Team Ontario leads inter-provincial team championship over
Team B.C. by two

Innisfail, Alta. – Matthew Javier and Austin Krahn find their names atop a stacked leaderboard following the opening round of the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.

After sitting at even par through his opening nine holes, Team Canada NextGen member, Matthew Javier of North York, Ont. got on a roll collecting seven birdies including four consecutive to start his second nine to card a 29, good for a 7-under 65.

“I hit the ball really good all day. On the back putts started dropping. Got off to a good start on hole one, made a ten-footer, two putt birdie on two, threw a dart on three and up and down for birdie on four and just made a lot of putts coming in,” said Javier who took the early clubhouse lead at Innisfail on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old has said that his putting has been the key to his success so far this season, but that hasn’t always been the case. Javier has had a strong season with two provincial tournament wins including the 2024 Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship in late June.

Contending at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship is not new for Javier, having been part of Team Ontario’s Inter-Provincial Team Championship winning side and finishing tied for fourth in the Junior division and solo third in the Juvenile division last year in North Bay, Ont. That experience is something he will draw on this week in Innisfail.

“I was in the second last group, so I was right there and when you get into situations like those and you get into them again…just the experience of being in that situation helps you the next time and gives you confidence,” he added.

Tied in the lead for the Silver Cup is Austin Krahn of Christina Lake, B.C. Krahn also began his round on the back nine Tuesday morning and recorded two birdies to start. After making the turn he made three consecutive birdies and eventually closed his round with two more to move to 7-under (65).

“I just hit the ball really well today, every swing felt good, and I felt really confident over every shot. There are a couple tricky holes out here where you have to commit to different lines and every swing, I hit to where I wanted to and there were a couple holes today where I was a little out of play but got it up and down and able to save pars and after that the putter was rolling good today,” said Krahn who finished after Javier.

The 17-year-old has enjoyed a successful season thus far, winning the B.C. Indigenous Championship in June for the second consecutive year along with the B.C. Junior Boys Championship in early July.

Krahn says he plans to stick to his game plan which he created during practice rounds earlier this week.

“Hitting the same clubs off the tee that I plotted out and don’t get too scared over tee shots and commit to the ones you decided you’re going to and just stay patient and try to make some putts. It’s a four-day tournament, there’s still lots of golf left so don’t need to make birdies on every hole out here, just make some pars and wait for the birdies to fall.

Spencer Shropshire of Ramara, Ont. is currently alone in third following a 6-under 66 on Tuesday. The 16-year-old also leads the Juvenile division by one-shot over Canadian Junior Boys defending champion, Alex Zhang of Richmond, B.C. Zhang became the 11th player in tournament history to win both the Junior and Juvenile divisions last year.

Zhang is in a three-way tie for fourth in the Junior division along with Team Canada NextGen teammate Isiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. and Nathaniel Yoo of North York, Ont. all at 5-under (67).

Team Ontario leads the battle for the Junior Boys Inter-Provincial Team Championship following the opening round over Team British Columbia by two shots. The defending champions shot a combined 8-under on Tuesday led by Isiah Ibit, the lone returning player from last year’s championship team. Teammates Gabriel Mainella of Markham, Ont. and Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. both recorded rounds of 3-under 69. Team B.C. sits with a combined score of 6-under and was led by Austin Krahn along with teammates Manpreet Lalh of Nanaimo, B.C. (1-over) and Ryan Vest of Vernon, B.C. (3-over). The host province, Team Alberta sits at 2-under to round out of the top three. The two lowest scores of three count towards the team score each day. The team championship will be awarded following Wednesday’s second round.

The Junior and Juvenile championship rounds are played concurrently over four rounds. The 156-player field will be cut to the low 70 players plus ties in the Junior division and a minimum of ten players in the Juvenile division following Wednesday’s second round.

The Junior champion of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship earns an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship as well as the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

For the leaderboard following the first round of play at the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

(August 13, 2024) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce that The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and Rivermead Golf Club in Gatineau, Québec. will be the host courses for the 120th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, taking place July 25-31, 2025.

