UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. – Tiger Woods has played a second practice round at Chambers Bay in preparations for the U.S. Open in two weeks.

Woods was on the course Tuesday morning under cloudy skies and occasional showers. Woods arrived in the area Sunday night and his practice round on Monday drew curious spectators to the hills overlooking the waterside golf course along Puget Sound. Woods’ visit happened to come on the two cloudiest days in the last couple of weeks.

Woods made the trip to the Pacific Northwest before heading to the Memorial in Ohio, his last tuneup before the U.S. Open. Woods hasn’t played since The Players Championship, where he finished 69th after shooting 3 over par.

The PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada returns to Arizona this November.

Verrado Golf Club, located just west of Phoenix in Buckeye, Ariz., plays host to the national championship Nov. 15-18.

“We’re very excited to be headed back to Arizona and even more excited to be going to Verrado Golf Club the PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada,” said PGA of Canada president Constant Priondolo. “Last year was a great success with a full field in Arizona and we expect the same this year.”

Situated in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains, crafted by PGA Tour star Tom Lehman and US Amateur Champion John Fought, the Verrado Golf Club is a spectacular course stretching to over 7,200 yards featuring stunning views, snug box canyons, and considerable elevation changes.

“We’re proud to say that Verrado Golf Club is one of Arizona’s finest championship golf facilities,” said Verrado’s sales & marketing director Doug Foss. “Verrado has been among the top 15 on GolfWeek’s ‘Best Courses You Can Play’ for four years running and most recently made it to the No. 5 spot on the ‘2015 Arizona’ list.”

In 2014, Matt Peavoy captured the PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada, outlasting Scott Allred in a playoff. The 35-year-old put together rounds of 72-74-69 for a three-day total of 2-over-par 215 at the challenging SunRidge Canyon Golf Club.

Former champions of the PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada include Danny King, Adam Chamberlain, Roger Beale, Norm Jarvis, Gar Hamilton, Bob Panasik, Yvan Beauchemin, Graham Gunn, Ken Tarling and Brian Hutton.

In addition to competing for the overall championship trophy, players in the PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada earn much-coveted ranking points with hopes of moving up on the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC. Players who are ranked inside the top 64 following the PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada earn invites into the following year’s PGA Championship of Canada sponsored by Mr. Lube and presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf.

The Inter-Zone Team Championship, which is comprised of four players per zone (and three scores per team counting), is also handed out after 36-holes.

“Initially, we simply wanted to get more women involved in golf. We knew that there was about a 3:1 participation difference in men and women playing the game, and we felt the need to create a platform specifically for women that would be appealing and motivate more of them to play. So out of that, Golf Fore the Cure was born.” – Jeff Thompson, Chief Sport Officer, Golf Canada

That was 12 years ago. In 2006, Golf Canada partnered with the Canadian Cancer Society to support the Society’s fight against breast cancer. Since then, Golf Fore the Cure has become Golf Canada’s signature charity event, raising over $4 million for the Society’s breast cancer research and support programs. From east to west and as far north as the Northwest Territories, thousands of female golfers have been making a huge difference in the lives of Canadians affected by breast cancer, one round at a time.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Golf Canada’s partnership with the Society and, as in previous years, the company expects to see more women participating in the program.

“While the philanthropic focus of the program underpins its success, we haven’t lost sight of the goal of getting more women to play golf,” says Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “In fact, more women playing translates into even more funds generated for breast cancer research, awareness and support. This year, our goal is for 14,000 women to raise $500,000. Ten years championing such a worthy cause is quite remarkable. It also says a lot about the mutuality of the relationship we share with the Canadian Cancer Society. And, of course, the support of Subaru as presenting sponsor of the program cannot be overstated. Subaru is as passionate about health and well-being as both Golf Canada and the Society are. And so seeing an alignment in terms of shared values, they ‘came out swinging’ from the outset.”

Golf Fore the Cure has grown from just over 50 events in 2006 to nearly 180 in 2014. Each year, site coordinators invest many hours in planning, coordinating and hosting local golf events. Eleanor Rudd, of Southside Golf Course in Manitoba, speaks fondly of her experience as a Golf Fore the Cure site coordinator. “It’s fun and inspiring and a wonderful opportunity to do something good for others. You get to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones and have a good time golfing and raising money for a cause that is dear to so many women. It’s a lot of work to plan and run an event but Golf Canada makes it easy by providing all the tools you need to be successful.”

