For nearly seven decades, all of Canada’s male professional golfers had the goal of winning the RBC Canadian Open, the national men’s championship.

Now the figurative pin’s position has been moved and they’re hoping to win it in back-to-back years.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., won a playoff at Toronto’s Oakdale Golf and Country Club to win last year’s Canadian Open and end that 69-year drought. Taylor, Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., and a large field of their countrymen are lining up to do it all again at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in three weeks’ time.

“That was amazing last year, and it would be incredible to go back-to-back,” said Pendrith. “I know myself and all the other Canadians on the PGA Tour see it as a huge goal, especially seeing Nick do it last year, it was a big inspiration and knowing that it can be done by a Canadian.

“Hopefully there’s a bunch of us in contention coming down the back nine on Sunday. That’d be pretty exciting.”

Taylor and Pendrith are the top-ranked Canadians on the PGA Tour, having both won in 2024. Taylor was victorious at the WM Phoenix Open on Feb. 11 and Pendrith earned his first PGA Tour title on Sunday at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Taylor is now No. 21 on the FedEx Cup standings and Pendrith is 34th.

As long a wait as it was for a Canadian to win the national title — Pat Fletcher was the last to do it in 1954 — it has been even longer since Canadians won it in consecutive years. Albert Murray (1913) and Karl Keffer (1914) were the last homegrown back-to-back champs.

Taylor laughed when asked about the new challenge of consecutive wins for Canadians.

“You lose one question and another is added,” joked Taylor. “I think we’re all going there expecting. hopefully, to compete and try to win again.

“If my win helps take that monkey off the back for people, not have the expectations, I think that’ll help all of us.”

Taylor and Pendrith will be backed up by a large contingent of Canadians. 

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford (35th), Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. (56th), Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. (69th), Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. (90th), as well as fellow PGA Tour members Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont. and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., had already committed to joining the field.

More Canadians were announced at a news conference on Wednesday at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., will play in his 31st national championship. Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., the leading player on the Europe-based DP World Tour, was added, as were top players in the PGA Tour’s lower tiers — Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., Edmonton’s Wil Bateman and Etienne Papineau of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que.

Defending Canadian amateur champion Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., and Kevin Stinson of Mission, B.C., were also added to the field.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who won the first of back-to-back Canadian Opens in 2019, the last time Hamilton Golf and Country Club hosted the tournament, is also in the field. He is No. 16 in the FedEx Cup standings.

Mary DePaoli, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer for RBC, said that getting McIlroy back in the field was important because he will draw more players to the event.

“I would say as Rory builds out his calendar, he can be discerning but he comes back year after year because he wants to,” she said in the clubhouse at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. “I think that’s as much a testament to everything that all who are a part of the RBC Canadian Open work on because you’re getting one of the world’s best to come back year after year.”

Ireland’s Shane Lowry and England’s Tommy Fleetwood were also added to the Canadian Open field on Wednesday.

Lowry is ranked No. 12 on the PGA Tour following his win with McIlroy at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on April 28.

Fleetwood was the runner-up at last year’s Canadian Open, losing to Taylor in a four-hole playoff. Fleetwood is ranked 39th on the FedEx Cup standings.

A location for the 2025 Canadian Open has yet to be announced but tournament director Bryan Crawford said one would be named within the next two weeks.

2023 Ryder Cup Team Europe winning duo join defending champion Nick Taylor and two-time champion Rory McIlroy along with Team RBC standouts Sahith Theegala, Cameron Young and Sam Burns

Presidents Cup International Team Captain Mike Weir accepts Tournament Exemption into the 113^th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship to compete alongside Canadian PGA TOUR winners Adam Hadwin, Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Svensson and Taylor Pendrith

Canadians Aaron Cockerill, Wil Bateman and Myles Creighton accept Tournament Exemptions to compete in the National Open Championship

SiriusXM Concert Series to feature three nights of star-studded Canadian performances live onsite at Hamilton Golf and Country Club

(May 6, 2024) – Two members of Team Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup winning side, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry have confirmed their intention to compete at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club in the 2024 RBC Canadian Open.

Fleetwood will make his third appearance in tournament history after finishing runner-up last year following a thrilling four-hole playoff with eventual champion Nick Taylor at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. Fleetwood is currently ranked no. 11 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). This season, the Englishman has earned three top-10 and three top-25 finishes in eight events on the PGA TOUR. Fleetwood has won eight international tournaments during his career and has been runner-up five times on the PGA TOUR. Competing in his third Ryder Cup for Team Europe last year, Fleetwood finished with a record of 3-1-0 during Europe’s victory over Team U.S.A.