“Golf Canada is incredibly proud and excited to have two historic courses host one of our most prestigious amateur events and the oldest amateur event in the country,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We’re grateful to the membership of The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and Rivermead Golf Club, its volunteers and the city of Gatineau who we know will welcome some of the world’s top amateur golfers and present a true test for those competing.  Returning to The Royal Ottawa Golf Club, the host club of the first playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur will be memorable and the support of Rivermead Golf Club will set the stage for an incredible National Championship.”

The Royal Ottawa Golf Club stands as the premier golf club in the National Capital Region, celebrated for its rich heritage and top-tier facilities. The Club features a traditional Championship Golf Course, alongside a challenging nine-hole course ideal for families and avid golfers. Renowned for its world-class practice facilities equipped with TrackMan technology, the Club also takes pride in its active, award-winning competitive Junior program. Additionally, the Club’s reciprocal program grants members access to prestigious clubs in nine countries around the globe. The Royal Ottawa Golf Club last hosted the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in 2016 where Hugo Bernard of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Québec. won the national championship.

“The Royal Ottawa Golf Club is honoured to once again partner with Golf Canada to host their 120th Canadian Men’s Amateur. The club’s history of supporting amateur golf events in Canada is storied, dating back to the first ever such competition hosted by the club in 1895,” said Greg Richardson, General Manager, The Royal Ottawa Golf Club. “Our members are excited to welcome the best amateur men’s golfers to see them play our fantastic golf course and compete for an historic tenth such crown here at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club, the most of any club in Canada.”

Established in 1910, Rivermead Golf Club is located in Gatineau, just a few hundred metres from the north shore of the Ottawa River. Initially opened as a 9-hole course, it was expanded to 18 holes in 1915. In 1989, the course was completely renovated by Ken Skodacek working with Ken Venturi to the current outstanding championship layout. In 2023, the Club completed a 5-year course improvement project under the guidance of Jeff Mingay. Rivermead, along with the Royal Ottawa and Ottawa Hunt golf clubs, formed the Ottawa District Golf Association in 1948. These same three clubs have rotated hosting the prestigious Alexander of Tunis tournament since its inception in 1950, with the 75th playing the event held at Rivermead in 2024. Throughout its history, Rivermead has hosted many championships, including the 1920 Canadian Open, the 1925 Ladies’ Canadian Amateur Championship, the CPGA Championship in 1932 and 1959, and the CN Canadian Women’s Tour in 2005 and 2010. Of special pride to Rivermead members is our link to the RBC Canadian Open through the Rivermead Cup. The Rivermead Cup was awarded to the winner of the Canadian Open until 1935. Since 1936, the Rivermead Cup has been awarded to the low Canadian in the RBC Canadian Open.

‘’We are very pleased to be co-host of the 120th edition of the Men’s Canadian Amateur Championship,” said Mathieu Perron, General Manager, Rivermead Golf Club. “Rivermead has a long-standing relationship with competitive golf in Canada and we are eager to receive the best amateur players in the world on our newly renovated course. It will be a great way for us to celebrate our 115^th anniversary.’’

Established in 1895, the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is the third oldest amateur championship in the world. The tournament was first contested as one of the newly formed Royal Canadian Golf Association’s (RCGA), now known as Golf Canada, first orders of business in 1895 at the Ottawa Golf Club.

The national championship originally began as a match play competition but changed to stroke play for the 1969 championship. It remained that way through 1994 when it reverted to match play in honour of the RCGA’s and the championship’s centennial in 1995. The championship once again reverted to stroke play in 2008 and in 2010, the tournament changed to a double field format for the first time ever. Four-time PGA TOUR winner Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. was the last player to win the championship as a match play competition in 2007 at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George S. Lyon won the Amateur eight times between 1898 and 1914 and was runner-up two more times. Fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Sandy Somerville made it to the match play final ten times between 1924 and 1938, capturing six championships. Other past champions include Canadian Golf Hall of Famers and four-time winners, Nick Weslock (1957, 1963, 1964, 1966) and Doug Roxburgh (1972, 1974, 1982, 1988). Most recently, two-time PGA TOUR winner and two-time Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion, Mackenzie Hughes (2011, 2012) and 2023 RBC Canadian Open and four-time PGA TOUR winner Nick Taylor (2007).

Last week, Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island, Fla. won the 119th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at 15-under, one shot better than defending champion Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. at Riverside Country Club and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) Virtual Summit presented by RBC: 2024 Presidents Cup took place August 13, 2024, as part of an ongoing GJAC series intended to help membership stay connected, as well as to generate discussion and opportunities around important issues in the game.

