TORONTO (June 24, 2024) – Golf Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Team Canada women’s golf athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The two athletes are:

Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.)
Alena Sharp (Hamilton, Ont.)

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 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Sunday, June 23, 2024.  At the close of the Paris 2024 women’s qualification period, Henderson sits 14th on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking and Sharp is 292nd.

The two-year Olympic qualification period for women’s golf saw the athletes earn their spot on Team Canada through their respective results on the LPGA Tour and other women’s global golf competitions. Paris 2024 will mark the third Olympic appearance for both Henderson and Sharp, who competed together at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.  

Henderson was Canada’s top golfer in the sport’s return to the Olympic Games after 112 years, finishing in a tie for seventh at Rio 2016. She then finished tied for 29th at Tokyo 2020. A 13-time winner on the LPGA Tour, including two major titles, Henderson is Canada’s winningest professional golfer of all time. She currently sits fifth on the LPGA Tour’s Race to the CME Globe Rankings, with five top-10 finishes in 14 LPGA Tour starts in 2024. A graduate of Golf Canada’s national team program, Henderson is the only Canadian female athlete to win Canada’s national Junior (2012), Amateur (2013) and National Open Championships (2018 CPKC Women’s Open). 

“Any time you can go and represent your country it’s a very proud moment,” said Henderson. “To be able to wear the Maple Leaf and go to Paris is really exciting for me.”

Sharp, a long-time LPGA Tour member, is no stranger to international competition. She earned a bronze medal for Team Canada at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games in Chile. The 43-year old has 16 career top-10 finishes and has made the cut in three of four events played this year on the LPGA Tour. Sharp made 14 cuts in 14 starts on the Epson Tour in 2023 with five top-10 results, including a win at the Champions Fore Change Invitational. She also won the ORORO PGA of Canada Women’s Championship in 2023.

“Reaching the Olympics for a third time was a huge goal of mine coming into this year and I am extremely proud to have achieved it,” said Sharp. “Representing Canada is the highest honour I’ve had in my career.”

Henderson and Sharp will look to become the first Canadian women to win an Olympic golf medal. Canada’s best Olympic finish in women’s golf was Henderson’s tie for seventh at Rio 2016.

Golf Canada’s Director of High Performance Emily Phoenix believes the Olympic and international experience of the athletes will be an asset to the women’s team in Paris.

“Both Brooke and Alena are heading into their third Olympic golf competition and that experience and familiarity is sure to prove beneficial for the athletes,” said Phoenix, who will serve as the Stollery Family Olympic Women’s Team Lead in Paris. “Brooke is a fierce competitor who has proven capable of bringing her best performances to the biggest stage while Alena heads to Paris with a great momentum in returning to the form on the LPGA Tour and earning a bronze medal for Canada at last year’s Pan Am Games golf competition.”

The women’s golf tournament at Paris 2024 will take place August 7 – 10 (Days 12 – 15) at Le Golf National.

“Congratulations to the two Canadian golfers selected to represent Canada in Paris. They will be competing in their third Olympic Games, and their remarkable skills will be crucial assets on the prestigious Golf National course,” said Bruny Surin, Team Canada’s Paris 2024 Chef de Mission. “They are ready to chip away obstacles and represent our country with pride and excellence. Swing strong and play with all your heart!”

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

Caddies & Support Staff
Emily Phoenix (Calgary, Alta.) – Stollery Family Olympic Women’s Team Lead
Brittany Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.) – Caddie for Brooke Henderson
Sarah Bowman (Somerset, Penn., USA) – Caddie for Alena Sharp

Nick Taylor and Corey Conners were the two male golfers announced to the Paris 2024 Canadian Olympic Team last week.

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.

Canadian superstar Brooke Henderson, Lydia Ko, Rose Zhang, Lilia Vu and defending champion Megan Khan headline early commitments to
2024 CPKC Women’s Open

Calgary, Alta. (June 24, 2024) – Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Golf Canada and the LPGA Tour today announced the early commitments scheduled to compete in the historic 50th playing of the CPKC Women’s Open, July 23-28 at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta.

“We are thrilled to have this world-class tournament, with the world’s best golfers, back in Calgary, the home of CPKC’s global headquarters,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. “This year, our goal is to raise over $2.75 million to support the Alberta Children’s Hospital and the important work being done to help the youngest hearts across Alberta.”

Since 2014, this tournament, which is the marquee event of the CPKC Has Heart community investment program, has helped raise over $19 million to support cardiac research, equipment and care across North America.