While the women who participate get involved for various reasons, they share a common goal of defeating breast cancer. Their hard work and dedication has had a tremendous impact on the scientific world and on the lives of thousands of Canadian women, their families, friends and caregivers in communities across Canada. Take, for example, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer, which today stands at 88%. This is a significant improvement over survival rates in the 1980s of just over 70%.

While we celebrate this achievement, some types of the disease – such as triple negative breast cancer – remain hard to treat. Dr Shawn Li, of Western University in London, Ontario, is studying ways to overcome chemotherapy resistance in women with triple negative breast cancer. His work, funded by the Society, could lead to better outcomes for these women.

“I’m extremely grateful to the Canadian Cancer Society for funding my research with an Innovation Grant,” says Dr Li. “While, in general, survival rates for breast cancer are high, it’s important to focus on a breast cancer that is more difficult to treat and affects many young women.”

Golf Canada – and all the women who’ve made Golf Fore the Cure the success it is each year – can be proud of their invaluable contribution to the advancements made in breast cancer research.

But the story doesn’t end there. Breast cancer survivors, like Catherine Coulson, can attest to the Society’s community support programs, which provide the help and encouragement needed to cope with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Catherine shared her story at the 2013 Golf Fore the Cure National Event. “My cancer journey started after I found a lump in my breast. This was followed by biopsy, surgery and 6 months of chemotherapy. I was scared. I didn’t know where to turn. When I was in the hospital recovering from my surgery, one of the nurses asked me if I would like a visit from a volunteer from the Canadian Cancer Society. She said they have a program called Reach to Recovery and a volunteer who was a breast cancer survivor would come to visit me if I wanted. I jumped at the opportunity. I couldn’t remember knowing anyone who had ‘survived’ cancer!”

“My Reach to Recovery volunteer came to my home and brought me a care package of a couple of temporary prostheses, a little cushion for under my arm where nodes had been removed and some exercises for me to practise. She told me about her journey and that she was cancer-free for 7 years! Slowly, it dawned on me that I too could be a survivor.”

Programs like the Peer Support Service, Community Services Locator, Cancer Information Service and transportation and wig programs offer physical, psychological and emotional support for people along their cancer journey.

Pamela Fralick, the Society’s President and CEO, captures the essence of the Golf Canada-Canadian Cancer Society partnership.

“We cannot fulfil our mission without funding from supporters like Golf Canada, but our partnership extends far beyond the dollars. It’s about building awareness and empowering Canadian women. It’s about changing lives and attitudes. We are thrilled that Golf Canada came alongside us, and 10 years later the Golf Fore the Cure program is still gaining momentum.”

“It’s a winning strategy for both Golf Canada and the Society – one that we’re extremely proud of and tremendously grateful for. So, thank you Golf Canada for sharing our vision and having the foresight to step forward. Thank you to every site coordinator for their labour of love in dedicating time and effort to host an event. Thanks to every golfer for every round played these 10 years and for mobilizing your network of family, friends and acquaintances to donate to this worthy cause. And, of course, to lead sponsor – Subaru – whose investment in the program each year makes it all possible.”

You too can get involved and organize your own Golf Fore the Cure event to support the fight against breast cancer. Contact gftc@golfcanada.ca.

All funds raised through Golf Fore the Cure in Québec are donated to the Québec Breast Cancer Foundation

Hi! My name is Michaela DiMarcantonio and this summer I have the pleasure of working as a Media and Public Relations Intern with the Communications Department at Golf Canada. Having a love for the game of golf and a passion for public relations, this is definitely my dream internship. However come Monday, I will be trading my laptop and camera for my clubs and a pin sheet.

From May 25 to May 29, I will be competing in the 13^th Canadian University/ College Championship at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ont., where collegiate golf teams from across the country will compete for the national title.

This will be my final tournament wearing the maroon and grey of the McMaster Marauders Women’s Golf Team. Throughout the competition, I would like to invite you to follow my player’s blog as I share my experience and reflect on my golf journey.

Entry 3 – The end of the road

This past Friday was the final day of the 2015 Canadian University/ College Championship.  As always, the final round of any tournament is the most exciting and with many of the leaderboards packed coming down the stretch, this competition was no different. It was thrilling to cheer on my fellow competitors in their pursuit of the national title.

After play was complete, the awards ceremony began near the putting green at Cutten Fields surrounded by the Canadian and provincial flags. It was quite the sight to see the winning teams and individuals hoist their trophies and beyond inspiring to hear their acceptance speeches filled with words of excitement and gratitude. They have worked so hard to earn these victories for themselves, their teams, their coaches and their schools. The team champions received banners that will hang in their schools for years to come and future generations of aspiring athletes will beam with pride at the sight of what those before them have accomplished.

