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.

Cynthia Watada, Burlington Springs, Hole #12

– Burlington Springs Golf Club

– Hole #12, par 3, 129 yards, 6 hybrid

– Happened on Sunday March 31, 2024

• Foursome of my friends Brian, Zak and Marie and I

Marcello Pavan, Fraserview Public, Hole #7

I am a member of the Men’s Club at the Vancouver’s Fraserview municipal golf course. We were playing the opening day of the 2024 season on Saturday, March 30, a best three out of four,  four man team game. My partners were fellow Men’s Club members Tony Aquino, Don Neville and Darren Trach.

We teed off at 9:10, with me arriving at the course just five minutes before that! I ran to the first tee and teed off straight away. After a disastrous opening snowman (no kidding), I settled down. Hole #7 is usually a long par 3, with huge bunkers shielding the left front half of the green. On that day the tees were up, to about 165 yards from the hole, which was cut well over to the centre-right. I took aim to more-or-less the middle of the green, to the right of the front bunker, about 5-10 yards left of the hole, with my 4 hybrid to hopefully ensure I cleared it even with a miss hit. Well, I did miss hit it a little to the right, directly at the flag. It landed about 10 or so yards short and rolled directly to the hole. I was thinking, “hHey, this could be a KP for me” when it suddenly disappeared. My distance vision isn’t the best with those glasses, so my first thought was, “It didn’t go over the back did it?” Then I heard my group screaming, I looked back incredulously, then again at the hole, and then the adrenaline hit.

What a feeling. Surreal, out of body. Not at all what I dreamed it would be like. I tried to keep it together to not gloat in front of my mates, but they were more excited that I was!

The best part? Yes, there is a best part after that – I kept it going, draining three birdies on the day (happened maybe once before in my life) including two on the harder back nine, to shoot a career round for an eight under net. I was buzzing after the ace and really really didn’t want to mess up the rest of the round to ruin it, and it is supremely gratifying to have kept it together.

Ellen Wallace, Big Horn Golf Club, Hole #8

Ellen Wallace had a hole-in-one on March 18 at Big Horn Golf Club in Palm Desert on the Mountains Course hole #8 using a 8 iron. Ellen made this during The Big Deal Golf tournament at her home course. I was excited to watch it go in and this was her second hole-in-one! We were playing nine hole matches, happy to say we won that hole! Way to go Ellen.

Allan Coldwells, Fort Langley Golf Course, Hole #17

I had made this shot hundreds of times before in the past 17 years but have never landed closer. It is hole #17 at the Fort Langley Golf Course and the hole has an elevated tee to a relatively round green surrounded by deciduous trees. In this case the distance was 93 yards so I took out the pitching wedge and made the shot of my life. It was a slight right to left draw shot that landed 15 inches below the hole and rolled up the slope and to my amazement into the hole. It was witnessed by my playing partners that Saturday afternoon which were Les Calder, Darryl Rankin and Calvin Enders.

 

Lynne Yule, Nanaimo Golf Club, Hole #8

Yes, March 26 was an exciting day! We were playing in our 18 hole Tuesday ladies league, with my playing partners – Wanda Cullen, Wanda Cox and Catherine Deutscher. Hole #8 was 112 yards uphill, and I used my 5 iron. We knew two of us landed on the green but when we walked up to the green, only one ball was there. We looked around the edges of the green, then is was suggested to look into the hole and there was my ball.

Liam Bracken, Copetown Woods, Hole #11

Carded my first ever hole-in-one yesterday at Copetown Woods on hole #11. I am a Golf Canada member and always record my score on my app while playing. Playing 174 yards, I hit my 7 iron and two hopped the ball into the hole. Just a couple hours before the eclipse.

Brenda Lemky, Indian Canyons Golf Resort, Hole #4

On January 15, 2024 while golfing at Indian Canyons Golf Resort, where I am a member during the winter months. I was able to score two hole-in-ones in the same day, same round. The staff at the golf course contacted local news paper and a lovely lady, Kendall Balchan, from the Palm Springs Post contacted me and we had an interview. During the summer months I’m a member at Rivers Edge Golf Club in Okotoks, Alberta. As an avid golfer, I hope to inspire all levels of golfers to never think that getting your first hole-in-one isn’t going to happen to them as I did. Out of the blue it happened to me and the second was overwhelming and exhilarating. Never give up and first and foremost enjoy every moment of participating in an activity you love.

