PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – The PGA TOUR announced the 2025 PGA TOUR Americas schedule, which features 16 tournaments contested across eight countries, beginning in March and culminating in September at the Fortinet Cup Championship, where Korn Ferry Tour membership will be awarded to the top 10 finishers on the season-long Fortinet Cup standings.

For the second consecutive season, the top 10 players in the final Fortinet Cup standings will earn Korn Ferry Tour membership for the 2026 season. A $225,000 USD purse will be contested for at each of the 16 events, totaling a $3.6 million USD pot for the season. Additionally, a $100,000 bonus pool will be shared among the top 10 players, with $25,000 awarded to the points leader, courtesy of Fortinet.

“On the heels of the success of the inaugural PGA TOUR Americas season, we are thrilled to continue building on that momentum in 2025,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin, who oversees PGA TOUR Pathways, which includes the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Americas, PGA TOUR University and PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry. “We have added some exceptional golf courses to the 2025 schedule, and we remain confident PGA TOUR Americas will identify and prepare golf’s emerging stars as players continue on their journey to the Korn Ferry Tour and ultimately the PGA TOUR.”

The 2025 PGA TOUR Americas schedule features two segments – the Latin America Swing (Segment I) and the North America Swing (Segment II). The Latin America Swing includes six events in Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico and Colombia, while the North America Swing is comprised of 10 events – nine in Canada and one in the United States – and culminates with the Fortinet Cup Championship at Morgan Creek Golf Course in Surrey, British Columbia.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with PGA TOUR Americas as the season long cup sponsor, culminating in the Fortinet Cup Championship,” said Marc Asturias, Vice President of Marketing and Field CISO for Government at Fortinet for Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada. “This year, we are excited to expand the Tour to include Cordoba, Argentina, and Mexico City, Mexico and to host the season finale in the greater Vancouver area, home to one of our major research and development centers. With over 24 years of leadership in the cybersecurity industry, Fortinet remains committed to bringing together our partners, customers, and communities to celebrate emerging golf talent, share the latest technology trends, and support local communities across the Americas.”

PGA TOUR Americas membership is comprised of players from the PGA TOUR Americas 2024 season and participants in the 2024 Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry, as well as players from PGA TOUR Americas Q-School (to be contested between the two segments in 2025) and players finishing No. 11-25 in the PGA TOUR University Class of 2025.

The PGA TOUR Americas season begins March 27-30 with the 93 Abierto del Centro Cordoba, held at Cordoba Golf Club in Argentina. After a one-year hiatus, PGA TOUR Americas will return to Argentina for the ninth edition of the Abierto del Centro (2013-19, 2022). Notable past champions of the event include PGA TOUR members Alejandro Tosti (2022), Tom Whitney (2019), and Cristobal Del Solar (2018).

Immediately following the season opener in Argentina, the Tour will return to the Rio Olympic Golf Course for the 70th Brazil Open (April 3-6). Recognized globally for hosting the 2016 Olympic Golf Competition, the Rio Olympic Golf Course will begin the first year of a three-year agreement which sees the Tour return to the famed course through at least 2027.

After a two-week break, the season resumes with the KIA Open (April 24-27) at Quito Tenis y Golf Club in Quito, Ecuador. As the only tournament to earn multiple awards in the 2024 season, the KIA Open was recognized for Best Tournament Brand Identity and Best Tournament Awareness.

The following week, the Tour will travel to Los Inkas Golf Club in Lima, Peru for the Diners Club Peru Open (May 1-4), which was named the 2024 PGA TOUR Americas Tournament of the Year. The Diners Club Peru Open enters its 12th year as a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event.

The three-week trip concludes with the Bupa Championship (May 8-11) at Club de Golf Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. While the 2024 Bupa Championship was contested at Tulum Country Club, now host of the Korn Ferry Tour’s PGA Riviera Maya Championship, the 2025 Bupa Championship will see the Tour return to Club de Golf Mexico for the first time since 2013.

A one-week break in the schedule leads into the Inter Rapidisimo Golf Championship (May 22-25) at El Rincon Golf Club in Bogota, Colombia. The Inter Rapidisimo Golf Championship marks the conclusion of the Latin America Swing, with the top 60 players in the Fortinet Cup retaining membership for Segment II in North America. The Nos. 1 and 2 players in the Fortinet Cup at the conclusion of the Latin America Swing will earn conditional membership for the Korn Ferry Tour 2026 season.

After the Latin America Swing and before the North America Swing, PGA TOUR Americas Q-School will be contested across six sites. Five sites will be in North America, while the sixth will be a new site in Colombia. The top nine finishers from each Q-School site will earn exempt membership for PGA TOUR Americas, starting with the 10-event North America Swing, while players finishing 10th-25th (and ties) from each site will earn conditional status.