Lowry will be making his sixth appearance in tournament history; his best finish came in 2019 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club where he finished tied for runner-up with Webb Simpson, behind eventual winner Rory McIlroy. Currently ranked no. 41 in the OWGR, Lowry won his third career PGA TOUR event recently at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Rory McIlroy. Lowry has also earned three top-10’s and five top-25 finishes in nine events on the PGA TOUR this season. Among his three victories on the PGA TOUR, is his 2019 Open Championship victory at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. It was there that the Irishman won his first major by six strokes over Fleetwood. Lowry has won four international tournaments in his career and finished with a record of 1-1-1 during the 2023 Ryder Cup, his second tournament as a member of Team Europe.

The duo joins a growing field headlined by defending champion, Nick Taylor (world no. 26) and two-time champion and world no. 2 Rory McIlroy. The group will compete alongside Team RBC ambassadors Sahith Theegala (world no. 12), Cameron Young (world no. 16), Sam Burns (world no. 27).

“As title sponsor of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, we are pleased to welcome back 2023 runner-up Tommy Fleetwood and recent Zurich Classic of New Orleans Champion, Shane Lowry,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “We have a talented field to look forward to featuring top player Rory McIlroy and Team RBC, including Taylor Pendrith fresh off his first PGA TOUR win.”

A full Canadian contingent will also challenge for the national championship led by PGA TOUR winners Adam Hadwin of Abbottsford, B.C. (world no. 49), Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. (world no. 52), recent winner Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont. (world no. 58), Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. (world no. 69), Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. (world no. 83), as well as fellow PGA TOUR members Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont. and Roger Sloan of Calgary, Alta.

A trio of up and coming Canadians have accepted tournament exemptions to compete including DP World Tour player Aaron Cockerill of Winnipeg, Man., along with Korn Ferry Tour competitors Wil Bateman of Edmonton, Alta. and Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S. Cockerill, currently ranked 19th on the DP World Tour rankings will compete in his third RBC Canadian Open. Bateman and Creighton sit 19th and 12th respectively on the Korn Ferry points list and will be making their second and third starts in Canada’s National Open Championship.

Previous exemption were also secured by Kevin Stinson of Mission, B.C. who finished atop the PGA of Canada Order of Merit, Étienne Papineau of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que. who finished as the top Canadian on the 2023 PGA TOUR Americas Order of Merit, and reigning Canadian Men’s Amateur champion Ashton McCullough of Kingston, Ont.

Also accepting an exemption to compete is Canadian golf icon and Presidents Cup International Team Captain Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont. who will be competing in his 31st RBC Canadian Open. By competing this year at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, Weir will sit second all-time for starts in Canada’s National Open Championship trailing only fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Cumming for the record of 32 starts in tournament history.

In addition to world class golf, fans at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open will be treated to the three-night SiriusXM Concert Series onsite at Hamilton Golf and Country Club featuring an all-Canadian line-up. Dance music duo Loud Luxury and Toronto DJ Frank Walker will perform on Thursday, May 30; night two features Juno Award winners July Talk and Canadian legends Our Lady Peace on Friday, May 31; and Saturday, June 1 will be highlighted by award-winning singer, songwriter and philanthropist, Lindsay Ell and country music rising star Josh Ross.

“We are less a month out from the RBC Canadian Open and extremely excited to get the tournament started,” said Bryan Crawford, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open. “Hamilton Golf and Country Club has undergone an incredible renovation since the club last welcomed the stars of the PGA TOUR in 2019 and is ready to challenge the world’s best players. Our partners have leaned into Canada’s National Open Championship in a major way to deliver a truly immersive fan festival experience as a kickoff to summer.”

Tickets for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.

McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — Taylor Pendrith tried his best to ignore Ben Kohles’ final-hole meltdown, focusing on the eagle putt that the Canadian thought he might have to make even to force a playoff as he walked toward the 18th green.

Several stunning minutes later, a 3-footer for birdie gave Pendrith his first PGA Tour victory.

Kohles overtook Pendrith with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 for a one-shot lead, then bogeyed the 18th after hitting his second shot into greenside rough. 

Already in shock following two chips from the rough — the second with his feet in a bunker — Kohles missed a 6-foot putt that would have forced a playoff.

“Wasn’t really trying to pay attention to what they were doing, although it really mattered, obviously,” Pendrith said. “I feel for Ben. He played really, really good today, especially down the stretch. I’ve been on the other side of it a couple times, and it sucks. But it’s golf. It’s a hard game.”