The list of early commitments features eight of the current top-10 and 83 of the top-100 players on the 2024 Race to the CME Globe Standings.

Thirteen-time LPGA Tour winner and the winningest golfer in Canadian history Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. will lead a field that includes three-time CPKC Women’s Open champion Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee, Jennifer Kupcho, In Gee Chun, Danielle Kang, Sei Young Kim, Linn Grant and Maja Stark. Lexi Thompson will also be competing in her final CPKC Women’s Open after announcing she will be retiring from competitive golf at the end of the 2024 season.

Defending champion Megan Khang is among eight past CPKC Women’s Open champions competing for Canada’s National Open Championship including Paula Reto (2022), Jin Young Ko (2019), Brooke Henderson (2018), Ariya Jutanugarn (2016), Britney Lincicome (2011), Cristie Kerr (2006) and three-time winner Lydia Ko (2015, 2013, 2012) who will be chasing a record fourth CPKC Women’s Open title.

Earl Grey Golf Club will welcome nine LPGA Tour in-year winners including 2024 U.S. Women’s Open champion, Yuka Saso. Joining Saso are, Lydia Ko (Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions), Patty Tavatanakit (Honda LPGA Thailand), Hannah Green (HSBC Women’s World Championship and JM Eagle LA Championship), Baily Tardy (Blue Bay LPGA), Rose Zhang (Cognizant Founders Cup), Linnea Strom (ShopRite LPGA Classic), Lilia Vu (Meijer LPGA Classic) and Amy Yang (KPMG Women’s PGA Championship).

Henderson, a CPKC Ambassador who made history at the Wascana Country Club in Regina in 2018 becoming the first Canadian since the late Jocelyne Bourassa, 45 years earlier to win Canada’s National Women’s Open, will be joined by fellow Canadians, Maude-Aimee Leblanc, Maddie Szeryk, Savannah Grewal and Alena Sharp. In addition, Team Canada athletes Lauren Kim and Anna Huang earned exemptions through the Peloton Glencoe Invitational and Ellie Szeryk and Brooke Rivers through the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open, both as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series, earlier this month.

The 156-player field will be competing at Earl Grey Golf Club for the first time in tournament history. This marks the seventh time the province of Alberta will host the CPKC Women’s Open and first since 2016.

The Calgary golf community is ready for the return to the city with a full roster of over 1,300 volunteers confirmed for the event, strong advanced ticket sales and one of the largest corporate build footprints in event history with a record number of public viewing and hospitality locations built on over half of the golf course.

“We are less than a month away and are very excited to be back in Calgary and the province of Alberta for the 50th playing of the CPKC Women’s Open,” said Ryan Paul, CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director. “Golf fans in Calgary are in for a very memorable week at a beautiful golf course where the world’s best will compete for our National Open Championship. The CPKC Women’s Open is one of the top three women’s sporting events in Canada and this year is shaping up to be a special one.”

One of Canada’s premier annual sporting events, the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open returns to Calgary riding momentum from being named the LPGA Tour’s Tournament of the Year back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023. The 2023 tournament also won additional awards for Best Sponsorship Activation and Best Volunteer Appreciation at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver. Golf Canada and CPKC also received Gold Driver Awards for Best Sponsor Activation in 2019, 2022 and 2023 as well as Best Community and Charity Engagement in 2017, 2019 and 2022.

CPKC HAS HEART CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
CPKC will once again leave a meaningful legacy in the host community through its CPKC Has Heart program. The official charitable partner of the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open is Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. Last year, CPKC raised nearly $3.5 million for children’s heart health with donations of $2.9 million to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and $580,000 to the Royal Inland Hospital (PIH) Foundation.

ABOUT ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation inspires our community to invest in excellence in child health, research, and family centred care. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation provides funding for innovative programs, state-of-the-art equipment, advanced medical training and internationally recognized pediatric research. The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation is a founding partner of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, as well as the primary funder. Donations can be made at cpkcwomensopen.com with all funds raised matched by CPKC. For more information, please visit childrenshospital.ab.ca.

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

“THE RINK” FAN EXPERIENCE RETURNS
Fans of all ages will once again be able to experience the week-long celebration of golf highlighted by The Rink on the 17th hole at Earl Grey, and a variety of food and patio experiences at The Fare Way featuring the Keg.

CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN BROADCAST
The 2024 CPKC Women’s Open will feature four days of domestic and international television broadcast coverage including Canadian broadcast partner TSN as well as international coverage on GOLF channel.