The PGA TOUR Americas summer slate begins on the east coast of Canada and works westward, starting with the Explore NB Open (July 3-6) at Mactaquac Golf Course in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The following week, the Tour heads to the Bromont Open (July 10-13) at Golf Chateau-Bromont in Bromont, Quebec.

After a one-week break, the second three-week stint of the schedule begins with the Commissionaires Ottawa Open (July 24-27) at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Ottawa, Ontario. The Tour will then return to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (July 31-August 3), previously host of the 2024 season finale, for the Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos – CBM Aggregates. With the North Course hosting the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, the 2025 Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos – CBM Aggregates will be contested on the Heathlands Course. The BioSteel Championship (August 7-10) at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor will wrap up the three-week stretch of Ontario-based events.

The Tour returns from a week off with the Manitoba Open (August 21-24) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The 2025 tournament marks the beginning of a five-course rotation, with Breezy Bend Country Club serving as the first host venue. The Tour then heads to its only U.S. event, the CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center (August 28-31) at Cragun’s Legacy Courses in Brainerd, Minnesota.

After a one-week break, the closing stretch of the 2025 PGA TOUR Americas season commences with the ATB Classic (September 11-14) at Northern Bear Golf Course in Edmonton, Alberta, followed by the Victoria Open presented by Times Colonist (September 18-21) at Uplands Golf Club in Victoria, British Columbia. The top 120 players in the Fortinet Cup upon conclusion of the Victoria Open presented by Times Colonist will be eligible to compete at the season-ending Fortinet Cup Championship.

The Fortinet Cup Championship (September 25-28) will be contested at Morgan Creek Golf Course in Surrey, British Columbia. Morgan Creek Golf Course is the newest addition to the PGA TOUR Americas schedule, as the golf course will host its first PGA TOUR-sanctioned event to round out the Tour’s second season.

For more information on the 2025 PGA TOUR Americas season, please visit PGATOUR.com/americas.

Select ticket options for Canada’s two National Open Championships –
the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and 2025 CPKC Women’s Open –
are now available

OAKVILLE, Ont. (December 13, 2024) – What began as a marketing initiative to highlight an iconic winning moment at the RBC Canadian Open, will now take its permanent place in tournament history.

Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor RBC is pleased to announce that the reimagined tournament logo celebrating Nick Taylor’s historic win as the first Canadian champion in 69 years, will now become the tournament’s permanent mark.

“Team RBC Ambassador Nick Taylor’s historic winning putt will forever be an iconic moment in Canadian sports history and one of the most thrilling plays at our country’s national championship,” said Mary DePaoli, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “It is only fitting that Nick leaves a lasting legacy on the tournament logo and we continue to be very proud of the mark he’s made on Canadian golf.”

The revised brand identity for Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship originally rolled out in 2024 as a one-year tribute to Taylor’s iconic 72-foot winning putt on the fourth playoff hole to defeat Tommy Fleetwood at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

The putter toss logo was universally well received and earlier this week, was named the PGA TOUR’s Best Marketing Initiative for 2024 as part of the Tour’s season-ending meetings in Orlando, Fla.

“We are incredibly proud to forever immortalize this signature winning moment in Canadian sports history as the permanent brand identity and logo mark for the RBC Canadian Open,” said Tim McLaughlin, Chief Marketing Officer, Golf Canada. “The original plan was for this to be a one-year tribute, however, the putter toss logo was so well received that we felt celebrating Nick Taylor and this signature moment permanently on the core championship mark was an easy choice. The putter toss logo has now been emblazoned on the RBC Canadian Open trophy signifying the permanence of the change.”  

The overwhelmingly positive feedback to the reimagined logo for the RBC Canadian Open made the decision to immortalize the moment a fitting choice.

“This recognition from Golf Canada, my partners at RBC, and everyone involved in the RBC Canadian Open is humbling beyond words. I was flattered by last year’s commemorative tournament logo, but for that to now become the permanent brand identity of our national open is truly an incredible honour,” said Nick Taylor. “I’m proud to share this with my family who make these special moments possible.”

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Tickets for Canada’s National Open Championships Now on Sale…

Golf Canada also announced today that select tickets are now available for both of Canada’s National Open Championships – the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open.

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open will be conducted for the first time ever at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont., from June 4-8. TPC Toronto is quickly becoming one of the premier Canadian golf destinations, with all three courses ranked inside the Top 100 by SCOREGolf Magazine. Canadian favourites Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Hadwin and 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor will compete for Canada’s National Open Championship. The Canadian contingent will challenge the defending champion from Scotland, Robert MacIntyre, who finished at 16-under to win at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. and earn the Scotsman’s his first PGA TOUR victory.