Pendrith shot 4-under 67 for a 23-under 261 total at the TPC Craig Ranch. The 32-year-old won in his 74th career PGA Tour start.

Playing just north of his birthplace of Dallas, Kohles shot 66 to finish a stroke back. The 34-year-old who plays out of North Carolina is winless in 68 starts.

“Honestly, hadn’t seen any rough like that all week,” said Kohles, who moved to North Carolina when he was 10. 

“Just needed a little bit more umph on it. Did so many good things this week, and I’m just going to keep reminding myself of that and try to get myself back in this position.”

Alex Noren, a Swedish player also seeking a first PGA Tour victory, was another stroke back. He wowed the crowd on the stadium hole at the par-3 17th with a tee shot to 2 1/2 feet, but followed that birdie with a par knowing he probably needed an eagle on 18. Noren shot 65 and was alone in third at 21 under.

Aaron Rai and first-round leader Matt Wallace of England were at 20 under along with the South Korean pair of S.H. Kim and Byeong Hun An. Rai and Kim shot 64, An 65 and Wallace 68.

Pendrith, the third-round leader, and Kohles were separated by just one shot or tied most of the day. 

After Kohles made a 20-footer to take the lead on 17, Pendrith’s par putt rolled all the way around the cup and went in.

“It just curled in, that putt on the last second there, which was unreal just to give me a chance,” said Pendrith, who set it up with a chip from an awkward stance with his heels hanging over the lip of a bunker, after saving par with another testy putt at the par-4 16th.

The victory qualified Pendrith for the PGA Championship in two weeks and next year’s Masters. He’s also in the next three $20-million signature events, starting next week with the Wells Fargo championship. 

Kohles and Noren also played their way into Wells Fargo with their Nelson showings.

With Wells Fargo and the PGA coming in the next two weeks, just three of the top 30 in the world ranking were in the field.

Jordan Spieth, the highest at No. 20, missed the cut for just the second time in 12 appearances at his hometown event. 

Defending champion Jason Day (22nd) and Tom Kim (23rd) didn’t contend, with Day finishing one shot behind Kim at 9 under.

Jake Knapp, the second-round leader who three years ago was working as a security guard in his home state of California, shot 70 to finish at 19 under. Knapp and Wallace were the only players in the top eight with a previous PGA Tour win.

The start of the final round was pushed back 2 1/2 hours because of overnight rain, and pairings turned into threesomes going off both tees with the players allowed to lift, clean and place shots in the fairway.

Wallace appeared to start a charge by chipping in for birdie at 12, the toughest hole of the week, and getting another birdie at the par-4 13th. A three-putt bogey on the par-3 15th stalled him out.

Rafael Campos, a 13-year journeyman from Puerto Rico who has spent most of his career on satellite tours, birdied five of the first six holes starting on the back nine to make the turn at 29.

The 36-year-old cooled off on his second nine before making a 48-foot putt from off the green for eagle on the par-5 ninth for a 63 that put him at 18 under.

Taiga Semikawa, a 23-year-old from Japan playing on a sponsor exemption, also finished at 18 after a 64.

Kris Kim, a 16-year old amateur making his PGA Tour debut, had a rough finish as the youngest to play a final round on tour in 10 years.

Playing his final nine on the front, the son of South Korean-born former LPGA Tour player Ji-Hyun Suh had four bogeys and shot 73 to finish 6 under.

Kim, who is from England, played on a sponsor exemption from the South Korean company and tournament title sponsor CJ Group.

Summerland, B.C. – The 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Champion, Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. lead from start to finish, while Matthew Wilson of Nanaimo, B.C. finished strong to win the 2024 NextGen Pacific Championship at Summerland Golf Club in Summerland, B.C.

Park recorded rounds of 74-73-72 to finish the tournament at 3-under and nine shots clear of Elisa Wu of Vancouver and Jenny Guo of West Vancouver in the Junior Girls Division. Park, the Team Canada NextGen member was in control over all three rounds. On Saturday, the leaders began on the back nine and finished on the front nine. During her second nine, Park went birdie-bogey-birdie-bogey to remain one-under for her final round before a bogey on the sixth hole. Park convincingly ended her round with an eagle on the par five ninth hole to win.

“The best part of my game this week was my driver, I hit probably 80% of the fairways. I also tried to focus on my short game because the greens are firm here, which worked pretty well,” said Park.

After missing a short birdie putt on the eighth hole, Park said her goal was to finish with a birdie on the par five, ninth, but was able to do one better, “I hit my driver really well, then hit my 3-wood onto the green as hard as I could and it rolled up there and I had an 18-footer for eagle and I just putted towards the hole and it went in.”