The format consists of a moderated question and answer period, followed by a brief opportunity for questions from attendees. 

Panelists for this Virtual Summit included:

• Mike Weir – Presidents Cup International Team Captain
• Ryan Hart – Executive Director – 2024 Presidents Cup
• Scott Dickson – GM & Secretary – Royal Montreal Golf Club Moderator: Jason Logan, Editor of SCOREGolf

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.

Mark Tuck, Greystone Golf Club, Hole #14

Hole #14, uphill, 156 yards and hit an 8 iron. Was playing with my son Dylan Tuck and a member from Blue Springs (ClubLink Member). That is my seventh hole-in-one. I had three left handed before changing to playing right handed and have now had four right handed.  

D’Arcy Lachance, Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, Hole #4

Finally, I did it! On Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg, Man. on hole #4, playing 164 yards from the white tees. I struck a 6 iron and away it went. I did not see the ball go in but I did see the ball mark on the green. My group beat me to the hole and low and behold there was a big cheer. The shot was in the hole. I was playing with my regular group my wife Kim Smith, Judy Robertson and Judie Roberts.

Nicholas Lake, Sawmill Golf Course, Hole #14

Yardage was 128. Club was a 9 iron and golfed with Uncle Dom.

Connor Mathers, Sarnia Golf & Curling Club, Hole #12

It was a long time coming! I’ve been playing golf since the age of four, had many close calls but this was the first time the ball actually disappeared.

It was on hole #12, at my home club. I was playing with a close friend of mine and before the tee shot I teased him saying, “I think this one is going to go in.” I was playing the back tees, it was 127 yards to a front pin. This green slopes from back to front, so I knew I wanted to land it well past the hole to try and spin it back.

I hit my 52° wedge, landed it about eight paces behind the flag and we were yelling at the ball to get in as soon as we saw it start to spin back toward the hole. It felt like it took five minutes to finally reach the cup, but it finally disappeared which led to a lot of jumping around and celebrating.

It was very special to get my first hole-in-one. Friends and family came to join in on the celebrations after the round. It will be a shot I never forget.

Greg Keith, Barrhead Golf Club, Hole #7

From the white tees playing 127 yards to a front pin location. I used my 48 degree wedge. The ball landed just past the pin and spun back for my second ever hole-in-one. Funny enough the first one was last year on the exact same hole with a very similar pin placement. I was playing that round with my good friend Trent Kondo.

Rob Bryant, Guelph Lakes Golf Club, Hole #10

This was my second hole-in-one, but the more special one of the two as it happened on my favorite course on the least likely hole I’d expect to get one. I was with my good friend Ben Williams, on hole #10 that was playing 157 yards from an elevated tee. I pulled a seven iron and lined up to the right center of the green. I knew if I took a line straight over the bunker and land it a yard or two on the green the ball will check, catch the slope and feed towards the hole. I hit the shot exactly where I wanted to. It did exactly what I expected it to do. Hit the green, checked, caught the slope and rolled towards the hole and with perfect speed. Then it was like I was watching the rest in slow motion. It was in perfect line with the pin. Hit the pin dead center and dropped. That made for a very special round of golf with a great friend. I will remember it always.

Dave Hong, Cordova Bay Golf Course, Hole #13

I hit an 5-iron baby cut shot on hole #13, a par 3 at Cordova Bay Golf Club that was measuring 173 yards from the blue tees. This hole plays half a club uphill so I had it pegged at a 180 yard shot. I could see the ball tracking towards the flag and then it disappeared. You are never quite sure if it is in but one of my playing partners, Deb Buckley, was at the forward tees and could clearly see the ball going in the hole. I walked up to the hole, and there it was!

My playing partners were Rich Choo, Yves Piette (both in the photo with me), and Deb Buckley who took the photo.

It was my second career hole-in-one and the first one came over 30 years ago. After the hole in one, I felt pressure to complete the round with a decent score. Sure enough I did, and I shot my index with a 74.