The 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will take place at the historic Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., August 20-24. One of 17 golf clubs in Canada to have hosted both the Men’s and Women’s National Open Championships. The CPKC Women’s Open is one of the top women’s sporting events in Canada and won back-to-back LPGA Tournament of the Year honours in 2022 and 2023. The Brooke Brigade will be out in full force as 2018 CPKC Women’s Open champion Brooke Henderson will headline a field of the world’s best in Mississauga. Defending champion Lauren Coughlin earned her first LPGA Tour win in 2024 at the Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta., an event that set an all-time attendance record for the tournament.

“There is so much momentum in Canadian golf and energy behind both the CPKC Women’s Open and RBC Canadian Open, added McLaughlin. “Both have become must-attend events on the Canadian sports calendar, and we are pleased to give fans this opportunity to lock in their tickets for both historic championships.”

Along with world class golf, fans can belt out their best rendition of “O’ Canada” and experience the thrills of the iconic “Rink Hole” as well as enjoying premium food and beverage options in The Fare Way at both national open championships.

As two of Canada’s premier annual sporting events, both the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and 2025 CPKC Women’s Open offer three select ticket options now on sale for golf fans to experience the thrill of live professional golf at Canada’s National Open Championships. The advance ticket options include:

• Any Day Grounds Ticket: Access to the RBC Canadian Open / CPKC Women’s Open on any one day, Wednesday through Sunday (on-sale for a limited time, while supplies last.)

• Weekly Grounds Ticket: Access to the full week of the tournament, Wednesday through Sunday. (RBC Canadian Open/CPKC Women’s Open).

• 1904 Club Weekly Ticket/Heritage Lounge Weekly Ticket: Access for all four days of Championship play from Thursday through Sunday. (RBC Canadian Open/CPKC Women’s Open).

The 2024 CPKC Women’s Open was recently named the Gold Driver Award recipient for Best Volunteer Appreciation at the LPGA’s annual Gold Driver Awards. The CPKC Women’s Open has earned Tournament of the Year honours the previous two years (2022 and 2023). Golf Canada and CPKC also received Gold Driver Awards for Best Volunteer Engagement in 2023, Best Sponsor Activation in 2019, 2022, and 2023 as well as Best Community and Charity Engagement in three of the last five full season campaigns.

Through its CPKC Has Heart campaign, CPKC once again will be making a significant charitable contribution to the host community. Since 2014, the CPKC Women’s Open has helped raise over $22 million in support of children’s heart health in North America. A host community beneficiary of the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will be named by CPKC and Golf Canada at a later date.

The official charitable beneficiary of the RBC Canadian Open First Tee – Canada. As part of the commitment to junior golf, admission all week is free for youth aged 12-and-under at both tournaments.

Volunteer, sponsorship, and corporate hospitality opportunities for both tournaments are also available. To purchase tickets or for more information on the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, please visit rbccanadianopen.com and for the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, please visit cpkcwomensopen.com.

Old friends Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson usually have to keep tabs on each other from afar, but this week they’ll get to see one another up close.

Conners and Henderson will team up once again at the Grant Thornton Invitational, a unique event where some of the best golfers from the PGA and LPGA Tours compete as pairs. The tournament is quickly becoming an annual reunion for the two graduates of Golf Canada’s junior program.

“Since turning professional, our careers have gone separate ways, and we haven’t been able to cross paths too much,” said Conners, who finished the men’s season 39th on the FedEx Cup standings. “I’m always cheering her on from afar, and always have my eye on the LPGA Tour leaderboard when she’s playing.”

Henderson, likewise, has been keeping tabs on Conners’s exploits.

“It’s just been really fun to watch his career and cheer him on,” said Henderson, who finished 13th in the women’s tour’s rankings. “I think this event has reconnected us, in a way, and it’s been really special and great to be able to know his family and just to watch this game and be his partner here is really cool.”

Both were on Team Canada back in 2013 when they won the Copa de las Americas along with Albin Choi and Augusta James.

Conners and Henderson also represented Canada at the last two Olympics but due to COVID-19 restrictions they didn’t get to interact at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The men’s and women’s tournaments were on different weeks at the Paris Games this past summer.

The two Canadians finished second at the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational last year with a combined score of 25 under, a shot behind New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Australia’s Jason Day.

“It’s been great to be able to share some experiences like the Olympics and this event last year and spending more time together has been awesome,” said Conners, who is from Listowel, Ont. “She’s this amazing person, amazing golfer, and a fun partner at this event.”