With the win, Park is one of nine players to book her place in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship presented by BDO, July 22-25 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver. What makes this extra special, is Park will be heading to Vancouver as defending champion.

“I think of this tournament as preparation for the Canadian Junior Girls and it will also give me more confidence for bigger tournaments this season,” added Park.

NextGen Pacific Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Girls Championship

*Top 8 plus ties qualify

In the Junior Boys Division, Wilson led after an opening round of 5-under 67 on Thursday. Joshua Ince of Surrey, B.C. found himself atop the leaderboard after Friday, firing a 5-under 67 of his own that moved him to 7-under for the tournament and two shots ahead of Wilson heading into Saturday’s final round. Both players were paired together on Saturday and Wilson started to pull away thanks in large part to recording two eagles on his first nine holes (playing back to front) on 13 and 18, both par five’s. Wilson continued his hot streak with three straight birdies on the front nine before back-to-back double bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes reducing his lead to just one over Ince.

Both players exchanged pars on the seventh and eighth holes and closed with birdies, giving Wilson the championship at 8-under (67-72-69), one shot better than Ince.

“I chipped in twice for eagle, it was a bit of an up-and-down round, a lot of good shots, a lot of bad shots. That eagle on 18 really got me going to make three (birdies) in a row and hit some great shots. The double on five just kind of happened and then another one but I didn’t get mad, it just happens and I just grinded it out. It was definitely nerve wracking the last four holes,” said Wilson.

The win ensures that Wilson has secured his spot along with seven others in the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO taking place August 13-16 at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta.

“It means a lot, it’s my last year as a Junior and I’m off to school after Canadian Juniors and it will be my last junior tournament so just being able to play in that and give myself a chance to win a national title,” added Wilson.

NextGen Pacific Championship – Advancing to Canadian Junior Boys Championship

*Top 8 players qualify

The 54-hole stroke play competition began on Thursday, May 2. After 36 holes, the field was cut to the top 50 Junior Boys and top 20 Junior Girls, including ties. The starting field featured 155 male and female competitors – 111 Junior Boys and 44 Junior Girls – vying for spots into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer.

The next stop on the NextGen Championship is schedule is next week at Fire Rock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. for the NextGen Ontario Championship.

For the final leaderboard from the NextGen Pacific Championship, click here.

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.

QUITO, Ecuador – With Stuart Macdonald winning the Diners Club Perú Open this past Sunday and Matthew Anderson claiming the 69th ECP Brazil Open a week earlier, Canadian players are on the rise in the early stages of the race for the Fortinet Cup.

Anderson, who followed his win with a share of the 18th spot in Peru, improved his point total to 696 to remain the PGA TOUR Americas No.1 player for the second consecutive week. Meanwhile, Macdonald rose from 22nd to third in the standings with a 613-point total.

“There’s a lot to play for every week and this is a big step forward,” said the 29-year-old Macdonald after his two-shot win Sunday at Los Inkas Golf Club, where he earned 500 Fortinet Cup points.

Through four events played this season, there are seven Canadian players currently inside the top 60 who would secure exempt status for the North America Swing that follows the six-event Latin America Swing. The other Canadians behind Anderson and Macdonald are Joey Savoie (18th), Lawren Rowe (35th), Thomas Giroux (39th), Jeevan Sihota (47th) and Jimmy Jones (50th).

“Golf Canada has done an unbelievable job developing all of our players. As you can see, every year we’ve got more and more players on the PGA TOUR, the Korn Ferry Tour, and this tour. There’s a lot of Canadian depth and a lot of that we can attribute to Golf Canada and its coaching staff,” added Macdonald about the current state of Canadian golf across the PGA TOUR-sanctioned tours.

The one player between the leading Canadians is Mexico’s José de Jesús Rodríguez, who tied for fifth in Peru and is second on Tour with a 657-point total. The 43-year-old veteran will not be playing this week’s event at Quito Tennis & Golf Club.

Aside from Macdonald, the other big Fortinet Cup move was made by Wisconsin native Samuel Anderson. Coming off a tie for sixth at the 69th ECP Brazil Open, the 25-year-old gave Macdonald a run for his money late on Sunday.

“(I) didn’t play my best, but I kind of hung in there and hit some awesome shots coming down the stretch, which was great,” said Anderson about his play Sunday in Lima. “I mean, I hit an awesome shot on 16 and I even gave myself a look on 17, which is a super tough par 3. I’m happy with how I played overall and I’m looking forward to Ecuador.”