Golf Canada is honoured to recognize the winners of its National Facility Awards for Junior Golf presented by Humi from the 2023 season.

The National Facility Awards for Junior Golf is a program designed to acknowledge the crucial contribution of golf facilities and academies to the growth of young golfers throughout Canada. These awards celebrate the facilities that have notably influenced the progression of junior golf within their local communities throughout the 2023 season.

“The 2023 season produced another outstanding number of facilities that are offering exceptional support of junior golf in Canada,” said Laurence Applebaum, Golf Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “The National Facility Awards for Junior Golf is a program that sets out to recognize the role that facilities and academies play in growing and developing junior golf athletes. Promoting golf engagement while cultivating Canada’s future generation of elite athletes are integral aspects of Golf Canada’s mission. We extend our sincere gratitude to all facilities across Canada that champion and prioritize junior golf in their communities, and we eagerly anticipate the honour of recognizing our 2023 award winners.”

The winners and finalists of the National Facility Awards for Junior Golf will be officially recognized at the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony on Tuesday, May 28 during the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

The 2023 winners and finalists of the National Facility Awards for Junior Golf are:

Junior Golf Opportunity Award

Awarded to the facility that provides exceptional access and membership opportunities for junior golfers. Special consideration is given to facilities with strong non-family sponsored junior programs and facilities with fundraising programs that help athletes compete at provincial, national, and international competitions.

Winner: Sawmill Golf Club (Fenwick, Ontario)

Finalist: Revelstoke Golf Club (Revelstoke, British Columbia)

Finalist: Tangle Creek Golf Club (Thornton, Ontario)

Finalist: River Hills Golf & Country Club (Clyde River, Nova Scotia)

Grassroots Junior Program of the Year

Awarded to a facility or academy program that is excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming.

Winner: Deep River Golf Club (Deep River, Ontario)

Finalist: Lakewood Golf Resort (Sylvan Lake, Alberta)

Competitive Junior Program of the Year

Awarded to a facility or academy program with many junior athletes competing in provincial and national championships and earning strong results in those championships.

Winner: Royal Ottawa Golf Club (Gatineau, Quebec)

Tournament Host of the Year

Awarded to a facility that gives back to youth golf by embracing the opportunity to host junior competitions. The facility creates an excellent tournament experience for players and involves the local community through volunteers and fundraising support.

Winner: South Muskoka Curling & Golf Club (Bracebridge, Ontario)

Youth on Course Program Location of the Year

Awarded to the facility that hosted the largest number of Youth on Course rounds in the calendar year.

Winner: Shaganappi Point Golf Course (Calgary, Alberta)

First Tee – Canada Program Location of the Year

Awarded to a First Tee – Canada program location that demonstrates excellent enrollment in First Tee programming and makes a significant impact on growing participation among youth within its community.

Winner: Fraserview Golf Course (Vancouver, British Columbia)

Nomination and Selection process

From September 1 to October 31, 2023, all individual members and facility members of Golf Canada were able to nominate facilities for each award category.

All nominations were reviewed and feedback about nominees was provided by members of the Golf Industry Advisory Council, Sport Committee, and Amateur Championships Committee. Final award selections were made by Golf Canada staff.

Nominations for the 2024 National Facility Awards for Junior Golf are expected to open in September 2024.

Nick Taylor is happy to be getting a Mulligan on his first Masters appearance.

The Abbotsford, B.C., native made his one and only appearance at Augusta National Golf Club in 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Masters was held in November that year, there were no fans and players could only have one person in the bubble with them at the course.

Taylor will tee it up at the first major of the men’s golf season on Thursday but, this time, his whole family will be there and he’ll be able to soak in the “true” Augusta experience.

“A lot of my early experiences of watching golf, like Mike Weir winning the Masters in 2003, I watched that with my dad and my brother in the basement,” said Taylor from his home in Arizona. “The Masters always felt like the start of the golf year back home in Canada. 

“So for everyone to be at the Masters will be very, very, very special.”

Taylor was particularly excited to have his children participate in the Par 3 contest, a Masters tradition where the golfers play the short course with their families and their get kids decked out in Augusta’s distinctive all-white caddie coveralls. His four-year-old son Charlie and 11-month-old daughter Harper had already been fitted for theirs.

