Jack Hall also wins the Super Senior Division title in playoff

Saugeen Shores, Ont. – Playoffs were the name of the game on Sunday for the final round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO. Canadian born Miles McConnell began his day four shots back to come from behind and win the national championship in a playoff at Saugeen Golf Club in Saugeen Shores, Ont.

“I am very honoured and happy to have won,” said McConnell. “I was born in Toronto and lived just north of Toronto for ten years before I moved to the States and I am Canadian, so this means a lot to me.

“It also means a lot to me, just the way I won. I was able to come back and make some good shots down the stretch under pressure and a good putt there in the playoff which really means a lot to me because I’ve not always had great success in playoffs like that so I’m very happy.”

McConnell of Tampa, Fla. started the final round, four back of leader, Stephen Jensen of Milton Keynes, England. Following nine both McConnell and Jensen were 1-under on the day, keeping the Englishman ahead by four.

McConnell posted back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11 to pull within two shots of Jensen. After bogeying no. 12, McConnell birdied again on no. 13 to pull back within two shots, Jensen opened his second nine with four straight pars.

“I was happy to make the birdies on 10 and 11 and I kind of lost track at that point of where I was. I knew I was a couple back, but I wasn’t sure if I was two or three,” said McConnell.

Both exchanged pars on no. 14 and 15 before Jensen gave a shot back with a bogey on 16. After pars on 17, McConnell birdied no. 18 to come all the way back and force a playoff.

“I didn’t know for sure where I stood until the 17th hole, I asked some people behind the green after we putted and I thought I was two back and they said no, you’re only one back so I thought well, if I can get a birdie on 18 I can get in the playoff and fortunately, I did that,” said McConnell.

McConnell admitted that playoffs are always nerve racking, but on the first hole of the playoff he went on to record a birdie and with it he completed the come back to win the national championship.

“I felt better with my swing today than any of the other days so I just stood up on that tee and made one of my better swings, hit a good tee shot and then I couldn’t tell he (Jensen) wasn’t that close to the hole, he had about a 30-foot putt so if I can birdie this again, I’m going to win. I hit a nice shot in there to about ten feet behind the hole and I hit some good putts this week and fortunately that was another one.”

McConnell finished the tournament at 8-under following rounds of 74-68-70-68-280. Jensen finished as runner-up also at 8-under with scores of 75-68-65-72-280.

The Super Senior Division title was also decided by a playoff, with Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. winning on the second playoff hole to defeat the defending Men’s Senior and Super Senior champion, Doug Hanzel also of Savannah, Ga. Hall fired a 2-under 70 on Sunday to finished 4-under for the tournament. Both Hall and Hanzel finished tied for third in the Senior Division standings.

On Friday, Team Alberta came from four back to start the day to win the Inter-Provincial Team Championship for the fourth consecutive time. Alberta was tied for second entering play on Friday but shot a collective 2-under to finish at 1-over to edge the host province by three. Alberta was represented by Brian Laubman of Edmonton, Alta., David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. and Senan Foley of Calgary who shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to help lead his team to the title.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship featured golfers aged 55-and-over and included a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over. The Super Senior Championship was contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship.

In addition to the national championship, McConnell will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Biltmore Forst Country Club in Asheville, N.C., August 23-28.

For the final leaderboard following the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Doug Hanzel leads the Super Senior Division following third round

Saugeen Shores, Ont. – Stephen Jensen followed up a strong second round with a 7-under 65 on Saturday to take a four-shot lead into the final round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Saugeen Golf Club in Saugeen Shores, Ont.

Jensen from Milton Keynes, England carded five birdies on the front nine and an eagle on no. 13 in a bogey free round Saturday. The Englishman is four shots ahead of Miles McConnell who is alone in second at 4-under for the championship.

Jensen said he started with a reasonable range session this morning before a less-than-ideal start on the first tee, “my opening tee shot fell off the tee twice which really unsettled me.

“I managed to nudge it about 150 yards down the fairway, hit a 7-iron to about 30 feet and holed it so that was a nerve settler and then I went on a nice run,” said Jensen.

Following his opening birdie, Jensen added another on the second hole, he then birdied holes four, five and eight for an opening 31 on the scorecard.

“Once I got on a roll, I wouldn’t say protect it but don’t do anything stupid and so I played pretty solidly all the way around, thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Jensen who also added that if you can put the ball in the right place off the tee, scoring is possible due to the perfect greens at Saugeen Golf Club.