The stacked leaderboard will see 16 pairs tee off on Friday at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. American Tony Finau withdrew from the event on Wednesday afternoon. He was replaced as top-ranked Nelly Korda’s partner by Daniel Berger.

“I feel like we make a great team, and I’m excited for Friday to tee it up and hopefully make some birdies and be inspired by (Conners’s) great shots,” said Henderson, who is from Smiths Falls, Ont.

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PGA TOUR — Six Canadians are vying for a PGA Tour card at the PGA Tour Q-School this week. Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., Edmonton’s Wil Bateman, Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., Toronto’s Sebastian Szirmak, as well as Matthew Anderson and Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., will all be in the field at Dye’s Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., this week.

LPGA TOUR — Hamilton’s Alena Sharp and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., both earned full status on the LPGA Tour for 2025 after solid showings at the final qualifying stage of the Q-Series on Monday. Sharp tied for 21st at 7 under and Leblanc tied for 24th at 6 under. The top 25 finishers in the tournament earned their status.

GOLFZON TOUR — A team of five golfers from the Greater Toronto Area will be competing in the GOLFZON Tour, a golf simulator league that features 12 teams from North America and the United Kingdom. Team Toronto will play its GOLFZON Tour quarterfinal match at a Golfplay location in Waterloo, Ont., on the virtual Old Course at St. Andrews against Team Orlando on Dec. 19. 

This year marked the beginning of an impactful journey for First Tee – Alberta.

In its first year of programming, First Tee – Alberta provided over 1,100 youth with low-barrier access to golf – and to a diverse group of participants. Nearly 40 percent of participants were female, and nearly 75 percent of families identified as part of an equity-deserving community.

As Golf Canada’s youth development program, First Tee – Alberta joins five other chapters across the country to offer affordable golf programming that goes beyond the fairways to develop both golf and life skills. Through valuable partnerships with schools, community centres, and golf courses, First Tee –Alberta offers no-cost try golf events and affordable registered programming. All the necessary golf equipment is provided, and no prior golf experience is needed, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.

The goal is to provide a positive association to golf for youth from all backgrounds, especially those who may have otherwise not had the opportunity.

“Our goal is to ensure every child, regardless of their background, has the chance to experience golf and all the benefits it has to offer,” said First Tee – Alberta Program Manager, Michael Steele. “We are committed to breaking down common barriers of entry to the sport like affordability, accessibility, or unfamiliarity.”

In its opening season, First Tee – Alberta onboarded four golf courses across Calgary, Edmonton, and Sherwood Park, all of which offered no-cost programming. The children learned golf skills like putting, chipping, and distance control, while simultaneously continuing to build on personal skills like confidence, honesty, and perseverance.

Three schools and five community organizations also offered First Tee programming in 2024, and 13 First Tee coaches were onboarded and certified.

In addition to scheduled programming and events, First Tee – Alberta’s presence was also made known at the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open hosted at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, AB.

Chapter staff activated on-site with a 50’ putt challenge in celebration of the tournament’s 50th anniversary. The activation, alongside a record-breaking 50/50 raffle, raised over $150,000 to directly support the continued growth of First Tee across Alberta.

Over 50 youth from the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and the Youth Centres of Calgary also visited the tournament grounds for behind-the-scenes tours and First Tee clinics, where six LPGA professionals made special guest appearances for the children.

Looking ahead, First Tee – Alberta prepares to expand into Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer in 2025, and strives to continue to provide life-enhancing experiences to youth through golf.

First Tee – Alberta’s growth and impact are reliant on a generous network of supporters. For those interested in giving back and growing the game of golf in their community, please reach out to msteele@golfcanada.ca or visit firstteealberta.ca.

Canadian golfers Alena Sharp and Maude-Aimée Leblanc will return to the LPGA Tour in 2025 after earning their cards through the LPGA Tour Qualifying Series. Sharp, from Hamilton, Ont., finished tied for 21st at seven-under, while Leblanc, of Sherbrooke, Que., tied for 24th at six-under.

Sharp continues storied career

Sharp, 43, has been a fixture on the LPGA Tour since 2005. Over her career, she has made 375 official starts, earning $3,086,599 in prize money and recording 16 top-10 finishes. Her best result on the tour came at the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open, where she placed fourth.

In 2024, Sharp made seven cuts in 13 starts, with her best finish a tie for 19th at the Dana Open. She ended the season ranked No. 123 on the Race to CME Globe Points List.

Sharp has also found success on the Epson Tour, where she has two career wins and 14 additional top-10 finishes. Her most recent victory came in 2023 at the Champions Fore Change Invitational.