The solo second finish earned Anderson 300 Fortinet Cup points and allowed him to move from 17th to fifth in the standings. Anderson was ranked 55th before his last two starts.

Finishing only a shot behind Anderson, Argentina’s Julián Etulain was the top Latin performer in Peru. His tie for third at Los Inkas Golf Club was his second third-place finish of the season. It allowed him to defend his position as No. 8 in the standings.

“I’m happy to keep adding points to my tally,” said the 35-year-old Etulain. “Hopefully, we can keep playing well these next two weeks to make the Latin Swing top 2 and secure a (Korn Ferry Tour) card for next year.”

The KIA Open, which is set to begin Thursday at the Quito Tennis & Golf Club in Quito, Ecuador, is the fifth event of the 2024 PGA TOUR Americas season and one of just two events left to play in the Latin America Swing.

Fortinet Cup Points List Top 10

Through 4 of 16 events

155 of Canada’s top junior golfers to compete over 54 holes at hidden gem in the Okanagan Valley with exemptions into the
Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships on the line.

Golf Canada’s 2024 championship season kicks off on Thursday, May 2, at Summerland Golf and Country Club in Summerland, B.C. with the NextGen Pacific Championship.

The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Wednesday, May 1, and championship rounds beginning on Thursday, May 2. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 50 Junior Boys and top 20 Junior Girls, including ties, for the final round which wraps up on Saturday, May 4.

The starting field will feature 155 male and female competitors – 111 Junior Boys and 44 Junior Girls – vying for a spot into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer. Among those competing in Summerland include, 2023 Canadian Junior Girls champion, Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. and 2023 NextGen Pacific Boys champion, Jerry Li.

The top eight players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, August 13-16, at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta. The top eight players (including ties) in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2024 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, July 22-25, at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver.

Summerland Golf and Country Club is considered a hidden gem in the Okanagan Valley. The course is located on Paradise Flats and offers a contrast in layout between the front and back nines. The front nine features a combination of links style as well as tree lined holes on a relatively flat terrain. The back nine features a grove of Ponderosa Pines with rolling fairways, elevation changes and undulating greens with five holes skirting the large Trout Creek Canyon.

“The Summerland Golf & Country Club is excited to host the 2024 NextGen Pacific Championship,” said Jason Sweeney, General Manager, Summerland Golf and Country Club. “Our membership has always promoted junior golf initiatives and have embraced hosting the elite players in the NextGen field. Welcome to the Okanagan and best of luck in the event.”

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Pacific Championship, click here.

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.

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.

Ivan, Sandhills Golf & Country Club, Hole #17

Got one! On hole #17 at Sandhills, Ontario last fall.

Trish Ross, Hemet Golf Course, Hole #7

I got a hole-in-one on hole #7 at Hemet Golf Course in Hemet, California on November 24th, 2023. I used a 5 hybrid and the yardage was 127 yards. This was my second hole-in-one, what makes this funny is my first hole-in-one was at Lacombe Golf Course in Lacombe, Alberta on hole #7 which is also a par 3!

Phil Rebus, Cove Cay Country Club, Hole #12

My ace took place at the Cove Cay Golf Club in Clearwater, Florida on the par 3, hole #12 late in the afternoon on March 23, 2024. I was playing with my wife Stephanie and two gentlemen from Chicago, Mark and Scott. I hit a pitching wedge from 122 yards, which turned out to be a one hopper that ended up in the jug. Because of the pin position (just behind a front bunker) and green elevation I did not see the shot go in, however a man on a neighbouring tee let out a cheer and walked over to shake my hand. I couldn’t believe my ball had gone in, but after walking up to the green we found the ball mark approximately two feet in front of the hole and my ball in the cup.

Carmen Auciello, Blackmoor Golf Club, Hole #15

The hole was playing 153 yards, slightly downwind. I hit a 9 iron that was right at it the whole time and basically one bounced into the hole! It was a surreal moment and was a great way to end our golf trip to Myrtle Beach. I was playing with Jim Schmidt, Glenn Crisp and Derek Haughton. Was a lot of fun.

David Dischiavi, Cherry Downs, Hole #6

I was playing with my buddy Evangelos (Evange) Bethanis, he’s a Golf Canada member as well. The hole is listed at 170 yards, I gunned it at 157 and used an 8 iron. If you want a few more details it was into the wind with a big of a push off the right, little baby draw and it rolled in. The group in front of us heard the pin shake and walked to the green and saw it in the cup.