To the winners of the 2015 Canadian University/ College Championship, I congratulate you on your achievements! For others who may not have finished the tournament in the way they had hoped, although it is disappointing, there are so many lessons to be learned. Look back and see how much you’ve grown and always remember how far you’ve come.

To those graduating, I congratulate you on outstanding collegiate careers. I had the opportunity to compete alongside many of you during the past four years. I wish you all the best in your future careers and endeavors, whether they remain close to the course or far from it. Wherever your paths may take you, I hope you continue to find comfort in knowing the golf course will always be your second home.

To the freshmen who have just completed their first years at school, enjoy the ones to come and relish every moment – they will be some of the best of your life. Practice hard, study harder and love every minute of it because the whole experience may be over before you know it. Make goals and achieve them; have dreams and soar past them. Take pride in the privilege of representing your schools.

It was a remarkable week at Cutten Fields and I would like to thank the membership and staff for hosting this wonderful championship. On behalf of the field, we were honoured to play such a beautiful course and make use of its outstanding practice facility – calling it world-class would not do it justice.

I would also like to thank my fellow Golf Canada Tournament staff, officials, scorers and starters for their commitment and dedication to their craft. They were all up well before sunrise and in bed well past moonrise. Without you, this event would not have been possible. So, thank you!

To everyone who has been so kind in reading while I shared my experiences at the 2015 Canadian University/ College Championship, you have my gratitude. Golf is a life-long game and may we all continue to learn from it, well past our years in the classroom.

Entry 2 – “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vince Lombardi

I have always been a firm believer that success is the result of hard work. Playing competitive golf has taught me that dedication and commitment are fundamental to success – not just on the course, but off it as well.

Today was the practice round at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ont., for the 2015 Canadian University/ College Championship; tomorrow the real competition begins.

Through this championship, Golf Canada provides the nation’s student-athlete golf teams with the opportunity to gather and celebrate the wealth of talent being developed in Canada’s post-secondary institutions.  From an athlete’s perspective, it’s about providing meaningful competition – to not only gauge where our games are, but to also see the areas in which our games can grow.

The game humbles me. It has taught me to aim further; to try harder; to want to be better, but not only for my own sake. Collegiate golf is unique because tomorrow when I step on to the first tee at Cutten Fields, I won’t just be playing for myself.

I will play for my teammates, who are every bit my family as my own siblings.

I will play for my coaches, whose words of advice are second only to my parents’ guidance.

I will play for McMaster University, where walls and classrooms have given me the same sense of security as any home I’ve lived in.

In the field this week, there will be freshmen representing their schools for the first time at the national level; there will also be veterans sporting their school colours for the final time. For myself, it will be the latter. Regardless, we all share the same passion to compete and better ourselves. There are few things in life as rewarding as the satisfaction of working hard and seeing that determination and effort pay off.

As I look forward to my first round tomorrow, I can’t help but reflect back on my four years at McMaster University. All student-athletes can attest to the challenge of balancing university life and team responsibilities. During the season, I missed classes to compete, but I always considered these days as opportunities for growth – and although they were not academic, they contributed to my university experience and to the person I have become.

Competing this week as a student-athlete for a final time is an honour – one that I will not take lightly and one that I will cherish always.

Entry 1 – Reading textbooks and greens

Like many high school grads, the decision of where to continue my post-secondary education was a difficult one. So many factors came into play, but I was certain I wanted to continue playing golf at a Canadian university. Upon meeting the coaches at McMaster and discovering the Communication Studies program, I knew it would be a great fit.

The first month of university was a big adjustment with a busy schedule and large lecture rooms filled with new faces. It was intimidating, but despite all the changes, golf remained constant. After classes I looked forward to practice and in my first collegiate tournament, despite my nerves, I felt very comfortable. Like always, the golf course was my second home.

Before the Ontario University Championships in second year, my head coach gathered the team and told us, “When you’re older and you look back on your university days, you won’t remember sitting in lectures or if you spent an extra hour studying for a test, but you will remember your experiences representing McMaster, all of your accomplishments and the memories you make with your teammates.”

Those words couldn’t be more true. At the time, I didn’t realize what an amazing experience playing competitive golf for my school would be. I am so grateful for the golf program at McMaster University and the support Golf Canada provides to universities and colleges across the country.

