EGGS HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Chip Lutz made his first trip to the final match pay off Thursday when he won the U.S. Senior Amateur over Tom Brandes.

Lutz, a 60-year-old from Reading, Pennsylvania, won the opening hole with a par and never trailed at Hidden Creek Golf Club. He won, 5 and 3.

Lutz made it to the semifinal round in 2010, 2011 and 2013. He advanced to the championship match with a 1-up victory over Tim Jackson, a two-time USGA champion.

Lutz also won the 2011 and 2012 Canadian Men’s Senior titles.

Brandes, from Bellevue, Washington, also was runner-up in the British Senior Amateur two years ago.

The victory means Lutz is exempt into the U.S. Senior Open next year, the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur for two years, and has a 10-year exemption from qualifying for the U.S. Senior Amateur.

New Zealand will host one of the world’s most prestigious amateur golf tournaments.

The Royal Wellington Golf Club has been awarded the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in October 2017 which will be broadcast live around the world.

The tournament is supported by three Founding Partners: the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters Tournament and The R&A.  It is one of the largest tournaments of its type in the world, with the winner getting a place at the following year’s Masters and a spot in The Open Qualifying Series, the final stage to gain entry into The Open Championship.

The top 120 amateur players from the Asia-Pacific region will compete with 10 places available for New Zealanders as host.

Established in 2009, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship has quickly become one of the most celebrated amateur golf tournaments in the world with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama a two-time winner.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Jimmy Mullen and Paul Dunne both marked their professional debuts with an 8-under 64 to grab a share of the lead after the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Mullen and Dunne went pro after helping Britain and Ireland beat the United States in the Walker Cup last month but looked like seasoned veterans at Kingsbarns. Dunne started with a bogey on the 10th hole, but then had a hole-in-one on the par-3 15th to get his round going. He added another six birdies, including three straight from the second.

“I kind of needed it,” the Irishman said of his ace. “I got off to a bit of a ropey start.”

Mullen, a 21-year-old Englishman had a similar round which also contained eight birdies and an eagle to go with two bogeys at Kingsbarns. They were tied with Kristoffer Broberg of Sweden, who had eight birdies in a flawless round at St. Andrews. The tournament is split between three courses, with players alternating between St. Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie.

“I’ve been looking forward to getting started as a pro for a while,” Dunne said. “No better place to do it than on a links-style course like this.”

Kingsbarns saw 12 of the 15 lowest scores on the opening day, while Martin Kaymer had the joint-best round at Carnoustie with a 68.

Soeren Kjeldsen, Richard Bland and Anthony Wall were in a tie for fourth, a shot behind the leaders.

Defending champion Oliver Wilson had only managed a 74 at St. Andrews

Cooler temperatures are arriving across Canada and with them come the most colourful portion of the golf season.  This is the time when the leaf rule comes into play in recreational golf and I love a good scramble format after the need to wear multiple layers arises.

Recently, I travelled down through Southern Ontario and spent some time at Norfolk Golf & Country Club – a 9-Hole Stanley Thompson design which is celebrating its 120^th Anniversary this season.  It is certainly worth the drive to Simcoe.

I could envision Stanley Thompson admiring this rolling piece of land: first selecting the par-3 sites with their dramatic natural beauty and then enjoying cutting out all the fairways for the other holes through the dense Carolinian forest.  As the leaves begin to change colour, the already impressive views will become all the more picturesque.  I am never happy to see summer end, but I do enjoy the sights and smells of autumn, the vibrant colours and the crisp leaves – Norfolk certainly sets this very scene.

The club also boasts a friendly membership which is very proud of this club.  Either before or after your, round I recommend you take a little time to enjoy a refreshment in the club lounge or on the trendy patio overlooking the impressive elevation drop from the first tee. There are always a few times open daily for guests to share in this early Stanley Thompson design, and if you only have time for 9 holes, you have seen it all.  Give them a call…you will be glad you did.

