CALGARY — Lauren Coughlin shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday in chilly and windy conditions to take the first-round lead in the CPKC Women’s Open.

Fellow American Jennifer Kupcho was a stroke back with Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand and Australians Minjee Lee and Hannah Green.

Coughlin opened the round that began on No. 11 with eight straight pars, then had five birdies and bogey on the final 10 holes with the temperature barely climbing into the 60s at Earl Grey Golf Club.

“It was a lot windier than I was expecting, so just had to stay super patient in the beginning,” Coughlin said. “Kind of started getting some putts dropping. It was tough out there for sure, but I hit a lot of really good shots and a lot of good putts.”

Winless on the LPGA Tour, the 31-year-old former University of Virginia player is coming off a fourth-place finish two weeks ago in France in the major Evian Champions.

“Pretty much ever since Evian I’ve been hitting the ball extremely well,” Coughlin said. “To keep it going, even in an off week, felt really good. It’s just trying to be myself and have fun, and then see what I shoot.”

Kupcho had four birdies and a bogey.

“The weather was a bit crazy,” Kupcho said. “I feel like we had three different seasons in 18 holes. Definitely got sunny at the end and that’s when I made all my birdies. Really, just tried to stay patient all day.”

Green is a two-time winner this year, taking the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore in February and the JM Eagle LA Championship in April.

“It was difficult out there,” Green said. “It’s nice that the sun has peeped out. It was pretty cold towards the middle of our round. Just super happy to finish under par this afternoon.”

Three-time champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand topped the group at 70. Ko won as an amateur in 2012 at age 15, successfully defended her title as an amateur in 2013 and won as a professional in 2015.

“It was cold. It was windy,” Ko said. “Tuesday, Wednesday was warm and no wind. So, it felt like I was playing a different golf course. I I knew I needed to stay patient.”

Hye-Jin Choi also was 70 with Alison Lee, Haeran Ryu, Jenny Shin and Gigi Stoll.

Savannah Grewal and Maude-Aimee Leblanc each shot 71 to top the Canadians in the field. Canadian star Brooke Henderson, the 2018 champion, opened with a 72.

“Not really the hot start that I wanted to get off to, but felt like we fought pretty hard,” Henderson said. “It was pretty tough out there this morning. A little cooler and very windy.”

Second-ranked Lilia Vu also shot 71.

Lexi Thompson had a 72. She plans to play a limited schedule after this season.

Liu wins both the Canadian Junior Girls and Juvenile divisions; Team British Columbia won the Inter-Provincial Team Championship at Marine Drive Golf Club 

Vancouver, B.C. – Team Canada NextGen member Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont., played a competitive and exceptional final round to win the 69th playing of the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C. on Thursday. 

After heading into the third round tied for the lead with three others, Liu carded a final round of 1-under 71 on Thursday, to finish at 2-under for the tournament, three shots better than Clairey Lin (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) who finished at 1-over for the tournament.  

During the final round, Liu played very consistent golf. After a bogey to start her opening nine, Liu bounced back by making a birdie on the par 5 second hole. She then played an impressive bogey free back nine rolling in two back-to-back birdies on the way to her third round under par of the week. The 15-year-old fired rounds of 70-71-74-71 to secure the national title. 

“It feels great, winning this tournament is something I have always wanted and it’s really great to be here,” said Liu. “My family and I will probably go out and get some ice cream after this one.” 

Liu also won the Juvenile division, which ran concurrently for girls aged 16 and under, ahead of Lin. The bronze medal was awarded to Ruihan Kendria Wang (Bellevue, Wash.) who finished at 3-over.  

In the Junior division the bronze medal was shared by three players, Kartusch, Wang and Vanessa Zhang (Vancouver, B.C.) at 3-over. 

“I am playing the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship also next week in B.C. so for next week, the course and conditions are going to be playing different, but we are still going to be trying to hit the fairways and greens and make some putts,” said Liu. 

Along with the national title, Liu’s win comes with an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship taking place next week at the Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C., Liu will also receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S Girls Junior Championship and will be awarded a cheque for $1,200 CAD.  

Liu joined a list of notable Canadian golfers to have won the Canadian Junior Girls Championship including the most recent winner, Eileen Park (2023) and LPGA Tour players and Olympians Brooke Henderson (2012), and Alena Sharp (1999), as well as Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Sandra Post (1964-66). 

On Tuesday, the host province, Team British Columbia, consisting of Ha Young Chang (Surrey, B.C.), Amy Seung Hyun Lee (Langley, B.C.) and Chelsea Truong (Victoria, B.C.) took home the Inter-Provincial Team Championship. Team B.C. secured the title over Team Manitoba by eight strokes, which concluded after the second round.  

Full results from the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship can be found here. 

For more information on the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, click here. 

Golf Canada Amateur Championships 

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, and Levelwear. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.     

Calgary, Alta. – Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are proud to officially announce the creation of the Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund, honouring the legacy of Canadian Golf Hall of Famer and trailblazer Jocelyne Bourassa. In a fitting tribute to the inaugural winner of the CPKC Women’s Open.

The Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund was created with two clear objectives: First, to increase the number of women in the high-performance coaching profession by providing full tuition grants to successful applicants of the year long Women in Coaching Program led by Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada. Secondly, to provide education grants for women athletes who are part of Golf Canada’s Team Canada Program.

“The Bourassa Legacy Education Grant will be critical in supporting our best women amateurs by allowing them to focus on their pursuit of the LPGA Tour while knowing they will be supported when they choose to continue their education in the future,” said Emily Phoenix, Director of High Performance, Golf Canada. “Additionally, the support for the Women in Coaching Program will increase opportunities for women in high-performance coaching and impact the next generation of Canadian golfers.”

The fund is part of Golf Canada’s high-performance strategic plan to help 30 Canadians reach the LPGA and PGA TOUR by 2032. The modern path to the LPGA Tour often requires the best amateurs to turn professional before graduating from college – only 20 per cent of the current top 50 women on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings graduated from university. The creation of the educational grants will support high performance players as they face the difficult decision of when to turn professional.

Team Canada member, Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont. will be the first eligible recipient of the Bourassa Legacy Education Grant. Rivers recently turned professional following one-year of collegiate golf at Wake Forest University. In her freshman year, Rivers notched two Top 15 finishes and reached her best ranking of no. 141 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. In her professional debut, Rivers finished as runner-up at the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open as part of the She Plays Golf Championship series, earning an exemption in the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. As a Bourassa Legacy Education Grant recipient, Rivers would be supported to finish her education in the future.

The financial objective of the Bourassa Fund is to raise $1 million. One year after a soft launch the Fund is closing in on 50 per cent of its fundraising goal. Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund committee members include Joelle Efford (Chair, Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund and Sr. Director Development, Golf Canada Foundation), Diane Dunlop-Hebert (Golf Canada Past President and Honorary Life Governor), Chris Greatrex (former LPGA and PGA of Canada professional), Debbie Savoy-Morel (Professional Emeritus and Ambassador, Club de Golf Le Mirage), Mary-Lee Cobick (Sr. Vice President, LPGA Foundation and Professionals), Libby Skinner (trusted colleague of Jocelyne) and Liz Hoffman (Golf Canada Past President, Honorary Life Governor and Golf Canada Foundation Board member).

Jocelyne Bourassa won the first LPGA Tour Canadian event in 1973 formally known as La Canadienne, now the CPKC Women’s Open. Bourassa served as the executive director of the du Maurier Classic, one of the LPGA’s four major championships. She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1972 and was inducted into the Quebec Golf Hall of Fame in 1995, Golf Canada’s Hall of Fame in 1996 and into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Bourassa passed away on August 3, 2021, at the age of 74.

For more information on the Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund, please contact Joelle Efford at jefford@golfcanada.ca. To make a donation to the Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund, please click here.

Defending champion Eileen Park grabs share of the lead following a 5-under 67 on Wednesday 

Vancouver, B.C. – The leaderboard experienced numerous shifts, as the top players traded positions in a battle for the lead at the third round of the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C. on Wednesday. 

Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta., Addison Kartusch of Winnipeg, Man., Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont., and Swetha Sathish of Oakville, Ont., all sit atop of the leaderboard tied at 1-under heading into tomorrow’s final round. 

Team Canada NextGen member Park, who is the defending champion, played an impressive bogey free opening nine carding three birdies on the front. She also carded three birdies on the back nine, shooting her lowest round of the tournament with a 5-under 67 on Wednesday.  

“Everything in my game went really well, it was really easy for me to hit the ball today and I don’t think there was anything hard in my game today, maybe making more putts,” said Park. “Tomorrow I will try not to get too excited, just be calm like last year and just play my game the right way.” 

Fellow Team Canada NextGen member, Sathish also made a few birdies on the day. After two birdies to start her opening nine on holes two and four, Sathish made a pair of bogeys but bounced back down the stretch closing out with two birdies on the back nine.  

Kartusch of Winnipeg, Man. carried on her momentum with another strong showing in round three. Kartusch who was tied for fourth place after yesterday’s second round, made a major comeback – rolling in four birdies on the way to a 2-under 70.  

Team Canada NextGen member Liu who carried the lead through the second round now finds herself in a four-way tie for the lead, following a 2-over 74 on Wednesday.  

“I think the best part of my game today was my tee shot with my driver and hitting a lot of fairways,” said Liu. “For tomorrow, I am just going to focus on hitting the fairways and greens and then hopefully will make some putts.” 

Going into the final round there is a three-way tie for fourth place, Ruihan Kendria Wang (Bellevue, Wash.), Ha Young Chang (Surrey, B.C.), and Clairey Lin (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) are all three shots back of the leaders sitting at 2-over. 

Park and Liu are tied for the lead in the Juvenile division. The Juvenile division is contested by girls 16 and under.   