A three-time Olympian, Sharp represented Canada in Rio in 2016, Tokyo in 2021 and Paris in 2024, with her best Olympic finish a tie for 30th in Rio.

A graduate of New Mexico State University, Sharp continues to be a role model for Canadian golfers.

“I’m really happy walking away with a card and, you know, not sitting on the outside looking in for the first part of the season, Sharp told the LPGA. “Hopefully I’ll get starts right away instead of having to wait until like June to play.  Really excited about that.”

Leblanc builds on strong form

Leblanc, 35, has competed on the LPGA Tour since 2012. In 2024, she made eight cuts in 19 starts, with her best result a tie for 19th at the CPKC Women’s Open.

Leblanc has four career top-10 finishes on the tour, the most recent at the 2022 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, where she tied for eighth.

Leblanc has also had a standout career on the Epson Tour, with 26 top-10 finishes. In her last full season on the developmental circuit in 2021, she made 12 cuts in 17 starts and posted nine top-10 results.

A graduate of Purdue University, Leblanc was part of the Boilermakers’ NCAA championship-winning team in 2010. The former Team Canada alumna also had a decorated amateur career, winning the Canadian Junior Championship and the International Junior Orange Bowl in 2006.

Canadians ready for 2025

Both Sharp and Leblanc are set to bring experience and consistency to the LPGA Tour in 2025, highlighting the strength of Canadian golf on the global stage.

Their achievements reflect the dedication and determination that have made them role models for the next generation of players. With new opportunities ahead, they will look to build on their careers and inspire golf fans across Canada.

For more information on the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, taking place August 20-24 at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club, click here.

Click here for full results from the final stage of LPGA Tour Qualifying Series.

CALGARY – LaunchPad Golf is set to significantly expand its footprint with the opening of six new locations across Canada.

The new venues will include North Calgary, South Edmonton, Richmond, Markham, Kitchener-Waterloo, and a flagship 60-suite facility at Durham Live in Pickering, Ont. The Pickering site will anchor the company’s expansion, featuring its largest facility yet as part of the Durham Live entertainment district.

“Our Canadian expansion demonstrates our dedication to redefining entertainment through continuously evolving technology and premium social environments,” said Barry Ehlert, CEO of LaunchPad Golf, in a news release.

“Each new location will deliver a world-class blend of interactive gaming, cutting-edge technology, delicious food, and a lively social atmosphere for people of all interests.”

Year-round entertainment

The venues include climate-controlled suites designed for year-round enjoyment. Each location will offer a menu of food and beverages tailored for everything from corporate events to casual outings.

“Our commitment is to provide unforgettable experiences through the seamless integration of technology, guest comfort, and social engagement,” added Ehlert.

Expanding presence across Canada

The six new locations reflect LaunchPad’s ambition to redefine entertainment by blending interactive gaming, advanced technology, and vibrant social atmospheres. The company aims to create spaces that bring people together for memorable experiences.

For more information, visit LaunchPad Golf.

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.

Anthony Milles, Tarandowah Golfers Club, Hole #15

I was playing with friends, Mike Machan, Terry Mills, Mark Laskin and Gord Pike. The hole was playing 155 yards and I used an 8 iron.

Rory Matheson, Whistler Golf Club, Hole #14

My wife and I are pass-holders at Chateau Whistler Golf Club. A friend had given us a gift card to Whistler Golf Club and we decided to use it on the last weekend before they closed for the season. We played with a member and a visitor from the Okanagan. Hole #14 is 150 yards and it was playing into the wind so I hit an eight iron. It was a great way to end our Whistler golf season. There was an eleven year drought between my first hole-in-one in 2013 and this one.  

Roger Picard, Castlegar Golf Club, Hole #8

I was golfing with my wife Mary. The yardage was 185 and I used my 5 iron.

Craig Manning, GlenDenning Golf Course, Hole #11

It was on the hole #11, par 3 at my club Glendenning Golf Course. I was playing with a friend, Craig B. and brother-in-law Willie S. I hit an approach wedge, the hole was playing 110 yards and downwind. This is my second ace on this hole!

Zach Pero, Greenhills Golf and Country Club, Hole #12

I made a hole-in-one at my home course, Greenhills Golf and Country Club in London, Ontario with Ryan Ford and John Schlieman. It happened on hole #12, front pin, tucked behind the front-left greenside bunker. Yardage was 158, playing about 170 into the wind (blustery day). I was having a great day in terms of iron play, but I knew I’d have to swing out of my shoes with my 8 iron to clear the bunker, so opted to set up about ten or so feet behind the blocks to take a bit off my 7 iron and avoid flying the green. Smooth swing with a high, tight draw. We knew it was a good shot, but couldn’t see the hole. As we walked up the hill onto the green we couldn’t see any balls on the green. One ended up in the front bunker and one on the back fringe. John pointed out a pitch mark about 18 inches in front of the hole, so I leaned in to take a quick peek, and there it was. My first ace. Not sure if it one-hopped or bounced and zipped back, but man, what an absolute rush.