“I think just the whole experience of the week, to be there and have it be a quote-unquote normal Masters will be something I’ve obviously looked forward to ever since I began playing golf,” said Taylor. “After 2020 was one of those where I hoped it wasn’t my only experience but, obviously, you never know, so being able to say that I’ve had two very distinctly different Masters experiences will be pretty cool.”

Another highlight of the Masters experience is getting to play alongside Weir, from Brights Grove, Ont., the only Canadian to win the Masters or any men’s major. 

They were grouped together in 2020 and played a practice round together with Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., and Adam Hadwin, also from Abbotsford. Canada’s PGA Tour players often practice together before events and, as usual, it became an East vs. West event on Tuesday. 

Weir reported that the Ontarian pairing of he and Conners beat out the Abbotsford boys.

“We had a great time. Always fun for me to catch up with the guys. I only get to see them a couple times a year,” said Weir, who is the International Team’s captain for this year’s Presidents Cup. “I’ll see them a little bit more now because I’m travelling out to a few more events, but yeah, always fun.”

Another thing that has changed since Taylor’s last Masters appearance is Taylor’s FedEx Cup ranking. He qualified in 2020 after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February of that year, but has moved way up the standings thanks to winning the RBC Canadian Open in June and the WM Phoenix Open in February. 

He’s now the top-ranked Canadian on the PGA Tour, sitting 13th in the FedEx Cup standings.

“I would say early in 2020, my game was rounding into really nice form, after winning Pebble and getting some confidence going,” said Taylor. “It’s easy to see years later, but you know, the COVID stretch where I was quarantined a bit back in Canada, bouncing back and forth, my game kind of deteriorated over that time and took some time to claw my way back.

“I do feel like now I’m better than ever. I feel like I’m a different player than I was three and a half years ago when I was there.”

SiriusXM Canada announced as title partner of concert series at the
2024 RBC Canadian Open.

Toronto, April 10, 2024 – Golf Canada is pleased to announce a new partnership that welcomes SiriusXM Canada as the title sponsor of the SiriusXM Concert Series at the RBC Canadian Open.

Four-time JUNO Award winning Canadian legends Our Lady Peace will be the headliner on Friday, May 31 followed by 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards, ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’, Josh Ross on Saturday, June 1 as part of Canada’s National Open Championship returning to the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club, May 28 to June 2, 2024.

Hosted by SiriusXM Canada in partnership with Live Nation Canada and Golf Canada, the two-night onsite concert series will shine a spotlight on Canadian talent and artists. Additional headlining artists will be announced for both nights of the SiriusXM Concert Series at the RBC Canadian Open in the coming weeks.

“Spotlighting Canadian talent while bringing fans closer to the music, sports and entertainment they love is something we do through our service every day,” said Rob Keen, SVP, Sales & Marketing, SiriusXM Canada. “Our ongoing partnership with Golf Canada allows us to bring two of our biggest content pillars together: music and sports, elevating the entertainment experience, and making it richer and more vibrant.  This year, we’re proud to expand our relationship with Golf Canada by sponsoring the SiriusXM Concert Series, and we are so excited to showcase these artists to new fans, and to create some unforgettable moments.”

Our Lady Peace has been entertaining fans since forming in Toronto in 1992. The band has sold over five million albums, won four JUNO Awards and 10 Much Music Video Awards (MMVA), making them one of the MMVA’s most awarded artists. 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of their debut album “Naveed”, and the 25th anniversary of their third album “Happiness…Is Not A Fish You Can Catch”. Our Lady Peace’s No. 1 hits in Canada include, “Naveed,” “Superman’s Dead,”, “Clumsy,” “Innocent,” “Somewhere Out There,” and “Angels Losing Sleep.”

“The RBC Canadian Open is a world class event. Our Lady Peace is proud to be part of it and look forward to performing at the upcoming tournament,” said Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida.

Rising star Josh Ross originally from Burlington, Ont. who now resides in Nashville, made his debut on the country music scene in 2019. He recently released Complicated, on March 29, 2024, an extended play (EP) that includes singles, “Trouble” and “Single Again.” Ross has several other platinum-certified singles including, “Ain’t Doin’ Jack” and “Trouble” and was a SiriusXM Top of the Country Top 3 finalist in 2022. Last year, Ross won ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’ at the 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards. Ross has toured with Bailey Zimmerman, Lee Brice, Nickelback, and Brantley Gilbert.