Howard Kotzer, Richmond Hill Golf Club, Hole #4

I play in a mens league at Richmond Hill Golf Club in Ontario on Mondays. Two of our regular foursome were not there. They paired Rob and I with two younger guys Eric and Mike who are not in the league. I say younger, I’m 68 and they were early 30’s. I used my Big Bertha 7 iron. The hole is a par 3 and was 154 yards away. I shot first. I knew it was a good shot and was going to be on the green which I would be happy with. I have good eyes. I could see the flag but not the hole. One of the younger guys Eric says, “I think it’s a hole-in-one.” Mike says, “it’s definitely a hole-in-one.” I was watching the ball roll and then it just disappeared. I got very excited and my heart started beating a little harder to say the least but I didn’t want to get too excited just in case. As I was walking to the green I didn’t see my ball close on the flag and now my heart started pounding with anticipation. I went over to the cup and looked down to see my ball in the hole. A hole-in-one! A dream come true after 17 years of playing golf. I was so thrilled, I couldn’t believe it. None of the other guys had ever seen a hole in one other than on TV. Neither had I and now I had seen one and it was my shot. Happiest golf game of my life! It was also the closest to the pin hole to boot. One thing off my bucket list.

Sarah Huber, Shaganappi Point Golf Course, Hole #16

I was playing with my sister-in-law after two other Shaganappi Ladies League members had to drop from our tee time. I wasn’t playing particularly well, but it was a good swing with my 8 iron from the white 106 yard tees on hole #16. It looked like it went in, but wasn’t until we checked the cup that we celebrated. Very excited!

Ryan Ekdahl, Riverside Country Club, Hole #7

I was playing with my friends Noah Degelman and Cole Young, also Riverside members. Yardage was 154 and I hit a pitching wedge.

Travis Tubb, Prince Rupert Golf Club, Hole #2

Was men’s day at our local golf club. A new two man team format was being used that day. My partner was Terrance Bateman, a seasoned golfer with sick skills. We played with fellow friends and avid golf enthusiast Johnathan Hunt and Mel Young (which were partners that day as well). We were on hole #2, a 140 yard, par 3. I was the third to tee off and after seeing two of the other gentlemen nail the dance floor, I was just hoping to land as well on the green. Mind you this is my first year giving the game my full attention and devotion. Can honestly say I’ve played more rounds this season than my entire life prior! So with my 8 iron in grip and mind trying to stay focused to hit the green I made my swing. Looking up the line looked good, which it has many times before but then land considerably short in a little valley before the green. Next thing we see is the ball touching down in front with a hop and another little hop and ran right into the cup! Elation and pandemonium ensues on the box! What a rush!

Brenda Cook, Bluenose Golf Club, Hole #5

I am 73 years of age. I had never played any organized sports until my husband Philip convinced me to try to take up golf. This was about three years ago. I have been learning to play golf since then with a group of four to six ladies who took me under their wings. We usually golf nine holes, three times each week. It has been enjoyable but frustrating at times, with a very challenging learning curve. Our group is more social then serious. We always have a lot of laughs when we take to the fairways.

I only started to keep a scorecard and register my scores on the Golf Canada website about two weeks before my hole-in-one. This was only after the girls and Philip urged me to do so.

On the big day August 14, 2024, I started with a bogey on hole #1 and then a triple bogey on hole #2. I was just about ready to call it quits, but one of the girls Suzanne Mader said, “forget that hole, there is another one just around the bend.” I pulled myself together and things worked out better on hole #3 and #4.

Then came my favourite hole, hole #5, a par 3 hole, I always try to get on the green and par it, many times I do par this hole. This hole is 126 yards from the forward tees. You hit across a valley onto the green on the opposite hill. I have always had success using my driver on this hole. On this day I hit the ball with a lot of loft and it landed on the green two to three feet straight out from the hole and rolled forward straight into the cup. The girls screamed out, “Brenda you have a hole-in-one!” I was astonished and in disbelief that I could be so lucky! Rumour has it around here that it has been about two decades since a female has had a hole-in-one at Bluenose Golf Club! Unbelievable that I could be so fortunate. The ladies in our foursome on that memorable morning were Jean Jackson, Lola Greek and Suzanne Mader. I don’t think any of us will ever forget that day.

SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — Canadian Stephen Ames successfully defended his Boeing Classic title Sunday, birdieing the par-5 18th for a 5-under 67 and one-stroke victory over Ernie Els, Steven Alker and Robert Karlsson.