Dan White, Whistle Bear Golf Club, Hole #14

My second round at the club this year after opening on Friday, I was playing with two good friends; Michael Dixon and Ryan Smyth on a mid Sunday morning round. The wind is regularly gusty at Whistle Bear Golf Club, and as we reached the par 3, hole #14, my playing partners lasered the flag at 155 yards with a good wind into us from the left. The pin located in the middle to back left on the green with the hole not visible in the landing area. I hit a 7 iron left over the green side bunkers watching the wind drift it back towards the flag, not knowing what happened after it landed. As we walked up, the group in front of us walked over the hill from the 15th tee shouting we think that went in. In disbelief, Mike gets there ahead of me and checks the hole and confirms it, my ball is in the hole, for my first hole-in-one!

Jeff Gossack, Deer Creek, Hole #8

I’ve been playing golf since 1975 starting from when I was a junior at the old Green Valley golf course in Saint Monique, Quebec. I have been moved on to play golf at Cedarbrook Golf and Country Club for two years and then Hillsdale Golf & Country Club for 22 years. I am currently now a member of Elm Ridge Golf and Country Club in Ile Bizard, Quebec for the last three years. Where I’m currently a member of our senior intersectional team. Believe it or not, it took me 60 and a half years to finally enjoy the moment of making my first hole-in-one. I have literally been on the lips several times, hit sticks, rolled over the hole countless times. But it never dropped. Even my sister, who didn’t take the game seriously has actually had a hole-in-one. So you can imagine, the excitement to finally get the proverbial monkey off my back.

It happened at my home course in Florida, which I’m a member at. Which is Deer Creek Golf Club in Deerfield, Florida on hole #8 par 3. Playing 156 yards into the wind that day and I had a 7 iron. At this point in my career, I probably would’ve taken a lucky bounce or a skulled duff. But to my amazement, it actually was an absolute gorgeous shot. I was playing with my good buddy Jerry Marcus who actually lives in New Jersey. As well as two other members of deer Creek, a gentleman named Joe, also from New Jersey, and Ron from parkland down here in Florida. Hope you will share my story with other golf enthusiasts. To never give up Faith in this wonderful game as everybody will eventually get an outstanding moment to cherish if they just keep at it.

Jay Kembhavi, Cordova Bay Golf Course, Hole #6

It was a beautiful Spring morning in Victoria at the superb Cordova Bay Golf Course. My playing partners were Lorraine Cooper – Morton, Mike Morton and Barry Greenwood. The magical moment happened on hole #6 which has an elevated green. If I remember, it was 136 yards, slope adjusted. I hit a 6 iron, saw it roll to the pin and disappeared. I thought it had rolled in, as did my playing companions but because it’s an elevated green, we weren’t 100% sure till we walked up and confirmed the ball (a Red Srixon) was indeed in the cup. The Marshall, Brad Johnston happened to be at the green and saw what happened. That’s when we really celebrated! Brad of course immediately spread the word around and I got several congratulatory messages from all the wonderful staff at the club and other members who know me. Pretty memorable day especially since it was my very first ace and was very happy to share it with my friends.

Adam Gognavec, Legends On The Niagara, Hole #17

Hey Golf Canada! The hole-in-one was actually on Saturday the 20th! It was awesome, was 162 yards to the flag. There was an 82km/h wind gust that day so I hit a flighted 8 iron right at it, it landed about five yards short and rolled in like a putt. I was playing with two of my good buddies Troy and Christian. The group in front of us was my brother and his buddies and they heard our reaction to it dropping! It was my third hole-in-one but the feeling still doesn’t go away.

Anthony Francella, Hawks Landing Golf Club, Hole #13

I was down in Florida for an annual golf trip with the boys. Eight of us go down to play and get the rust off before the golfing season gets into full gear in Ontario. That day I was playing with John, Kenny and Darryl. The yardage was 149 yards and I hit a perfect 9 iron right at the flag. From the tee, we couldn’t tell where the ball ended up, however we knew it was close. When getting up to the green, the ball was nowhere to be seen. We’ve all had that anticipation before, could it be in the hole? I ran up to check the cup and screamed when I saw my ball in the bottom.

Elton Weston, Fort Langley Golf Course, Hole #5

I was playing our Saturday league with Rob Dahlseide, Rob Mitchell and Bryan Martyniuk. The hole was cut on the front of the green about 84 yards from the tee I hit a choked down sand wedge.