The 2024 Canadian Junior Girls champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and 2025 U.S Girls Junior Championship, if eligible. In addition, the winner will receive $1,200 CAD. 

For the leaderboard following Wednesday’s third round of the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, please click here. 

Golf Canada Amateur Championships   

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, and Levelwear. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.    

Alena Sharp finds it hard to believe she first competed at the Canadian women’s golf championship two decades ago.

Despite missing the cut at the 2004 Legends on the Niagara course in Niagara Falls, Ont., she gained valuable experience and has since seized every opportunity to tee it up at the annual event.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s been 20 years,” said the 43-year-old Sharp, who hails from Hamilton, Ont. “I remember when they announced my name on the tee and there was a lot of people there from Brantford where I grew up playing.

“I was just so nervous, I sniped it left into the rough. I made par on the hole, so I got underway.”

When Sharp tees off at Earl Grey Golf Club in the afternoon wave of golfers on Thursday at the 2024 CPCK Women’s Open, it will be her 19th appearance competing at the annual LPGA tournament. 

“I’ve played so many great courses for the event and I’m just really happy to be there back in Calgary,” said Sharp, whose best finish at the Canadian championship was in 2016 at nearby Priddis Golf and Country Club where she finished fourth and cashed a cheque for $116,607. 

Having played a couple practice rounds on Earl Grey’s Par 72, 6,856-yard layout, Sharp said that the course suits her game just fine.

“I grew up playing a tree-lined course playing Brantford Golf and Country Club, so it kind of reminds me of that,” said Sharp, who finished in a tie for 19th place last Sunday at the Dana Open at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio. “The greens are all tilted, so it requires pretty precise shot making into the greens. 

“It’s playing long right now. I’m not sure if it’ll firm up or not – definitely not getting any run on the drives yet. There’s a lot of mid irons into the greens, so you have to have some good trajectory to stop them.”

Fellow Canadian Brooke Henderson, of Smith Falls, Ont., agreed with Sharp that keeping the ball in play will be a priority to score well at Earl Grey.

“It’s in really good shape,” said Henderson, who will play in the early morning groupings on the opening day of the tournament. “The rough is very thick. It’s very important to hit a lot of fairways around here, I believe. I think we’re going to see some good scores, so hopefully get off to a fast start on Thursday and make a bunch of birdies.

“Just being able to go out and attack where you can and be smart-aggressive on holes where par is good.”

In addition to being able to rely on encouragement from Canadian fans in Calgary, Sharp will also have some family support in her entourage.

“It’s special for me this week,” said Sharp, who’s enjoying getting time to see her aunt Elly Piet and uncle Paul Denaghel.  “(They) live here, so I get to see them, spend some time with them. I’m staying for a few days afterwards before I head over to Paris for the Olympics. I’m definitely feeling more at home here this week.”

Along with Henderson, Sharp qualified to represent Canada at the Paris Olympics as the top two Canadians in the world rankings when the qualification window closed in late June.

“I think it’s a different week because the Olympics are coming up and everybody has been congratulating me on making the team,” Sharp said. “Wherever we are in the country I feel like I’m at home. You don’t get that every week on the tour. We have a lot of support here and the volunteers are amazing.”

In addition to Sharp and Henderson, 15 other Canadians are among the field of 156 professional and amateur golfers who will take part in the four-day event. 

“That’s pretty amazing,” said Sharp. “They’re really good and they hit it far. I think it’s just changed a lot since when I was a kid, so it’s nice to see that. I hope they have a good week this week. It’s an amazing thing to be able to play in your national Open.”

Ontario will be well represented at the CPKC Women’s Open as sisters Ellie and Maddie Szeryk, of London, will be joined in Calgary by Toronto’s Vanessa Borovilos, Brampton’s Brooke Rivers, Oakville’s Katie Cranston, Mississauga’s Savannah Grewel as well as Monet Chun and Michelle Xing, both of Richmond Hill.

Vancouver’s Anna Huang and Leah John are two of five golfers at the event from B.C. The others are Surrey’s Lauren Kim, Port Coquitlam’s Yeji Kwon and Delta’s Mary Parsons.

Quebec is represented by two competitors in Montreal’s Brigitte Thibault and Sherbrooke’s Maude-Aimee Leblanc.

Shauna Liu leads both the junior and juvenile divisions at the  
Canadian Junior Girls Championship 

Vancouver, B.C. – Humid and sunny conditions continued into round two of the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO making for another exciting day. With a stellar performance, Team British Columbia secured the coveted title of this year’s Inter-Provincial Team Championship at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C. 

Team British Columbia were represented by Ha Young Chang (Surrey, B.C.), Amy Seung Hyun Lee (Langley, B.C.) and Chelsea Truong (Victoria B.C).  

Chang contributed to the teams winning efforts carding rounds of 4-under 68 on Monday and 77 on Tuesday, while Lee shot 76 on Monday and 73 on Tuesday and Truong’s 4-over76 on Monday and 72 on Tuesday. The team combined for a total score of 1-over, eight shots clear of runners-up, Team Manitoba.  

