TORONTO (June 17, 2024) – Golf Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Team Canada men’s golf athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The women’s golf athletes will be announced at a later date. The two male athletes are:

Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.)
Nick Taylor (Abbottsford, B.C.)

The two athletes qualified for Team Canada based on their standing on the Official World Golf Rankings at the close of the Olympic qualification period following the completion of the US Open on Sunday, June 16, 2024.  At the close of the Paris 2024 men’s qualification period, Taylor sits 35th on the Official Golf World Ranking and Conners is 37th.

The two-year Olympic qualification period for men’s golf featured an exciting competition among Canada’s top-ranked male golfers, which ramped up in recent weeks and came down to the wire as the athletes worked to earn their spot on Team Canada through their respective results on the PGA TOUR and other global golf competitions.

Taylor will make his Olympic debut at Paris 2024. The 36-year-old is a four-time winner on the PGA TOUR, including a historic win at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open to become the first Canadian in nearly 70 years to capture Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. With that win, he became the only Canadian male golfer to win the Canadian Junior (2006), Canadian Amateur (2007) and Canadian Open (2023) Championships. Taylor is a graduate of Golf Canada’s National Team Program, and has represented Canada at the World Amateur Team Championship (2008) and World Cup (2018). Taylor’s 2024 season includes three top-10 finishes, highlighted by a victory at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open to lock in his Olympic spot.

“The opportunity to represent my country at the Olympics has been a huge goal of mine for many years,” said Taylor. “To see the news become official today is quite humbling and surreal. I’m excited to get to Paris to compete, proudly wear the Maple Leaf, and soak in what I know will be an incredible experience.”

Conners will make his second Olympic appearance after finishing 13th at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. A T9 finish at the US Open this past weekend helped vault the 32-year-old up nine positions on the Official World Golf Ranking to secure his spot at Paris 2024. He is a two-time PGA TOUR winner (2019 and 2023 Valero Texas Open) who has earned nine top-25 results this season including a solo sixth place finish at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. Also a graduate of Golf Canada’s National Team Program and past member of the Presidents Cup International Team (2022), Conners has represented Canada on numerous occasions, including the World Amateur Team Championship in 2012 and 2014.  

“It is going to be a huge honour to represent Canada alongside all the other athletes,” said Conners. “It was a big goal of mine to make the team again this year and I can’t wait to get to Paris.”

Taylor and Conners will look to become the first Canadian to win an Olympic golf medal since George Lyon’s gold medal at St. Louis 1904. Canada’s best finishes in men’s golf since the sport returned to the Olympics in 2016 were a 13th place finish for Conners (Tokyo 2020) and a 20th place finish for Graham DeLaet (Rio 2016). 

Golf Canada’s Director of High-Performance Emily Phoenix praised the athletes for their determination through the qualification period to see their Olympic dreams become a reality.

“Nick and Corey, along with all of the Canadian players have shown a great deal of perseverance throughout the qualification period which shows how much representing Canada at the Olympics means to the athletes. The depth of Canadian talent right now in the professional game is significant and we look forward to sending a strong team to represent Canada in Paris.”

The men’s golf tournament at Paris 2024 will take place August 1 – August 4 (Days 6 – 9) at Le Golf National.

‘’Congratulations to our two Team Canada golfers who are perfectly in the swing for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games! Thanks to their meticulous preparation, these athletes are attacking challenges with impressive drive. Their patience, technical mastery, and calm under pressure place them at the pinnacle of their performance. They demonstrate that hard work and passion lead to the realization of our dreams,‘’ said Bruny Surin, Team Canada’s Paris 2024 Chef de Mission.

Team Canada’s men’s golf team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also includes the following caddies and support staff:

Caddies & Support Staff
Emily Phoenix (Calgary, Alta.) – Team Leader
David Markle (Shelburne, Ont.) – Caddie for Nick Taylor
Danny Sahl (Sherwood, Alta.) – Caddie for Corey Conners  

The qualification period for selecting Team Canada’s two female athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympic golf competition ends on Sunday, June 23. 

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.

The latest Team Canada Paris 2024 roster can be found 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.

Howard Foote, Berwick Heights, Hole #11

May 20, 2024 on hole #11 at Berwick Heights Golf Course (Weston Nova Scotia). Playing from the white tees 160 yards pin was front left. Hit my Callaway RAZR X 8 iron and a Srixon Marathon. The ball had a check bounce of about eight inches the a one foot roll in. Best part is it was my first ever hole-in-one and I had the pleasure of my adult son Ryan (who nearly got a hole in one five holes later), and two fellow members were there to share in the excitement. Here is hoping for more to follow.

Derek Johnson, Mystic Golf Club, Hole #15

Starting golfing 15 or so years ago. Down to a single digit handicap now. First hole-in-one. Mystic Golf Club, hole #15, 148 yards pitching wedge.

Sharon Greenwood, Lookout Point Golf Club, Hole #2

I was fortunate to have a hole-in-one on hole #2 on May 8, 2024. I started playing Callaway SuperSoft balls and the previous day my friend found a green one is the woods so I decided to play it. I hit a 6 iron 128 yards at the front of the green and one hope it went in the hole but not witnessed by me as I could not see that colour that far away. My playing partners (men) were screaming it went in and one of them ran down the fairway to be sure. I was more excited to see their reaction and enjoy the excitement with them. My smooth score of 80 for the round just proved to me I could hold myself together. Our club gives us a flag and my playing partners all signed it. Hole-in-one number three for me.

