. If you do, you’ll not only enjoy the game for the rest of your life, but get to play with your parents and, most importantly, your grandparents. You’ll make memories that will last you a lifetime.

Maybe it’s time you schooled your parents about going to golf camp this summer!

Check out Golf Canada’s junior camps and clinics, to to find one that’s right for you.

Not quite 150 but turning 144 years old this year is a club in Montreal that can be considered Canadian royalty

Almost as old as Canada itself, the rich history of The Royal Montreal Golf Club can be borderline overwhelming. Just try scouring the vast archive of Canadian golf history and not stumbling across its numerous mentions. You can’t. You won’t.

The club’s lofty stature dates back to when Queen Victoria sat on the throne. Interestingly, her father, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, is dubbed the “Father of the Canadian Crown” for his contributions to Canada’s development, though it is partly Royal Montreal’s contributions that have been key to Canadian golf’s development.

Founded in 1873, it is regarded as the oldest golf club in North America and has both witnessed and participated in the rise of the game on this side of the Atlantic. According to the club, the individual most credited with its creation is Alexander Dennistoun.

He was an accomplished golfer in his native Scotland before becoming Royal Montreal’s first club captain and president. Dennistoun transported fond memories from St. Andrews, Royal Liverpool and Musselburgh to Fletcher’s Field, part of Montreal’s Mount Royal Park and the first of the club’s three homes. It wasn’t until 1959 that the club settled in its current location on Ile Bizard.

The initial meeting of the Montreal Golf Club — whose prefix Royal was granted by Queen Victoria in 1884 and has preserved every one of its meeting minutes since inception — included eight members, all of whom agreed an entrance fee and annual membership would cost $25 and membership would be capped at 25 members. Also, that each would adhere to the rules administered by the Royal and Ancient GC of St. Andrews.

In the years that followed, several notable members would join. Among them were Sir Alexander Galt, one of the founding fathers of Confederation; Sir William Hingston, Montreal’s mayor in the mid-1870s; and George A. Drummond, who spent time as a Quebec senator, leader of the Redpath Sugar Refinery and president of the Bank of Montreal. In 1895, when Royal Montreal was among the founding clubs that formed the Royal Canadian Golf Association, it was Drummond who was elected the inaugural president.

Before that though, Royal Montreal had already become the first Canadian club to hire a professional in 1881, doing so a decade before Royal Ottawa hired its first. As the game continued to spread and more club pros were hired, it necessitated the organization of an open tournament to determine the best player — amateur or professional — in the nation. The result was the Canadian Open, a 36-hole stroke-play event in 1904 contested at, of course, Royal Montreal.

The club has hosted nine editions of the championship since then, most recently in 2014 when Tim Clark found the winner’s circle. Pat Fletcher, Royal Montreal’s head professional from 1955-75, remains the last Canadian to have hoisted the coveted trophy.

RBC Canadian Open winners at Royal Montreal

1904 – John Oke
1908 – Albert Murray
1913 – Albert Murray
1926 – Macdonald Smith
1950 – Jim Ferrier
1975 – Tom Weiskopf
1980 – Bob Gilder
1997 – Steve Jones
2001 – Scott Verplank
2014 – Tim Clark

In 1973, for the club’s centenary, it invited and hosted foursomes from all 65 of the other Royal clubs in the world along with representatives from Golf Canada, USGA, R&A, Golf Australia and other associations.

“It’s the history and the tradition that form the architecture of Royal Montreal,” explains Denzil Palmer, the club’s general manager and secretary for 28 years.

“Every club around the world is concerned about two things: the attraction of new members and the retention of current members. People join our club and people stay at our club because of the historical significance, and there’s great pride at the club from all of its members.”

Royal Montreal’s prestige is not only heralded in Canada but in the global golf community. Its Blue Course — rated high on golf course ranking lists for years and among 45 holes on the property — was selected to host the 2007 Presidents Cup, the only Canadian venue to have drawn the event thus far. It provided an exciting backdrop all week, and few Canadian golf fans can forget homegrown hero Mike Weir outdueling Tiger Woods in a Sunday singles match.

“The PGA Tour pros who visited during the Canadian Open and the Presidents Cup all referred to the library and the leather lounge as ‘a museum to golf in North America,’” adds Palmer, referencing the significant collection of memorabilia at the club. “The original six-hole layout, for example, on Mount Royal in 1873, that ink sketch is still framed and displayed for the members. We have a lot of historical photos, drawings and other artifacts and gifts presented to the club.”