KIDS 12-AND-UNDER GET IN FREE
As part of the championship’s commitment to junior golf, admission all week is free for youth aged 12-and-under. General admission tickets provide access to the golf course and enjoy fan activations throughout the property and experience the thrill of major professional golf.

MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE
Experience the CPKC Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on your iOS or Android device. Essential features include a live map, leaderboard & pairings, tickets, breaking news, and special events. Plus, use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance your experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches against friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.

ABOUT THE CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN 
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from July 23-28, 2024, at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta. Through its CPKC Has Heart program, title sponsor CPKC will once again make a substantial donation to the host community of Canada’s National Open Golf Championship by supporting the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. The 2024 CPKC Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by CPKC, BDO, Audi, RBC, theScore, Levelwear, Titleist, FootJoy, Hilton, Sleeman Clear 2.0, Think Turkey, The Keg, Johnsonville, Cayman Islands, Masi, Celebrity Cruises, STALK&BARREL, Matt & Steve’s, Pepsi, Connect Hearing, Waste Management, Rolex and is supported by Calgary Tourism. For information visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com/.

ABOUT CPKC
With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of México to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC.

ABOUT GOLF CANADA 
Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing more than 340,100 golfers and 1,505 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to increase Canadian participation and excellence in golf. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

Szeryk and Rivers join Team Canada teammates, Lauren Kim and Anna Huang in earning exemptions through She Plays Golf Championship Series

Pitt Meadows B.C. – Team Canada athletes Ellie Szeryk and Brooke Rivers earned exemptions into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open after finishing atop the leaderboard at the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C. as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series.

Szeryk of London, Ont. held the lead in all three rounds, initially sharing the lead with Virginie Ding of Hong Kong following Thursday’s opening round at 4-under. Szeryk followed that with a 6-under 66 on Friday to take the solo lead into Saturday. She finished the tournament at 6-under (68-66-76) to win the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open.

The win at Pitt Meadows is Szeryk’s second title in the past nine months, having won the individual championship at the Jim West Challenge in San Marcos, Texas last October.

With the win Szeryk has earned an exemption into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta., July 23-28. It will mark the third start in tournament history for the 22-year-old having previously played in 2018 and 2023.

Rivers, of Brampton, Ont. finished the tournament at 2-under (72-69-73) to finish in second and also earn an exemption to compete at Earl Grey. The 19-year-old will be making her second consecutive start at the CPKC Women’s Open after competing last year at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.

The GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open saw a field of 51 golfers (amateur and professional) with five members of the Team Canada program competing in Pitt Meadows. The tournament was the second of three as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series.

Team Canada athletes Lauren Kim (a) and Anna Huang (a) finished first and second respectively at the Peloton Glencoe Invitational in Calgary, Alta. last weekend, which was the first tournament in the She Plays Golf Championship Series. The ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada from July 2-5 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. is the final stop in the three-tournament series for this season.

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. The She Plays Golf Championship Series marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.

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.

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 GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open, please click here.

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

It’s been three years since Hamilton’s Alena Sharp played in a major and she feels like her game has evolved to better suit the best-on-best women’s golf tournament.

The 43-year-old Sharp joins Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Thursday. Sharp last competed in a major in 2021, playing in the Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship that year.

“I’ve definitely changed quite a bit,” said Sharp. “I used to hit a draw and now I’m hitting a fade, so I think that helps a little bit in majors because usually things are firm, so it might not run out as much on the green. 

“You need to keep evolving and I feel like my game has, so I’m ready for the challenge for the week.”

Sharp tied for 25th at the Women’s PGA Championship in June 2021 and tied for 70th a month later at the Evian Championship. Although a regular on the LPGA Tour in 2022, she didn’t qualify for any of the five majors in women’s golf. 

She held dual membership with the top women’s circuit and the second-tier Epson Tour in 2023, playing in four LPGA events that year.

Sharp qualified for this year’s Women’s PGA Championship based on her 146th ranking on this season’s CME Globe points list.

“We’re playing amazing golf courses and the PGA of America does a great job in elevating the event,” said Sharp, who noted she was glad to see the tournament return to Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash., outside of Seattle. “The purse has gone up so much since we started, it’s gone up like 300 per cent.

“Everything about the tournament is top notch.”

Henderson was also glad to return to Salahee, where she won the Women’s PGA Championship in 2016, the first major title of her career and her second win on the LPGA Tour.

“It definitely changed my life back in 2016,” said Henderson. “I received a lot more attention from the fans and the media, and just what I believed I could do moving forward I think changed. 