Jensen opened with a 3-over 75 on Thursday but fired a 4-under 68 on Friday to pull within two shots of the lead. It has been quite the eventful week for Jensen, having played at the European Senior Men’s Team Championship last week at the BlackSeaRama Golf Resort and Villas in Bulgaria, where England won the team event.

“On Sunday, I got back at 4:30 in the morning and I had to leave early morning Monday to fly to Canada so maybe some fatigue, not quite at the races the first day but once I settled down and got going, but listen, long way to go, another 18 holes,” added Jensen.

Heading into the final round, Jensen will draw on his past experiences to help him through the day as he plays his own game “I’ve done it before in tournaments where you have a reasonable lead with one other person, then it’s match play against that guy and that’s how I get through the day.

“If there are three or four of you in contention you have to play your own ball and then with four or five holes to go if you got to do something special and put your foot on the accelerator then do so and if you got to back off a bit and just be careful and hit four irons rather than drivers then do so. It’s just basically using common sense but at the same time, try and relax, try and enjoy it.”

Jensen added since the players competing at Saugeen Shores don’t do this for a living, everyone is going to feel tense on Sunday, “I know I’ll be very nervous but just go out there and try and embrace it and have a bit of fun and see where it takes me. If I win, I’ll be thrilled and if I don’t, I’ve had three great rounds and a great time over here.”

Defending champion, Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. is alone in third following a second consecutive day under par, with a 2-under 70 to now sit at 3-under for the tournament. Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. is fourth at 2-under with Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. and Steve Wheeler of Whistler, B.C. the top Canadians at 1-under in a four-way tie for fifth.

In the Super Senior Division, Hanzel leads by one over Hall. Luc Guilbault of Drummondville, Que. is third at 3-over and is six shots back of Hanzel.

The lead group of Jensen, McConnell and Hanzel will tee off at 10:00 a.m. ET for Sunday’s final round. For all final round tee times, please click here.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship features golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over. The national championship consists of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut after 36 holes. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship.

In addition to the national championship, the winner will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Biltmore Forst Country Club in Asheville, N.C., August 23-28.

For the leaderboard following the third round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Phil Patterson leads Senior Division and Doug Hanzel leads the
Super Senior Division following second round

Saugeen Shores, Ont. – Team Alberta came from four back to start the day to win the Inter-Provincial Team Championship for the fourth consecutive time at the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Saugeen Golf Club in Saugeen Shores, Ont.

Alberta was tied for second entering play on Friday but shot a collective 2-under to finish at 1-over to edge the host province by three. Alberta was represented by Brian Laubman of Edmonton, Alta., David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. and Senan Foley of Calgary who shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to help lead his team to the title.

“Well, we hopped on Senan’s back and rode him, he played great,” said Laubman.

“He’s the only physically fit guy that could do it,” said Schultz with a laugh. “It means a lot, in Alberta we really take the team seriously and we have a lot of fun out there, we’re good friends, good buddies and it means a lot to us to win the team,” added Schultz.

“No one wants to let the previous year down, we have a tradition of winning in Alberta and we want to keep it going,” said Foley.

Foley’s round was tied for low round of the day and allowed him to climb back up the leaderboard in the race for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy.

“I was able to avoid the big blunders like I did yesterday, hit fairways and greens and made some putts so I was happy with that,” said Foley.

Team Ontario finished second at 4-over while Team British Columbia finished third at 11-over.

In the race for the Senior Division title, Canadian Phil Patterson has taken the 36-hole lead following a 1-under 71. Patterson of Prescott, Ont. was two shots back of the co-leaders heading into the second round and was one of few players to shoot under par on Friday. He holds a one-shot lead over a trio of Americans including, William Mitchell of Dunwoody, Ga. and Miles McConnell of Tampa, Fla. who both shot rounds of 4-under 68. Also tied at 2-under is Bryan Hoops of Tempe, Ariz. following a 74 today. Hoops was the co-leader after the opening round with John Bearrie. Bearrie from Hollsopple, Pa. shot a 3-over 75 to drop to 1-under and is tied for fifth with four others including Foley.

In the Super Senior Division, defending champion Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. has taken the lead following a 3-under 69 on Friday to now sit at 1-under for the tournament. He leads Luc Guilbault of Drummondville, Que. and Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. by three shots. Hanzel is now also two shots back in the Senior Division as well.

The field has now been cut to the low 76 players for the final two rounds of the championship with a score of 10-over setting the cutline.

The 156-player field competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy features five past winners including defending champion Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga., Darren Ritchie of St. John, N.B. (2021), Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Nev. (2018), Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. (2015) and David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. (2013).