Luke Richardson, Glendale Golf & Country Club, Hole #4

I was playing with Troy, Derek and Jameson on a beautiful Sunday evening. The hole was 171 yards and I used a 7 iron. After hitting it I mentioned that it will be short, the guys laughed and said it will be perfect! We watched it land and run to left towards the hole, seemed like forever but it ran across and dropped in the hole! Thanks Troy, Derek and Jameson for the round and the memory!

Helen MacRae, Braestone Club, Hole #4

Hole #4, Helen MacRae celebrates her ace. Accompanied by Don McIntyre, Jane Laing and Antoinette Stroud.

Don Taylor, University Golf Club, Hole #7

Hole #7 at University Golf Club in Vancouver, BC. On June 11, 2024 at a Remax Tournament. Witnessed by Bob Cook, Todd Jackson and Richard Lowe. Other group on hole #8 was also looking at the outcome

Darren Peters, Pines of Georgina, Hole #18

I finally made my first hole-in-one at age 58. I was playing with some buddies at the Pines of Georgina in Pefferlaw. The back was going much better than the front when we made it to the 161 yard hole #18. I hit a 5 iron and we thought we were watching it roll off the back. We got up there and broke out in cheers when we saw my ball in the cup. The group behind us knew immediately what had happened. We took pictures and celebrated with a couple of beers afterwards. The staff made a big deal of it. Everyone at the clubhouse was just as excited as I was. It was awesome to have some long time golfing buddies witness it. I’m going to go out and try again the next day.

Rattan Sagu, Meadowbrook, Hole #3

I was playing with Peter May Gerry Freed and Ron Mackelvie. 118 yards into the heavy wind and I hit a 6 iron.

Rene Pitre, West Hills Golf Course, Hole #17

Hole #17, 171 yards, pin was back left. Jack Pike and Alex Farrel. Used a 6 iron Taylormade Stealth.

Trevor Low, Bond Head Golf Club, Hole #16

My playing partners for the day were Brett Way and Danny Kalfus. We were playing the gold tees that day and the hole was about 145 yards up hill with a right to left cross wind, I grabbed my 9 iron and hit it about as well as I’ll ever hit a golf ball and the rest was history! Funny enough Brett and I were just talking about how poorly we had been playing up until that point where I told him, “I just need to make a good swing here to get back on track.” Unfortunately, due to the hole design I didn’t watch it go in the hole from the tee, but we were elated to walk up to the green with my ball playing a disappearing act in the hole! Needless to say the celebrations would begin immediately after with some loud yelling and cheering that grabbed the attention of groups ahead and behind.

Quang Nguyen, Mystic Golf Club, Hole #11

Hole #11, 173 yards slightly into the wind, 6 iron.

Craig Watkins, Orchard Ridge Country Club, Hole #6

I made the ace while shooting 65 to qualify as the only amateur in this years US Senior Open to be held June 27 – 30 at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island. The Ace was a 5 iron from 195 yards. It was my best swing of the day and never left the flag. Despite being really hyped up I managed to steady myself and birdie the next two holes and finish at 6 under par 65.

Steve Thompson, Smugglers Glen, Hole #8

Hole #8 at Smugglers Glen, 155 yards with an 8 iron on May 10, 2024.

Dillon Soares, Oshawa, Hole #18

Was a special moment for sure! Unbeknownst to me, an old friend and colleague of my father recently joined our club (Oshawa Golf & Country Club), during a spring kick-off event where my father was a guest, we ran into each other at the turn. After some quick catching-up, we instantly scheduled a round a few weeks out. May 16th rolls around, we’re out on the course having a great time. Solid driver and hot flat stick left me with a -3 out, and sitting -4 thru 12 holes. Managed to keep it together through a really tough back-nine stretch (12, 13, 14, Oshawa’s Amen Corner) and had a good shot to beat my career best of 70, if I was to birdie 18. Playing 133 yards to a middle/front pin, I hit a pure 50 degree wedge with a slight draw. Took one hop, bit hard, and dropped for the ace and I carded a 68! What a feeling! Was a truly special moment to share it with my Dad, especially after we lost his father (my grandfather) earlier in the year. It was my second hole-in-one (September 2022 was the first), that happened to be with my older brother, that was also a 130 yard gap wedge! I guess I found my hole-in-one recipe? All around thankful that I got to experience that feeling and share it with family and friends. Truly, what makes golf special, are those unexpected moments and we will never forget that day. Also, shout out to my clubs hole-in-one insurance! The ladies in the club house bar knew what to do and snagged the best glass of red-wine we had on offer, a veteran move for sure!

Paul Donaldson, Vespra Hills Golf Club, Hole #14

My wife, Alice Donaldson, and I were playing Vespra hills for the first time on May 20th, 2024. Vespra Hills had joined the ClubLink family of clubs earlier this year so we took the two hour drive from Acton to check it out. Vespra is a beautiful golf course and we look forward to playing it again. We were paired up with a very nice couple, Iris Pallas and Jim Strano who are local members at Vespra Hills. The hole-in-one was one hole #14. It was a front pin measuring 169 yards. I hit a 6 iron, two bounces and in the hole. This was my third lifetime hole-in-one, the other two were in 2008 at Glencairn Golf Club and in 2000 at Georgetown Golf Club. It was a 16 year wait since the last one. My wife has had seven hole-in-one’s so I’m still trying to catch up.