“Felt like anything was possible after this victory. I really gained a lot from playing and winning here in 2016.”

The women’s world golf rankings will be finalized for Olympics qualifications on Monday, following the conclusion of the Women’s PGA Championship. As the world No. 13 player, Henderson is a lock to represent Canada at the Paris Games in August. 

“Any time you can go and represent your country it’s a very proud moment,” said Henderson, who played for Canada at the 2016 Rio Games and again in Tokyo in 2021, both times with Sharp. “To be able to wear the Maple Leaf and go to Paris is really exciting for me.”

Despite mainly playing in the Epson Tour over the past two years, Sharp is the front-runner to be Henderson’s teammate for a third consecutive Olympics.

“It’s been on my mind,” said Sharp. “I’ve been watching (the rankings) obviously, and I was eager to get back out on the LPGA Tour because you don’t get a lot of points playing on Epson.

“The last two tournaments I was able to make the cut and then just didn’t play well on the weekend but I’ve learned from those two experiences and hope to apply it this week.”

EPSON TOUR — Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., leads a group of five Canadians into the Island Resort Championship on Friday. She’s No. 111 in the Race for the Card standings. Maddie Szeryk (140th) of London, Ont., as well as unranked players Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont., Vancouver’s Leah John and Kate Johnston of Ayr, Ont., are also playing at Sweetgrass Golf Club in Harris, Mich.

RIVERS GOES PRO — Collegiate star Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont., has turned professional. The Wake Forest University freshman will play the B.C. Open at Pitt Meadows Golf Club on Thursday. She will also play in the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont., on July 2.

PGA TOUR — Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., is still the top-ranked Canadian heading into the Travelers Championship on Thursday although the rankings are very close. He’s 30th, Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., is 31st, Corey Conners of Listowel, is 33rd and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford is 37th. All four are in the field at TPC Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. Mackenzie Hughes (46th) of Dundas, Ont., and Adam Svensson (88th) of Surrey, B.C., will also tee it up.

KORN FERRY TOUR — Edmonton’s Wil Bateman is the highest ranked Canadian playing in this week’s Compliance Solutions Championship. Bateman is 30th on the second-tier tour’s points list. He’ll be joined at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club in Norman, Okla., by Etienne Papineau (48th) of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que., Sudarshan Yellmaraju (96th) of Mississauga, Ont., and Jared du Toit (117th) of Kimberley, B.C.

CHAMPIONS TOUR — Calgary’s Stephen Ames leads the Schwab Cup points list heading into DICK’S Open En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, N.Y. Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., is 35th on the points list heading into Friday’s first round.

PGA TOUR AMERICAS — The North American swing of the Americas Tour begins on Thursday with The Beachlands Victoria Open at Uplands Golf Club in Victoria. Matthew Anderson of Mississauga and Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald are Nos. 1 and 4 on the Fortinet Cup standings coming out of the break between the Latin American and North American legs of the third-tier circuit.

A panel of judges has examined over 100 stories, photos, videos and podcasts to identify the finest content created by members of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) in 2023. The judges identified the cream of the crop in eight categories: Column, Profile, Feature, Travel, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), Photography (Action), Photography (Landscape) and Multimedia.
 
There were some notable highlights from this year’s award, including multiple stories focussing on the ways in which golf is impacting a wide variety of communities and on the meaning of the game and the relationships it produces. There were numerous multiple winners this year, including Bernard Brault, Jason Logan, Curtis Gillespie, Rick Young and the Preferred Lie. ScoreGolf, Golf Canada and The Preferred Lie were among the outlets winning in multiple categories.
 
The full list of GJAC 2024 Media Awards winners is below:
                                                                                                           
Column
First Place: Jason Logan, “Watching Tiger Woods Play Golf Will Never Get Old,” ScoreGolf.com.
Second place: Jason Logan, “The Little Things About Golf,” ScoreGolf Magazine.
Third place: Rick Young, “The Heartbreak – and Unanswered Questions – Around a Golf Course’s Closure,” ScoreGolf.com.
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
First Place: ModGolf Podcast, “Amy Bockerstette, I Got This,” ModGolf.
Second place: Curtis Gillespie, “In his dream job, Tahlon Sweenie is embracing his Indigenous heritage,” ScoreGolf Magazine.
Third place: Brad Ziemer, “Stroke Survivor Brad Thomas Returns to the Game He Loves,” The Scorecard.
 