“It’s great to win here at home. We’re going for the sweep of these Inter-Provincial team championships on the west coast swing of national championships and that makes two out of three. This part of the championship is great for bringing the girls together and is obviously a very prestigious honour,” said Deb Pyne, BC Golf Managing Director of Player Development. 

For the individual component of the competition, Team Canada NextGen member, Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. played an impressive round carding three birdies on the front nine and kicked off the back nine with a pair of birdies on the first two holes.  Liu went into the second round two strokes behind Chang at 2-under and fired a 1-under 71 on Tuesday to take a two shot lead heading into the third round. 

“Today, I think for this course especially, it’s important to hit the fairways and to be in a good position on the greens, so I was really focusing on that today,” said Liu. “Having some birdies in my first few holes helped me gain some confidence going further into the round.” 

Going into the third round, fellow Team Canada NextGen member, Swetha Sathish of Oakville Ont., is second place heading into tomorrow’s third round. Sathish remains only two strokes back of Liu following a 2-under 70 on Tuesday..  

Clara Ding (White Rock, B.C.), who shot two back-to-back rounds of 72 sits in third place at even par. 

Two players are tied for fourth at 1-over; first rounder leader, Ha Young Chang (Surrey, B.C.) and Addison Kartusch (Winnipeg, Man.).  

The 2024 Canadian Junior girls champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and 2025 U.S Girls Junior Championship, if eligible. In addition, the winner will receive $1,200 CAD. 

For the leaderboard following Tuesday’s second round of the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, please click here. 

For more information on the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, click here. 

Golf Canada Amateur Championships  

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, and Levelwear. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.   

Vancouver, B.C. – Humid and sunny conditions made for a great start at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, B.C. as the first round of the Canadian Junior Girls Championship presented by BDO got underway on Monday. The leaderboard was stable throughout the day as 16-year-old Ha Young Chang found herself atop of the leaderboard with an incredible start after carding a 4-under 68. 

Chang of Surrey, B.C. tallied three birdies on her first opening –nine holes including back-to-back on holes 12 and 13 and another on 17, all of which were par 5’s. Chang also fired two birdies on her back –nine to close out her round.  

“I think I played really well today, made a lot of birdies on the par 5’s, but I made one bogey where I pulled my drive, but I kept strong,” said Chang. “I tried to stay calm by making more pars and keeping it steady and I just feel really amazing because I want to keep it up and play more steady golf heading into tomorrow’s round.”   

Chang is enjoying a successful season highlighted by finishing as runner-up and breaking a course record with a round of 65 at the 119th B.C. Women’s Amateur at Balfour Golf Course in Balfour, B.C. in June and placing first place in the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open in the Amateur Division.  

Shauna Liu (Maple, Ont.) is two shots back of Chang at 2-under 70, while Addison Kartusch from (Winnipeg Man.) and Vanessa Zhang (Vancouver B.C.) are tied for third place after shooting a 1-under 71, and are three strokes back of Chang.  

Clara Ding (White Rock, B.C) is currently fifth at even par. Luna Lu (Burnaby B.C), Swetha Sathish (Oakville, Ont.) and Clairey Lin (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) are all heading into the second round tied for sixth place,  five strokes back of Chang.   

Team British Columbia consisting of Ha Young Chang, Amy Seung Hyun Lee (Langley, B.C.) and Chelsea Truong (Victoria, B.C) lead the Inter-Provincial team competition at even par and take a four shot lead over Team Manitoba into Tuesday’s second round.Team Manitoba is represented by Addison Kartusch, Jeri Laflech (Winnipeg, Man.) and Cala Korman (Killarney, Man.). 

“My shots and my putting were good overall. My goal today was to make birdies on the par 5’s,” stated Chang. “Before this tournament I practiced a lot on my wedge shots so I think that really helped me and I am glad my team is winning for this year, hopefully we can keep it up.”  

The Inter-Provincial team competition will wrap up for the Mary Pyke trophy tomorrow at the conclusion of the second round. 

The 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and 2025 U.S Girls Junior Championship, if eligible. In addition, the winner will receive $1,200 CAD.  

For the leaderboard following Monday’s opening round of the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, please click here.  

For more information on the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, click here. 

Golf Canada Amateur Championships 

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, and Levelwear. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.  

Calgary, Alta. – Soo Bin Joo, Victoria Liu, Gabriella Then and Angela Zhang earned the final four exemptions into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open through Monday’s Final Qualifier at Mickelson National Golf Club in Calgary, Alta.

Joo of Seoul, Republic of Korea shot a 3-under 69 to set the new women’s course record at Mickelson National Golf Club on Monday. Joo recorded four birdies during her round to secure top spot and her second consecutive appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open. Last month, Joo won the Island Resort Championship at the Sweetgrass Golf Club in Harris, Mich., her first victory on the Epson Tour in 2024.