Phil Lafleche, Glencairn, Hole #7

My second hole-in-one in 10 months. The morning of May 16th. It was on hole #7 Speyside at Glencairn. The hole was 150 yards from the tee box, we were facing a small breeze so I pulled out my new PXG 28 degree hybrid. The ball landed left of the pin and rolled down in. My teammates were Tim Black, Peter Cooke and Rick Ball. My first was on August 21st, 2023 on hole #3 Leithfield at Glencairn. 143 yards out, took my 7 iron, hit it on the slope left of hole and it rolled in. We didn’t quite see it go in but as we approached the green there wasn’t a ball to be seen. My pal Sten Hagevik ran to the hole and cheered. We were only a twosome that day. Now I’m working on a third.

 

Adam Donlan, Maple Ridge Golf Club, Hole #10

Fortunately, I was playing with seven other guys (three in my group, four in front of us watching that hole beside the tee block). Mixture of both friends and family. It was 144 yards, playing 140 yards with a slight tail wind. I used a full swing 52 Kirkland lob wedge and watched it bounce once near the pin and that’s all we could see because of the slight downhill. One of the guys from the group in front shouted, but they’re my friends — so one, they would’ve shouted if it had just missed or two, there’s a chance they could be messing with me and pretending, haha. Nonetheless, once we drove up it was about two feet beyond the hole where it landed and back spun into the cup. My first and only hole-in-one. Been chasing that feeling ever since!

Sean Woodland, Saugeen Golf Club, Hole #5

A group of 8 of us were staying at two cottages in South Hampton for the long weekend. We are part of a larger golf group called the Plaid Jacket (14 current members). We play match plays through the season and have a year-end tournament the weekend after labour day. This is our 29th year together. This was a warm up weekend to play the courses we will be playing in September this year. We played two rounds at Cobble Beach on the Thursday, Legacy Ridge on the Friday, South Hampton Golf Club on Sunday and Grey Silo on the Monday. It was a six round weekend for some of us. On the Saturday, a group of six of us tee’d it up at Saugeen Golf Club which had hosted our Plaid Jacket two years ago. They have a tournament during our time up there this year so we are playing Cobble Beach in September. We started our round on the Legacy 9 and were having a great time. I wasn’t playing especially well to start the back 9 on Sunrise but played the last five holes two under! Hole-in-one helped. I was the last to tee off in our group and took my 7 iron from 156 yards. It was tracking the entire way. We were yelling at it to get close. The ball landed 12 feet short of the green and rolled up to the pin and seemed to stop on the edge. I just stared at it while my buddy Murph looked away. When it dropped I started jumping up and down screaming as loud as I could. Murph came running over and I jumped into his arms. He’s the one pointing at me in one of the pictures. Dave was right behind him to congratulate me. Our other group was on the tee blocks of hole #6 and could see and hear us. They also came over to celebrate. It was so great to have some of the Plaid Jacket members there that day to witness it. Murph and I have been friends for 36 years and play a lot of golf together. Always competing of course! Everyone asks me how much the bar bill was, I got off pretty lucky, there were six of us and only about eight people in the clubhouse when we finished our round. To continue with the hole in one stories for our group. We have five in total at different outings over our almost 30 years. One of our other members had a hole-in-one last week on June 5th at Savannah hole #11, golfing with other Plaid Jacket members. Two of our guys got hole-in-one’s on the same day from the same cart a few years ago! I had the first of our group on a par 4 at Hunters Pointe in Welland about 17 years ago.

Ryley Blyth, Dakota Dunes Golf Links, Hole #11

After 20 years of playing this frustrating game, I finally got my first hole-in-one. I was playing with really good friends of mine, Josh Czerniak, Darren Walls and Allan Blakley. It was a 147 yard pitching wedge. All of us got to see it go in which made it even better.

Tim Hollman, Olds Golf Club, Hole #4

On this particular Wednesday, I was playing with Mark Schultz, Matt Hoeg, and Scott Hansen. The distance was 197 yards, with the wind into us. I clubbed up (due to wind and aeration) and hit a 5 iron on a rope, landing about eight feet short of the pin and bounced slightly left with a short second hop and then the ball disappeared. Scott was the most excited as it was his first hole-in-one he had ever witnessed. In the air half way to the hole he yelled for the ball to “get in the hole” which I thought it wasn’t going to, but a good kick and it dropped. This was my fourth hole-in-one. Mark was also playing with me for my first.

 

Les Kehler, Quarry Oaks, Hole #8

The hole was 115 yards. Used a Titliest Pro VI. And club used PXG Gen5 gap wedge.

Todd Steeves, Mountain Woods Golf Club, Hole #9

I was golfing with Scott Lewis (member at Mountain Woods). Hole #9 is 121 yards it was playing approximately 127 yards that day with a blue flag. I used a pitching wedge to get my hole-in-one.

Brian Welch, Windermere, Hole #11

Hole #11, par 3 is the course’s signature hole, a downhill shot to a green surrounded by a sand trap left and pond to the right. The hole plays about 155 yards to the middle. The pin was up front on May 18th, so playing about 147 yards. I hit a 7 iron straight at the hole, one bounce and in. The shot was witnessed by my playing partners, David Doyle and David McDermott. It was also a good scoring day. I shot my age, 75.

Kurt Janssen, Mickelson National Golf Club, Hole #17

I had my first ever (after 54 years) hole-in-one on hole #17 at our club on May 9th. It was a little windy that day and I figured it wasn’t going to make it into the wind. It had a good line but my eyes couldn’t tell where it landed, however my son (playing partner) said he saw it land and then couldn’t see it anymore so he figured it must have gone in. And he was correct. It was at Mickelson National Golf Club, 180 yards with a 5 iron.