I am looking forward to a round with my kind hosts from my visit to Norfolk because I do not want to miss these beautiful colours. I loved the emerald green in September, but I want to see more.  If you cannot make it this fall, the spring flowers and blossoms are also likely to capture your attention as you make your way around the course next season.

Congratulations to all our Golf Canada clubs that are celebrating significant Anniversaries this year!  As a student, I was never much of a fan of History class, but as I share in the Anniversary celebrations of our clubs, I am becoming passionate about Golf History.  There are so many great tales that come out of our golf facilities.  The time, money and friendships taken to create so many fabulous memories…priceless!

Christine Dengel is a PGA of Canada golf professional with more than 30 years of experience in multiple facets of the golf industry, and a lifelong passion for and commitment to the game of golf. Prior to joining Golf Canada, she was a Territory Sales Manager for Callaway Golf Canada for 18 years. During her time with Callaway, Dengel managed the GTA and Southwestern Ontario territory from 1992-2005 and has managed the Southern Ontario territory since 2006.

NASHVILLE – Karen Garcia rallied to win the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur on Thursday at Hillwood Country Club, taking the final two holes for a 1-up victory over Pamela Kuong.

The 53-year-old Garcia, from Cool, California, rebounded after losing Nos. 14-16 to fall a hole down. She squared the match with a par on the par-17th and won with a par on the par-4 18th.

The 54-year-old Kuong is from Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts.

In the morning semifinals, Garcia topped Sue Cohn of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, 1 up with a par win on the 18th, and Kuong beat Tama Caldabaugh of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, with a par on the 21st hole.

The tournament is for players 50 and older.

FootJoy has introduced the new D.N.A. (DryJoys Next Advancement) golf shoe which now has full customization through their popular MyJoys® program.

Offering lightweight support, a secure fit and comfortable performance, the latest D.N.A. golf shoes feature a new TourLock Cleat System for enhanced performance and traction in all conditions. While maintaining its low profile appearance, the new cleat system significantly enhances retention. Inside D.N.A., an improved SnugFit Tongue conforms to the top of the foot and locks it in place.

“We were faced with the challenge of how to make our most feature-laden golf shoe even better and I believe we’ve accomplished that,” said VP of Product Design and Development, Doug Robinson, “With influence from our leading Tour players we have upgraded the overall performance of the shoe while giving golfers the ability to add their own personal touch through the myriad of custom options in MyJoys.”

MyJoys currently offers more than 14 million ways of customizing the #1 Shoe in Golf, including exotic print leathers, personalization, country flags and MLB and collegiate logos.

The D.N.A. MyJoys golf shoes will also feature three areas of customizable color with sizes ranging from 6 Narrow to 16 Wide and 7XW-12, 13XW. Additionally 12 new microfiber leathers will be added to the MyJoys Program for use on the new D.N.A.: White Silver Sphinx, Black Silver Sphinx, Silver Fluid, White Patent, Blue Metal, Black Metal, Off White, Royal Blue, Platinum, Black, Red.

RICHMOND HILL, Ont. – No amount of rain could put a damper on Tuesday’s Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru National Event at the Richmond Hill Golf Club.

Despite the wet conditions, over 100 ladies were on hand to celebrate eclipsing the $300,000 mark for breast cancer research in 2015. The National Event, running for the twelfth consecutive year, featured 18-holes of golf packed with prizing, games and laughter, followed by an awards dinner to thank the many fundraising efforts put forth by Golf Fore the Cure participants across Canada.

“As the National Sport Federation, we are very proud of the continued growth of Golf Fore the Cure and what it has done for women’s golf across Canada,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “We are very thankful for the support of our partners and the dedication of all Golf Fore the Cure participants in the country for making this program such a huge success.”

Through 145 events in 2015 and upwards of 10,000 women, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru raised its fundraising total to-date to over $5.4 million—with all proceeds donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Québec Breast Cancer Foundation.