In addition to the SiriusXM Concert Series at the RBC Canadian Open, spectators will enjoy a week-long festival atmosphere at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, highlighted by, The Rink, located at the 13th Hole along with a variety of food and patio experiences at The Fare Way featuring The Keg.

“Live music entertainment has become a staple of the RBC Canadian Open. Fans are in-store for world-class golf followed by incredible performances from two award winning Canadian headline acts,” said Bryan Crawford, tournament director, RBC Canadian Open.

Tickets for Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 include full day access to the tournament and the SiriusXM Concert Series. The concert grounds will be located near admissions and The Fareway featuring The Keg at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. To purchase tickets to the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, please visit RBCCanadianOpen.com/tickets/.

Multi-year partnership includes sponsorship of Golf Canada’s National Open Championships
and support of Golf Canada Member Facilities across the country.

Golf Canada and Humi announced a multi-year integrated partnership that will see Humi become the official payroll, human resources, and benefits partner of Golf Canada.

The partnership extends across Golf Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open. In addition, Humi will become the inaugural Presenting Partner of Golf Canada’s National Facility Awards for Junior Golf.

“Golf Canada is proud to announce this multifaceted partnership with Humi, aimed at elevating numerous initiatives to foster inclusive and diverse opportunities throughout the golf season,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO, Golf Canada. “We have integrated the Humi platform into our People and Culture operation and look forward to their enhanced impact on Canadian golf.”

Humi will also become the presenting partner of the Lodge Hospitality Suites at both the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open. In this capacity, Humi will elevate the experience for all corporate hospitality guests within these exclusive spaces.

Humi’s partnership position will extend to support the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, an annual summit during the CPKC Women’s Open that engages influential leaders from both the business and sports world. The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit embodies Humi’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and empowerment, by featuring impactful speakers with diverse perspectives on topics such as diversity of thought and women in leadership positions.

“Humi is committed to supporting Canadian businesses, which is why we’re thrilled to partner with Golf Canada – a leading Canadian organization and valued client. They do amazing work to support the spirit of golf for all Canadians, as well as a network of golf courses across the country, which serve as the bedrock of the sport. We look forward to working together with Golf Canada to support hard working Canadians from coast to coast,” said Kevin Kliman, CEO of Humi.

Founded in 2016, Humi launched as a simple cloud-based web app that stored employee data. Today, Humi has become the best all-in-one people operations software solution for Canadian businesses. Creating safe and inclusive environments that embrace diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and opinions remains a core value at Humi. As a part of this commitment, Humi’s partnership will focus on enhancing experiences at Golf Canada’s events that foster inclusive experiences and environments for all.

Through their expertise in people operations solutions, Humi will provide additional support to Golf Canada member golf clubs and facilities via best-practice resources and relevant industry case studies. In addition, their support will extend into the Golf Canada Facility Awards for Junior Golf presented by Humi, with a donation of $1,000 to each winning facility to be invested back into junior golf initiatives. More details on the program can be found here www.golfcanada.ca/national-facility-awards-for-junior-golf/.

Golf Canada Launches Season-Long Campaign That Highlights
The Many Health Benefits of The Sport

New Golf and Health campaign website along with Golf Canada mobile app enhancements to focus on the sport’s positive physical, mental, and social benefits for participants.

Golf Canada is highlighting the physical, mental, and social benefits that the sport can provide on Canadians through its brand-new Golf and Health campaign.

The campaign – Golf, It’s Good for You – launches this weekend leading into World Health Day April 7. All of the World Health Organization’s key criteria for health enhancing physical activity can be achieved through the sport of golf and Golf Canada is prioritizing communicating health as part of its strategic plan.

“We are proud to launch this campaign ahead of World Health Day to showcase the breadth and depth of mental, physical and social health benefits that the game of golf can provide for all participants,” said Tim McLaughlin, chief marketing officer with Golf Canada. “The campaign brings awareness to what Canadians think they know about golf with the many known health benefits they might not be aware of. We launched a website resource with the latest clinical research focused on golf and health. We are also working with golf clubs across the country to share this impact with golfers who are enjoying the game in record numbers. We have also made it easier for Canadians to track their health progress through new health tracking features and enhancements to our Golf Canada Mobile App.”

The Golf and Health campaign focuses on three key pillars: mental, physical, and social.