Geoff Phillips, Glacier Greens Golf Club, Hole #12

Thanks for the congratulations on my lucky hole-in-one on April 3. The hole was #12 at Glacier Greens in Comox B.C. It was 96 yards and I hit a pitching wedge. My playing partners were Mick Hewson, Paul McRoberts and Mike Maddocks. The goofy toothless smile was from the dentist the day before, all in all a very enjoyable day.

Michael Coulthard, Gallagher’s Canyon, Hole #5

I was playing with my usual Wednesday night foursome at Gallaghers Pinnacle, Tom, Brian and Roger (sub for Frank partying in Vegas haha). We’ve been playing regular Wednesday nights here since the course opened in 1996. It’s a nine hole course so I register back nine scores to reflect blue tee distance. It was playing about 105 yards and I hit a 54° wedge. It was my second hole-in-one at the Pinnacle (fourth career), both Tom and Brian have been with me for three of the four. The last two (2016 and 2020) were to elevated greens so we didn’t get to see them drop, it was nice to watch this one roll in.

Ryan McColl, The Oaks Golf & Country Club, Hole #15

My son Wesley and I are proud members of our amazing club “The Oaks Golf & Country Club” in Delaware, Ontario. This season my son and I said, “This year one of us will get a hole-in-one on hole #15 our signature par 3 island hole.” On Monday, April 23, a beautifully lit evening, the camera rolled, and it happened! We were stunned, screaming, laughing, and celebrating when we fell to the ground, and I may have broken my thumb! We go back for more x-rays on Monday. We got it all on video, hole #15, par 3, 123 yards. We got you hole #15! The crazy thing is this is my sixth hole-in-one and fifth at The Oaks but the best one ever because it was with my son and our first together! So blessed! #memoryforlife

Andrea Mounce-Halasz, Chester Golf Club, Hole #8

123 yards

4 hybrid

July 12, 2023

Evan Walz, Furry Creek, Hole #14

I was playing with fellow golfer and friend Mark Warren. I was visiting him in Vancouver for a week of golf (our golfing season in Yellowknife won’t start for another week or two). In fact, we weren’t even supposed to play that day because of rain. We decided at the last minute to take a chance on what looked like a changing forecast and play the round later in the day. The front nine wasn’t great. It was still wet and cold. At the turn we had a ‘Happy Gilmore’ toast and, surprise, the sun came out!

Anyway, the shot came on hole #14. The yardage was 165; I used a 7 iron. It was into the sun/sea so we lost the ball in the air. I actually thought I was short and hit rocks/lost the ball, so I hit a provisional. The provisional was short and right. I chipped it close, then went over to look for what I thought was my lost first ball. Mark putted his eight footer out for a birdie then went to retrieve his ball from the hole when he made the discovery! 

We celebrated a bit and finished the round. I went into the pro shop and talked with staff there about it. They said it was pretty cool that I made a hole-in-one on that particular hole as it’s one of the signature holes for the golf course. They also offered to send me some sort of a certificate, outlining the achievement with all the details, etc. I have yet to receive it, but I’m looking forward to getting it. I’ve also kept the ball and the card in the hopes of having something framed to commemorate the once in a lifetime event.

I’ve been playing golf my whole life and this is the first time I’ve ever managed a hole-in-one! I’ve come close, but never actually made it. I guess doing so on this course, on their signature hole, makes it even more special!

OTTAWA, Canada – The National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) is an industry coalition consisting of the five national golf associations in Canada – Golf Canada; National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) Canada; the Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC); Professional Golfers Association of Canada (PGA of Canada); and the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA).

Each association represents a unique sector of the golf industry – its purpose is to advocate as a single voice about issues that affect golfers and golf businesses, and subsequently their employee groups, and related stakeholders. Since 2011, NAGA has executed an annual lobby day, referred to as National Golf Day, as an event to highlight the positive virtues of Canadian golf and build relationships with key legislative decision-makers both federally and provincially.

NAGA is delighted to advise that after a four-year pause due to COVID-19, we will again be conducting the annual National Golf Day initiative on May 22-23, 2024, with a press conference on Parliament Hill, followed by targeted advocacy meetings with MPs and Senators in Ottawa.

Golf: Many Benefits

Golf flourished during the pandemic as the nature of the sport easily allowed for social distancing while delivering a social recreation experience for both avid and new players . Several clubs now have waitlists due to the increased interest in golf as more people took up the sport when travel or other recreational activities were adversely impacted. Post-COVID, golf enthusiasts have continued their renewed (or new) interest in the sport because of its many benefits, whether health, mental, or social.