For Pamela Fralick, President & CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru is one of many great events that drive cancer research and support programs in communities across Canada.

“We are so very thankful for the passion and support that Golf Fore the Cure has provided over the years,” said Fralick of the 10-year partnership with Golf Canada. “Our mission cannot be fulfilled without funding from supporters like Golf Canada and we look forward to continuing to empower more women in the years to come.”

The awards dinner gave special attention to foursomes from this year’s top-three fundraising teams, listed below:

1. New Brunswick Golf Association—$27, 778.57 (top provincial event)
2. Sandy Hook Golf Club from Sandy Hook, Man.—$21,558
3. Sussex Golf & Curling Club from Sussex, N.B.—$21,486

Photos from Tuesday’s National event can be viewed here.

Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru was created in 2003 by Golf Canada to drive women’s participation in the game of golf through the use of fun, non-intimidating activities. Through a unique partnership structure with the Canadian Cancer Society (and Québec Breast Cancer Foundation), the program has women across the country participating in golf activities and raising money and awareness for a cause close to Canadian hearts – the fight against breast cancer.

Subaru Canada has been a proud partner of Golf Fore the Cure since 2007. The company recently renewed its partnership for two additional years, reaffirming its commitment to making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

To learn how to get involved with Golf Fore the Cure, visit golfcanada.ca/golfforethecure

Anthony Kim was tired of whispers on the PGA Tour about what was wrong with him and his game, so he found a patch of grass behind a row of trees down from the practice range at Quail Hollow and hit balls for two hours.

This was where he won his first PGA Tour event in 2008, when he was fearless, brash and backed it all up with an exciting brand of golf. He ended that year by demolishing Sergio Garcia in the leadoff singles match at the Ryder Cup, the last time the Americans won.

Kim referred to Quail Hollow as the start of his career. “Hopefully, I can start a new one here,” he said. Two days later, he shot 74 and walked straight to his car, dumped his clubs in the trunk and drove away.

That was 2012, and he hasn’t been back.

“Golf is a fond memory of mine,” Kim said Tuesday, his first interview in three years. “I’ve been watching more and more. I miss the competition a little bit. Watching these young guys like Jordan Spieth is bringing me back to watch.”

Is it enough to bring him back to play?

Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“Here’s what I’m telling you today,” he said. “I’m going to step away from the game for a little while and get my body pieced together. Instead of going from an Achilles injury to try to go 180 mph and not fixing the problem … I’ve got so much ground to make up from injuries – rotator cuff, labrum, spinal fusion, hand injury. I’ve had six or seven surgeries in the last three-and-a-half years.”

Asked if it was possible that he played his last round on the PGA Tour at age 26, Kim paused, chuckled and said, “Anything is possible. Isn’t that what the slogan says?”

Paul Azinger, the Ryder Cup captain at Valhalla where Kim emerged as a star, was among those who could not believe that someone with so much talent could be done at such a young age.

“His energy and enthusiasm, his killer instinct, it all converged into him becoming our team leader,” Azinger said.

Kim’s immediate future is a business venture with Dallas-based Quality Metrics Partners that was started with longtime friend and caddie Brodie Flanders and two others, including Mike Knall, a former punter for the Oklahoma Sooners. It provides ancillary service management in the health care industry. Kim said he made a substantial investment, which he made back within months.

His joy comes from a stronger relationship with his mother. Kim spent three weeks with her in South Korea, sees her at least once a month and was headed to his native Los Angeles to sign the papers on a house he just bought for her in Beverly Hills.

He said he has not played a full round of golf in nearly 18 months. Physical therapy occupies most of his time.

Kim didn’t entirely disappear, though sightings have been rare and have led to rumors, including one that he was sleeping on the streets of Las Vegas because he was out of money.

He earned just over $12 million in five full seasons on the PGA Tour and says he saved up more money than people realize. The stories and photos on social media over the years painted a wild side to Kim. He doesn’t deny he lived different than most golfers, nor will he apologize.