Darlene Comeau, Lakeside Golf & Country Club, Hole #14

I would like to share an exhilarating experience that took place on May 16, 2024 at Lakeside Golf & Country Club in Moncton, New Brunswick. It was a sunny yet windy day, creating a challenging but enjoyable environment for our round of golf. During our game, accompanied by three friends, I managed to achieve the unimaginable, a hole-in-one! The shot was on hole #14. At 125 yards, I took out my 8 iron, lined up my shot and struck the ball with confidence. Watching the ball soar though the air, it landed about 15 feet from the hole and rolled in. Unbelievable and unforgettable moment. I hope everyone who golfs get to experience this at least once in their lifetime.

Brian Dauphinee, Eden Golf Club, Hole #2

Recorded hole-in-one on hole #2 at Eden Golf Club, paradise, Nova Scotia. Date of score was June 9th, 2024 playing with Ed Eby and Ken Theriault members at Eden, picture of card attested by the signature of Ed Eby.

Richard Ruo Heng, Fort Langley Golf Club, Hole #15

Thank you for your letter and I am honored to receive the attention from you and the Golf Canada team. I am willing to share my joy in golf with you, because I want to be a person with stories in my golf journey. The hole-in-one happened at the CJGA tour event held at Fort Langley GC (May 11-12). In the second round, I competeted with Sky Sun and Emil Liddell. I used a #5 iron to score a hole-in-one at 184 yards on hole #15. This was my first hole-in-one in a golf tournament, and it was very memorable. 

Jared Jenkins, Crystal Ridge Golf Club, Hole #1

Last night my fiancé and I made a last-minute decision to play a quick nine holes in Okotoks at Crystal Ridge Golf Club. The first hole is a narrow 375 yard par 4 and I finally hit one straight after playing the course a handful of times. The starter said, “holy smokes, I think that’s on the green!” He was so excited he drove up with us to see. We looked and looked but couldn’t find my ball anywhere! Finally, my fiancé looked, and it was in the hole! I was four under thru three holes and finished a horrendous five over par total (nine holes). Guess I used up all my luck! 

Barrie Mcconachie, Fairview Mountain Golf Club, Hole #10

Was playing that day with my wife Jennifer Rikely. We are both long term members at Fairview Mountain Golf in Oliver, BC. The flag on hole #10 that day from the blue tees was 135 yards, front flag, about ten paces on. I hit a pitching wedge just past and right of the hole, and it spun back and into the hole. The interesting part is that we couldn’t really see the ball go in the hole. The sun was directly in our eyes. I said to Jennifer, “I think it went in.” It wasn’t until we got to the green and confirmed that we got the excitement of the moment. This is now my new favourite shirt and the ball is on the shelf over my desk.

Monik Albert, Hautes Plaines, Hole #7

This was my first ever hole-in-one. I used a 5 wood and it was 118 yards. I was with my husband, Bob Albert and friends Lynne Lecuyer and her husband Mario Prud’homme.

Jim Longney, Desert Blume, Hole #14

It was playing 143 yards into a 35 km wind, hit a 7 iron to three feet and it rolled in. Gerald was there to witness the shot.

Roland Holowaty, Penticton Golf & Country Club, Hole #6

After playing golf for 50 years I thought it would never happen for me. On May 8, 2024 the magic occurred. On thole #6 of my home club, Penticton Golf and Country Club, I hit a pitching wedge 122 yards into a head wind. The ball landed 24 inches left of the front flag location and checked forward, spun back and to the right, rolling into the cup. I have started the habit of asking the question “Is today the day?” On a well struck ball heading towards the flag, on this day it was! It was an amazing experience and hope to do it again!

Niklas Gutheil, Blue Springs Golf Club, Hole #5

It was 157 yards into wind with a 6-iron during our clubs weekly mens league! My playing partners were Steven Bright, Carl Griffin and Christopher French. 

Mike Hay, Galt Country Club, Hole #16

Playing Partners were David Power, Brian O’Brien, John Heymans. It was 183 yards. Club was a 5 iron.

Leanne Stanners, Ardmore Golf Course, Hole #5

It was about 110 yards, I used my 8 iron, and golfing with my regular group of friends.

Kim and Huang first to book places through
She Plays Golf Championship Series

Calgary, Alta. – Team Canada athletes Lauren Kim (a) and Anna Huang (a) earned exemptions into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open after finishing atop the leaderboard at the Peloton Glencoe Invitational at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alta. as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series.

Rain played a factor in Saturday’s final round causing two lengthy delays. When play resumed, Kim, of Surrey, B.C. continued her great play to fire a final round 70 to finish the tournament at 10-under (69-67-70) and win the 2024 Peloton Glen Invitational.

Kim said each day was a little different in terms of what worked well for her in Calgary, “the first two days my ball striking was really good, and I would say my putting came in really clutch today, I made a lot of really good par putts that saved my scores.”

Kim, the 18-year-old member of Team Canada and a freshman at the University of Texas, is the reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur champion and made the cut at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur this April. With the win, Kim will be making her second consecutive appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open.

“I always love the challenge of trying to qualify to get into an LPGA Tour event and being able to play in it again its very fun, it’s our home event and getting to represent Canada and play in front of my home country and all the fans, it’s really exciting and fun,” said Kim following her round on Saturday.

Huang, of Vancouver, B.C. is a member of Team Canada NextGen and earned the second exemption after closing with a birdie on the 18th to finish at 8-under (69-67-72). She credited her patience for a strong finish on Saturday.

“I had a couple rough holes, but my mindset was just focus on each shot and play some simple steady golf and I think that’s what helped me,” said Huang.

The 15-year-old was part of Team Canada’s win at the 2023 World Junior Girls Championship and will be making her first appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open next month.

“It means so much to me, because the past few years I’ve tried to qualify and I’ve never made it, I’ve missed by one or two shots every time so to be able to make it this year is truly special and I’m really excited,” added Huang.