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship features golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over. The national championship consists of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut after 36 holes. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship.

In addition to the national championship, the winner will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Biltmore Forst Country Club in Asheville, N.C., August 23-28.

For the leaderboard following the second round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

New men’s intercollegiate team championship at Öviinbyrd Golf Club marks the first NCAA Division I men’s golf event held in Canada

MacTier, Ont. – The inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational is set to take place at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 16 – 17, 2024. The tournament marks the first time that an NCAA Division I men’s golf tournament will be played in Canada.

The tournament will be conducted by Golf Canada and co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University who are both led by Canadian head coaches, Jon Mills (Kent State) and Mark Leon (Penn State). The tournament will feature nine NCAA Division I men’s golf teams with prominent Canadian ties along with the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds. UBC qualified after winning the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship in June at Idylwylde Golf and Country Club in Sudbury, Ont.

Joining the co-hosts from Kent State and Penn State and Canadian champions UBC will be Miami University (Ohio), University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Missouri, University of Notre Dame, Rutgers University, and Washington State University.

In addition, the Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp (Boys) will be contested concurrently with the Canadian Collegiate Invitational. A field of 19 players will compete for an automatic spot on the 2025 Team Canada – NextGen squad.

“We are excited to begin play next week for the inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational. We want to thank Kent State and Penn State for co-hosting this event as we welcome some of the top Division I NCAA collegiate programs to compete in Canada for the first time,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We also extend our sincere appreciation to Öviinbyrd Golf Club and the partners Paul McLean, Peter Schwartz and Rob Fraser for their incredible support to host the inaugural event.”

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. Öviinbyrd’s recently renovated practice facility features world class training conditions and state-of-the-art technology and will benefit players competing next week.

“On behalf of the membership and management team at Öviinbyrd, we look forward to hosting our reigning Canadian champions along with some of the top NCAA collegiate players and top Canadian junior boys at our club,” said Lindsay Franklin, General Manager, Öviinbyrd Golf Club. “We are excited to host the inaugural invitational and create a memorable experience for everyone with picturesque Muskoka as the backdrop for this championship.”

The inaugural championship will be contested over 54 holes in two days, with 36 holes played in Monday’s opening round followed by 18 holes in the final round on Tuesday. All three rounds will be played in a shotgun format. The team component will feature five members per team with the top four scores for the day counting to the overall team score. The individual competition will be stroke-play with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and the top five receiving exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

ABOUT THE TEAMS…

Kent State Golden Flashes (Co-Host)

The Golden Flashes finished seventh at the Gopher Invitational earlier this month in Minneapolis, Minn. Kent State are led by head coach Jon Mills of Belleville, Ont. and have three Canadians currently on their roster with two Team Canada – NextGen members Ben MacLean of Niagara Falls, Ont., Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. and James Newton of Ottawa. Kent State has been a feeder program to the PGA TOUR for Canadians in the past with Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith all having played for the Golden Flashes during their collegiate careers.

Penn State Nittany Lions (Co-Host)

The Nittany Lions finished 15th in the first tournament of the season at the Visit Knoxville Collegiate in Knoxville, Tenn. earlier this month. Penn State are led by head coach Mark Leon of Toronto and have one Canadian on the roster, Zach Smith, a sophomore from Brampton, Ont.

Miami (Ohio) RedHawks

The RedHawks finished sixth in their lone tournament appearance of the early season, at the Island Resort Intercollegiate in Harris, Mich this month. Miami features two Canadians on the roster, Cameron Pero of Bloomfield, Ont. and Michael Weber of Burlington, Ont. who are both in their junior year.

Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines finished fifth at the Island Resort Collegiate in early September and also competed at the Inverness Collegiate in Toledo, Ohio this month. Michigan’s Director of Sports Performance and Assistant Coach is Matt Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont. The Wolverines also have one Canadian on their roster, Hunter Thomson of Calgary, Alta. who is in his senior year.

Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans finished fourth at the Folds of Honor Collegiate Invitational in Grand Haven, Mich. earlier this week. 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion and 2023 World Amateur Team Championships Team Canada member, Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. finished solo fourth this week and is in his senior year with the Spartans.

Missouri Tigers

The Canadian Collegiate Invitational will be the Tigers first tournament of the season. Last year Missouri enjoyed a strong fall season with one win and one runner-up finish in six tournaments. They added another runner-up finish at the Tiger Intercollegiate this past April.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame finished fifth at the Folds of Honor Collegiate Invitational this season. The Fighting Irish are led by head coach John Handrigan of Bracebridge, Ont. and have one Canadian on the roster, Owen Mullen a senior from Truro, N.S.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Scarlet Knights finished fifth at the Gopher Invitational this month and were led by senior, Noah Kumar who finished second in the individual standings.