Ray Frayne, Sturgeon Valley Golf & Country Club, Hole #5

It was a fun day – our annual Brass Monkey tournament to end the season. In Alberta the season is too short. I was playing with three great guys who made it special for me. Owen O’Connor (the Guinness flowed after), Craig Schofield and Brad Sykes. That day, hole #5 was playing about 145 yards uphill and a light breeze slightly in and across from the left. With the pin tucked just over a ridge angling down to the back of the green. I hit as pure an 8 iron as I have hit all year. It looked good all the way and when it pitched into the ridge and trickled over towards the pin we knew it was good. We couldn’t see the hole so we weren’t 100% sure. Hurrying up to the green there was no ball close or at the back. Craig was first to the hole and he showed a thumbs up causing us all to cheer. It was a great experience that I will treasure.

David Wortzman, Donalda Club, Hole #12

I was playing at Donalda Club with Chase McCarthy, Kevin Melhuish and Paul Sadownick, all of whom are better golfers than me. Hole #12 had a middle of the green pin that day and it was 192 yards from the blue tees. I hit a 5 wood that landed in front of the green and rolled up the apron, onto the green and kept going into the hole. It was a totally unexpected outcome but a lot of fun to watch, since it rolled for about four or five seconds. If I can do it, anyone can.

Bruce Anderson, Cultus Lake Golf Club, Hole #17

My regular playing partners Alex McLean and Derrick Moore and I were having our usual Wednesday game at Cultus Lake, a beautiful shorter course nestled in the Columbia Valley not far from the lake. It was a nice day to play, and we were each having our share of success. At #17, which was playing around the scorecard yardage of 120 yards, I was coming off two birdies in the previous three holes, but I never expected what happened here, a great strike with the 8 iron, a flight path on the line of the hole, a landing about six feet short and a ball that scurried straight in!

Celebrations all around for my fourth hole-in-one, and very timely given that Derrick (who just started playing golf a little over a year ago), had already nailed his first ace at Cultus in September (Alex has two there himself). As I said, it is a lovely shorter course, but you still need to hit the shots. My ace also helped with the overall score, obviously, and I posted 59, (on the par 61 tees). Another fantastic day in the golf paradise that is British Columbia.

Suzanne Stier, Rivershore Golf Links, Hole #2

I was golfing with my husband, son and grandson. I used a 7 iron. My ball landed on the green, rolled along and the disappeared. I looked at my husband and said, “I think I just got a hole-in-one,” and he thought no that it just rolled off the other side of the hump. We the got to the green where our grandson ran to find the ball, he got to the hole and yelled, “it’s in there, she got a hole-in-one.” I was so excited! I couldn’t believe it!

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.

Rey Lee, Tower Ranch Golf & Country Club, Hole #12

My first hole-in-one, ever. It was on hole #12 over a gully using a soft 8 iron. Hole was at the back of the green, 138 yards. I didn’t see the ball go in but two of my playing partners saw it go in. Played with Ryan Lawrence from Tower’s pro shop, a guy from Sunset Ranch’s pro shop and another Tower member. Lucky it only cost me $80 in refreshments as it was end the end of season.

Brad Gibson, Markland Wood Golf Club, Hole #2

Hole #2 measured at 152 yards!

Colin Anderson, Anderson Links Golf & Country Club , Hole #3

The hole was #3 on the West course (my 12th hole as we’d already played the East nine and were looping over), playing about 130 yards. I hit a smooth 9 iron that landed a few yards short and right of the hole, then spun left and rolled towards the pin and disappeared. My playing partners and I weren’t sure if it was in or had just rolled over the crest until we made it up to the green and checked in the hole. Sure enough, there it was! High fives all around! Not surprisingly, I also got closest to the pin on that hole for the course’s fall bonus par 3 event. I’ve added the ball to my golf memento box alongside my other hole-in-one from nearly 30 years ago and other reminders of special times playing this mostly humbling, sometimes rewarding and always fun game.

James Watt, Markham Excutive Golf Course, Hole #4

My hole-in-one was at Markham Excutive Golf Course. Hole #4 and the distance was was 202 yards. I used my driver. I was with fellow golfer Joseph Yu and w play in the senior league together. My first hole-in-one was a great finish to the last game of the season.