The mental benefits of golf include enhanced overall well-being, improved brain health, and helping to reduce the risk of dementia. Golf can also assist to boost confidence, promote increased focus and concentration, and help to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. Being out on the golf course can also help to slow down stress response and induces a feeling of calm.

As published in The R&A Golf and Health Report, and in addition to the mental benefits, the physical benefits of golf are undeniable. Research has shown that playing golf regularly can add five years to your life highlighted by the physical exercise, mental stimulation, and time spent outdoors while playing. As a physical activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, golf can also help to prevent or lessen the impact of over 40 different chronic illnesses including diabetes, cancer, along with heart attacks and stroke.

Golf is viewed as a moderately demanding form of exercise and is a great way to contribute to daily step goals. The average golfer walks 5,000 steps in a 9-hole round which is the equivalent of three to five kilometres. With nearly 2,300 golf courses in Canada including both public and private facilities, the sport is highly accessible and significant strides have been made in accessible technology to make the game more inclusive for the differently abled people of all ages.

The inherent social nature of the game is also an important factor in helping increase social well-being and is a great way to bond with old friends and meet new ones. It is a sport that welcomes families and partners to be active together and is also an effective way to network and build business relationships.

Operating as small businesses in communities across Canada, golf courses provide players of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to enjoy the game. Golf Canada is collaborating with the Provincial Associations to provide information and assets on the Golf and Health campaign to club operators across the country.

Golf Canada has launched a new website that highlights the benefits of the game including helpful resource information and articles – please visit health.golfcanada.ca to find out more.

The Golf Canada Mobile App continues to be the all-in-one place to track progress and connect with colleagues and friends. In support of the Golf and Health campaign, the app is providing significant health tracking enhancements to the golfer experience. In addition to tracking scores and stats, users can now gain valuable personal insights into how each round positively affects their health. New health stat features include number of steps, distance walked, stand time, calories burned, elevation gained and heart rate. Users will also be able to view health statistics over different periods of time all of which is private and secure within their profile. For more information on the Golf Canada Mobile App, please click here. To download on Apple devices click here, to download on Google Play devices, click here.

“Golf brings people together and has an incredible impact on our personal heath and well being,” added McLaughlin. “Whether through physical activity over a lifetime, mental health improvements or the wonderful social experience shared by family and friends, now is a great moment for the Golf and Health campaign to inspire golfers and new enthusiasts to consider the incredible impact that our sport is having on Canadians.”

The Golf, It’s Good for You campaign will run season long and be featured at Golf Canada championships and events including Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont. and the CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club Calgary, Alta.

Caledon, Ont. – The Fortinet Cup Championship, an annual PGA TOUR Americas event taking place at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, has selected First Tee – Canada as its Official Charitable Partner for 2024.

Part of a tradition that has seen PGA TOUR Americas events at TPC Toronto donate more than $300,000 to local charities since 2018, this year’s event will see proceeds go towards the Golf Canada Foundation, with First Tee – Canada programming as the charitable beneficiary. 

The Fortinet Cup Championship event week will also begin with a special First Tee – Canada Pro-Am Monday, September 8.

First Tee – Canada is a youth development program providing children with life-enhancing golf experiences, offering accessible and inclusive programming at golf courses, schools, and community centres, seeking to ensure that the sport of golf reflects the diversity of Canadians while promoting healthy choices through the game.

Operated by Golf Canada, the First Tee – Canada program has welcomed more than 100,000 youth participants since launching in 2020.

“First Tee – Canada plays such an important role in fostering the growth of golf in Canada, and we’re thrilled to partner with an organization that represents our shared values of promoting diversity and inclusion in the game,” said Tournament Director Brad Parkins. “We look forward to a successful partnership that will be additive to both the tournament and our community this season.”

“As the top cybersecurity vendor in Canada, Fortinet invests in community efforts and organizations that align with our corporate social responsibilities. We are glad to benefit First Tee – Canada this year, a local non-profit organization focusing on helping youth in their personal and athletic development,” said Marc Asturias, Vice President of Marketing and Government Vertical at Fortinet Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. “We’re continuing to drive innovation through our partnership with PGA TOUR Americas initiatives, which will ultimately benefit our customers, the local community, and non-profit organizations across Canada.”

