London, Ont. – Lake Elsinore, California’s Aaron Wise shot an 8-under 62 on Thursday at Highland Country Club to take the first round lead at the Freedom 55 Financial Championship, the final event of the 2016 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season.

The reigining NCAA champion and current Order of Merit No. 5 carded eight birdies, an eagle and two bogeys on the day to lead by one over French Polynesia’s Vaita Guillaume and France’s Paul Barjon after day one at the season-ending event, following which the top five players on the Order of Merit will earn status on the Web.com Tour.

“It was a good day. I made two bogeys en route to that 62, so I had the putter rolling, which I’ve been struggling with the last couple of weeks. It was nice to see some drop early on, and I got it hot when I made the turn,” said Wise.

After a 2-under front nine, the 20-year old caught fire, going birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie on holes 10-13 before recording two more birdies on the way in to reach 8-under.

“It was just really solid. I got off to a bad start with my irons, and I wasn’t giving myself many chances on the front nine. When I made the turn, I started hitting them in the middle and I knew could start doing something because I was rolling the putter well,” said the former University of Oregon star, who captured the NCAA individual title earlier this year while leading the Ducks to their first ever national championship.

At No. 5 entering the week, Wise holds the coveted fifth spot on the Order of Merit. Though Order of Merit leader Dan McCarthy has already secured the top spot on the season-long money list, Wise can move as high as No. 2 ahead of Brock Mackenzie with a win thanks to the increased $200,000 purse for the season-ending event, a target the rookie pro said was on his mind entering the week.

“It’s very volatile with the raised money at this week’s event, and I know can I jump to two if I play well and Brock doesn’t. That’s what I’m looking at, and I’m just trying to focus on playing the best golf I can and let it shake out at the end,” said Wise.

Two shots behind Wise in a tie for fourth were Los Angeles, California’s Jonathan Garrick and Dusseldorf, Germany’s Max Rottluff, who holds the No. 7 spot on the Order of Merit starting the week.

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France – South Koreans In Gee Chun and Sung Hyun Park birdied eight holes each as they carded 8-under rounds of 63 for a share of the lead in the first round of the Evian Championship on Thursday.

In the fifth and final major of the season, New Zealander Lydia Ko’s bid to defend her title – and clinch a third career major by the age of 19 – got off to a rocky start as she finished seven shots behind the co-leaders.

“It was tricky for me because on the back nine I was not hitting fairways,” said Ko, who has 14 career wins on the U.S. LPGA Tour. “Hopefully I’ll be able to hit some fairways tomorrow.”

Chun, the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open champion, said she felt nervous after missing the cut here last year but hardly let it show.

“I could see the putting lines and I was good rolling the ball on those lines,” she said. “The greens are getting softer this year.”

While Ko’s play was patchy, with a bogey and only two birdies, her rival Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand had a day to forget with a 2-over 73 featuring a triple bogey.

Ko and Ariya have a good chance at Evian of taking the Annika Major Award, which rewards the major winner with the best combined record at all five majors of the season, and is named after 10-time major winner Annika Sorenstam.

A win here would clinch the award for either Ko or Ariya, but they face an uphill struggle.

Ko revealed herself to the golfing world at the Evian in 2013, when she finished second as a 16-year-old amateur.

This year, another young player emerged into contention on her tournament debut.

American Annie Park posted an eagle and five birdies in a 7-under round of 64 to move into a tie for third place with Olympic bronze medallist Shanshan Feng, who was third here last year. They are one stroke behind the leaders.

Annie Park’s performance caught the eye; and not least because her mum was caddying for her.

“That was fun. It was good to have my mum back on the bag. The last time she caddied was Hawaii in April,” she said. “She keeps things light and does some dances out there.”

Ranked 201, Annie Park joined the tour this year. She showed good composure in overcast and somewhat drizzly weather conditions on the picturesque course perched over Lake Geneva, enjoying a run of birdie-birdie-eagle on her front nine, then starting and finishing with birdies on the back nine.

American Angela Stanford posted a 6-under 65 to move into fifth, one shot ahead of South Koreans So Yeon Ryu and Eun-Hee Ji.