Features
First Place: Rick Drennan, “The Enemy Within,” Pro Shop Magazine
Second place: Scot Morison, “Golf Friends are the Best Friends,” ScoreGolf Magazine.
Third place: Jason Logan, “72 Feet to History,” ScoreGolf Magazine.
 
Profiles
First Place: Rick Young, “Mad Scientist,” ScoreGolf Magazine.
Second place: Adam Segal, “The Putting Guru,” ScoreGolf Magazine.
Third place: Curtis Gillespie, “In his dream job, Tahlon Sweenie is embracing his Indigenous heritage,” ScoreGolf Magazine.
 
Photo – Landscape
First Place: Bernard Brault, “On Top of Alcatraz,” Golf Canada.  
Second place: Bernard Brault, “Sunset in the Desert,” Golf Canada.
Third place: Jeff Curlew, “Cabot bagpiper, Cabot Links,” PGA Canada.
 
Photo – Action and People
First Place: Bernard Brault, Champagne Tackle, Golf Canada.
Second place: Bernard Brault, Winning putt, Golf Canada.
Third place: Bernard Brault, Hold on little boy, Golf Canada.
 
Travel
First Place: Curtis Gillespie, “Blown Away,” ScoreGolf Magazine .
Second place: Wes Gilbertson, “A Special Trip,” ScoreGolf.com.
Third place: Jeff Brooke, “San Diego,” Globe and Mail.
 
Multimedia
First Place: Preferred Lie, “Waterton, Season 4, Episode 2,” The Preferred Lie.
Second place: Rob Leth, “7 iron for a Hockey Stick,” PGA Tour Americas.
Third place: Preferred Lie, “Jasper Park Lodge,” The Preferred Lie.
                                                                                   
**
 
Prizes
GJAC would like to thank TaylorMade and Golf Town for the ongoing support of this awards program. It is greatly appreciated by every GJAC member. First place winners in each category will receive a TaylorMade Qi10 driver. Second place winners will receive a TaylorMade Spider Tour putter. Third place winners will receive a $100 gift card from Golf Town. Thank you again to our great sponsors!  
 
Judges
GJAC wishes to offer its thanks to the judges for their effort and insight. This year’s judges were Harvey Freedenberg, Bob Condon, Meggan Gardner, Terry Lenyk, Mike Johnny, Norm MacDonald, Cathy Condon, Tim O’Connor, Lorne Rubenstein, Steve Keating, Bob Weeks, Murray Fraser, Scot Morison and Sandra Thompson.
 
**
 
The annual GJAC golf day event will be held on June 25 and the winners will be briefly recognized at that event. The full list of winners will also be posted on the GJAC website at www.gjac.ca.

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.

Sarah Thompson, Whitevale Golf Club, Hole #12

I was playing with my dad, hole #12 at Whitevale G.C., 120 yards downhill, over water with a front pin guarded by bunkers. I hit a pitching wedge that landed just short of the pin and rolled straight in. My dad asked me, “Where’s the ball?” and I replied, “I believe it’s in the hole!”

Shailine Lai, Bond Head Golf Club, Hole #3

I was playing with my dad for the practice round of the Champion of the Champions at The Club At Bond Head. Hole #3 was playing 135 yards with my 8 iron. My dad had been on the phone with my mom as I was teeing off my shot. As the ball flew onto the green with a slight fade, it landed in front of the pin and rolled into the cup! “It’s in the hole, the ball is in the hole!” my dad shouted, still on the phone with my mom! I was still in shock at what had just happened, with utter happiness. My dad kept shouting “woo hoo!” and “yes” that other players from the other tees could hear him. As we walked onto the green, I picked up my ball from the hole and started to celebrate!

Gary Peterson, Jagare Ridge Golf Club, Hole #13

On Sunday morning I got my sixth career hole-in-0ne while playing with friends Ken Shewchuk and Leslie Copeland. It was Jagare Ridge’s 13th hole a 148 yard hole, with a big right to left sloping green that hit the green and the correct spot and rolled about 25 feet into hole. I used a 7 iron and Titleist ProV ball. I was smoking one of my favourite cigars and we enjoyed a celebratory “birdie juice” after finishing the hole. Very exciting.

Beverly Suits, Salmon Arm Golf Club, Hole #7

I took lessons from Clay Stothers of the Okanagan Golf & Country Club for two years. He teaches the UBCO Heat team and the Academy boys. When we went for our nine hole playing lesson, I had two easy birdies, to which I asked him if that was good? He replied, “you have no idea how much natural talent you have.”