TPC Toronto, which serves as the host organization for the Fortinet Cup Championship, has made a commitment to supporting the growth of golf through First Tee – Canada. In 2022, it announced alongside the Humeniuk family a $1M USD donation to the Golf Canada Foundation to power the advancement of First Tee – Canada, and the facility also serves as host to programming for First Tee – Canada’s Caledon chapter throughout each season.

“We look forward to continuing the momentum we have built over the past several years with First Tee – Canada, striving to provide all children across Canada with access to First Tee and positive experiences through golf,” said Adam Hunter, Golf Canada’s Director, Grow the Game. “Our gratitude goes out to TPC Toronto and the Fortinet Cup Championship for this opportunity to strengthen our growing relationship and reinforce our shared commitment to growing the game in Canada.”

The Fortinet Cup Championship is the 16th and final event on the 2024 PGA TOUR Americas schedule, where 10 future PGA TOUR stars will earn promotions to the Korn Ferry Tour. The event will be played on TPC Toronto’s newly renovated North course from September 2-8.

If Lauren Kim is intimidated by storied Augusta National Golf Club, it doesn’t show.

The 19-year-old collegiate golfer from Surrey, B.C., is the lone Canadian in the field at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur this week. She said that her strategy at the elite amateur event is to take the tournament one shot at a time, a strategy that paid off as she had an even-par 72 in Wednesday’s opening round.

Kim was in an 11-way tie for 29th, six shots behind leader Hannah Darling of Scotland.

“The biggest thing is to try and get up in the top 30 and make it to the weekend,” said Kim after her practice round on Tuesday. “But that’s not really going to be on my mind, I’m just going to focus on the shot ahead of me and try and stay present. That’s the most important thing.”

Kim won the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship on Aug. 4 to play at last year’s CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver. She also won the women’s individual stroke play championship at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup in the fourth playoff on Oct. 11.

Now a freshman on the University of Texas’s women’s golf team, Kim had a practice trip with her teammates where she got to play at Champions Retreat Golf Club, which hosts the first 36 holes of the event on Wednesday and Thursday. She also got to practice at Augusta National, which will host the final round on Saturday.

Kim said that visit helped her determine what she had to work on ahead of the event.

“I’d say a lot of shots around the greens, like short game, and it’s quite important to obviously try and hit the green but when you don’t hit the greens out here, you’ve got to make sure that you try and make the up and downs,” said Kim. “So still a lot of short game practice and putting as well.
“And some shots around the trees and some of the fairways here are a little narrow with the trees and the branches.”

Salimah Mussani, Golf Canada’s women’s head coach, is in Georgia with Kim and helped her through her official practice round on Tuesday. Mussani said that as good as Kim’s ball striking is, it’s her intellect that will see her through to the weekend.

“Her strength is her golf IQ,” said Mussani. “I think on this golf course, it’s very challenging, it’s a tough golf course, but her level of thinking her way around the golf course and managing her golf ball is going to be a real asset, especially in these first two rounds before the cut.”

That cerebral approach is why it’s so important for Kim to remain unfazed by one of golf’s most famous courses.

“She loves the big stage,” said Mussani. “She thrives in these types of situations, the Canadian Am and earlier this season the college event.
“She’s cut out for these types of things and thrives in them and really looks forward to them and looks at them as opportunities. It’s the right mindset, for sure.”

LPGA TOUR — Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., was sixth on the Race to CME Globe standings heading into the first round of the T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards on Wednesday. Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., was 130th on the LPGA Tour’s points list before play began at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.

PGA TOUR — Two-time Valero Texas Open champion Corey Conners returns to TPC San Antonio this week going for his third title at the event. Conners is the highest ranked Canadian in the field, sitting 47th on the FedEx Cup standings and the official world golf rankings. The product of Listowel, Ont., will be joined by Adam Svensson (78th) of Surrey, Ben Silverman (96th) of Thornhill, Ont., Taylor Pendrith (103rd) of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Roger Sloan (179th) of Merritt, B.C.

KORN FERRY TOUR — Edmonton’s Wil Bateman is ranked 15th on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour’s points list heading into this week’s Club Car Championship. He will be joined at the Landings Golf & Athletic Club by Etienne Papineau (30) of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que., Myles Creighton (37th) of Digby, N.S., Jared du Toit (68) of Kimberley, B.C., and Sudarshan Yellamaraju (122nd) of Mississauga, Ont.