The 60-year-old Ames, a naturalized Canadian from Trinidad and Tobago, won his third PGA Tour Champions title of the season and ninth overall. He won four times on the PGA Tour.

“This stage right now, this is all icing on my cake, so I’m just enjoying this and I’m going to take it as long as it goes,” Ames said.

He finished at 11-under 205 at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge.

“I’m enjoying the winning, let’s put it that way,” Ames said. “It is fun, no doubt about that. This year I’ve been very consistent, more than I was last year, which was actually one of my goals.”

Els and Alker played alongside Ames, each shooting 68. Els also has three victories this season. Second-round leader Karlsson shot 75 in the final group.

Charlie Wi (75) and Kirk Triplett (71) tied for fifth at 8 under.

Local favourite Fred Couples tied for 18th at 4 under after a 71.

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — One gold short of the Olympic medal collection, one win away from the LPGA Hall of Fame, Lydia Ko pondered what it would be like to knock out both at the same time and said when she arrived, “It would be a hell of a way to do it.”

What the 27-year-old Kiwi didn’t share was her decision that the Paris Games would be her last Olympics. The goal Saturday in the women’s golf competition was never more clear.

“I knew the next 18 holes were going to be some of the most important 18 holes of my life,” Ko said. “I knew being in this position was once in a lifetime.”

She delivered a dream finish at Le Golf National with a 1-under 71 for a two-shot victory. The win pushed her career total to 27 points for the LPGA Hall of Fame, one of the strictest criteria for any shrine.

Ko watched the documentary of gymnastics great Simone Biles, “Rising,” and was so inspired by one quote from Biles that she wrote it in her yardage book: “I get to write my own ending.”

This final chapter featured Ko building a five-shot lead, watching it cut to one over the final hour and then delivering a steady diet of pars until she made a 7-foot birdie putt at the end to finish at 10-under 278.

Esther Henseleit of Germany finished birdie-birdie for a 66 to make Ko work for it. Henseleit wound up with the silver. Xiyu Lin of China birdied the final hole for a 69 to take the bronze.

In her third Olympic Games appearance, Canada’s Brooke Henderson carded a final round of 71, finishing tied for 13th at 3-under. This marks her second-best finish, following a T7 at Rio 2016 and a T29 at Tokyo 2020.

Fellow Canadian Alena Sharp concluded the tournament tied for 42nd at 9-over.

Ko won the silver medal in Rio de Janeiro. She won the bronze in Tokyo. The missing one turned out to be more valuable than its weight in gold.

This is the latest prize in a remarkable career for Ko, who won her first LPGA title as a 15-year-old amateur and rose to No. 1 in the world for the first time at 17. She began this year with a victory in Florida, leaving her one point short of the Hall, and had a spell this summer when she doubted she would get the last one.

Ko becomes the 35th player to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame, and the second-youngest behind Australian great Karrie Webb to earn the required 27 points — two points for each of her two majors, one point for her other 18 LPGA victories, one point for winning LPGA Player of the Year (twice) and for the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average (twice).

And one big point for Olympic gold.

Ko needed only two putts from short range to win, and when the putt fell, she stepped away with her hand over her mouth and it wasn’t long before she began to sob.

Henseleit watched from a red sofa in the clubhouse as Ko played the final few holes, never considering going to the practice range in case of a playoff.

“There’s just some players you know they’re not going to mess up coming down the last two holes, and she’s definitely one of them,” said Henseleit, the first European woman to earn an Olympic medal in golf. “I was happy sitting there enjoying my silver medal.”

Lin is the second player from China to win a medal — Shanshan Feng won the bronze in Rio — and she somehow avoided a playoff with the number of players in the mix.

At the end, the stage, the podium — and the shrine — all belonged to Ko.

156 of Canada’s top junior golfers will compete for the Junior title along with a U17 Juvenile division and an inter-provincial team competition

Innisfail, Alta. – The 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO is set for August 13-16 with a field of 156 junior golfers competing over four rounds at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.

This year’s field competing for the Canadian Junior Boys Trophy, also known as the Silver Cup, features a talented field of Canadian players, including five 2024 NextGen tournament winners, Charlie Gillespie of Calgary, Alta. (NextGen Western), Ryan Mosher of Saskatoon, Sask. (NextGen Prairie), Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. (NextGen Ontario), Bode Stephen of Kingston, Ont. (NextGen Atlantic) and Matthew Wilson of Nanaimo, B.C. (NextGen Pacific).