The Peloton Glencoe Invitational saw a field of 51 golfers (amateur and professional) in the women’s division, with 16 members of the Team Canada program competing in Calgary. The tournament was the first of three as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series.

Both Kim and Huang agreed that the launch of She Plays Golf and the championship series is important for the game in Canada.

“I think it’s really important for women’s golf in Canada because it gives a lot of exposure to Canadians to play more events nationally in Canada which I think really helps,” said Huang.

“It’s definitely growing the women’s game in Canada and it’s something we definitely needed. It’s really important for all the juniors and the pros and a great opportunity to excel,” added Kim.

She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs. The tournaments are played with a cut after 36-holes and each championship sees players compete for WAGR points and two qualifying spots into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open.

Players earn points for their finishes in the She Plays Golf Championship Series towards a series-long standings. The golfer with the most points following the final championship will also earn qualification into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open, if not otherwise qualified and will be supported by Golf Canada’s Q School bursary program if they enter LPGA Q School in the fall.

The She Plays Golf Championship Series marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada. There are two more tournaments in the series, GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open from June 19-22 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C., and the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada from July 2-5 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont.

She Plays Golf Festivals feature inclusive programming for women and girls, addressing gaps in the participation pathway and introducing new women and girls to the game in a safe, fun, and judgment-free environment. Festival activities take place at golf courses across the host city during the same week as the She Plays Golf Championship Series event with activities including introductory “Try Golf” events for women and girls new to golf, professional development for women in coaching, networking socials for women in business and leadership, and more.

For the final standings from the Peloton Glencoe Invitational, please click here.

For more information on She Plays Golf Festivals and Championship Series and to register, please click here.

The Memorial was arguably the toughest challenge on the PGA Tour so far this season and Adam Hadwin rode its ups and downs to his best showing of the year.

Only 11 players finished under par at the Memorial, with only six shooting under par in the final round at Muirfield Village Golf Club. Hadwin, from Abbotsford, B.C., finished third at the signature event to rocket up the FedEx Cup standings to 24th, leapfrogging Taylor Pendrith, Nick Taylor and Corey Conners to become the highest-ranked Canadian on tour. 

But the U.S. Open, traditionally the most punishing course setup on the men’s golf calendar, now looms.

“It’s going to be a very similar test, let’s be honest,” said Hadwin after finishing his round at the Memorial on Sunday after a 2-over round put him at 4-under overall. “You’re going to hit some good shots that don’t get rewarded and you’re going to have to scramble and stay patient and do all the things that I tried to do today.

“I’ve got to keep grinding, just keep doing what I’m doing and it will come.”

Hadwin’s showing at the Memorial moved him 24 spots up the official world golf rankings into an Olympic berth with one week before the men’s qualifying deadline. He also moved up to seventh for the Presidents Cup international team rankings, one spot out of an automatic berth for the prestigious international tournament.

He said that the challenges of the Memorial are good preparation for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C., where the United States Golf Association typically prefers tight fairways and long rough to put an emphasis on accuracy.

“You could look at it one of two ways; either (the Memorial) is good prep for next week or we just got our butts kicked before going into next week,” said Hadwin. “I expect the USGA to do what the USGA does, make it very difficult on us, challenge us mentally more than anything. 

“I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot. I’m just going to have to rest up and, again, just keep doing what I’ve been doing.”

Seven Canadians are in the field at Pinehurst, tying the U.S. Open record set in 1912 and matched in 2023. 

Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Taylor of Abbotsford are the second and third highest-ranked Canadians on the PGA Tour, 35th and 36th on the FedEx Cup standings respectively. Conners (43rd) of Listowel, Ont., Mackenzie Hughes (46th) of Dundas, Ont., and Adam Svensson (87th) of Surrey, B.C., round out the pro contingent from Canada at the U.S. Open.

Svensson and amateur Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., qualified for the U.S. Open together at Cherry Hill Club in Ridgeway, Ont., on June 3, a day after the RBC Canadian Open was completed at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Svensson finished in a tie for 51st at the Canadian Open while McCulloch missed the cut, giving him two days to rest before the U.S. Open qualifier.

“It was more mentally exhausting than anything,” said McCulloch, a junior at Michigan State University, about making his Canadian Open debut. “Playing in my first PGA Tour event, I didn’t know everything that came with it. There’s a lot of pressure when you do play for your first time. 

“That Saturday I was exhausted. I didn’t do a whole lot that day. It all worked out, and I ended up qualifying for the U.S. Open, so not a bad way to spend your weekend recovering before a U.S. Open qualifier.”

The 21-year-old McCulloch is the first Canadian amateur to qualify for the major since NHL referee Garrett Rank did it in 2018.

Canadians across major professional golf tours:

LPGA TOUR — Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., is sixth in the Race to CME Globe standings heading into the Meijer LPGA Classic. She’s one of five Canadians in the field at Blythefield Country Club of Belmont, Mich. Savannah Grewal (81st) of Mississauga, Ont., Hamilton’s Alena Sharp (140th), Maude-Aimee Leblanc (143rd) of Sherbrooke, Que., and Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., will also tee it up.

KORN FERRY TOUR — Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., is the highest ranked Canadian heading into this week’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open. He’s ranked 20th on the second-tier tour’s points list. He’ll be joined at Crestview Country Club by Etienne Papineau (45th) of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que., Sudarshan Yellamaraju (94th) of Mississauga, Ont., and Jared du Toit (115th) of Kimberley, Ont.