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.

Penny Aston, Cimarron Golf Resort, Hole #10

March 7, 2024 was somewhat of an unusual day in Coachella Valley, Southern California as the wind was howling, gusting anywhere from 50 to 60 km/hour. When our ladies group, made up of many Snowbirds, teed off at the Cimarron Golf Resort, Palm Springs, on the par 3 Pebble Course, it was not particularly windy, but the wind grew increasingly challenging as the round progressed.

The Pebble Course meanders its way through what is called “The Wash”, which provides a place for run off from both the surrounding mountains and the city itself and which, when dry, is filled with dessert sand. My group was a threesome, including Darlene Sloan, Pam Generaux and myself. We, along with the other groups, were determined to complete the round even as the conditions worsened.

The ladies were chatting as I prepared to tee off on hole #10, an 83 yard hole, but with a front pin position of 70 yards. The wind was blowing directly at us so club selection was tricky, but I finally decided on an 8 iron. As I was putting my tee into the ground, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to get a hole-in-one!” not really believing that anything would happen.

I took my swing and made solid contact with the ball watching it arch into the air towards the green while being held up by the wind. The ball landed on the green and curved towards the hole where it appeared to stop in mid roll at the pin because the wind was holding it on an angle; then, the ball dropped into the hole as the wind let up for a second, releasing the pin! I looked at the ladies and we we were all somewhat in disbelief at what we had just seen. Had I really just wished myself a hole-in-one? No way! The celebration began as the ladies were all thrilled with my luck, as was I, and quickly spread the news to the other groups while celebrating birdie or, in this case, hole-in-one juice.

Robby Frankel, Old Corkscrew Club, Hole #12

First one ever! Was playing with my little brother, Jed, and an older gentleman we were paired with that day whose name is slipping my memory. It was the hole #12, 120 yards, gap wedge into howling winds. The ball didn’t even hit the green, it was a slam dunk that destroyed the cup!

Thomas McDougall, Raven Golf Club, Hole #14

On the final day of our golf trip to Arizona, playing with my three good friends at Raven Golf Club. It was our first golf trip since all of us had started to have kids.

Hole #14, 148 yards and slightly up hill. I hit a 9 iron that looked good the entire way. After it landed, it started to roll and the entire group started to shout thinking it could go in, and sure enough the ball disappeared. I said, “That either went in or rolled off the back” as we couldn’t see the entirety of the green. My two buddies in the other cart drove up to the green as fast as they could while I waited on the tee box with my hands on my head. They both ran to the green and looked in the hole and immediately threw their hands in the air and started screening. I sprinted from the tee box all the way to the green in celebration. My first hole-in-one. It was special to be able to do it with the group of guys I was with. It was a great moment.

Bruce Frey, Cottonwood Golf Course, Hole #5

I had my fifth hole-in-one at Cottonwood Golf Course in Nanaimo on March 20, 2024. I am 82 years old and started playing from the forward tees two years ago. This hole-in-one was on hole #11, a 70 yard par 3 over water and sand. I have had hole-in-one’s previously on hole #8, a 130 yard, hole #17 a 180 yard and two on hole #11, one from 70 yards and one from 135 yards. I was playing with my golf buddies Frank Hudson and Mike Zarecki.

 

Jeffrey Anderson, Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta, Hole #7

I was playing with three buddies on February 11, 2024 at Vidanta Vallarta (Norman). The hole #7 is a drivable par 4 and I was fortunate to hit the perfect drive that day. I used my driver from 243 yards. The ball bounced on the green once before finding the bottom of the cup. I couldn’t see the ball after it bounced and we spent a while trying to find my ball before our caddie thought to look in the cup. Talk about a surprise! Anyway, I’ve had a hole-in-one before but never had an albatross so this was pretty exciting!

Gerard Cottreau, Moon Spa – Dunes to Jungle, Hole #8

I was playing with three others from the same resort where the course was located but didn’t know them. The hole was 134 yards and I used a pitching wedge.

Craig Ripley, Lely Resort Golf & Country Club, Hole #6

I hit an 8 iron from 166 yards. It was a super high shot in a very strong crosswind that was hurting a little. It landed a few feet below the hole and disappeared soon after. I was pretty sure it went in, but wasn’t certain if I could see the bottom of the stick or not. Sure enough it was in.