Liu, who resides in Vancouver, B.C. shot a 1-under 71, highlighted by carding a birdie on the 18th hole to secure her spot. Liu will also be making her second consecutive appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open, after earning an exemption last year following her win at the Peloton Glencoe Invitational in Calgary, Alta.

Then of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. and Zhang of Bellevue, Wash. Both recorded rounds of even par 72 to claim the last two exemption spots. Then will be making her second consecutive appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open as well, following a T59 finish last year in Vancouver. Zhang will be making her first appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open this week. Last season, the 14-year-old competed in the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif.

Monday’s Final Qualifier saw a field of 23 golfers competing and featured a mixture of professionals and amateurs. For the final standings, please click here.

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.

Kent McVeigh, Southampton Golf & Country Club, Hole #18

It was an exciting moment, waiting 50 years to get the monkey off my back. I was golfing with fellow member Ron Wilson. It was accomplished on hole #18, 185 yards with a driver.

Kathy Banfield, Squamish Valley Golf Club, Hole #11

Friday, June 21st, hole #11, 122 yards and club was a 6 iron. Playing with my husband Jay and another member Wilder. I also had a hole-in-one on Sunday, May 12th at Kings Links by the Sea in Delta. Hole #15, 80 yards, pitching wedge. Playing with my husband Jay, his brother Darin and my nephew Damon. I have played golf for 50 years and have not had a hole-in-one, then I have one on May 12th and another on June 21st. Hopefully things really do come in three’s.

Stan Nickle, Vernon Golf & Country Club, Hole #14

Hole #14, par 3, lasered out to 174 yards. Used my trusty 7 iron. Hit front left of the green and rolled across to the pin. Witnessed by Steve and Velda Desrocher and Gillian Gibson. My first hole-in-one and I expect to chase my second for the rest of my golfing life.

Warren Jack, Bootleg Gap Golf, Hole #17

We were on the trip to Cranbrook from Calgary that was arranged by a friends pro from Mayfair Golf Club in Vancouver. It was around 3:15 pm, the hole is on the side of a mountain so you really have to hit to the far right side to keep it on the green. The pin was behind a bunker that we scoped at 150 yards, a bit down hill, a little wind in our face. I hit a 7 iron as I didn’t want to be short and end up in the bunker. I was playing with a group of friends that I golf with in Calgary. The staff at Bootleg was awesome, gave me the flag and I had the guys all sign it with me. First one ever.

Craig Carefoot, Gorge Vale Golf Club, Hole #16

We were on hole #16 at Gorge Vale and I believe the yardage was about 155. I’m not saying what club I used as I don’t hit it very far! My playing partner Brandon Ellis hit it within a foot just before me, so I followed his lead and hit the back upper part of the green and let it roll down into the hole. It was a little difficult to tell from the tee box as we weren’t sure if the flag was in the way or there was something else that was preventing us from seeing. The boys let me go to the green first and sure enough I discovered it in the hole! I think they were more excited than I was.

Eric Gu, Thornhill Country Club, Hole #2

I was playing with my wife, Carrie Song, who is a beginner. I was there to help her get familiar with the course in preparation for inviting her friends to play next week.

At the second hole, approximately 100 yards, I used my Taylormade Stealth iron A wedge (50 degrees) to hit the ball. It landed on the fringe to the left of the green, on higher ground and then rolled all the way across to drop into the hole on the far right of the green.

Mason Landry, Firerock Golf Club, Hole #17

I was using a pitching wedge from 134 yards.

Mike Corcoran, St. Catherines, Hole #12

Third hole-in-one on hole #12 since joining the club in 2011.

Susan Hatfield, Twin Lakes Golf Course, Hole #13

It was a short par 3, 105 yards and I used an 8 iron. I was golfing with two friends Connie Felton and Anne Conquergood. I have to admit it was a fun thing to have happen on Canada Day!

Sheelagh Byrne, Watson’s Glen Golf Club, Hole #13

I’m so excited about my first hole-on-one! I’ve been playing for almost 15 years and I’m 71 years young! I used a Taylor Made Sim 6 iron and a Taylormade ball as well. 

It was on the 13th hole at Watson’s Glen in Ajax, Ontario. It is a short par 3, with the pin at the front. My GPS showed 94 yards to the front. I decided with the wind that I would use my 6 iron. Generally too much club for the distance but I thought with the strong wind why not try it. 

It was tracking beautifully but there were reeds in front and I couldn’t see the end of the shot. My two friends and LPGA Amateur members (Durham Region Chapter) Jennifer and Trish could see it. I asked if I was okay. Jennifer was trying to find her words and kept saying, “I, um, I, um..” So I said, “oh no, did it go off the green?” Jennifer finally said, “I think it went in the hole!” 

We got in our carts and zoomed up to the green. I could see a ball to the left and said, “oh that’s probably mine.” She said, “no, for sure that’s mine.” Jennifer ran up to the cup and said “oh my, it’s really there!” I was right behind her and looked in the cup with absolute amazement! 