EPSON TOUR — Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., is 107th in the Race for the Card, the points list for the second-tier Epson Tour. She’ll play on Friday when the Otter Creek Championship tees off in Columbus, Ind. Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont., Vancouver’s Leah John and Kate Johnston of Ayr, Ont., are also in the field but unranked.

RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bryan Crawford will be leaving the organization as he has accepted the role of Commissioner with the Ontario Hockey League.

“Bryan has played an instrumental role in the growth of the RBC Canadian Open into one of Canada’s signature sport properties and we are extremely appreciative of his contributions over the past six years as Tournament Director,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Bryan is a talented and dynamic sports executive who has made a wonderful impact on our team and our National Men’s Open Championship during his time with Golf Canada. He is well positioned for continued success in leading the Ontario Hockey League.”  

Since joining Golf Canada in 2018, Crawford has been leading force in the continued elevation and commercial growth of the RBC Canadian Open, which has become a festival experience featuring world-class golf, music and food experience. Crawford has also worked with the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Advisory Council, serving most recently as its Vice-Chair. A former member of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club, Crawford has previously worked in leadership positions with Basketball Canada and Ontario University Athletics (OUA).

In one of the hardest-conditioned days in PGA of Canada Championship history, with winds at 40 KM/h, gusting up to 60 KM/h, Mitchell Fox somehow carded a bogey-free 70.  

Playing in the 8^th last group of the day, he finished at -1 for the championship. 21 players were still on the course, all beginning their day with a better score than him – including Nigel Sinnott, who began leading at -7.  

All of those players, apart from Yohann Benson, finished worse than -1.

Benson, one of the few survivors of the Rockyview winds, carded an even-par 72 – one of only four players to do so during the final round.

Benson and Fox watched on as Sang Lee had a 25-foot birdie putt on 18, needing a two-putt to win the title. Lee left his birdie try five-feet below the hole and, as many did throughout the day, fell victim to the difficult Mickelson National greens, missing two more to fall one-stroke shy of a playoff.

In the playoff, Fox left his approach short of the green and made bogey, while Benson nestled his 30-foot birdie try next to the hole, earning the 2024 PGA Championship of Canada title and $13,000 first-place cheque.

“It feels awesome because I really had no clue until I signed my scorecard that I had a chance,” said Benson, who also won the 2023 PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf. “I said, ‘see you guys in Vancouver’ when I signed my card [to the scoring staff] and they said, ‘hang on a minute, you might want to hang around’. I was very happily surprised and went to the playoff and pulled it off.”

With a tight leaderboard that saw 10 players within two strokes of the lead on the back nine, Benson made back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11, and held on through the rest of the day as many of the remaining hole were straight into the strong wind.

“What a golf course this is, it was quite the test all three days,” said Benson, who teaches out of Le Mirage (Club de Golf). “When you look at the names on the trophy it is really an honour to put my name next to the greats that have won the PGA Championship of Canada.”

Arriving on Sunday, the opening round was the first time Benson saw the golf course.  

“I played it blind during the first round, but the conditions were nice, so I thought it was a scorable course,” said Benson, who carded a first-round 70. “Yesterday, I didn’t complete round two, so I came back at 6:15 AM to play three holes and I didn’t finish well. I made bogey on the last two holes, and I plotted along this afternoon.”

“Thank God it is a wide golf course, so hitting the ball in play off the tee wasn’t so difficult, but hitting the right areas on the greens that were running fast was a grind. I did my best, and I generally have a good attitude. I don’t get to play competitive golf much, so I truly enjoyed it.”

All three players who finished in a tie for third, as well as runner-up Mitchell Fox, have roots in Calgary. Wes Heffernan and Chris Horton both call Calgary home, while Lee grew up in the city, learning under Randy Robb at Edge High School.

One of the activations taking place during the week was the E-Z-GO “It’s Good to Go” hole of the week. The three players who made eagle on the drivable par-4 were Ben Boudreau, Katy Rutherford and Steven Lecuyer.

All three were put into a draw for a $250 cash prize. After the random draw, Rutherford earned the bonus.

A huge thank you to local partner Flint Energy, who offered meals to players each of the first two rounds, Stony for supplying staff clothing, Golf Avenue for supporting the full championship schedule, Golf Away Tours for their support of our championship previews, National Partner Wesko Locks and local partner Harmony Developments.

Also special shoutout to Miles Motensen and the entire Mickelson National Golf Club team – what a host venue! 

Full leaderboard can be found here.

Dublin, Ohio, USA – Adam Hadwin has qualified for The 152 Open at Royal Troon through the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday.
 
The Memorial Tournament was the seventh event in the Open Qualifying Series and took place at Muirfield Village.
 
The Canadian was the leading player in the field not already exempt, finishing in third place at 4-under.
 
The next events in the Open Qualifying Series are the KOLON Korea Open and the KLM Open taking place from 20-23 June.

During a challenging Sunday at Muirfield Village, where only a few players managed to score below par, Hadwin quickly climbed the leaderboard with three birdies in his first seven holes. This brought him within striking distance of the 54-hole leader, Scottie Scheffler. However, Scheffler ultimately edged out Collin Morikawa by one stroke to claim his fifth win in eight starts.

In addition to punching his ticket to The Open, Hadwin’s chances of representing Team Canada at the Olympic Men’s Golf Competition in Paris this summer improved significantly. He jumped 24 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking, from No. 59 to No. 35, positioning himself as Canada’s second available spot with one week of qualification remaining.

At the last Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes represented Canada in men’s golf. In 2016, it was David Hearn and Graham DeLaet. Becoming an Olympian is a notable achievement missing from Hadwin’s impressive resume.