UBC Thunderbirds

The 2024 Canadian University/College Champions got off to a solid start earlier this week, winning the Bushnell Fall Invitational in Springfield, Ore. All five members of UBC that were part of the Canadian National Championship win in June are eligible to compete in MacTier, including individual winner, Dylan MacDonald of Markham, Ont. UBC are led by head coach, Chris MacDonald who has led both the men’s and women’s golf programs to multiple national titles and conference championships during his 23 years at the helm.

Washington State Cougars

The Cougars finished fourth at the Palouse Collegiate earlier this week in Pullman, Wash. The Cougars roster features two Canadians, freshman Tate Bruggeman of Edmonton, Alta. and graduate student, Jakob Chicoyne of Calgary, Alta. 2021 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion and Team Canada member Max Sekulic of Rycroft, Alta. is a recent graduate.

For the full player field competing in the inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational, click here.

Luc Guilbault leads the super senior division and Team Ontario lead
inter-provincial team competition

Saugeen Shores, Ont. – John Bearrie and Bryan Hoops both got off to strong starts, firing rounds of 4-under 68 to take the opening round co-lead at the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Saugeen Golf Club in Saugeen Shores, Ont.

Bearrie of Hollsopple, Pa. carded an eagle and four birdies during the opening round, finishing each nine strong. On the front he recorded back-to-back birdies on holes eight and nine, then finished his round with an eagle on no. 18.

“Very pleased to have gotten off to such a good start today. There aren’t many 72-hole events at the senior level so for me it’s more of a marathon than a sprint,” said Bearrie following his morning round.

“There is still 75 per cent of the tournament remaining so I won’t get too concerned with the leaderboard anytime soon. I’ll be keeping my head down and focusing on a solid day tomorrow,” he added.

Hoops of Tempe, Ariz. jumped up the leaderboard during his afternoon round, carding seven birdies on his way to grab a piece of the lead at 4-under. Hoops started his round on the back nine and opened with a bogey before adding two birdies. He began his second nine with back-to-back birdies before a bogey on the third. Hoops followed up the bogey with back-to-back birdies again and added one more on his final hole the ninth to grab a share of the lead after Thursday.

“Round was pretty solid, very conservative. I had lots of looks at birdie just not many going in today. I made a couple sloppy mistakes, all in all not a bad day, just a little sloppy on a couple holes, should get better tomorrow,” said Hoops.

Trailing Bearrie and Hoops are Canadians Phil Patterson of Prescott, Ont., Ashley Chinner of Brooklin, Ont. and Doug Brophy of Burling, Ont. who all sit at 2-under following rounds of 70. Christopher Henri of Baie-D’Urfé, Que., Steve Wheeler of Whistler, B.C., Todd Fanning of Winnipeg, Man. and Luc Guilbault of Drummondville, Que. are tied for six at 1-under (71).

In the Super Senior Division, Guilbault leads by one over Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga.

Team Ontario leads the Inter-Provincial Team Championship, following a collective round of 1-under. Ontario takes a four-shot lead into Friday’s final round for the inter-provincial team competition over Team British Columbia and Team Alberta who both are a collective 3-over. PROVINCE is represented by Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont., Adam Creighton of Port Colborne, Ont. and Ashley Chinner. The two lowest scores count towards with team score with Chinner and Bunker’s scores counting on Thursday.

The 156-player field competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy features five past winners including defending champion Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga., Darren Ritchie of St. John, N.B. (2021), Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Nev. (2018), Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. (2015) and David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. (2013).

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship features golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over. The national championship consists of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut after 36 holes. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship. In addition, the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship runs concurrently through the first 36 holes of the tournament.

In addition to the national championship, the winner will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Biltmore Forst Country Club in Asheville, N.C., August 23-28.

For the leaderboard following the opening round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Emma Bittorf and Willis win the women’s and men’s
Net Stableford Championships

Brighton, Ont. – Natasha Stasiuk and Chris Willis were atop their respective leaderboards from start to finish and have successfully defended their titles to win the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO. Stasiuk’s win marks her fourth consecutive national championship while Willis earns his second in as many years on Thursday at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ont.

Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. shot a final round of 15-over 86 to finish at 41-over for three days to win by 22 shots over Emma Bittorf of Strathmore, Alta. The win gives Stasiuk her four consecutive Canadian All Abilities National Championship.

“It feels pretty special to win it for the fourth time. I’ve had some struggles this year but at the same time it feels really good for my confidence level. I’ve been invited to different things this year, I’ve gone to Portugal, I’ve gone to England recently, it’s all helped my game. Even though I did struggle a lot this week, I had a really good first round and my last two rounds were an adventure but that’s part of golf” said Stasiuk following her round.

In the Women’s Net Stableford division there is a new champion as Bittorf held off a late charge from three-time defending champion, Tess Trojan of St. Catharines, Ont. to win the title for the first time. Bittorf collected 31-33-34 points during the tournament rounds to finish with 98 total Stableford points to win by five over Trojan (93 points). Stasiuk finished third with 87 total points.

On the men’s side, Willis of Aurora, Ont. fired a second consecutive 4-under 67 on Thursday to finish the tournament with rounds of 74-67-67-208, good for 5-under and a nine-shot victory. Willis was reflective on his entire year after earning back-to-back national titles.

“I’ve had a very special year this year where I’ve got to play at a Champions Tour event called the World Champions Cup and I got to hang out with all my heroes and play the same tees and on the same course that they’re playing that filled me with a lot of confidence and then I went to Portugal with Natasha (Stasiuk) and Russell Aide and the teaching and instruction there boosted my game beyond what I thought it could be and then my experiences at the British, finishing third, playing with the world number one and two filled me with confidence and then the U.S. Open. So really, playing well here is a culmination of this year’s opportunities that I’ve received through playing adaptive golf and I feel like I’ve reached a level that I was very much hoping to achieve so it’s awesome,” said Willis.

Reggie Millage of Milton, Ont. finished in second at 4-over for the tournament while Josh Hunke of New Hamburg, Ont. finished third at 13-over.

Willis also won the Men’s Net Stableford Championship for the first time, with 110 total points from three days. Willis collected 32 points on Tuesday followed by 39 points on both Wednesday and Thursday to win by five over Hunke (105 points). Scott Stafford of St. Thomas, Ont. and Geoff Beecroft of Newcastle, Ont. finished tied for third with 100 points each.

The stableford scoring format of the Canadian All Abilities Championship awarded set points based off a golfer’s net score for the hole. The points were awarded as follows: Albatross (5 points), Eagle (4 points), Birdie (3 points), Par (2 points), Bogey (1 point), Double Bogey or higher (0 points).

The fourth playing of the national championship featured 57 golfers competing over 54-holes. The field was represented with players from Canada, the United States, Australia, Ireland and Sweden with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments competing in the largest field in tournament history. Both Stasiuk and Willis were happy to see more competitors this year as the tournament continues to grow.

“Over the last four years it’s nice to see more women coming to it and more competition. It’s always nice to have Tess (Trojan) with me too, it’s someone close to me but it’s also nice to have new people and I would like to see more girls in it,” said Stasiuk.

Willis added, “there’s more competitors and they’re all trying to find ways to improve. There is noticeable improvements among many of the golfers without any external instruction, they’re just getting better year after year having the opportunity to come and compete in a serious event like this.”

First conducted in 2021 at Humber Valley Golf Course in Toronto, Ont., the competition supports Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment across the Canadian golf community.

For the final leaderboard from the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Willis and Josh Hunke co-lead Men’s Net Stableford division while
Emma Bittorf leads Women’s Net Stableford Championship

Brighton, Ont. – With 18 holes remaining, Chris Willis and Natasha Stasiuk are in strong position to defend their respective national championships at the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ont.

Willis of Aurora, Ont. fired a 4-under 67 in Wednesday’s second round to move to 1-under for the tournament. Willis recorded an eagle and five birdies during his round and said there wasn’t much difference for him on his front and back nines other than an unfortunate four putt on a difficult pin position on no. 8.

“I wedged a few close, and I hit a great approach on a par five to a foot and a half for an eagle,” said Willis who earned an eagle no. 15.

“My wedge play and hitting it close to the hole and capitalizing on those are what made my round really good,” he added.

Willis holds a four-shot lead over Reggie Millage of Milton, Ont. who sits second at 3-over. Josh Hunke of New Hamburg, Ont. is third at 7-over. Willis says it will be a new kind of pressure for him as he is 18 holes away from defending his title.

“I’m going to have to keep driving the ball well, keeping it in play and making sure I hit the right tiers on the greens and just stay patient with my putter and hopefully a few fall and I walk away with a medal and a trophy.”