What followed was pure joy, lots of screaming and dancing! What a fabulous feeling! One I will not soon forget! 

Mel (R) Woodman, Blomidon, Hole #3

It is actually the second and I was lucky enough to get one. It happened on hole #3 at Blomidon Golf Club in our Beautiful City of Corner Brook, N.L. I was playing with my son-in-law James Curran, my great friend Fred Welsh and another great friend Dave Parsons. Fred, incredibly also had a hole-in-one on this same hole. I used my Taylormade M6 Driver as the course was very wet and the hole was 211 yards long. I was hitting a Titleist Pro V1x that hit just short and bounced on and tracked straight to the hole.

David Bourada, Marshes Golf Club (The), Hole #8

It was Marshes hole #8, I was with my dad, Steve Bourada and two friends, Scott and Lewis Miller. 133 yards, hit a knock down pitching wedge, spun back four feet into the cup. This was my second hole-in-one in the past three years which was amazing. I’d just gone through major abdominal surgery and the hole-in-one came on exactly eight weeks post-op and my second round of the year. 

Ron MacLaren, Perth Golf Course, Hole #15

I play golf three times a week. On Tuesdays, I play with a bunch of other seniors, many of whom I’ve known since high school. On June 25th, I was in a foursome with some of these fellows when I had my hole-in-one. It was the par 3, hole #15 at the Perth Golf Course playing 130 yards in length. I was using a 6 iron. I’m now 70 years old and this was my third lifetime hole-in-one.

Garry McAninch, St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, Hole #14

After years of hoping for one and had recently given up hope, I finally got my first hole-in-one on June 20, 2024! I was playing with my usual weekday reprobates Jim Keast, Michael Harding and Al Girotti. I played a 6 iron on hole #14 playing 167 yards to a back pin. The ball rolled up towards the flag and appeared to have rolled directly past the hole and disappeared off the back of the green. Apparently not! It was a great experience!

Kim Blake, Whitevale Golf Club, Hole #14

As a long time member at Whitevale Golf Club I recorded my second hole-in-one on hole #14 on June 26, 2024. Playing with my buddies Bob Nebel, Dennis Matton and Steve Rodriguez, the hole measures 161 yards from the blue tees. I knew when I struck the shot, that it was a well hit 6 iron which landed on the front of the green, bounced a few times then disappeared! One of the benefits of membership is that we have hole-in-one insurance which covers $400 at the bar, which no doubt gets used up at Whitevale on a busy Wednesday afternoon! Another benefit is a preferential parking spot until the next hole-in-one.

Aidan Bent, Berwick Heights Golf Course, Hole #16

This was on hole #16. I hit a 8 iron and it was 142 yards away.

Eric Dibben, Hinton Golf Club, Hole #17

I was playing at Hinton Golf Club while camping with my brother, dad and cousin. It was a 120 yard hole and I used my 52 degree approach wedge. It was my first time hitting the club that day as well. This is a photo from the tee box as I didn’t wait for anyone else to hit out of excitement.

Cheryl Laird, Kananaskis Country Golf Course, Hole #6

I was playing with Abby Laird, Marilyn Scott and Joan White. We were on a girls golf get away for a couple days. I played a soft 9 iron on hole #6 as the hole was 99 yards from the tees we were playing. 

Shirley Dewar, Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, Hole #13

I played with Joan McLeod and Sasha Basic, both members at Pheasant Glen. The pin was at the back of the green at approximately 145 yards and because I am 84 years old I had to use my driver. I had a hole-in-one on the same hole in 2013, I was a little younger then and only used a 9 wood!

Donna Luiten, Riverside Country Club, Hole #17

I was with my husband, Roly and another couple from Riverside playing a couples match. It was hole #17, 108 yards and I used an 8 hybrid. The best part was we had been down in the match since the first hole, my hole-in-one made it the first hole we were up one. Managed to sink a putt on hole #18 to halve the hole and win the match. Fun day!

John McCrea, Watson’s Glen Golf Club, Hole #3

I was playing with Tom Enright, Boyd Penny and Brian Foss. The yardage was 137 and I used my Ping G25 hybrid 30 degree.

Candi Munroe, Glen Arbour Golf Club, Hole #2

I was playing with Wanda Murphy, Carolyn James and Marilyn Pound. Hole #2 that day was 88 yards and I got the hole-in-one with my 7 iron.

Dwayne Farlin, The Falls Golf Club, Hole #4

The Falls Golf Course in Chilliwack, B.C. on hole #4. Card says 186 yards to the centre, but the hole was straight downhill and was playing about 147 yards to the pin at the front of the green. Large par 3 green. Pitching wedge about four feet past the cup and had a little spin to come back into the hole. Playing with Paul Laurillard, Brad Johnston and Shawn McLeod.