I went up to the tee thinking I would hit an easy 7 iron to keep it lower because of the wind but when I went to take a practice swing I realized I had grabbed my 4 iron! 

When I was on the deck I felt the 7 iron was too much club so I grabbed the 8 iron when I was swapping my 4 iron, and I’m sure glad I did!

I was playing with my in-laws Ken and Liz Bialkowski who are members at The Classics. Very memorable to do it with them. My mother-in-law actually witnessed another family member get an ace on the same hole several years ago. She’s wondering when it’s her turn!?

It was my first time out since the Fall and I wasn’t playing very well, so it’s kind of funny to get a hole-in-one when playing pretty poorly. It certainly salvaged the round.

Nathalie Dunn, Four Mile Ranch, Hole #14

It is a great feeling. It was a blind shot so even more exciting. I was playing with my husband Kirk on March 23, 2024, around 2 p.m. All we knew from the guidebook and the score card is that it was 141 yards from the white so I used my 6 iron.

Noel Carragher, Creston Golf Club, Hole #13

March 22, 2024, entered on March 25th. Course was Creston Golf Club. Hole #13 from 124 yards. Club was a pitching wedge and played with Arlene Parnell, Larry Maclean and Allen Blackwell.

Thomas Mündi Isford, Hollecrest Golf Club, Hole #17

I played with my close friend Dale Evans and a couple from Denver. The hole was 190 yards and I used my 3 wood as the wind was in our face.

“Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists; it is making a new space, a better space for everyone.”
(George Dei, Canadian Professor)

In Canada, one in 66 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people and the world around them. It can affect body language, social interactions and relationships, and sensory processing. (Autism Ontario)

Creating a welcoming, safe, and empowering environment for children from all backgrounds and abilities is a priority for staff across the country. At the core of First Tee’s mission is inclusion.

First Tee – Canada partners with youth organizations across the country to provide all children with the opportunity to play golf in a welcoming environment.

In British Columbia, First Tee – BC has made an impact in Vancouver’s autism community by working with the Canucks Autism Network (CAN).

“One in 30 children in BC are on the spectrum,” said Jake Winn, Senior Manager of Programs, Canucks Autism Network. “By joining forces with First Tee, we’re giving kids an opportunity to try something new and discover a sport that they may have never tried before. Programs like First Tee broaden the horizons for children on the autism spectrum.”

The Canucks Autism Network provides year-round programming for children, youth, and adults on the autism spectrum across BC. Their programs for children aged three to 12 focus on sports and recreation so they were thrilled to add golf to their portfolio of offerings.

“We love the fact that First Tee lessons are adaptable,” said Winn. “We can change games on the fly depending on the group and alter tasks and challenges per athlete. It’s not a one size fits all. It’s customizable and accessible for each participant to be engaged.”

First Tee – BC Coach Tyler McKay has been leading the programming efforts.

“Tyler knew how to interact with the kids and instilled confidence in the participants and their families,” said First Tee – BC Program Manager, Scott Stefani. “The feedback from parents and Canucks Autism Network staff was overwhelmingly positive. To see our team and the First Tee program itself create a buzz around our sport and make children excited to play golf is so exciting.”

The positive response from parents and participants is a testament to the importance of a dedicated coach, and First Tee – Canada has no shortage of those.

Similarly, on the east coast, First Tee – Atlantic’s coaches are also offering golf to children with exceptionalities.

First Tee – Atlantic partnered with the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, thanks to the efforts of Coach Wayne Allen and his daughter Coach Rosie Allen, Golf Canada’s 2023 Lorie Kane Future Leader Award recipient.  

The father-daughter duo has made a significant impact on children in their community of Corner Brook, Newfoundland over the last two years, and have gone above and beyond to create environments where all feel welcome.

In addition to obtaining a First Tee coach certification, coach Wayne completed Ernie Els’ #GameOn Autism Golf Program training, which is infused with evidence-based practices for teaching golf to people with ASD.

The time and effort put into this partnership have not gone unnoticed.

A parent of a participant left positive feedback for Coach Wayne. “Thank you for making a space for these kiddos to come together and belong to something. They are often left out of mainstream sports.”

Coaches like Wayne are proudly paving the way for a more inclusive sport across Canada.

Today, and every day, First Tee – Canada celebrates diversity and believes children of all abilities deserve to feel safe, empowered, and welcome in the sport of golf.