Starting in muggy afternoon conditions, Ko played in a group with South Korean Hyo Joo Kim, the 2014 champion, and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen, the 2013 winner.

When Ko sank her first birdie of the day, a 15-meter effort on the fifth hole, it drew a rueful smile from Pettersen, who had just missed with her birdie attempt from a similar distance.

Ko bogeyed the eighth hole and she was again in trouble on the 10th when her tee shot landed in the rough between two trees.

She saved par with a good escape shot close to the green.

“It’s a good thing my wood shots and chip shots were good enough,” said Ko, who last year became the youngest man or woman to be ranked No. 1.

Women’s PGA champion Brooke Henderson of Canada ended the day one shot ahead of Ko at 2-under.

Pettersen had a difficult day, joining Ariya and American Lexi Thompson, last year’s runner-up, at 2 over.

U.S. Open winner Brittany Lang had a nightmare with two double bogeys and three bogeys in a 5-over 76.

Thornbury, Ont. – Dustin Risdon put the hammer down Thursday at Lora Bay Golf Club, winning the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf in astonishing fashion.

The 35-year-old’s three-day total of 18-under-par (67-67-64) was 11-shots better than his nearest competitors, Mike Belbin, Thomas Keddy and Bryn Parry.

“All week I had the same goal of getting to 18-under-par,” Risdon said. “I had to make three birdies coming home to get to the number and I did, so that’s pretty awesome.”

Risdon’s final round 8-under-par 64 included nine birdies and a bogey—his first and only of the championship—at No. 11.

“I was grinding out there all day and was really nervous to be honest,” he admitted. “The bogey-free streak has been on my mind for the last couple days and I definitely didn’t want to slip up and let anyone back in the tournament.”
He most definitely didn’t let anyone in the field even get a scent of the top-spot, pouring in putt after putt on Lora Bay’s tricky greens.

The Calgary native’s last national championship came in 1997 when he won the Canadian Junior Boys Championship as a 16-year-old, but he says his win this week in definitely more special.

Risdon is a three-time Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada winner and played fulltime on the Web.com Tour in 2009 and 2010, amassing four top-10 finishes and winning nearly $200,000 USD.

“To be truthful I probably didn’t see myself playing this well ever again,” Risdon said. “There’s a lot of ups and down on the golf course and I’ve learned a lot about myself, my personality and how to deal with things out there.”

The win this week at Lora Bay caps off an impressive year for Risdon, who captured seven PGA of Alberta events in 2016. Risdon was also part of Team Alberta—which included Belbin, Wes Heffernan and Kasey Timms—that won the InterZone competition, winning by a remarkable 15-shots over Team Ontario.

Brian McCann, Sonny Michaud and Kevin Stinson finished 6-under-par, T5; while John Shin and Heffernan were T8 at 5-under. Nick Kenney and Dave McDonald rounded out the top 10 at 3-under.

For the full leaderboard, click here. 

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame welcomed three new members into its storied ranks in 2016.

Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane and London, Ont., native Warren Sye were inducted in the Player category, while golf journalist Bob Weeks of Toronto was inducted in the Builder category. The trio became the Hall of Fame’s 75th, 76th and 77th honoured members. For more on the 2016 induction class, read here.

Here is a look back at this summer’s induction ceremonies as we celebrated another outstanding achievement in three distinguished careers.

WARREN SYE – June 18 – Weston Golf & Country Club

Warren Sye and guests enjoy a glimpse into the past.

Warren Sye and his family take to the podium.

Warren Sye, Sandra Post, Marlene Streit and Gary Cowan

Gary Cowan, Liz Hoffman, Sandra Post, Warren Sye and Kelly Roberts

BOB WEEKS – July 20 – Weston Golf & Country Club

Mike Weir has a few kind words at the induction ceremony.

Bob Weeks and Sandra Post

Bob Weeks and family

Warren Sye, Lorne Rubenstein, Mike Weir, Bob Weeks, Sandra Post, Marlene Streit, Gary Cowan and Richard Zokol

LORIE KANE – August 23 – Royal Canadian Pacific Building

Tiffany Gordon, Marlene Streit, Sandra Post and Marilyn O’Connor enjoy the festivities.

