SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – The PGA of America has no plans to take two golf tournaments away from courses Donald Trump owns over the next seven years.

The PGA of America was the first golf organization to pull an event from a Trump property when it announced the Grand Slam of Golf would not be played in October at Trump National in Los Angeles. Still on the calendar is the 2017 Senior PGA Championship at Trump’s course outside Washington and the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey.

“Both of those are scheduled,” PGA chief executive Pete Bevacqua said Wednesday.

Trump’s comments about Mexican immigrants when he launched his presidential campaign caused golf organizations that have deals with his courses to issue statements that they don’t support his views, and they distanced themselves from the GOP candidate when Trump said the golf industry supports him because “they know I’m right.”

“We have a relationship with the Trump organization as a golf entity,” Bevacqua said. “That’s what we’re focused on.”

He said the Trump organization is “certainly a factor in golf,” and noted that he employs PGA of America members.

“I think presidential politics are probably more top of mind than golf,” Bevacqua said. “We certainly don’t comment necessarily on presidential politics. We don’t agree with everything that’s been said or done. But we’re monitoring the situation and we made the one decision about the Grand Slam. And we haven’t made really more decisions other than that, other than what’s already previously scheduled.”

The PGA Grand Slam is a 36-hole exhibition Oct. 19-21 for the four major champions of the year. Trump and the PGA announced jointly that it would move this year.

“We didn’t want the Grand Slam or any one of our events to be compromised by politics or to be any kind of a political football,” Bevacqua said. “That’s not what we want to bring to golf. That would be unfortunate. It wouldn’t be fair for anybody involved in the Grand Slam.”

The PGA has not said where the Grand Slam will be played.

Coquitlam, B.C. – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) are pleased to announce the names of 14 players who have received exemptions into the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, August 17 – 23, 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club.

Headlining the list of exemptions is previously confirmed 17 year old Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ontario who earned her exemption by way of winning the 2015 PGA of Canada Women’s Championship, the third event on the 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour. Currently No. 32 on the Rolex World Rankings, Henderson’s stellar rookie season as a pro includes three top 10 finishes on the LPGA Tour, a victory on the Symetra Tour and more than $466,000 in LPGA Tour earnings through nine events played. Henderson, who Monday qualified into this week’s LPGA Tour event in Portland, Oregon, will be making her fourth consecutive appearance in Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Four other players earned tournament exemptions by way of their play on the 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour including Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, who won the Canadian Women’s Tour stop at Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Also earning an exemption was Michelle Piyapatra of Corona, California who won the season-opening Canadian Women’s Tour stop at The Glencoe Golf and Country Club as well as Lauren Mielbrecht of Gulf Stream, Florida and Seul-Ki Park of Northbrook, Illinois who received their exemptions based on the 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

Two members of the Team Canada Women’s Amateur Squad also earned exemptions including Maddie Szeryk, 19, of Allen, Texas and Brittany Marchand, 22, of Orangeville, Ontario. Currently the No. 35 ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Szeryk, won the 2015 Ontario Women’s Amateur and finished tied for sixth at the 2015 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Marchand, who recently got through stage one of LPGA Qualifying, will make her fourth appearance at Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Four Canadians competing on the Symetra Tour have also been granted exemptions including former Team Canada member Augusta James of Bath, Ontario who currently sits fourth on the Symetra Tour money list in her rookie season as a professional. James will make her fourth appearance in Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Other Canadian Symetra Tour players granted exemptions include Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., and Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. who sit 10^th, 16^th and 24^th respectively on the Symetra Tour money list.

A pair of Canadians with non-exempt status on the LPGA Tour will also compete including Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. and Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ontario. Rounding out the list of exemptions is Mariel Galdiano of Pearl City, Hawaii who earned a spot by winning the 2015 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship two weeks ago.