I took up golf around 50 when I moved to the 18th hole of the Quail. I was an international badminton champion (National title at 16 at Vancouver Lawn and Tennis). After so many competitive years in badminton, I didn’t really want to compete in golf. I enjoyed the two or four person team events in golf (I did play one zones, after a lot of encouragement shooting an 78). Won the IronWoman team of four (me being the weakest), shooting 72 from the black! Gallaghers Pro-Am and many more. It seems racquet sports and hockey transfer well to golf?

Barry Leavitt, Dominion Golf & Country Club, Hole #7

I was playing with my long time golf friend Mike W. along with his partner Karen M. and Mike’s brother Dave. We’ve played this track every Saturday morning for a quick nine holes before the rest of our families role out of bed for many years and May 18 was no different. I had honours stepping onto the 7th tee and scoped the pin at 167 yards. I pulled 6 iron and flushed my shot straight at the pin. Uncharacteristically, it never wavered from the line and with the elevated green we thought it was close but not sure how close. As I approached the green I couldn’t see my ball so reasonably, I pulled out my pitching wedge and putter to climb up to the green thinking I probably rolled off the back or something. A quick scan of the green area didn’t reveal my ball so I boldly walked to the cup for a peek and there it sat smiling back at me. High fives all around and I happily held the flag as the rest of the group finished up. With all the excitement don’t ask me how I did on the next hole!

Kim Furlotte, Water Valley Golf Course, Hole #13

I made a hole-in-one on hole #13 of the Water Valley Golf Course on June 12th. It was par 3 at 116 yards, using an 8 iron.

Chris Mack, National Pines Golf Club, Hole #15

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.

Daren Bulat, Country Hills Golf Club, Hole #8

I was playing with Kirby Lindal, Mark Malone and Matt Hanak. The yardage was 124 and I used a gap wedge.

Rob Dietz, Rattlesnake Point Golf Club, Hole #5

On June 16, at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club, I got my fourth hole-in-one on Sidewinder hole #5. It was playing 165 yards to a back pin and I used a 6 iron. I knew it was a good shot when it came off the club. It took a bounce and made its way to the hole and then it disappeared. My wife Gail was there to witness. She has a lot of catching up to do since she only has one hole-in-one.

Kobe Menzies, Kamloops, Hole #6

I was playing with Carver Millard and Greg Ross from the Zone 2 Tour and had my dad out following me around that day. We got up to the sixth tee box and were chatting about a hole-in-one and I jokingly asked if Carver would pull the pin as I was getting a hole-in-one. I hit a 5 wood from 172 yards and after I hit it, I knew it would be close. Then it rolled up to the hole and disappeared! It was exciting to have my dad there to see it!

David Beyers, Chedoke Golf Club, Hole #10

I was playing with my friend Liam Crowder and the hole was 153 downhill. I hit a pitching wedge.

Nick Magyar, Pointe West Golf Club, Hole #17

I was playing with my normal weekend group, Mike Vrionis, Leslie Rahie and Buck Marchand. It was a 135 yard shot and I hit a 52 degree wedge. This was a great early birthday present for myself, and we celebrated appropriately on the patio after our round!

Romeo Persaud, Cherry Downs, Hole #4

I was playing with Jim Cain and Vince Wong. The fourth hole yardage played at 161 yards, as per my Nikon Coolshot Pro ll. I used my 7 iron (TM P790) and hit a low cut into the front of the green and rolled right up and in. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to actually see the ball go in, due to the pin placement, which left me on pins and needles upon my approach.

Stephen Godden, Cardinal Lakes Golf Club, Hole #2

Hole-in-one happened on May 21st at Cardinal Lakes Golf Club.

Haley Schneider, Desert Blume Golf Club, Hole #2

It was a surreal moment for sure! I was playing with my ladies league team that night. It was 132 yards uphill to a blind green. And I used a 7 iron. I didn’t even see it drop in the hole, we drove up to the green and I grabbed my putter. Walked on the green and thought I had rolled off the side, my friend jokingly said, “check the hole” so I walked over, looked down and there it was!