Lorie Kane and family

Lorie Kane and Hunter Harrison

Marilyn O’Connor, Marlene Streit, Lorie Kane and Sandra Post

SOUTHPORT, England – Team Canada Development Squad member Chloe Currie made history Thursday at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club, shooting up the leaderboard at the Duke of York to leapfrog the competition on her way to becoming the first Canadian to capture the Young Champions Trophy.

The Mississauga, Ont., product saved her best for last, carding a tournament-low 68 (-4) to finish atop both the boys’ and girls’ divisions with a 54-hole total of 214 (-2). The 16-year-old held a share of fourth place heading into Thursday’s final, eventually going to jump ahead of runner-up Markus Braadlie of Norway for the come-from-behind one-stroke victory.

With the win, Currie adds to a string of impressive results this past summer including defending her Ontario Junior Girls title and finishing runner-up at the Canadian Junior Girls. Currie’s next challenge will be flying the flag on home soil at her home club—Mississaugua Golf & Country Club—as a member of Canada’s first team at the third annual World Junior Girls Championship.

“I didn’t know what to expect as I have never played Links golf or even played in Europe but I played very well,” Currie said after winning the trophy. “This Tournament is great as you get to play with other juniors from different countries. It makes it a memorable experience.”

On the boys’ side, Canada’s Peyton Callens of Langton, Ont., finished with a share of 25^th. The reigning Ontario Junior Boys’ Champion started out a strong with a 73 (+1) to sit inside the Top-10 through 18 holes but couldn’t maintain his spot, slipping with a 78-79 to close out the tournament.

The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy, founded in 2001, is a highly rated international event. All of the competitors are either the current holders of their Under 18 National Championship or have won another major golfing event in the previous year. The event boasts an impressive array of former competitors, including four-time major winner Rory McIlroy.

Click here for full scoring.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. and Oakville, Ont. – PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada unveiled today the Aruba Cup, a team competition December 12-18 at Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf in Aruba.

A three-year agreement will see the team event take place through at least 2018, featuring 10 players from each Tour competing against each other in a President’s Cup-style match play event, with the three competition days featuring Fourball, Foursomes and Singles matches on December 15, 16 and 17 this year.

“One of PGA TOUR Latinoamérica’s core missions is to provide opportunities for players in the region to prepare their games for the highest levels of golf. The Aruba Cup is one more opportunity for our players to showcase their game on a grand scale, and we’re delighted we could bring this team-format to Aruba,” said Jack Warfield, President PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

“Since launching the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada in 2013, we’ve been working towards having a team event with players from both Tours competing against each other,” said Jeff Monday, President, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada. “We’re thrilled to partner with Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf for this event and look forward to a great week of competition.”

The teams will be composed of the top 10 available players from each Tour’s season-ending Order of Merit, with at least five Canadians on Team Mackenzie Tour and five players from Latin American countries on Team Latinoamérica. Honorary captains consisting of players from each Tour’s region will be announced for each team at a later date.

Aruba Tourism, the Destination Marketing and Management Organization (DMMO) for Aruba responsible for uniting tourism interests amongst the on- and off-island stakeholders/partners, will be the event’s title sponsor.

“We’re thrilled to host the Aruba Cup on our One Happy Island, welcoming guests and competitors from around the world to showcase their skills while enjoying the ultimate Caribbean experience,” said Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of Aruba Tourism Authority. “We are truly excited about the opportunity to partner with the PGA TOUR and hosting a world class event on our beautiful island. We are sure all of the competitors and fans will enjoy their time while in Aruba.”

“Our gratitude goes out to the Aruba Tourism Authority for their efforts and support to make this event a reality, and we eagerly await the opportunity to showcase Aruba as a premiere golf destination with the inaugural Aruba Cup,” said Monday.

The tournament will also feature a week-long schedule of ancillary events, including formal opening and closing ceremonies and a pro-am on Sunday, December 18 following the competition.