In addition, five members of Team Canada NextGen will be competing in Innisfail including, Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont., Matthew Javier of Toronto, Ont., Luke Smith of Toronto, Ont., defending champion Alex Zhang of Richmond, B.C. and Eric Zhao of North York, Ont. Last year at North Bay Golf and Country Club, Zhang won the national championship beating out two others by one shot.

“We have a great field ready to compete for our prestigious Canadian Junior Boys Championship,” said Sam Brown, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “We’d like to thank the staff and volunteers at Innisfail Golf Club for all the work they’ve put in to prepare the golf course as we welcome some of Canada’s best young talent to Innisfail. The club has great experience hosting a number of provincial championships and we are excited to get play underway.”

Innisfail Golf Club is hosting the Canadian Junior Boys Championship while celebrating its centennial year. Established in 1924, the Bill Robinson designed course features 27 holes with three different 9-hole courses each with a scenic and diverse experience. The tournament will be contested on the Aspen and Spruce nines. Innisfail Golf Club has previously hosted the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship on three occasions as well as the Alberta Senior Ladies Championship.

“We are so proud to be hosting an event like this with the best young talent in the field from across the nation.  The club has been around for 100 years and can be challenging for many. Diligent strategy is required to play well here or may find some of the tough shots out there in a hurry. Subtle, yet distinct…pictures don’t the contours or elevation changes justice,” said Jeff McDowall, Head Professional, Innisfail Golf Club. “We hope those who are playing enjoy the experience at Innisfail Golf Club and all competitors do their best in the pursuit for a national championship title.”

Established in 1938 with the first championship played at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont., the Canadian Junior Boys Championship has given Canadians a glimpse into the future glory that many of its champions have gone on to enjoy. Canadian Golf Hall of Famers Doug Silverberg, George Knudson, Gary Cowan, and Doug Roxburgh have all won the Silver Cup before moving on to amateur and professional careers.

2023 RBC Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor won the Junior in 2006, the only Canadian male golfer to win the trifecta of national championships comprised of the Canadian Junior Boys, Canadian Men’s Amateur, and Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. Brooke Henderson who is the lone female Canadian golfer to win the Canadian Junior Girls, Canadian Women’s Amateur, and the CPKC Women’s Open.

In addition to the 18-and-under Junior Championship, the 17-and-under Juvenile Championship was added in 1970, with the winner receiving the Jack Bailey Trophy. Since its inception, only 11 golfers have won both the Juvenile and Junior titles — Jim Rutledge, Jeff Makahon, Rob McMillan, Jesse Collinson, Dustin Risdon, Gord Scutt, Rafael Lee, Mitch Sutton, Charles-Éric Bélanger, Christopher Vandette and Alex Zhang.

There will be a final qualifier held on Friday, August 9 at Innisfail Golf Club where 45 golfers will be competing for the final four spots into the national championship. Following the qualifier, practice rounds will take place on Saturday, August 10. The Junior and Juvenile championship rounds are played concurrently over four rounds, with the low 70 players plus ties in the Junior division and a minimum of ten players in the Juvenile division advancing to the final 36 holes. The Junior Inter-Provincial Team Championship will be played over the first 36 holes, where teams will compete for the Junior Inter-Provincial Championship Trophy. Last year, Team Ontario finished three shots clear of Team British Columbia to win the championship.

The Junior champion of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship earns an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship as well as the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

For the full player field competing in the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Mawhinney’s late charge enough to hold off
defending champion Ashton McCulloch

Saskatoon, Sask. – The final round of the 119^th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO was one to remember on Thursday at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

The leaderboard had more twists and turns than a rollercoaster throughout the day with five players holding a piece of the lead at various points and numerous lead changes on the back nine. In the end, the name a top the leaderboard is the one that was there all week as Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island, Fla claimed the Earl Grey Cup as the 2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion.

“Don’t have much to say right now, kinda sinking in but proud I could finish it off after some great golf,” said a visibly emotional Mawhinney.

Mawhinney began the day one ahead of defending champion Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. He began his round with a birdie and followed it up with an eagle to pull three shots ahead. However, a triple bogey on the par 4 third hole saw McCulloch pull ahead by one following a birdie of his own.