“If you don’t like the way I live, change the channel. You’re the one who tuned in here,” Kim said. “A lot of the golf public may not appreciate the way I live, which is by my own rules. But I give everyone respect. I’m not rude to anyone. And I treat everyone the same.”

He said he is getting monthly payments from an insurance policy he took out five years ago in case he was injured. But he denied speculation in a magazine story last fall that the policy was a factor that is keeping him from returning to the PGA Tour.

“I paid well into the mid-six figures for the policy,” he said. “They wouldn’t have paid me every month had I not been to the doctors, showing them all my X-rays, doing all the treatment, the acupuncture, twice a day for physical therapy.”

He also explained his departure from Quail Hollow that day. Kim said he ignored his summons for drug testing when he walked to the parking lot, though he eventually was tested.

“I was mad about how I played. I injured myself again. I ended up coming back and taking the test,” he said. “I’ve never tested positive for anything since I’ve been on the PGA Tour whenever the drug testing started. Never. And they tested me more than anyone.

“These rumors tainted my reputation,” he said, “and I didn’t have a great one to begin with.”

Kim had no idea he would be gone this long. He played golf with Phil Mickelson at the Madison Club in the California desert. He rented a house in San Diego to prepare for the 2013 season. He said he was up at 5 a.m. every day to train when his Achilles tendon popped. Once he recovered from the leg, he had a herniated disc. And the injuries piled up.

Golf moved on without him. He still has a major medical exemption he can use if he ever returns. Kim would have to earn $613,500 in 16 events to keep his card.

But even Kim can’t say that he will return.

He described his health as a “6” on a scale of 1 to 10 and said he was coping with thoracic outlet syndrome. He also said he was in the process of moving, hiring a trainer and getting back to full health with hopes of giving golf one last chance.

“What Spieth and (Jason) Day did this year was ridiculous,” he said. “I’m not going to compete with those boys unless I’m healthy. I’m not playing with 11 clubs. My goal right now for the next year is to get healthy. At this point, I’m happy where I’m at where I’m headed.”

Kim was given a chance to provide his own answer to a question that has been raised plenty over the last two years.

Whatever happened to Anthony Kim?

“Ask me in two years,” he said.

Jason Day’s journey to the top of the golf world is unlike anyone else’s. From humble beginnings in Australia, Jason overcame adversity to find his path through hard work and dedication. Through exclusive, behind-the-scenes access Jason’s story is shared with the world for the first time here.

PHOENIX – Canadian golf sensation Brooke Henderson has extended her agreement to continue playing PING equipment, PING Chairman & CEO John A. Solheim announced. Henderson, who recently turned 18, first signed with PING in January.

In August, at age 17, she became the third-youngest player ever to win an LPGA event when she ran away with the Cambia Portland Classic by eight shots, setting a tournament scoring record at 21 under par. Two days later she was granted her LPGA Tour card for the remainder of 2015 and all of 2016.

This season she also posted T5’s at both the U.S. Women’s Open and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Henderson has been a budding star since 2012 when, at age 14, she became the youngest person ever to win a professional tour event when she won on the Canadian Women’s Tour.

“From a very young age, Brooke has demonstrated that rare combination of being talented and mature beyond her years, and she puts in the hard work that it takes to succeed,” Solheim said. “She won many prestigious amateur titles, at 17 was the world’s #1-ranked amateur, and her breakthrough win on the LPGA shows she belongs at the highest level in women’s golf. We couldn’t be more excited to be affiliated with her and support her every step of the way.”

Among the PING technology in her bag, Henderson relies on a G30 driver, fairway wood and hybrid, and Glide wedges. As part of a multi-year agreement, she will display PING logos on her hat, carry a PING staff bag and play 14 PING clubs. Financial terms and the length of the agreement with the Team Canada Young Pro Squad member were not disclosed.