“For Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf, it is a privilege to partner with the PGA TOUR and the Aruba Tourism Authority to host an international golf event of this calibre. Tierra del Sol is a unique course that combines the best of golf in Scotland, Arizona and the Carribean in one round, and we cannot wait to welcome the players here in December,” said Cisco Quant, General Manager, Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf.

The 2016 Mackenzie Tour season will conclude on Sept. 18 at the Freedom 55 Financial Championship, while the 2016 PGA TOUR Latinoamérica season will conclude on Dec. 4 at the Latinoamérica Tour Championship.

Sisters Morgane and Kim Metraux, shot 68 and 69, respectively, for a 7-under-par total of 137 to propel Switzerland to a one-stroke lead over the Republic of Korea after the first round of the 27th Women’s World Amateur Team Championships (WWATC).

The team’s score of 137 on the par 72, 6,295-yard/5,752-meter Mayakoba El Camaleon Golf Club ties for the third-lowest first-round score in championship history.

Starting on the 10th hole, Morgan, 19, finished her round on the outward nine at 5-under-par 31, which included a three-hole stretch in which she recorded two consecutive birdies followed by an eagle. She ended her round with a birdie on the ninth for a 4-under 68.

“I actually had a bad nine to start with a double bogey but I made a 90-foot putt for an eagle on the fifth hole, my 14th,” Metraux said. “I just focused and the score just came. It is always better to just try to enjoy the day. I think I only missed one or two fairways, which is the key here.”

Her older sister Kim, 21, posted four birdies and a bogey for her 3-under 69 and was visibly proud of the team’s accomplishment.

“It’s always good to see your country’s name,” Kim said. “It’s always good at the top of the leaderboard.”

Teammate Azelia Meichtry shot a non-counting 1-over 73 and said: “It’s nice and kind of an unexpected first day but it is well deserved. We all get along together very well.”

The siblings, playing in their second consecutive WWATC, are members of the Florida State University women’s golf team.

The Republic of Korea, which won the Espirito Santo Trophy in 2010 and 2012 and previously in 1996, posted a 6-under 138 on 68 from Hyun Kyung Park and a 70 from Hye Jin Choi, who was the low amateur at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open, as both players shot 3-under 33 on their inward nine holes.

“I didn’t expect to be tied for the lead on the individual leaderboard, but I am very happy,” said the 16-year-old Park. “I am really willing to make history and win the championship as Korea did in 2010 and 2012 because those players have had great success on the LPGA Tour and I want to follow in their footsteps so that other juniors can look up to me the same way I look up to them.”

“On the front nine all of us were struggling and I really didn’t expect to be in this position but on the back nine all of them got back to their routine,” added Republic of Korea captain Sang-Won Ko. “I’m really proud of them to be one off the lead today.”

The Koreans played on the par 72, 6,167-yard/5,637-meter Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club.

In third position at 142, five strokes behind Switzerland was Japan. Nasa Hatoaka and Hina Arakaki both shot 1-under 71.

“We had a three-day camp in Houston (Texas in the USA) before we got here and we practiced putting and chipping and short game drills,” said Japanese captain Tomoko Sakamoto.  “We had a great camp and they are ready to score well but we have to avoid the hazards so we can score better than today.”

The Canadian trio struggled out of the gate, posting a first round score of 5-over par to sit in a tie for 23^rd, 12 strokes back of the lead. Maddie Szeryk, 20, of Allen, Tex., led the Canucks with a 2-over 74 for a share of 30^th individually. Teammate Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., finished one-stroke higher at 75 (+3) and sits tied for 50^th. The third and non-counting score was registered by St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., product Josée Doyon, who posted a 6-over 78.

In the top 10 team scoring list, The People’s Republic of China was fourth at 1-under 143, followed by Mexico, the host country in fifth at even-par 144. Thailand was sixth at 145. Tied for seventh at 146 were Austria, Chinese Taipei, Ireland and USA.  Australia, Ecuador, England, Italy, New Zealand, Norway and Puerto Rico were tied for 11th at 148.