Rose Davidson, Oakfield Golf and Country Club, Hole #15

It was on hole #15 at Oakfield Golf and Country Club. My playing partners were Gordon and Joanne Weldin. The hole is 113 yards from the red tees and I used a 9 iron. Above is a picture Joanne took of me holding the lucky ball. It was my fourth hole-in-one. I’ve had three at Oakfield hole #5, #13 and #15. I also had one at the Clare Golf and Country Club hole #10.

Bill Stewart, Cedar Brae Golf Clube, Hole #2

Playing with fellow members Mike Lacroix who took the photo, new member Alan Lennox and men’s captain Scott MacKenzie, I finally got in the hole-in-one club. I have witnessed many hole-in-one’s over the years including a memorable one playing with the legendary Moe Norman in a pro-am at The Bay of Quinte Golf Club in Belleville. I’ve been a member at Cedar Brae Golf Club in Toronto for over 35 years and thought my chances were fading away. It was at the second hole playing 163 yards using my 4 rescue club on Wednesday in our men’s day weekly competition. We never saw the ball go into the hole which is the reason I had my putter when Mike took the photo. It actually was one of my better rounds scoring 82, of course the hole-in-one helped!

Steven Scott, Canmore Golf Club, Hole #12

It was a fantastic experience.

Doug Ibbotson, Port Dover Golf Club, Hole #2

The yardage was 118. I used Taylormade MG3 50 degree wedge with TP5 ball. My playing partners were Carl Barath, Dave Smith and Reg Schweyer.

Ed Murphy, Sundre Golf Club, Hole #17

We played the blue tees at Sundre so #17 was 105 yards. I used a 54-degree wedge. My friends Lee Raine and Tracy Beamer were playing with me.

Bob Kushnir, Weston Golf & Country Club, Hole #4

I was playing with Chris Fraracci and Harry Wylie.

The shot was about 146 yards, hole was near the back of the green and tee was placed a bit back to slightly lengthen the hole. It was Chris who said he saw the ball go in the hole, I thought, “no, can’t be,” it probably rolled past into the rough just beyond. Chris insisted I was wrong. I first checked the bunker behind the hole, then the strip of rough between the green and the bunker, then finally slowly walked to the flag to find the ball in the hole. Chris was right.

It was my smoothest 7 iron of the day – nice high ball flight with a slight draw, a single bounce, then trickle into the cup. I won’t forget this for a long time.

Benson Lilly, Picton Golf & Country Club, Hole #14

It was certainly exciting to get my first hole-in-one at the age of 76. My playing partners were Picton Golf Club members, Bob Fujiki, Jean Theoret and Brian Lackey. The hole was #14 a par 3, playing 163 yards into the wind. I used a Taylor Made R-7 rescue #4 and crushed the ball high into the wind. It appeared to be headed for the flag but I thought that I had hit it long so I approached with a wedge and putter. There was no ball just off the back of the green so I sheepishly walked back to the hole and looked in. Voila! There was my ball. 

Fred Edwards, Cardinal Lakes Gold Club, Hole #6

My husband, Fred Edwards, made a hole-in-one at Cardinal Lakes Gold Club in Welland, Ontario. It was on hole #6 with an 8 iron Witnessed by myself, Margaret Edwards, and our friends Gail Halsall and Carol Bryan. We are all members at Cardinal Lakes and members of Golf Canada.

– Margaret Edwards, on behalf of Fred Edwards

Craig Machel, Summit Golf & Country Club, Hole #15

A very exciting day it was on Friday June 28, 2024. I used a 7 iron from 160 yards out, choked down 7 iron to be precise. My foursome included Kathryn Hunter, Brian and Gerry Matheson.

Gregg Hook, McCleery Public Golf Course, Hole #16

When I made the hole-in-one I was playing with Bruce Kennedy, Dave Marr and Roger Barnes. The yardage was 161 and I used a 4 hybrid for the shot. 

Darren King, Whispering Winds of Warren, Hole #2

I was playing with my son David, his girlfriend Anna and my wife Lesley were along for the walk. It was hole #2 a 132 yard par 3. I used an 8 iron, one hop and it rolled in. I couldn’t really see it, but my wife and son said for sure it rolled in. I was in disbelief, until I walked up and sure enough, in the cup!

Gerard Chiasson, Wyndance Golf Club, Hole #12

Wyndance Golf Club, hole #12 and 160 yards. Club used was a 9 iron. Played with Stephen Niles, Gilbert Kee and Chris Neilson.

Kathy Mercier, Fairview Mountain Golf Club, Hole #10

This event was so much pure luck. It was our club Ladies Day. I was playing with Karen Niven, Terri McDonald and Barb Ross. We were on hole #10, It was a white flag and I can’t remember the yardage. I used a 7 wood as it is all carry and I wanted to make sure I got on the green. The light was such that we saw the ball land, but then lost it. I thought it had gone off the back of the green so took my lob wedge with my putter to go look for my ball. Terri said it didn’t have enough energy to go off the back of the green and that I should look in the hole. “Right,” I said, “wouldn’t you laugh!” Then I looked in the hole on my way by and there was my ball! Boy, did we all laugh! It was very exciting as I am not a very good golfer (verified by my handicap), proving the golf gods do have a sense of humor!