Ian Kingham, Greyhawk Golf Club, Hole #8

On May 22, 2024, I was playing the Predator Course at Greyhawk with three golfing buddies (Ron Allenby, Jean Boisvert and Mike Kelly). We were all playing from the white tees (5923 yards). The weather was great, not too hot or cold. I was using a Callaway Chrome Soft golf ball. I was even par after the first seven holes. The eighth hole was playing 163 yards from the whites to a white pin slightly right of center. I hit a 7 iron to just below and left of the hole and we all watched it roll up and disappear. I was somewhat skeptical that it had in fact gone in the hole but sure enough when we got to the green it was in the hole. I called it in and after the round everyone got a free drink as is the custom at Greyhawk. I was quite happy with the experience including my total score of 73 for the round. This was the second best score I’d ever had, eclipsed only by my previous round of 72. Of course, as is common with amateur golfers I haven’t come close to that since, averaging between 78 and 83 but hopefully the good golf will return soon. I am 60 years old, not a long ball hitter, but not overly short either and was having a week where it was going straight shot after shot. My irons are PXG 0311XP’s. I was very happy to have had those two games, including the hole-in-one, to have had my buddies there to witness and celebrate with me and it’s an experience I’ll never forget, but hope to repeat.

 

Ryan Chin, Mill Run, Hole #8

It was during the club’s Ryder Cup tournament and I was paired with Mike Brand, Jeff Benedetto and Ryan Fox. The hole #8 at Grist and approximately 167 yards to the hole. The club I used during the shot was a Srixon Z-forged 6 iron.

Kirby Peters, Toronto Hunt, Hole #6

Hole #6 at the Toronto Hunt. Coincidentally it was the second ace that day at the Hunt. Kyle Nichols scored one on our third hole. I was playing with my wife Jennifer Peters and Scott and Mary Tomenson. The hole was playing 122 yards. I hit an 9 iron. I’m a lucky guy. I now have a career four aces.

Bob Plamondon, Royal Ottawa Golf Club, Hole #8

It was hole #8, about 210 yards, uphill, with a driver. It is my third hole-in-one and my second on that hole.

Kevin Hunt, Timberwolf Golf Club, Hole #13

I was playing with Rob Godin, Steve Boyd and Richard Daypak. It was a little wind from the west, and I was hitting into the breeze. The hole was 115 yards and I hit my 50-degree gap wedge. It was heading straight on course all the way. Ball landed two yards from the hole and rolled so slow into the hole. We weren’t positive it went in, but I was pretty sure. If the hole was feet further, I don’t think it would have made it.

 

Joe Lewis, Rebel Creek Golf Club, Hole #17

A beautiful Wednesday afternoon was capped off with my third hole-in-one during a Rebel Creek two man net team match. A tight match with my partner Steve Johannes against Club Pro Robert Hannah and Rebel Creek employee Liam Schweitzer. The scene of the crime was hole #17, blue tees 135 yards into a right to left hurting wind, probably playing 145 yards directly into the setting sun. Easy 9 iron all day. When I hit the shot I knew it was good, as I was just trying to hit the green for our team net match as our competitors were stroking. I lost the ball halfway to the hole due to the sun being directly into my face. As I started walking back to the cart we heard our playing partner Liam yell, “I think it went in!” Turns out Liam was the only one with young eyes who saw the ball the entire way spin off the backstop right into the cup! As it would play out that would be the only hole I won for our team all day and funny enough I was almost sawed off by Rob with a near birdie miss while stroking, thankfully Rob is a nice guy and let me have my moment. Just another day trying to put the thing in the thing!

Sean Silang, Royal Ontario Golf Club, Hole #8

I was playing with my friend Jack Karosas. The yardage was 152 and I used a 9 iron.

Kevin Delahunt, Abercrombie Country Club, Hole #8

It was such a thrill (it was my first hole-in-one). I was playing with Callahan Murphy, Kyle Cruickshanks and Mark Gagnier. I hit an 8 iron and it was playing 170yds that day. Big swooping draw that landed on the right side of the green and rolled all the way to the left side, dropping into the cup. 

Kyle Wood, Country Hills Golf Club, Hole #12

I was playing with Andrew Coppold, Curtis McConnell and Jay Barnett. I hit a 9 iron from 157 yards.

Greig Malcom, Whispering Pines, Hole #5

119 yards using a 9 iron into a big wind.

Cooper Anderson, Fort William Country Club, Hole #2

It was a 9 iron from 161 yards. My second hole-in-one, both on the same hole.

Paul Stimpson, Rossmere Country Club, Hole #3

It was at Rossmere Country Club, white flag, hole #3 and 170 yards. I was playing with Kent Simmons, Ed Byard and Mark Manzer.

Bryden Dilley, Idylwylde, Hole #4

I was 151 yards from pin, into the wind and used my 7 iron. I was playing with Lana from Calgary and Mackenzie from Windsor.