Olympic golf qualification depends on the Official World Golf Ranking, which will be finalized after the U.S. Open next week. Nick Taylor is likely to secure the first spot, leaving Conners, Hadwin, Taylor Pendrith, and Hughes in contention for the second spot.

All five Canadians will compete next week at Pinehurst No. 2.

Thunder Bay, Ont. – Jeri Lafleche of Winnipeg, Man. claimed the lead on Friday and kept the same momentum throughout the whole tournament, while Ryan Mosher of Saskatoon, Sask. came out on top to win the 2024 NextGen Prairie Championship at Whitewater Golf Club in Thunder Bay, Ont.  

Overcast conditions rolled in for Sunday’s final round. Lafleche outlasted the field with rounds of 75-73-76, finishing at 8-over par and five shots clear of runner up Olivia Johnson of Calgary, Alta. Lafleche carded five bogeys on Sunday but was able to record 3 pars in a row on 16-18 to get the win. Lafleche was in the lead heading into the final round, and now has earned direct exemption into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship. 

 “Winning this tournament means a lot, it’s a great start to the season and then travelling all this way, it’s nice to come home with the win,” said Lafleche. 

Sunday’s win is Lafleche’s first of the season. Lafleche said it was tough to keep her focus while playing in cold and windy conditions. 

“It was pretty tough on the front nine, I’m not going to lie with the wind being even colder and then sometimes you’re in the open and sometimes you’re in the cold, it’s not a constant temperature, but ended up working through it,” said Lafleche. 

In the Junior Boys Division, Mosher finished the tournament on a high note, with a 2-over 74 on Sunday. Mosher finished three shots clear of Josiah Tong of Heritage Pointe, Alta. to claim his spot into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Mosher grabbed the lead in the first round with a 2-under 70 and finished with two solid rounds of 74-74 to claim the championship.  

 “It felt great. I had a couple hiccups with the driver but other than that my game was just on point. My putting was spectacular so I couldn’t have asked for a better three days of putting, irons were good and was able to aim at the pins which helped a lot,” said Mosher. 

Tong finished 5-over par to finish in second and secured his spot also in the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.  

The top six players in the Junior Girls division have earned exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 22-25 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver B.C. 

NextGen Prairie Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Girls Championship 

In the Junior Boys division, the top six players earn exemption into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys championship, August 13-16, at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.  

NextGen Prairie Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Boys Championship 

About the NextGen Championships 

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. 

UBC Thunderbirds’ Una Chou and Dylan MacDonald win
women’s and men’s individual championships

SUDBURY, Ont. – The UBC Thunderbirds have completed a clean sweep, winning the men’s and women’s team championships as well as both individual championships at the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO at Idylwylde Golf & Country Club in Sudbury, Ont.

The UBC Thunderbirds Men’s team have claimed their eighth national championship after shooting a collective, 7-under (274-280-291-300). The Thunderbirds were represented by Mackenzie Bickell of Richmond, B.C., John Paul Kahlert of Maple Ridge, B.C., Hudson LaFayette of North Vancouver, B.C., Dylan MacDonald of Markham, Ont. and Aidan Schumer of Columbus, Ohio.

UBC Thunderbirds Coach Chris Macdonald has been apart of every Canadian University/College national championship for both teams. With the double win this year, he has coached both programs to 25 national titles having been with the women’s team since 2001 and the men’s team since 2004.

“Really proud of a lot of things for our teams. They work so hard in practice, they play hard and really try to perform well for each other. There is really great sportsmanship and teamwork in our group and just really proud of them. Not just these teams, but the program itself.

“We are really happy about our program and the golf scholarship endowment we have for Canadian student athletes from the Thunderbird Golf Society and thanks to UBC Athletics for supporting golf and our home course at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club,” said Coach Macdonald.

In addition to winning the national championship, the Thunderbirds Men’s team have qualified for the inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational, taking place September 15-17 at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont.

“We’re just really excited, obviously a great opportunity play against a lot of Division I teams. We’ve played against a lot of those teams over the last little while and really excited that we’re going to get to play a really beautiful golf course back in Ontario in September,” added Macdonald.

The Fraser Valley Cascades finished as runner-up at 43-over and the Montreal Carabins and Victoria Vikes tied for third at 44-over.

The men’s individual championship came down to a playoff between MacDonald (UBC Thunderbirds) and William Forgues of Quebec City, Que. (Laval Rouge et Or). MacDonald won on the first playoff hole to claim the national championship. MacDonald finished at 1-under for the tournament following rounds of 70-72-73-72. MacDonald has also earned an exemption into the 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO at the Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask. from August 5-8. Anthony Jomphe of Chicoutimi, Que. (Montreal Carabins) finished third at even-par.

“Dylan did what he did all year, make a good chip, got himself to four feet to make a straight uphill four footer into the wind and made it. Just feeling really happy for him, he’s been with us for four years and works extremely hard and has got so much better every year, so good for him,” said Coach Macdonald.

The UBC Thunderbirds Women’s team have now won seven consecutive national titles and their 17th in 20 years. The Thunderbirds were led by Una Chou of San Diego, Calif. who claimed the women’s individual title. Along with Chou were teammates, Grace Bell of Calgary, Alta., Bo Brown of Mississauga, Ont. and Jessica Ng of Vancouver, B.C. Collectively they finished the tournament at 21-over, 42 shots clear of the UBC Okanagan Heat.

“I’m just very proud of our women’s team, the program and the consistency. They are just very experienced players and have played lots of tournaments together. NCAA Division I events and Division II events so I’m really proud of how they’ve played in some really tough tournaments this year and brought their best this week,” added Macdonald.