The 14 players earning exemptions into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will join a world-class field at The Vancouver Golf Club that features Rolex World Rankings No. 1 Inbee Park; two-time champion and Rolex Rankings No. 2 Lydia Ko; No. 3 Stacey Lewis; No. 7 Shanshan Feng; No. 8 Lexi Thompson; No. 9 Anna Nordquist; and defending champion and world No. 4 So Yeon Ryu. Other LPGA Tour stars confirmed to compete include international fan favourites Paula Creamer, Na Yeon Choi, Sandra Gal, Charley Hull and Morgan Pressel.

In addition to Ryu (2014) and Ko (2012 & 2013), past Canadian Women’s Open champions set to compete include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Michelle Wie (2010), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008) and Cristie Kerr (2006).

The 10 Canucks receiving exemptions will join a Canadian contingent led by CP ambassador Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, PEI as well as fellow LPGA Tour player Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ontario.

“The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is not only set to feature arguably the strongest field on the LPGA Tour, but also the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf,” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “Golf fans are sure to be treated to an unbelievable showcase of world-class golf.”

A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open makes its return to The Vancouver Golf Club for the first time since 2012.

On Monday August 17, 2015, the LPGA Tour will conduct an 18-hole stroke play qualifier at Pitt Meadows Country Club to determine the final four exemptions directly into the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

First conducted in 1973, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil and inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers.

PORTLAND, Ore. – National Amateur Squad teammates Maddie Szeryk and Elizabeth Tong finished inside the top-64 in U.S. Women’s Amateur qualifying rounds on Tuesday to advance to match play at the Portland Golf Club.

Tong, a recent graduate of Indiana University, carded a 2-under 70 in Tuesday’s second stroke-play round, raising her score to even-par—good for a T22 finish. The 22-year-old Thornhill, Ont., native will square off against 43^rd seeded Magdalena Simmermacher of Argentina on Wednesday afternoon at 1:40 pm, PDT.

Szeryk, 18, finished one stroke back of Tong at 1-over par (73-72) to finish in a tie for 24^th. The dual-citizen will face No. 39 seed Bronte Law of England, who currently sits as No. 2 ranked female in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). The match is slated to begin on Wednesday at 12:00 pm, PDT.

Americans Angel Yin (Arcadia, Calif.) and Jennifer Hahn (Henderson, Nev.) shared medalist honours after both finishing at 6-under par.

Reigning Canadian Junior Girls Champion, Michelle Kim of Surrey, B.C., failed to qualify after carding rounds of 76 and 75 to miss the cut line by three strokes. Fellow Canadians Judith Kyrinis of St. Catharines, Ont., and Selena Constabile of Thornhill, Ont., also fell short of the cut line.

In 2014, American Kristen Gillman earned a 2-up victory over Smiths Falls, Ont., native Brooke Henderson in the 36-hole championship match, conducted at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, N.Y.

The match-play rounds of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1. Coverage will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT on Aug. 12-16. Additionally, bonus coverage will be live streamed on usga.org on Aug. 13 and Aug. 16 from Noon to 2 p.m. EDT.

Click here for live scoring

Ben Eccles and Eric Banks share the lead on the second day of competition at the 2015 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Weston Golf & Country Club and The Lambton Golf & Country Club. The day began in very much the same way as the first with clear skies and fair temperatures serving as an ideal backdrop for the resumption of the first round. The picturesque conditions continued throughout the day until second-round play was suspended due to darkness.

Heavy rainfall and the ensuing unplayable conditions halted play on the first day of competition. An early morning start saw players across both host courses complete their opening rounds before the majority of competitors took advantage of strong conditions to finish their second rounds.

When play was suspended, Ben Eccles and Eric Banks had claimed shares of the lead with 7-under performances.

Banks reflected positively on his play through 36 holes. “I thought I played pretty good, but it was a little bit more windy than I expected,” said the native of Truro, N.S. “We played some holes into the wind and I hit some pretty poor chip shots coming in, which is usually one of my strengths, so I will work on that.

“But overall, 3-under is a pretty solid day. I shot 4-under at Lambton yesterday, so I knew I was in a good position to come out today and if I had a good round, maybe be around the top of the leaderboard.