Willis also holds a piece of the lead in the battle for the Net Stableford Championship after earning 39 points on Wednesday. Willis now has 71 points overall to join Hunke as co-leader. They sit ahead of Vic McClelland of High River, Alta. who is third with 69 points. Kevin Delaney of Windsor, Ont. is fourth with 68 points and Geoff Beecroft of Newcastle, Ont., Spencer Easthope of Okotoks, Alta., and Scott Stafford of St. Thomas, Ont. are tied for fifth with 66 points.

In the Women’s Gross Stroke Play Championship, Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. holds a 14-shot lead heading into the final round after recording a 16-over 87 to now sit at 26-over for the tournament. Bittorf of Strathmore, Alta. sits second at 40-over following an 18-over 89 in her second round.

Bittorf has taken the lead in the Net Stableford Championship division after earning 33 points on Wednesday to now sit at 64 points overall. Bittorf leads Stasiuk (57 points) by seven points. Three-time defending Stableford champion, Tess Trojan of St. Catharines, Ont. is third with 55 points.

The stableford scoring format of the Canadian All Abilities Championship awards set points based off a golfer’s net score for the hole. The points are awarded as follows: Albatross (5 points), Eagle (4 points), Birdie (3 points), Par (2 points), Bogey (1 point), Double Bogey or higher (0 points). The golfers with the highest total of accumulated points over 54-holes will win their respective divisions.

A field of 57 players, regardless of disability classification, are competing over 54-holes in four different divisions in the national championship: Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play; and Men’s Net Stableford.

The fourth playing of the national championship features competitors from Canada, the United States, Australia, Ireland and Sweden with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments and the largest field in tournament history. First conducted in 2021 at Humber Valley Golf Course in Toronto, Ont., the competition supports Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment across the Canadian golf community.

For the full leaderboard following the second round of the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

The chase for the remaining PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season begins Thursday at the Procore Championship.

Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., is one of the players hunting to stay on the tour in the FedEx Cup Fall mini-season, and he’s using every tool at his disposal to secure one of the 55 remaining full cards or 25 spots with conditional status for next year. That includes relying on analytics to help him better strategize on the course.

“My focus is doing what I can possibly do, controlling what I can do to be the best golfer that I can be,” said Sloan. “I’m looking forward to this fall schedule, some good tournaments.

“There’s a lot of travel involved in the fall schedule, but it’s an exciting time for us. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The FedExCup Fall circuit is eight PGA Tour events that lets players lock up or improve their positions in priority ranking and secure additional playing opportunities for the next year, which begins at The Sentry on Jan. 2.

Only players ranked 51st or higher in the FedEx Cup standings through the playoffs can earn points in the fall months, meaning Taylor Pendrith (14th) of Richmond Hill, Ont., Corey Conners (39th) of Listowel, Ont., and Adam Hadwin (47th) of Abbotsford, B.C., have no need to play. Golfers ranked Nos. 51-70 in the FedEx Cup regular standings also already have their cards for next season, but can earn spots in the first two signature events after The Sentry.

Sloan enters play on Thursday at Silverado Resort’s North Course in Napa, Calif., 173rd in the FedEx Cup Fall standings. The top 125 players at the end of the RSM Classic on Nov. 24 will have full membership next season with Nos. 126-150 retaining conditional status.

“Got some good progress in last year, got it back out here on the PGA Tour,” said Sloan, who played on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour in 2023. “I think I’m more dialled into making strategy changes, how I play a golf course. 

“Basically using a lot of ShotLink data and using the statistics to improve the strategy. I’ve started to see in the last several months, that some of the numbers underneath the surface are rapidly improving so I’m really encouraged to see that.”

The ShotLink System is a data platform for collecting and disseminating scoring and statistical data on every shot by every PGA Tour player in real-time. In practical terms, it allows golfers like Sloan to better understand the odds of making certain shots in recurring situations.

“It’s not like we’re trying to find, you know, a better swing path or better release or anything mechanical,” said Sloan, who has a member of his team who is “good with numbers” sift through all the data for him. “This is literally just the decision-making of each and every shot from certain points on the golf course. 

“It’s pretty neat to be able to make those adjustments, the improvements in certain statistical categories, without really ever touching the putting stroke or the full swing, or any of the mechanics.”

For Sloan, it’s meant changing his strategy in two areas. 

“One is par-3 strategy and then the second is my strategy into the green beyond 150 yards from the rough,” he said. “Those are two categories that I’ve given a lot of strokes back to the field, and just adjusting those strategies, I’ve seen an incredible improvement in my par-3 scoring average and my strokes gained to the green has improved dramatically. And again, we haven’t touched the golf swing. 