Aside from pros, Royal Montreal still participates in highly anticipated annual interclub matches between Royal Quebec Golf Club (oldest Canadian interclub match) The Country Club at Brookline (world’s oldest international club match) and others that trace back to its roots. Those competitions were the original Weir-and-Woods battles of their time, and the inspiration behind affiliating members.

Without those matches — dating back to 1876 with Royal Quebec, 1898 with Brookline — and without the passionate pioneers of a century ago that sought to open these clubs, perhaps the Canadian golf landscape would look a lot different.

This article was originally published in the April 2017 edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine.

National Amateur Squad members Maddie Szeryk and Jaclyn Lee both finished inside the top-15 on Wednesday at the Columbus Regional to advance to the NCAA Championships.

Szeryk, a junior at Texas A&M, held the 36-hole lead at Ohio State University’s Scarlet Course with a score of 1-under par (73-70).

The London, Ont., resident struggled in the final round with seven bogeys and a double bogey to card a 7-over par, 79. She finished in 10th place, six shots back of Kelly Grassel (Florida) and Ana Pelaez (South Carolina) who were co-medallists at even par.

Texas A&M failed to advance as a team to the NCAA Championships, finishing outside the top-6, but Szeryk qualified as an individual for the event.

.@mszeryk has qualified as an individual to the 2017 NCAA Championships in Sugar Grove, Ill. May 19-22. She finished 10th with a 222 (+6). pic.twitter.com/DlnBNWAK6P

— Texas A&M W Golf (@aggiewomensgolf) May 10, 2017

The third-year Team Canada product was recently named to the All-SEC team for the third consecutive year, thanks to nine top-10 finishes this season.

Lee, a sophmore at Ohio State, entered Wednesday’s final round two shots back of Szeryk at 1-over par (73-72).

The Calgary native struggled to find her game, posting three bogeys and a double bogey on the back nine to close with a 79 (+7). She finished T13 at 8-over par for the tournament, eight back of the medallists.

The Buckeyes finished 4th in the team competition and will advance to the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive season.

The Buckeyes are officially heading to the NCAA Championships with a 4th place finish in the NCAA Columbus Regional. pic.twitter.com/U1ULfICKL4

— Ohio State W Golf (@OhioState_WGOLF) May 10, 2017

Lee, the Buckeyes stroke average leader heading into the weekend, will look to lead Ohio State to their first NCAA title in program history on May 19-24 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill.

The full leaderboard can be seen here.

Winning is good, but winning with one of the most important people in your life by your side is even better.

That’s exactly what happened when Stephane Dubois rolled in his putt for par on the 18th green at Beacon Hall Golf Club during the U.S. Open Local Qualifier on Monday.

He recorded a tie for the low-score of the day at 1-under with Chase Komaromi and secured himself a spot at the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier, the final step to the second major on the PGA Tour this season.

And by his side the entire time, playing the role of caddie, was none other than his mom, the person who knows him better than any other.

“My demeanour with her on the bag makes me much more calm and relaxed,” he said, immediately after he finished his round. “It puts things into perspective because when you can appreciate that we’re lucky enough to play a game for a living, everything else becomes kind of secondary.”

“I really like having her on the bag, she’s a great support and I wouldn’t pick anyone else.”

The mother-son, golfer-caddie relationship started back when the 25-year-old was younger, still an amateur and mainly playing during the summers. When he turned professional, he began going to a lot more tournaments, more often and she had less opportunities to take time off from her part-time job, but he didn’t turn to another caddie; he just carried his bag himself.

But when their schedules line up, she’s his number one pick to have at his side.

“I love having her out there,” he said. “Even if she’s just pushing the cart, she’s there for me. I love that.”

It’s not so much that his mother is an expert in golf and knows what kind of shot should be played at any given time, but she’s an expert in a more important area: Dubois himself.

“She’s not an outstanding golfer, and she’d be the first one to admit that, but she knows me better than anyone else,” he said. “As far as the golf game goes, she can appreciate a good shot and a bad shot or when I’m happy and when I’m frustrated, but beyond that she kind of just lets me play.”

As to whether or not Dubois’ mother is hard on him out on the links, she typically leaves the criticism for when she stops assuming the role of caddie, and resumes the role of mom.

“She’s much harder on me when I don’t do the dishes at home than if I leave one short in the water.”