“Despite being deadlocked with Eccles, a product of Victoria, Australia, Banks maintains the need to remain focused on the task at hand. “I’m hitting my driver really good right now. I need to keep doing that and just stay calm. When I made a few bogeys coming in, I was getting a little too hot. So I just need to relax and just keep doing what I’m doing.”

Banks, a graduate of the University of Florida, began the day with four birdies after starting the round on the back nine. Eccles countered with a six-birdie performance, highlighted by a 34 across the front nine. Billy Kennerly was not able to complete his second round, but the product of Alpharetta, Ga., currently holds third-place following a bogey-free 3-under performance through 13 holes.

Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., continues to play through a busy summer which has included representing Team Canada at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, as well as, a victory at the 2015 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The reigning Canadian Mid-Amateur champion sits fifth at even-par through 13 holes before play was halted.

Team Canada Development Squad member Patrick Murphy sits tied for sixth place and leads the national team contingent at 3-under 140.

The winner of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will hoist the Earl Grey Trophy and will be awarded an exemption into the 2016 RBC Canadian Open to be played at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., as well as, entry into the 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields, Ill.

Following the first 36 holes of play, the Willingdon Cup will be awarded to one of the 12 provincial and territorial three-person teams in the tournament.

The projected cut is currently sitting at 4-over par. The second round is scheduled to resume at 7:30 a.m. EDT at both courses. The third round is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. at Weston Golf & Country Club.

Additional information regarding the 2015 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, including updated tee times and scoring, is available here.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – The European Tour has chosen France over Firestone.

In a move that forces the hands of European players, new chief executive Keith Pelley said Tuesday the European Tour will not sanction the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone next year. Any member who plays the World Golf Championship will not get credit for Ryder Cup points or official earnings.

A crowded 2016 schedule because of the Olympics means the Bridgestone Invitational will move up one month to June 30 to July 3. That’s the same week as the French Open, a popular tournament that has been part of the European Tour schedule since 1972.

The French Open is the oldest national championship in continental Europe.

“I think the European Tour has done the only thing available to them,” said Graeme McDowell, a two-time French Open champion. “They had no other decision. It’s a one-off year. It’s a messed-up summer. We all know that. I don’t think the European Tour had other options.”

Under terms of its contract with the French Open, the European Tour was not allowed to sanction any other event.

The Bridgestone Invitational is among four events that make up the World Golf Championship. And while the WGCs are run by the International Federation of PGA Tours, it was another clear case that the PGA Tour has the final say. Three of the four WGCs are held in America.

“I think they’ve done the right thing by standing beside one of their mainstays of the European Tour,” Darren Clarke said. “The French Open is steeped in history, around a wonderful venue that we have the 2018 Ryder Cup around. They’ve showed loyalty to the French Open and rightly so.”

The PGA Tour said in a statement that golf’s return to the Olympics for 2016 came with big challenges for a summer schedule. Already the PGA Championship agreed to move from its August date to the end of July, just two weeks after the British Open. The John Deere Classic agreed to move to August during the Olympics, meaning Jordan Spieth likely will not be able to defend his title.

“Several events were impacted, and while we have had numerous conversations with the European Tour with respect to the scheduling of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, we were ultimately unable to find a solution that satisfied all parties,” the PGA Tour said.

Both fields are likely to be hurt.

The WGCs have an $8 million purse and offers far more world ranking points than a regular European Tour event. But some European Tour players who could be on the bubble for making the Ryder Cup team will not get money or ranking points from Firestone, and thus would be better off going to France.

Shane Lowry of Ireland won the Bridgestone Invitational this year.

McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer are among several players who compete on both tours, and they must play at least 13 events in Europe and 15 on the PGA Tour. The top players could count on eight tournaments – four majors and four WGCs – to reach the minimum. Europeans will lose one of those.

Europeans who are PGA Tour members might be giving up crucial points that relate to the FedEx Cup and will have to decide between the two events.

Canadian David Hearn knows that he can break through on the PGA Tour as long as he keeps trying.