“What it boils down to, for me personally in those two areas, was I’m ultra-aggressive. I’m way too aggressive in those areas where I just need to back off a little bit.”

Conners will be in the field at the Procore Championship, as will Presidents Cup International teammate Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., who is 52nd in the FedEx entering play on Thursday.

Nick Taylor (58th) of Abbotsford, Adam Svensson (75th) of Surrey, B.C., Ben Silverman (107th) of Thornhill, Ont., and Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., will also tee it up.

DP WORLD TOUR — Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., is the lone Canadian in the field at the Amgen Irish Open. He’s 47th in the Race to Dubai Rankings, the points list of the European-based circuit and 279th in the official world golf rankings. He’s still within the provisional cutoff of the tour’s championship Nov. 14-17. This week’s field is tougher than usual, however, as world No. 3 Rory McIlroy and No. 32 Shane Lowry are also playing in their national open at Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland.

KORN FERRY TOUR — Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., leads the Canadian contingent into the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation. He’s 38th on the second-tier tour’s points list. He’ll be joined by Edmonton’s Wil Bateman (48th), Etienne Papineau (63rd) of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que., and Sudarshan Yellamaraju (96th) of Mississauga, Ont., at Vanderbilt Legends Club North Course in Franklin, Tenn.

EPSON TOUR — Vancouver’s Leah John rocketed 66 spots up the Race for the Card points list thanks to her third-place finish at last week’s Guardian Championship. That puts her at 54th in the points list heading into the Tuscaloosa Toyota Classic. Maddie Szeryk (117th) of London, Ont., and Brigitte Thibault (118th) of Rosemere, Que., will also play on Friday at Ol’ Colony Golf Course in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Stasiuk and Emma Bittorf co-lead the Women’s Net Stableford Championship and Ian St John leads the
Men’s Net Stableford Championship

Brighton, Ont. – There are familiar names atop the leaderboard following the opening round at the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO.

Natasha Stasiuk leads the Women’s Gross Stroke play division and co-leads the Net Stableford division. While in the Men’s Gross Stroke play division, there is a three-way tie with Josh Hunke, Reggie Millage and defending champion Chris Willis tied for the lead. Ian St John leads the Men’s Net Stableford division following play on Tuesday at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ont.

A field of 57 players, regardless of disability classification, are competing over 54-holes in four different divisions in the national championship: Women’s Gross Stroke Play; Women’s Net Stableford; Men’s Gross Stroke Play; and Men’s Net Stableford.

In the Women’s Gross Stroke Play Championship, Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. is in search of her fourth straight national championship after shooting a 10-over 81, to take a 12-shot lead into Wednesday’s second round.

Stasiuk is happy to be in Brighton and defending her title this week, “the golf course is very challenging with tough pins. Things were going very well until the 16th hole, but I still managed to shoot an 81. My goal will be to shoot under 80 and I hope to achieve that the next two rounds. Sleep and healthy foods will be the key to keep things going positively.”

Emma Bittorf of Strathmore, Alta. sits second at 22-over (93) and Tess Trojan of St. Catharines, Ont. is third in the Women’s Stroke Play division following a 28-over 99 on Wednesday.

Bittorf and Stasiuk are currently tied for the lead in the Women’s Net Stableford competition after earning a total of 31 stableford points in the opening round. Trojan, the three-time Women’s Stableford defending champion is third with 27 points.

In the Men’s Gross Stroke Play Championship, defending champion Chris Willis of Aurora, Ont., Reggie Millage of Milton, Ont. and Josh Hunke of New Hamburg, Ont. are all tied at 3-over following rounds of 74. They collectively own a three-shot lead over two others tied for fourth at 6-over.

Willis, who is playing in his third Canadian All Abilities Championship is coming off two top 10 finishes in Major Championships, the G4D British Open and the U.S. Adaptive Open says he has high hopes to have a strong tournament this week.

“The course is fun. The greens are huge with lots of tiers, so approach shots will be tricky. While the course has started soft a couple of days with warm weather and this course will firm up and play even tougher.”

Willis added, “the adaptive golf community is growing quickly in Canada, events like this showcase people with disabilities and how they can achieve, perform, and compete at a high-level. I’m very happy to be a part of this rapidly growing community.”