Conducted every two years, the World Women’s Amateur Team Championship has been staged since 1964, with the winner earning the Espirito Santo Trophy. In 2014, Australia claimed the title by two strokes over the Canadian team of Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.), Augusta James (Bath, Ont.), and Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.).

In 25 appearances at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has earned runner-up honours four times.

The World Amateur Team titles are contested over four days of stroke play. A country may field a team of two or three players. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day total is the team’s score for the championship.

Click here for full results.

MEXICO – The trio of Canadian women are set to make their first appearance at the World Amateur Team Championship when action gets underway tomorrow at the Mayakoba El Cameleon Golf Club and Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club.

Representing Canada will be Maddie Szeryk, 20, of Allen, Texas, Josée Doyon, 23, of St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., and Naomi Ko, 19, of Victoria. The Canadians will be paired with China and Spain for Wednesday’s first round, with Szeryk starting things off at 8:15 a.m. EST followed by Doyon at 8:25 a.m. EST and Ko at 8:35 a.m. EST.

The Canadian contingent will be under the direction and guidance of Team Canada Head Coach Tristan Mullally—who returns for his third event—alongside non-playing team captain Liz Hoffman.

Conducted every two years, the World Women’s Amateur Team Championship has been staged since 1964, with the winner earning the Espirito Santo Trophy. In 2014, Australia claimed the title by two strokes over the Canadian team of Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.), Augusta James (Bath, Ont.), and Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.).

In 25 appearances at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has earned runner-up honours four times.

The World Amateur Team titles are contested over four days of stroke play. A country may field a team of two or three players. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day total is the team’s score for the championship.

The men’s World Amateur Team Championship will follow the women’s event, running from Sept. 21-24.

Click here for pairings.
Click here for live scoring.

BURLINGTON, Ont. – Laughter and cheer could be heard for miles across Lake Ontario on Monday at the annual Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru National Event at the Burlington Golf & Country Club.

Over 100 ladies were greeted with sunny skies at one of Canada’s many stunning golf courses to celebrate raising more than $270,000 for breast cancer research through individual Golf Fore the Cure events run coast to coast in 2016.

The National Event, running for the thirteenth consecutive year, featured 18-holes of golf packed with raffles, prizing, and games, followed by an awards dinner to thank the many fundraising efforts put forth by Golf Fore the Cure participants across Canada.

“We are very proud of the continued growth of Golf Fore the Cure and what it has accomplished for both women’s golf and breast cancer research,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “The marked success of this program would not be possible without the collective efforts of our many volunteers, our corporate partners, and our presenting partner Subaru—we are thrilled to have such a great team behind Golf Fore the Cure.”

Through 140 events in 2016 and upwards of 10,000 women, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru raised its fundraising total to-date to over $5.7 million—with all proceeds donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Québec Breast Cancer Foundation. As the Canadian Cancer Society’s highest fundraising corporate partner, Golf Canada was honoured with the Golden Corporate Achievement Award on Monday night—the society’s highest accolade.

(Susan Drodge and Jeff Thompson)

The awards dinner gave special attention to foursomes from this year’s top-three fundraising teams, listed below:

1. Golf New Brunswick—$27, 795 (top provincial event) (interview with Evanka Osmak)
2. RedTail Landing Golf Club from Nisku, Alta.—$20,427 (interview with Evanka Osmak)
3. Elk Ridge Resort from Waskesiu, Sask.—$17,765 (interview with Evanka Osmak)

Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru was created in 2003 by Golf Canada to drive women’s participation in the game of golf through the use of fun, non-intimidating activities. Through a unique partnership structure with the Canadian Cancer Society (and Québec Breast Cancer Foundation), the program has women across the country participating in golf activities and raising money and awareness for a cause close to Canadian hearts—the fight against breast cancer.

Subaru Canada has been a proud partner of Golf Fore the Cure since 2007. The company’s extended commitment reaffirms their dedication to making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

To learn how to get involved with Golf Fore the Cure, visit golfcanada.ca/golfforethecure

Photos from Monday’s National Event can be viewed here.