Hearn is having the best season of his pro career and has become a popular dark-horse selection to win the PGA Championship, the final major of the season.

A third-place finish at the RBC Canadian Open three weeks ago helped Hearn pass the US$1.7 million mark in earnings this season. More importantly, it’s given him momentum headed in to the PGA Championship.

“My confidence is definitely very high right now,” said Hearn on Thursday. “To be in contention and to play the golf I did at the Canadian Open felt amazing. I just need to keep giving myself these chances, because I’m definitely playing with confidence.”

The 36-year-old Hearn’s best finish at the PGA Championship came in 2013 (T47). Despite the way Whistling Straits is designed – it’s more links-style than a traditional PGA Championship layout – Hearn says he knows what it will take to contend.

“The reasons that major champions are the best in the game is because they’re able to keep golf at it’s most simple,” said the native of Brantford, Ont. “It really boils down to making good shots and good putts when you need to, regardless of what the golf course looks like.”

Whistling Straits was also the site of the 2004 and 2010 PGA Championships where Fiji’s Vijay Singh and Germany’s Martin Kaymer were the respective champions. Both would go on to become No. 1 in the world.

“We don’t see courses like this (Whistling Straits) very often, which makes them so unique. I think that’s why major championships like to go to these courses, because it tests a different area of our game,” said Hearn.

Hearn says he will try to play Whistling Straits in a way that makes him comfortable.

“As extreme as the golf course looks, if I can make it play like a North American-style golf course _ and focus on hitting fairways and greens and giving myself birdie opportunities – I like my chances here,” said Hearn.

Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., were scheduled to be the other Canadians at the PGA Championship, but DeLaet pulled out on Monday as he continues to struggle with an injured left thumb – the same injury that forced the 33-year-old to pull out of the RBC Canadian Open three weeks ago.

Although disappointed to withdraw from the RBC Canadian Open – and announce that he was also withdrawing from the PGA Championship – DeLaet said Friday he was inspired by seeing his friend Hearn have a chance to win Canada’s national open.

“He played well and it was so much fun to watch,” DeLaet said of Hearn’s final round at Glen Abbey.

Hearn and DeLaet are also fighting for a spot on the International Team at the biennial Presidents Cup competition.

The top 10 point-getters on both the International and American sides automatically make the team and there are two captain’s picks made to fill out the rest of the squad.

DeLaet, who earned a 3-1-1 record in 2013, currently sits 18th. Hearn is 23rd.

“Every event I have leading up to the Presidents Cup cutoff is a big event for me,” said Hearn. “I’m really looking forward to continuing my good play, and giving captain (Nick) Price a little notice of how I’m playing. But, I’m going to have to earn my way onto that team like Graham did two years ago.”

Although not in the Presidents Cup conversation, Taylor is in the PGA Championship thanks to his maiden Tour victory in November – something both Hearn and DeLaet are still shooting for.

The 27-year-old will be playing in his first major as a professional – he finished as low amateur at the 2009 U.S. Open – and admits he’s looking forward to the opportunity.

“I’m very excited,” Taylor said. “I don’t have any specific expectations for the week, but I’m going to focus on my preparation and make sure I’m in the best position I can be once the first round begins Thursday.”

The 2015 RBC Canadian Open did not fall short on making memories—from the fans, to the volunteers and even to the players. One group, in particular, etched a series of memories throughout open week that will be cherished for a lifetime.

While prone to slip under the radar amongst the drama of a national open, the festivities for a select group of junior golfers had no such lack of excitement.

Among the thousands of juniors admitted to the RBC Canadian Open, there were 22 who qualified atop the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge leaderboard who travelled to Oakville, Ontario to compete in the Junior Skills National Event.

For the first time in history, the event was hosted at the site of the RBC Canadian Open (Glen Abbey Golf Club). Needless to say, participants were blown away by the big stage and the feeling of competing on the same grounds as some of the PGA TOUR’s biggest names.