Susan White, Crown Isle Golf Club, Hole #5

I’m Susan White and on a golf trip to Vancouver Island with good friends I got my second hole-in-one. It was on hole #16 at Crown Isle. I just hit a nice soft 9 iron in and watched it role in.

Pat Andruschuk, Copper Point Golf Club, Hole #15

I was golfing with my husband, sister and her husband at Copper Point Ridge on June 24, 2024. Hole #15 with 123 yards up hill. I do not play this course often but enough I knew the hole plays long so I used my #5 hybrid. I made a good drive which landed and kept rolling right into the hole. The best part of the hole-in-one was having my family there to witness it.

Hilary Cameron, Midland Golf & Country Club, Hole #2

I was playing with a group of my neighbours which included Bonnie Monk, Deb Austin and Nadine Latham. When I used my rangefinder before the shot I believe it had said it was 102 yards and I chose to use my 8 iron because it was into a strong headwind!

Julie Neault, TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Hole #4

I was playing with my friend and industry colleague. It was an 85 yard par 3 and I used my pitching wedge.

Travis Byspalko, Priest Lake Golf Club, Hole #5

This is my second career hole-in-one and certainly my favourite. 11 of my closest friends host an annual three day golf tournament every year. My foursome was in the middle group. The yardage was 138, I hit a pitching wedge that landed about ten feet long and spun back in the hole!

Charlie Keeling, Royal Mayfair Golf Club, Hole #8

It was hole #8 at the Royal Mayfair Golf club. My friend Kobee and I were playing on the first day of summer. I hit an 8 iron from 174 yards over a bunker and it fell into the hole. The whole time I had no idea whether or not the ball was in the hole as the bunker blocked our sight of view. But as we ran up to the hole we only saw one ball on the green with mine being right in the cup.

Funny enough, nine days later on Friday July 5th, it was hole #4 at Leduc Golf Club on a hole that played 171 yards. I was playing with my brother and two other friends when I hit my 7 iron right on target and we saw the ball disappear right in line of the pin. At first we thought it was the shade covering our view but as we got closer and closer we realized it went in! So for the second time in two weeks I aced it!

Johanna Price, Muirfield Lakes Golf Club, Hole #3

It happened on May 18, 2024 at approximately 1:05 pm on hole #3 at Muirfield Lakes Golf Club. The weather that day was cloudy and cool. I was golfing with my girlfriends Kathy, Lori and Carla. We were playing from the red tee boxes that day. The pin was 98 yards away. I used my 9 iron Ping Rapture. The ball I used was a yellow Taylormade Distance.

Shelagh Pepper, Vespra Hills Golf Club, Hole #3

I was with two friends, Anne and Beth. The normal chatting was occurring, we play ready golf and we don’t always stay in a “correct” order, but we are definitely encouraging to each other. It is a par 3. I hit the ball with the same club I always do, a 7 iron, and none of us saw it land. It usually lands on the green if it is a reasonable shot. The other two hit and we walked up. I didn’t see my ball on the green, not in the trap to the right but I found it just beyond the green, guess it was a long hit that day. I chipped my ball on, walked up and was marking it. Just as I was marking it, I noticed it wasn’t my ball and at the same time my playing partner Beth was removing the pin and said there was a ball in the hole! The three of us laughed and enjoyed some drinks after, all in all a great day!

Cooper Cecile, Pointe West Golf Club, Hole #2

I was playing with two friends on a Friday afternoon after work! The yardage to the flag was 125 yards into the wind! I hit a flighted 9 iron that landed five paces long of the hole and spun back into it! It was so cool seeing it disappear! But still did not think it happened until we got up to the green!

CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN FINAL QUALIFIER SET FOR MONDAY

A field of 24 golfers will be competing for the final four spots in the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open during Monday’s Final Qualifier being held at Mickelson National Golf Club in Calgary, Alta. with a 11 a.m. MT start. For the field along with tee times please click here.

TWO CANADIANS EARN EXEMPTIONS INTO FIELD

Canadians Leah John (Vancouver, B.C.) and Mary Parsons (Delta, B.C.) have earned tournament exemptions increasing the number of Canadians competing in the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open to 17.

GOLF CANADA FOUNDATION PRO-AM SET FOR MONDAY

Tournament week at the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open kicks off Monday with the Golf Canada Foundation Pro-Am. Groups will tee off in a shotgun format beginning at 12:00 p.m. MT. The field will consist of professionals, amateurs and celebrities with funds being raised for the Golf Canada Foundation.

CPKC WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT RETURNS ON TUESDAY

Golf Canada and CPKC will host the seventh annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, July 23 as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit is headlined this year by Raven Jemison, President of the Kansas City Current, Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Commissioner of the LPGA and will be hosted by Lindsay Hamilton of TSN. The day will bring together like-minded businesspeople from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment, and philanthropy. For more information, click here.