I’ve learned so much through this game – patience, discipline and perseverance. I can’t wait to compete one final time next week at Cutten Fields with my team and to take in one last lesson as a Mac student.

More information on the 2015 Canadian University/ College Championship is available here.

Many of Canada’s top golfers took part in RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifying events today in Quebec and British Columbia in hopes of punching their tickets to final (Monday) qualifying July 20 at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton, Ont.

The Quebec qualifier was contested at Club de golf St- Raphaël’s Blue Course in Île-Bizard, Que., where hometown talent Lindsay Wilson finished at 2-under par 70 to claim medallist honours.

Jesse Smith (71) of Ohsweken, Ont., finished runner-up at 1 under, while Sonny Michaud of Neuville, Que., took third after an even-par 72 while six more players finished T4 at 1 over (73). In total, nine players from the Quebec Qualifier will advance to the final qualifier in July.

Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club in Squamish, B.C., hosted Monday’s other regional qualifying event where Dillon Rust of Edmond, OK, claimed victory with a round of 5 under 67.

Seann Harlingten of West Vancouver, B.C., earned runner-up honours with a 2 under 70.

Five players shared third after even-par 72s to round out the 16 players who have earned their way today into the RBC Canadian Open final qualifying round on July 20.

In total, there are three regional qualifying events, each consisting of 18 holes of stroke play. Provided that there are 100 or more players in the field, the low qualifier receives an exemption directly into the 2015 RBC Canadian Open. Otherwise, the top 15 per cent of finishers at each qualifier become eligible to compete at the final qualifying event.

The third and final 2015 RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier will be held June 29 at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, Ont.

The 2015 RBC Canadian Open takes place July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

For the full Quebec scoring click: here.

For the full B.C. scoring click: here.

Listen in to our press conference…

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., has been selected to host the 2016 RBC Canadian Open, as announced today by Golf Canada and RBC.

With the venue confirmed, the Jack Nicklaus-designed, Oakville, Ont. layout will host back to back RBC Canadian Opens, beginning this July 20-26 with the 2015 RBC Canadian Open and then again July 18-24, 2016.

For Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons, a two-year commitment to Glen Abbey will allow the tournament to build multi-year momentum in the community and deliver innovative activities to enhance the championship experience for players and spectators alike.

“Together with our partners at RBC, we are proud to announce the RBC Canadian Open will be contested at Glen Abbey Golf Club in 2016.” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons.  “Glen Abbey has always been a terrific host venue for this championship and we look forward to reconnecting with fans and volunteers from Oakville and the Greater Toronto Area who have embraced the RBC Canadian Open over the years.”

“With its storied history, beautiful greens and central location, Glen Abbey has proven to be a premiere venue to host players and golf fans alike,” noted Jane Broderick, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, RBC. “We, along with Golf Canada have worked hard to make the RBC Canadian Open a best-in-class tournament with a strong competitive field and fan engagement opportunities, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to this prestigious course.”

The RBC Canadian Open was last contested at Glen Abbey in 2013, when Team RBC’s Brandt Snedeker picked up his sixth PGA TOUR victory. That year’s event was selected as the “Most Fan-Friendly Event” by the PGA TOUR as part of their annual year-end awards.

The return to Glen Abbey through 2016 marks the first time since 2008 and 2009 that the club has hosted back to back RBC Canadian Opens.

“Since the Canadian Open was first played on this Jack Nicklaus Signature course in 1977, Glen Abbey has produced many worthy champions including Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Greg Norman, Lee Trevino, Curtis Strange and Brandt Snedeker,” said Rai Sahi, ClubLink President and CEO. ‘The Abbey’ and the Canadian Open share a special connection and we look forward to adding to that legacy through 2016.”

The 2015 edition of the event will once again raise money in support of national charity partner – Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. To help welcome the RBC Canadian Open back to Glen Abbey, the Town of Oakville has declared July as Oakville’s Month of Sport.

Glen Abbey was owned and operated by Golf Canada from 1982 to 1998 before the property was sold to ClubLink in the fall of 1998. As the longtime home of Canada’s National Open Championship, ‘The Abbey’ hosted 22 Canadian Opens between 1977 and 2000, as well as, those in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2013. Golf Canada’s head office and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum are located on the grounds of Glen Abbey Golf Club.

For information about tickets, free 17-and-under junior passes, volunteer opportunities or corporate hospitality for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.

NASSAU, Bahamas – Adam Scott has split with his new caddie and for now is going back to his old one – Steve Williams.

Scott says he persuaded Williams to join him for the U.S. Open, British Open, Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship.