“Although we were thrilled that Eric won his competition, after the way you treated us it would not have mattered how he finished,” wrote Dwight and Daniela Collier, parents of boys 8–11 winner, Eric. “The memories he (Eric) and all of our family have from all of the events you put on will quite literally last a life time—we hope that Eric qualifies again next year because it would be amazing to do it again.”

Two-time winner of the boys 15-18 group, Tyler Leclair of North Vancouver, B.C., shared his excitement alongside father (and caddy) Tim.

Click here to read up on the event and this year’s winners.

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To mark the significance of the event being a part of the RBC Canadian Open, junior participants were invited to stay the week at Glen Abbey, taking part in the following activities:

Junior Open—9 holes at Glen Abbey Golf Course in peak condition

The Sunday prior to tournament week, the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge participants from the National Event a day earlier were back on site to tee-it-up in an exciting match-play format on the back-9 of Glen Abbey’s pristine conditions pre-tournament week.

Of course, a match at the site of the RBC Canadian Open wouldn’t be complete without caddies. That’s where mom and dad come in.

Canada Day Pro-Am chip-off

Back at it. The group of juniors are still full-steam ahead at the Open, posting up on the par-4 15^th hole to challenge pros and amateurs to a chip-off during the Canada Day pro-am.

In addition to collecting as many signatures as possible, juniors had the opportunity to showcase their short game skills against Canadian stars like Nick Taylor in front of a mini gallery on hand.

Wendel Clark, former NHL star with the Toronto Maple Leafs, also took his chance at the difficult downhill chip out of the rough (sharing a laugh in the process).

Time with Team Canada

Also on Monday, the lucky group had a full hour to learn from Team Canada in a closed session on the back range at Glen Abbey. Men’s Head Coach, Derek Ingram, led the session with support from the six athletes competing at the Open: Adam Svensson, Taylor Pendrith, Corey Conners, Albin Choi, Austin Connelly and Blair Hamilton.

Walk with a Pro

Back by popular demand, the CN Future Links Walk with a Pro event pairs each junior up with a PGA TOUR star to walk the par-3 7^th hole and even help putt-out. A fan-favourite, the Walk with a Pro event is always good for a few laughs.

Flag bearing ceremony on 18^th green

To cap off the week that was, all CN Future Links participants were included in one last activity to help send the 2015 RBC Canadian Open out with a bang. Following the trophy presentation, all junior participants were responsible for unveiling the large Canadian flag on the 18^th green alongside the champions to celebrate the conclusion of the tournament.

At the end of the day, the week was a special one for many Canadian golf fans, including this lucky group of junior golfers—the future of the sport in Canada.

To learn more about Canada’s junior golf program, CN Future Links, visit CNfuturelinks.com.

PORTLAND – Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., has qualified to play in this week’s Cambia Portland Classic on the LPGA Tour.

Henderson, 17, shot a four-under 68 at Columbia Edgewater Country Club to grab one of two spots available in the field this week. She joins sister Brittany, who received a sponsor exemption, in the field in Portland. Brittany Henderson, who plays on the Symetra Tour, was granted a sponsor’s exemption, a spot that might have gone to Brooke, except she has already received her maximum seven for the year.

If Henderson had not qualified Monday, she would have caddied for Brittany – something she did during the LPGA qualifying tournament last year. Brittany has caddied for Brooke five times this year, including at the U.S. Women’s Open and Women’s British Open.

“I love it,” Brooke Henderson said. “She’s a great caddie. I’m not sure how good I am, but she’s great. We know each other so well, so we know what to say when things aren’t going well, and when things are going well, to keep us going.”

Florida’s Doris Chen, a University of South California graduate, claimed the other Monday qualifier spot.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – Graham DeLaet of Canada has withdrawn from the PGA Championship because of a thumb injury.

It’s the same injury that forced him to withdraw from the RBC Canadian Open last month. It’s not clear how much time he will be away. DeLaet is No. 99 in the FedEx Cup with only two events remaining until the playoffs.

He is replaced at Whistling Straits by former RBC Canadian Open champion, Sean O’Hair.