Current data suggests that hundreds of thousands of participants have entered the sport in recent years, totaling nearly six million golfers in Canada, just under 20% of the entire Canadian population. New golfers are increasingly likely to be female with active women golfers growing by 6% in 2023 vs 2022. New golfers are also ever more likely to be BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) as evidenced by a 33% lift in BIPOC active golfers in 2023 vs 2022.

Economic Impact Study

Complementary to the advocacy work of NAGA, the coalition conducts an economic impact study every five years to measure the financial, employment, charitable, tourism and environmental impact that the sport and the business of golf contributes to communities across Canada. The survey was executed in February 2024 and the results will be released just prior to National Golf Day 2024. The study will highlight economic insights for each of the 10 provinces and three territories from coast-to-coast.

Given that this study will be the first since COVID and the interest spike that followed, NAGA anticipates the results to be dramatically different than prior years.

Call to Action

In the lead-up to National Golf Day 2024, NAGA invites its association members to encourage your networks to get involved in the sport, whether that be playing a round of golf, experience family time at your local course, introducing a new player to the game, taking a lesson, or enjoying a meal at your local course clubhouse.

NAGA stakeholders are encouraged to consider running a special National Golf Day promotion to support the day and join in the wonderful momentum that golf is currently experiencing.

Sincerely,

National Allied Golf Associations

National Golf Course Owners Association Canada

Daniel Pilon, President
Jeff Calderwood, CEO + Chair, NAGA

The Club Management Association of Canada

Jana-Lyn Fairbairn, CCM, President
Suzanne Godbehere, CEO

Golf Canada

David McCarthy, President
Laurence Applebaum, CEO

Canadian Golf Superintendents Association

John McLinden, AGS, President
Kathryn Wood, CEO

Professional Golfers Association of Canada

Scott Kolb, PGA, President
Kevin Thistle, CEO

Stuart Macdonald won the Diners Club Peru Open on Sunday after carding a 1-under 71 in the final round. Macdonald climbs into the No. 3 spot in the Fortinet Cup season-long standings after securing his second career PGA TOUR-sanctioned win at Los Inkas Golf Club.

This is the second time Macdonald has been victorious in Peru. As an amateur, the Vancouver native won the 29th Lima Golf Club International Amateur Championship in 2017. Macdonald is the first Canadian to win the Diners Club Peru Open since it became a PGA TOUR Sanctioned event in 2012. 

Prior to 2024, Macdonald was one of the most consistent performers on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica in 2023. Macdonald did not miss the cut and only finished outside of the top-25 once in eight starts, including a T14 finish at the 2023 Diners Club Peru Open.

Macdonald carried that momentum to PGA TOUR Canada in 2023. In six starts, Macdonald finished with three top-20 finishes and only missed the cut once. Macdonald’s best finish came at the 2023 Commissionaires Ottawa Open, where he defeated Devon Bling and Luke Schniederjans in a playoff to claim his first PGA TOUR-sanctioned win. Macdonald picked up a second top-5 finish at the 2023 Windsor Championship, where he finished T2.

Prior to turning professional in 2017, the Vancouver native starred at Purdue University from 2012-2016. Macdonald ended his career with the 14th best scoring average in Purdue program history and finished fourth on the team in top-10’s his senior year with four.

Macdonald is expected to be in the field at the Kia Open, the fifth event of the Latin America Swing, which will be hosted at the Quito Tenis y Golf Club from May 2-5 in Quito, Ecuador.

Securing the win with your Dad right beside you on the bag.
Nothing like it ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qtvuwJxOQL

— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 28, 2024

DULUTH, Ga. — Stephen Ames celebrated his 60th birthday with a successful title defense in the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, closing with a 5-under 67 on Sunday for his eighth PGA Tour Champions victory.

A stroke behind Paul Broadhurst after matching the tournament record Saturday with a 64, Ames had two eagles in the final round. He won by four strokes, finishing at 14-under 202 at TPC Sugarloaf for his record third victory in the event.

Broadhurst, the 58-year-old Englishman coming off a victory last week in the Invited Celebrity Classic, closed with a 72 to tie for second with Doug Barron (69). K.J. Choi (70) and Steven Alker (71) were 9 under.

Ames became the first multiple winner this year on the tour, also taking the Chubb Classic in February. He has six victories in his last 29 starts after winning twice in his first 175 — the first at TPC Sugarloaf in 2017 — on the 50-and-over tour. A naturalized Canadian citizen from Trinidad and Tobago, Ames won four times on the PGA Tour.

Ames opened with a birdie on the par-4 first, eagled the par-5 sixth and par-4 13th and birdied the par-4 14th. He bogeyed the par-4 15th and 17th and birdied the par-5 18th.

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