Hunke, opened and closed his round with birdies on Tuesday and reflected on a great day with amazing playing partners on a tricky course, “Timber Ridge is in good shape and the greens are tricky to figure out. I hit it well but just could not find the bottom of the cup. With a couple more rounds and the help of my caddie Bob, we should be able to dial that in. Looking forward to the next two days of competition golf.”

Co-leader Millage also found the approach shots and greens difficult, “today was a battle. I was a little uncomfortable on some tee shots and Timber Ridge gives us all we can handle around the greens. I made a lot of pars today and some from some tricky places so that allowed me to get away with a decent score.”

In the Men’s Net Stableford competition Ian St John of Ireland leads after earning 39 stableford points on Tuesday to hold a three-point lead over Hunke (36 points). Kevin Delaney of Windsor, Ont. (35 points) sits in third, while Vic McClelland of High River, Alta. (34 points) is fourth. There is a tie for fifth with Geoff Beecroft of Newcastle, Ont. and Dave Marchand of Camrose, Ont. at 33 points.

The stableford scoring format of the Canadian All Abilities Championship awards set points based off a golfer’s net score for the hole. The points are awarded as follows: Albatross (5 points), Eagle (4 points), Birdie (3 points), Par (2 points), Bogey (1 point), Double Bogey or higher (0 points). The golfers with the highest total of accumulated points over 54-holes will win their respective divisions.

The fourth playing of the national championship features competitors from Canada, the United States, Australia, Ireland and Sweden with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments and the largest field in tournament history. First conducted in 2021 at Humber Valley Golf Course in Toronto, Ont., the competition supports Golf Canada’s commitment to create a more inclusive and respectful sport environment across the Canadian golf community.

For the full leaderboard following the opening round of the 2024 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Former Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club Partnership Executive to lead
Golf Canada’s integrated Commercial Business

(September 10, 2024) – Golf Canada announced today that sports business leader Mark Palmer has joined the organization as its new Chief Commercial Officer, beginning September 23, 2024. 

Palmer joins Golf Canada from the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club where he spent more than 20 years helping to drive the team’s commercial growth, most recently as Director, Partnership Development.

Palmer will join Golf Canada’s Executive Team as a key contributor in leading and managing all areas of revenue generation for the organization including oversight of partnerships, sponsorship, and all revenue-related functions of the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open as well Amateur Championships, BDO National Golf League, She Plays Golf, and First Tee – Canada. He will also support the development of innovative business opportunities and additional revenue streams including new events and facilities for Golf Canada’s new headquarters at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

“Mark is an accomplished and dynamic revenue driver with a proven track record of transforming corporate partnerships into substantial top-line growth and we are exceptionally pleased to welcome him to Golf Canada to help drive the organization to an elevated level of commercial success,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Mark is an innovative leader who brings a depth of related industry experience, a network of deep-rooted relationships and a proven track record of sustained top-line revenue growth to help drive the momentum of our talented commercial team.”

Palmer has led initiatives that helped catapult the Blue Jays sponsorship revenue, pushing the team to top five in Major League Baseball’s rankings. He supported the team in monetizing a comprehensive stadium renovation during the previous two years and successfully negotiated numerous sponsorship deals with premium Canadian and international brands. Prior to partnership development, Palmer was successful in driving substantial premium hospitality and group sales ticket revenue, leading a team that rose as high as third in group ticket sales across all MLB teams at the time.

“I am honoured to join Golf Canada as Chief Commercial Officer, working with a talented team passionate about growing the game in Canada,” said Palmer. “Together, we will drive new commercial opportunities, partnerships, and innovations to elevate the sport, while building on Golf Canada’s legacy and ensuring golf continues to thrive in Canada.”

Palmer honed his executive commercial expertise across several team roles during his tenure including Corporate Partnerships, Ticket Sales and Premium Hospitality. Adept at leveraging analytics, market research and creative thinking to exceed business objectives, Palmer also brings expertise in strategic negotiation, innovative program development, and maximizing sponsorship value.

Adding a depth of professional association and volunteer experience, Palmer sits on the Board of Directors for the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada (SMCC), Variety – The Children’s Charity of Ontario, and is a current member and former Chair of the Canadian Marketing Association’s (CMA) Sponsorship Council.

Palmer graduated from the University of Windsor with a BA in Communication Studies, before earning a Post-Graduate Diploma in Sports and Event Marketing from George Brown College. He also holds certification in Negotiation, Business Strategy, and DNA of Top Performers through the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. In 2022 Palmer was granted Charter Marketer Designation by the CMA

An avid and enthusiastic golfer, Palmer resides in Toronto with his partner, Kathryn and their five children.