Nancy Kaiser, The Springs Course, Hole #17

I was golfing with my husband, John and two young men by the name of Ty and Ben, who we were paired with by the pro shop. It just happens that John and Ty worked together at the Copperpoint Golf Course in Invermere.

The yardage on hole #17 is listed on the score card as 101 from the gold tees. I used my nine iron, teed it down a bit, swung and hoped for the best. At that time of day, late afternoon, the sun was directly in my eyes so I couldn’t track the ball too well. I just knew I had hit the green but couldn’t tell where the ball ended up. My playing partners had gone over the ravine to their tee boxes and none of us could see the hole, just the pin. When we got to the green, we located everyone’s ball but mine, until I looked in the hole. There was a bright pink ball looking up at me!

The funny thing is, as we were going up one of the earlier fairways, we were talking about hole-in-one’s and how none of us had had one and some of us had never seen one. Well, I still haven’t seen one but I have had one now!

Linda Heaslip, Penticton Golf and Country Club, Hole #10

It was from the silver tees on hole #10. The shot was 155 yards with a three wood. I was playing with Janet Bremner, Caroline Palmer and Angela Turnbull.

Andy Gee, Carrying Place Golf and Country Club, Hole #12

While golfing with my two guests, Gord Tanner and Dave Fleming, I put a good swing on my 56° wedge on the par 3, hole #12 and scored a hole-in-one. To my delight and the astonished look on my guests faces, I watched my ball soar very high in the air towards the pin. The ball landed softly, bouncing about four feet up and landing with a small six inch hop and a very short roll and in. I tossed the club when I raised my arms I delight. All my friends could do was hold their hands up while I slapped them. This was a long time coming and by my very rough calculation, it took something like 34,200 holes of golf played to get a hole-in-one. I expect the next one will be a lot sooner.

Jeff Saunders, Shannon Lake Golf Club, Hole #2

Finally made my third hole-in-one. It had been 25 years since my last one. I wore a shirt that morning that belonged to my best friend’s father (George) who had passed away recently. I told my wife I was going to channel my inner George on the course. Hole #2, gap wedge, playing 128 yards downhill. Struck it pure and it looked good in the air.

Mark Pretty, Indian Hills Golf Club, Hole #11

This was my first hole-in-one and the first of anyone in my group that day. In fact, none of us had ever witnessed a hole-in-one before. I was with my good friends, Justin Turnbull, Mike Meadows and Matt Webb and we were playing Indian Hills Golf Course in Lambton Shores. We were on hole #11, playing the blue tees, about 135 yards from the pin. I hit a 9 iron, and said while the ball was still in the air, that it was, “A little left and a little long.” Justin said as the ball hit the ground, “No, I think it’s really good.” The ball hit the fringe on left side of the green and spun to the right and roll back down the green and into the hole. It was very exciting! Something I will never forget!

Mollie Marcoux Samaan is resigning in January as LPGA commissioner, a surprise announcement Monday after record growth in prize money along with criticism the LPGA wasn’t gaining in popularity during the surge in women’s sports.

Marcoux Samaan is leaving on Jan. 9, three weeks before the LPGA begins its 75th season. Liz Moore, the chief legal and technology officer, will be interim commissioner until a search committee hires a new one.

Marcoux Samaan did not cite a specific reason for resigning except to mention spending more time with her three children. She will serve the third-shortest stint among nine LPGA commissioners dating to 1975, behind only Jim Ritts (1996-99) and Bill Blue (1988-90).

“With the LPGA positioned for continued growth, it’s time for me to have more time to cheer on our three amazing children as they live their dreams while I continue to pursue my passion for building leaders, uniting communities and creating value through sports, particularly women’s sports,” Marcoux Samaan said in a statement.

The LPGA said prize money increased by more than 90% under Marcoux Samaan, a big part of that the major championships. The five majors had a combined prize fund of $23.4 million in 2021. Next year, the majors combine to offer at least $47.8 million in prize money.

She announced the end of her tenure a week after the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship awarded $4 million to the winner, Jeeno Thitikul, from an $11 million purse.

“Since joining the LPGA in 2021, Mollie has been instrumental in solidifying our position as the global leader in women’s professional golf, realizing record growth in player earnings and fan engagement,” said John B. Veihmeyer, chairman of the LPGA board. “Mollie has been a steadfast advocate for equity in the sport and has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for women and girls through the game.”

The LPGA said the average earnings for the top 100 players topped $1 million this year, compared with an average of just over $570,000 in 2021.