Scott tied for fourth at Doral and has been struggling since. He has missed two cuts and has not finished better than a tie for 24th. That was at the Colonial, and he then fired caddie Mike Kerr.

Scott says he had to talk Williams out of retirement for the next three months. They last worked together at the Tour Championship last year.

Williams has been on the bag for 14 majors – 13 of them with Tiger Woods and the 2013 Masters with Scott.

IRVING, Texas – Steven Bowditch already had wedding photos from the 18th green at the home of the AT&T Byron Nelson.

Now there are plenty of images of the Australian holding a big trophy after winning in his adopted home.

Bowditch rode his best birdie binge on the PGA Tour to a 5-under 64 and a four-shot victory Sunday in the Nelson, making him two-for-Texas in career titles after winning the Texas Open in San Antonio last year.

A Dallas-area resident for 10 years, Bowditch had 27 birdies while becoming the seventh player to lead all four rounds of the event. Playing next to the resort hotel where he got married four years ago, the 31-year-old Bowditch finished at 18-under 259 on the rain-altered TPC Four Seasons layout.

“You know, taking photos on the green today was probably – wasn’t probably, it’s definitely the second best time I’ve had on that green – since we got married,” Bowditch said in the interview room while wife Amanda watched from the back.

Charley Hoffman (65), Texan Jimmy Walker (66) and Scott Pinckney (66) tied for second at 14 under. Zach Johnson shot a 63 to finish alone in fifth at 13 under.

Canada’s Graham DeLaet tied for 22nd at 8 under after a 67.

Hometown favorite and Masters champion Jordan Spieth stayed at 7 under after an even-par 69.

Playing with Bowditch in the final group, Dustin Johnson briefly overtook him early in the round before making an 8 at the par-4 sixth. He finished at 11 under with a 69.

Before the highs of getting married and winning at the home of the Nelson, Bowditch endured the low of a suicide attempt at his Dallas home while battling depression in 2006, not long after he moved to the U.S.

“My personal life is my personal life,” said Bowditch, who jumped 52 spots to No. 16 in FedEx Cup points and qualified for next year’s Masters. “It’s closed doors and, you know, it’s built me into the person I am today. Every win is special. This is just another one.”

A sunny day wrapped up two otherwise soggy weeks of golf in Dallas-Fort Worth starting with Colonial. A 5-inch overnight downpour after the first round of the Nelson turned one of its toughest holes – the par-4 14th – into a pitch-and-putt par 3 of barely 100 yards for the final three rounds.

While birdies were the norm after easy wedge shots from what might normally be a drop area in front of a greenside pond, Bowditch had to save par from about 12 feet to keep a three-shot lead, pumping his right fist after the ball dropped in.

The temporary tee box was about 20 yards farther back Sunday, and tour officials believe par of under 70 was a first according to records going back to 1983. The overall par total was 277.

Up by three at the spectator-friendly 17th, Bowditch leaned like he thought his tee shot on the par 3 might go in the water to the right of the green. Instead, the ball flew over the pin and landed safety on the back, and Bowditch raised his putter as the putt rolled in to punctuate the win.

“I was trying to hit it 30 feet left of the stick,” Bowditch said. “It was eyes closed and stomach to the floor a little bit.”

Spieth had an opening birdie but quickly gave it back at the par-3 2nd. He went in the water twice for bogeys on the back nine, including on 17 a day after he gave big galleries that followed him all week their biggest thrill by almost hitting the pin on the fly on the 198-yard hole.

After getting within three shots of the lead halfway through the tournament, Spieth never did threaten and ended his streak of second-place finishes in all three previous Texas events this year. The 21-year-old Dallas player tied for 30th five years after finishing 16th in his first tour event as a 16-year-old amateur.

“I really tried to soak it in today,” Spieth said. “I was getting frustrated this week just trying so hard, which is what I’ve done in past years as well. I don’t know if that’s going to stop in the future.”

Johnson birdied two of the first three holes even though he missed the first four greens, but the erratic start caught up with him at No. 6. Johnson went out of bounds to the right off the tee, then way left into tall grass off the rough with his second tee shot. It took him three swings to get out on his way to a quadruple bogey.

Walker, who won the Texas Open not far from home in March, also held the lead on the front nine but missed short putts for par on 11 and 12. He tried to make a late run with an eagle chip at the par-5 16th and a birdie on 17, but Bowditch answered with birdies on both holes.

“I had told myself going into 15, you know, birdie, eagle would be big,” Walker said. “But Steven played great today and hats off.”

To the groom.