Vic Juzenas, Settlers Ghost Golf Club, Hole #16

I was playing with Linas Balaisis (on my right) and John Butkus (on my left). It was hole #16 at Settlers Ghost in Barrie, Ontario. Club used was a pitching wedge. Yardage that day was 128 according to range finder.

Markus Boguslavsky, Redwood Meadows Golf & Country Club, Hole #15

I was playing with three great buddies: Logan Drackett, Jack Moroney and Connor Blake. 154 yards with a pitching wedge. Hit it pure and it essentially dunked and went right in. Caught the front lip and splashed.

Elsie Castor, Lynx Ridge Golf Club, Hole #17

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 seemed like a normal golf day until hole #17 at Lynx Ridge Golf Club. The flag was blue and from the forward (red) tee it was approximately 128 yards. The path to the flag was not an easy one as you had to go over water and a sand bunker so I used my 7 wood to give myself the best chance. I was golfing with my husband and two others, all members of the club. What made it more special was the club head teaching professional Kaleb Gorbahn happened to be at the hole and watched everything from the ball flight to landing on the green to rolling in the hole. A very exciting day that I will not forget.

A.J. Mink, Parry Sound, Hole #2

It was a 114 yards and hit a 54 degree wedge and it one hopped and it disappeared. Andrew, Connor and Daniel are all members of the course. The pin was kind of tucked and I was not 100 percent if it went in as the pin was kind of tucked but, both my playing partners were very confident. I think I was in such shock that it went in that I did not even know how to react. It was a really cool feeling though.

Mark Payne, Brampton Golf Club, Hole #13

Brampton Golf Club, June 7^th, windy overcast day, bands of rain bringing downpours sideways, our group was half soaked but powered on. Double bogeyed the 12^th hole while eating a Tuna sandwich. Then it happened. 13th hole, playing 140 yards, with an accessible pin placement front left. Hit a 9 iron dead straight and on line, landed on the green a few yards short, rolled, struck the right side of the pin and dropped! Golfing with my dad, brother and brother-in-law. Still can’t believe it. Shout out to whoever made that sandwich.

Patrick Duggan, St. George’s Golf & Country Club, Hole #6, Hole #3 and Hole #6

Beauty day, calm, no wind, Saturday evening round. Hole #6, 125 yards with a pitching wedge. It never left the flag; dunked straight in! As a former university basketball player and now coach of my daughter’s Etobicoke Thunder U16 basketball team I liked seeing it go straight in the cup, “swish!” I went nuts and my son James (15, competing on CJGA now) ran 20 yards full tilt jumping in the air for a big hug.

It was awesome, we were pumped. It was a great father son moment that we will never forget. To add to it, on the tee my son James said to me before we teed off, “Dad, yesterday I almost had a hole-in-one on this hole – hit it to two feet!” I replied, “buddy that’s amazing” and then turned to the other player in our group (Nathan Whale) and said, “have you ever had a hole-in-one?” He replied, “nope.” I said, “well then boys, why not today then.” I then stepped up to tee off and boom, it goes in! Nathan yells, “oh my god!” He just manifested it into reality!

After i had my first ever hole in one earlier in June, I did it again, well, and again, in the same round on Thursday night! It was crazy. 

St George’s Golf club, Hole #3, 180 yards with a 7-iron. Only 40 minutes later I did it again,  Hole #6, 110 yards with a 50 degree wedge.

We all couldn’t believe it. Course was full that evening and we all had a great laugh with the groups in front and behind us. It was unreal and a round I’ll never forget.

That makes three in June. The first one was with my son close to Fathers Day weekend. It was a special moment. The other two were during a round with a great friend. Our plan was to do 9 and dine and have dinner with our wives after, however, once I had two aces in the front we had to keep playing! Met up as couples later that evening once off the course to celebrate. So fun.

Figured I’d share as I’m being told odds of two hole-in-one’s in a single round are 67 million to one. Not sure what they are for three in a month!

Reef Caulder, Inglewood, Hole #17

I was playing the 17^th hole at Inglewood Golf and Curling Club with Ken Kajita and Paul Macleoud on a gusty evening. Hole was 190 yards into the wind with a 5-iron and Ken was the first to say, “I think that went in!”

Randy Franks, Brookfield Golf Club, Hole #1

I thought this moment would never come, but today was the day! Golfing with Scot Foster at Brookfield in Cambridge was the setting. My first swing of the day on hole #1 red. Shot was flush and we did not see the result. It was quite a surprise when we found my ball in the cup.

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.