Mawhinney pulled level with McCulloch on the fifth hole at 12-under. The two matched birdies on six before Mawhinney took the solo lead with another birdie on the eighth hole. Making a charge in front of the lead group was Garrett Rank of Waterloo, Ont. Rank, an NHL referee during the season, collected three birdies and a par to close the front nine one back of Mawhinney who sat at 14-under.

The back nine continued to provide drama fitting of a national championship as Rank and Mawhinney were joined by Rylan Shim of Centreville, Va. as co-leaders at 13-under through 11 holes. Mawhinney birdied no. 12 to move back to a one-shot lead but bogeyed no. 13, bringing Shim back into the co-lead.

More twists and turns following no.14 as Rank birded to get to 13-under to pull level with Mawhinney and joining them was Declan O’Donovan from New South Wales, Australia following his birdie on 14. The co-lead was short lived as both Rank and O’Donovan bogeyed no. 15, giving the lead back to Mawhinney with three to play.

Rank birdied no. 16 as Mawhinney approached the tee, where a crucial decision was made.

“Decided to hit 3-wood off 16 which was the first time we did that this week and that kept us back and didn’t have to turn it around the corner and you could still make birdie that way. I think I had 205 into the green and hit it middle of the green and two-putt,” said Mawhinney on his birdie to retake the lead by one.

Rank closed with two pars to take the clubhouse lead at 13-under. Mawhinney responded with what he described as “the greatest shot I’ve ever hit in my life” on no. 17 as he stuck it to within one foot from 178 yards out and tapped in for birdie to move to 15-under and a two-shot lead.

“The winds we think switched and it was 178 downhill. I have to change for elevation because I am sea level, and it was about a 72 shot with the wind and a perfect 8-iron and hit it right at the flag and it was the right number,” said Mawhinney.

McCulloch was making the finish even more interesting as he continued to battle and moved to 13-under following another eagle on no. 16, his third consecutive day doing so. McCulloch went on to birdie the 18th to finish at 14-under.

Mawhinney played no. 18 as he had all week with a 3-iron off the tee followed by a pitching wedge into the green and two-putted for the win. Mawhinney shot rounds of 65-69-70-69-273 to claim the national championship.

As he finished speaking with the media, the 16-year-old asked what was next?

“A couple people said I’ll see you at Hazeltine, so I guess that’s what’s next, but we’ll figure it out when we get there,” he responded.

With the win, Mawhinney receives an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. and the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. from August 12-18. He will also receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championship and $1,200 CAD.

McCulloch finished solo second at 14-under and Shim and Braxton Kuntz of Winnipeg, Man. finished tied for third at 12-under. Rank finished the tournament at 13-under which was solo third place but was unfortunately disqualified following his round for signing an incorrect score card.

On Tuesday, Team British Columbia claimed the Willingdon Cup as Inter-Provincial Team champions. Team British Columbia shot a collective 9-under and was represented by Wyatt Brook of Heffley Creek, B.C., James Fahy of Vancouver, B.C. and Team Canada NextGen member Cooper Humphreys of Vernon, B.C. Team Ontario finished second with a collective 5-under, with Team Manitoba rounding out the top three at even par.

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

Defending champion Ashton McCulloch and Braxton Kuntz both one back following thrilling third round at Riverside Country Club

Saskatoon, Sask. – The final round of the 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO is setting up for quite the finish on Thursday at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

Following an exciting battle on the back nine, Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island, Fla. maintains his lead by one-shot over defending champion Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. and Braxton Kuntz of Winnipeg, Man.

Mawhinney held the lead for most of the day but temporarily found himself on the outside looking in. Heading to the par 5 16th hole, Kuntz was one behind Mawhinney while McCulloch was two back. Both Canadians would card eagles to jump the leaderboard with Kuntz grabbing the lead at 12-under ahead of Mawhinney and McCulloch at 11-under. It marked the second consecutive day McCulloch earned an eagle on no. 16.

“I hit a cut and it’s a cutters tee ball for sure and luckily both days were down wind so you can take advantage of a par five, but really it was two good second shots,” said McCulloch.

From there he went on to record pars on his final two holes to shoot a 5-under 67 and sit at 11-under for the tournament. McCulloch was handed an additional two strokes to his second round score following a ruling that was changed Wednesday morning, resulting in a double bogey on no. 14. “Keep on going, there’s nothing you can do about it, it was the right ruling, you just take it in stride,” said the defending champion.