Women’s sports across the landscape has seen a spike in money and interest, though Marcoux Samaan was criticized for the LPGA not getting enough attention behind remarkable story lines this year. Nelly Korda tied an LPGA record with five straight wins, and Lydia Ko won Olympic gold to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame, and then won another major at the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews.

The Americans also won the Solheim Cup, but not without a transportation mess on the opening day at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia when there were not enough buses for spectators and many of them waited hours before they could get in, missing the opening tee shots that typically feature packed grandstands and raucous cheering.

Marcoux Samaan pointed to growth in defending her job when some of the criticism was raised at the season-ending tournament.

“I focus every day on trying to support the athletes, to try to grow the tour, and to try to make this the best place in the world to play and to give additional opportunities to girls and women. So I feel like the statistics really speak for themselves,” she said at the Tour Championship.

“I think we’re experiencing enormous growth. That’s really what my job is.”

Along with huge increases in earnings, Marcoux Samaan announced full subsidized health care for the LPGA for the first time in its history. She also was behind stipends for missing the cut and domestic travel in a bid to make sure players were adequately compensated.

Official prize money for the LPGA in 2025 is $127.5 million.

Terry Duffy, the chairman and CEO of CME Group, signed a two-year extension of the LPGA deal. In an interview with Golfweek, he gave Marcoux Samaan high marks.

“I don’t know how you could not give A++ to where the tour is at today under her leadership,” Duffy said. “I run markets. I don’t care if you’re running a business at a hardware store or an exchange or professional golf, there’s ebbs and flows to everything in life and everything in business. … If you’re worth more today than you were 10 years ago or three years ago, you’re doing the right things.”

Marcoux Samaan was the ninth commissioner — and second female commissioner — when she left her role as athletic director at Princeton. Marcoux Samaan replaced Mike Whan, who took over in 2010 when players revolted and ousted Carolyn Bivens.

Whan brought high energy and a big personality during his 11 years, making him the longest-serving LPGA commissioner in history.

The LPGA board will work with an executive search firm to conduct a global search for the organization’s next commissioner.

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The LPGA Tour visits Canada for the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, scheduled to take place at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., from August 20 to 24. Visit cpkcwomensopen.com for more into.

Golf Canada is deeply saddened by the loss of Past President and Honorary Life Governor, The Honourable James (Jim) Andrews Grant PC, CM, KC of Montreal, Que. who passed away peacefully on November 22, 2024 at the age of 87.

Grant served as President of Golf Canada in 2003 and supported the organization across a multitude of volunteer committees and councils.

A longtime member of both Royal Montreal Golf Club and Mount Bruno Golf Club, he had an accomplished history of service to the sport of golf both in his home province of Quebec and nationally. A Past President of Golf Quebec (1992), Grant was also a supporter of the Golf Canada Foundation in helping to advance its efforts to raise funds in support of Canadian golf.

A brilliant and accomplished lawyer who was called to the Bar of Quebec in 1962, Grant was a Partner and Chairman of the law firm, Stikeman Elliott, LLP.

In 1996, he was named to the Security Intelligence Review Committee and was summoned to the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada.

On May 8, 2003 he was made a member of the Order of Canada.

Grant received a Bachelor of Civil Law in 1961 from McGill University and in 2009 was awarded Faculty of Law’s James A. Robb Award which celebrates those who nobly give of their time and efforts to support the Faculty of Law in its academic endeavours.

Outside of golf, Grant also served his community as a deeply committed volunteer. He was a past Chair of the Montreal Youth Network, headed numerous youth-oriented agencies, and has made major contributions to the development of child welfare services. Countless other organizations have also benefited from his extraordinary leadership abilities and his concern including CARE Canada, the Centaur Theatre, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, McGill University and the Montreal General and Children’s hospitals.

During his distinguished career, Grant also served on the Board of Directors of CAE Inc. as well as CIBC.

He strongly supported his community with contributions to education, politics, sports, health and the arts which left an indelible mark. He was an exceptional athlete in a variety of sports which he enjoyed with family and friends. He will be remembered for his intelligence, loyalty, and humour – those who knew him would say he showed up, aimed high, tried hard, was loyal, and made others better.

Grant touched the lives of many across his personal and professional network and is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy and daughters Katherine (Michael Harding), Jennifer (Mark Coombs), Christy (Gregor Andrew) and grandchildren Elizabeth, Zach, Madeline, Robbie, Riley and Sarah. He is also survived by his sister Nancy (William Daly).

A celebration of life will be held in 2025. Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.

A link to the obituary notice in the Montreal Gazette is below:

https://montrealgazette.remembering.ca/obituary/james-grant-1092361502