Chou shot a 1-over 73 on Thursday to finish the tournament at 1-under (73-67-74-73) to win by 12 strokes. Chou was in contention all week and was only one-shot back after the opening round. In Tuesday’s second round, Chou fired a 5-under 67 to set a new women’s course record at Idylwylde Golf & Country Club. The previous record was held by Canadian Golf Hall of Famer, Marlene Stewart Streit who shot a 68 during the 1974 Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship at Idylwylde.

“She’s just so consistent, drives the ball so well and is one of the best putters we’ve had in the program’s history. Just that consistency and watching the putts fall for her all week, just really nice to see her get that,” said Macdonald.

In addition to winning the national championship, Chou has also earned an exemption into the 110th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO from July 30 to August 2 at Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C.

Julia Alexander-Carew of Oakville, Ont. (UBC Okanagan Heat) finished at runner-up at 13-over and UBC Thunderbird teammates Brown and Bell tied for third at 15-over.

The third round was completed early Thursday morning after play was suspended due to lighting on Wednesday at 7:20 p.m. Play resumed at 7 a.m. on Thursday.

For the final leaderboards from the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Men’s Team Championship – Top 3

Women’s Team Championship – Top 3

Men’s Individual Championship – Top 3

Bold – Won in Playoff

Women’s Individual Championship – Top 3

CALEDON, Ont. – A half-a-decade ago Laurence Applebaum and Chris Humeniuk first met, and they began working on a vision to build the new home for Canadian golf. Come 2025, not only with the family-founded and family-owned TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley fulfill that vision, but it will also become a first-time host of the RBC Canadian Open – something Humeniuk never once dreamed about.

“It’s such an incredibly exciting time that’s allowed us to lean into. We like to say we’re ‘built for this,’” Humeniuk said.

Roman and Jerry Humeniuk, Chris’ father and uncle, respectively, purchased Osprey Valley from its original owner almost three decades ago. Jerry passed away in 2020. They had always had plans for something bigger, but never did they plan for this, said Chris.

TPC Toronto is now a completely full-service venue for people who play golf and those who are merely golf-adjacent – small businesses looking to host staff days, wedding parties, and more – with its main clubhouse boasting multiple levels of modernity (and don’t skip on the hyper-local craft beer offerings or elevated comfort-food menu) while finely curated cabins and overnight accommodations are very much on their way.

Along with the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, too.

“We’re excited by the partnership we’ve formed with Golf Canada and the PGA Tour. These two partnerships helped us to elevate our own vision of what Osprey Valley might become,” said Humeniuk. “I never would have dreamed to be hosting the RBC Canadian Open on our property – but here we are talking about it.”

Next year’s edition of the Canadian Open will be contested on the renovated North Course. Long a host of other top-tier competitions, renowned Canadian golf-course architect Ian Andrew – along with the PGA Tour design services team – turned the North Course into a championship-calibre golf course that’s capable of challenging the best players in the world.

“I got to spend a couple of days at Hamilton and the energy around (that) event within the community out on the golf course is absolute fantastic. I couldn’t help but be inspired by what I was seeing and feeling – it was also sobering to realize an event this size is now on the clock here at TPC Toronto,” Humeniuk said.

“We’ve put together a first-class team here and I know we have a wonderful partner in the town of Caledon looking forward to hosting the event here.”

Applebaum, the CEO of Golf Canada, said it was “so pleasing after so many years” to finally be at a place where they could let out the great secret that the 2025 Canadian Open was coming to TPC Toronto. Last week’s event at Hamilton, Applebaum said, had a global television audience of over 1-billion households. It was the most-attended Canadian Open of all time. 

Applebaum recalled fondly when he met with Jim Nantz – the iconic CBS broadcaster – last weekend at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, and when Nantz began to ask him about TPC Toronto, that’s when he knew it was real.

It’s extra special, Applebaum explained, because while Hamilton, St. George’s Golf and Country Club, and Oakdale Golf and Country Club are storied Canadian venues that have provided Canadian golf fans with epic finishes to the Canadian Open the last three years, they are all private golf clubs.

TPC Toronto is, of course, completely public.

“It’s exactly what we’ve talked about an excessive amount of times – the opportunity for the public to be able to play the golf course that they’re going to see the best in the world play,” Applebaum said of the importance of having the Canadian Open at a public club. “Over the course of this whole year Chris’ golf courses are going to be played and he’ll get an incredible amount of feedback – and then they’ll watch the best in the world play it.

“It’s been a long time coming for a publicly accessible golf course to host the Canadian Open.”

Golf Canada and TPC Toronto’s special relationship is just underway. In July 2022 the two entities announced a partnership to build a new Home of Canadian Golf. Golf Canada’s offices are moving there along with First Tee – Canada (including an accessible 18-hole community putting course and next generation high-performance training amenities) plus Golf Ontario and the Club Management Association of Canada.

“We’re not only going to be guests, but this will be home as well,” Applebaum said.

Teeing it up at TPC Toronto this summer not only means just golf – it’s clubhouse also features a few fun Canadian Golf Hall of Fame exhibits including the green hoodie Adam Hadwin wore when he got tackled at the 2023 Canadian Open (along with the cork from the champagne bottle!) – but a sneak peek at where some of the best in the world will also play next year.

A video was put together to help with the announcement becoming official-official. The first time Humeniuk saw it he admitted he got so emotional he had to leave his office and go for a walk.

“I don’t know if I’d ever dare dreamed that this event would be coming here. I’m not sure if it’s sunk in yet,” he said. “I don’t know if I can put it into words what it all means.”