Kuntz meanwhile eventually dropped a stroke following bogey on no. 18, the lone blemish on a solid back nine, giving him a 3-under 69 to also sit 11-under for the tournament.

“Couldn’t really get momentum going but played really solid on the back nine, put myself on fairways and on greens and didn’t really put too much stress on myself, so overall I am really happy with how I’ve been hitting it this week and hopefully keep it going tomorrow,” said Kuntz.

The Canadians sat as co-clubhouse leaders as Mawhinney collected four consecutive pars following a bogey on no. 13. Mawhinney narrowly missed holing out on the 18th and was able to tap-in for birdie to regain his lead at 12-under with a 2-under 70.

Mawhinney said it was much of the same for him on Wednesday, keeping patient and allowing the birdies to fall to him, as he now holds the 54-hole lead.

“I’m just going to keep playing how I’ve been playing and just play for tomorrow and not the whole thing and see where I end up,” said a calm Mawhinney following his round.

Many are within striking distance of the lead group, including Rylan Shim of Centreville, Va. and Garrett Rank of Waterloo, Ont. both tied for fourth at 9-under. Mackenzie Bickell of Richmond, B.C. and Declan O’Donovan of New South Wales, Australia are tied for sixth at 8-under.

Play was delayed for three hours on Wednesday due to smoke that caused poor air quality in the area. Eventually the first groups teed off at 11 a.m. CST.

Thursday’s final round at Riverside tees off at 8 a.m. CST, with the lead grouping of Mawhinney, McCulloch and Kuntz teeing off at 10:20 a.m. CST. For final round pairings, please click here.

The 2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion receives an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. and the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. from August 12-18. The winner will also receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championship. In addition, the winner will receive $1,200 CAD.

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

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Levelwear, CPKC, Sleeman Breweries and Golf Canada have announced that a combined donation of $120,000 will be made to The Canadian Red Cross Alberta Wildfires Appeal.

As previously announced last week during the CPKC Women’s Open, Levelwear and Golf Canada would commit 100 per cent of the net proceeds from the tournament’s merch tent at Earl Grey Golf Club over the weekend in addition to online sales from July 27 -31.

“The wildfires in Alberta and B.C., and particularly Jasper, are devastating for all Canadians and affect so many families.  With the CPKC Women’s Open hosted in Calgary, we felt compelled to extend a helping hand.  Partnering with Golf Canada and CPKC, we are thrilled to make this monetary donation to the Red Cross Alberta Wildfires Appeal,” said Hester Ngo, Chief Executive Officer, Levelwear. “Additionally, 4,650 units of Levelwear apparel are on their way to designated Alberta locations for distribution to those impacted by the fires.”

Sleeman Breweries have also made a financial contribution to the combined effort to help those impacted by the wildfires across the province.

“The devastation from these fires is a significant test on Jasper’s resiliency. Being able to support those affected as they cope with these losses and in rebuilding is an important part of Sleeman Breweries’ commitment to community,” said Lorne Zweig, Vice-President, Sales, Sleeman Breweries.

In addition to the record $4.3 million raised for heart health in Alberta during the CPKC Women’s Open, CPKC has matched the combined donations from Levelwear, Sleeman Breweries and Golf Canada. CPKC will also be donating a number of unused water bottles and sunglasses that were available at Earl Grey during tournamnet week.

“As railroaders, we are passionate about giving back,” said Chad Becker, chief of staff at CPKC. “Thank you to Golf Canada, Levelwear and Sleeman Breweries for joining together with us to bring more aid to our neighbors in Jasper. Big thanks also to all those who attended the CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary who made this support possible.” 

Along with the combined financial contribution, Levelwear will also be donating 4,650 pieces of brand new apparel in various sizes in men’s, women’s and youth.

“We are incredibly grateful to our partners at Levelwear, CPKC and Sleeman for leading this incredible initiative and the significant financial contribution being made following the CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary,” said Laurence Applebaum, Chief Executive Officer, Golf Canada. “We are certainly thinking of everyone in Jasper and across the province of Alberta who have been affected.”

For more information on the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Wildfires Appeal or to donate, please click here.