Caledon, Ont. – Ashton McCulloch shot a final round of 70 to win the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship by five shots at The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont.

McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. was the only player in the field to shoot under par all four days of the tournament, posting rounds of 69-68-70-70 to finish at 7-under and win the national championship.

“It feels amazing, a lot of hard work has gone into this over many years of golf, I have so many people to thank, that are such big role models in my life and that have propelled me to this point,” said McCulloch after walking off the 18th green of The Pulpit. “I can’t thank enough people and Golf Canada for running this event, it was a lot of fun and I’m happy to play well this week.”

Pleasant conditions to start the day quickly changed as rain rolled in shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Thursday and remained heavy at times through just past 1:30 p.m. giving players four days of different conditions to contend with during the tournament.

McCulloch and Caleb VanArragon were battling when things turned on the 11th hole as McCulloch birdied while VanArragon triple bogeyed to give McCulloch a four-shot lead and he didn’t look back, adding two more birdies and four consecutive pars to close out his final round.

“I mean I’m really proud of myself, I got off to a slow start yesterday like I said and just willed the ball in the hole a couple times on the back. Today, I kept on saying to my best friend on the bag, the gas pedal is on the right…gotta keep on going and they’ll fall and I just kept hitting good shots and got lucky enough they went close enough that I could make them.”

By winning the Canadian Men’s Amateur, McCulloch has earned a spot into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont.

“I’ve missed Monday qualifying by one both times, so it’s cool to get in another way this year I’m really excited about that,” added McCulloch with a big smile. He also earns an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. from August 14-20.

McCulloch will also be awarded a cheque of $1,200. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, competed for a purse of $8,000 CAD. Along with McCulloch, the top-10 finishers earned prize money.

Phil Arci of Woodbridge, Ont. and Pulpit Club member earned silver medalist honours, finishing the tournament at 2-under. Jordan Gilkison of Washington Township, Ohio and VanArragon of Blaine, Minn. finished tied for bronze medalist honours at 1-under.

On Tuesday the Willingdon Cup was awarded to Team Ontario, who won the Inter-Provincial Team Championship. Ontario finished the team competition at 3-under to edge, the defending champions Team Quebec by one shot. Team Ontario consists of Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., Cameron Pero of Bloomfield, Ont. and Garrett Rank from Elmira, Ont.

For the final standings of the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Caledon, Ont. – The term “Moving Day” certainly lived up to its definition on Wednesday at The Pulpit Club as Ashton McCulloch finished strong to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. was two-over through 13 holes on Wednesday but finished with three straight birdies on holes 14 through 16 to sit at 6-under for the tournament and hold a one-shot lead over Collin Hodgkinson and Caleb VanArragon.

“It’s exactly why you don’t quit in a round. I really struggled with the putter early, I missed a couple putts that I felt I should have had…I couldn’t get anything going. It all started when I lipped out from forty feet on 10. I was like no, they’re going to start dropping and then I made back-to-back ten footers on 15 and 16 and that really propelled me to a strong finish today,” said McCulloch.

McCulloch has played well all week posting rounds of 69-68-70 and was part of Team Ontario’s Inter-Provincial team championship win on Tuesday. For McCulloch it comes down to trusting himself and his game, “I’ve played well all week, when I haven’t had my best stuff, I’ve found a way to grind through for a couple holes and find something that works. It’s going to be fun tomorrow.”

Behind him are Hodgkinson of Beaverton, Ore. and VanArragon of Blaine, Minn. both players sit at 5-under. Hodgkinson caught fire with four straight birdies from 11 to 14 but ended with a double bogey on the 18th to shoot 67 and sit in a tie for second.

“I was playing really well…six-under and hit one poor tee shot on 18 and it cost me two shots. Other than that, just hitting the ball really well and putting really well,” said Hodgkinson.

VanArragon was one-over through 11 holes on Wednesday but finished with three birdies and an eagle in his final seven holes to finish with a 68 and sit tied with Hodgkinson.

“I was able to hit a good wedge to within about two feet on 12 and then 13, I had a good number in the fairway, the wind was into the face which was good, it helped me stopped the ball on the green, hit a good seven iron to about six feet and made the putt from then on I felt I had a lot of momentum going,” said VanArragon.

The packed leaderboard includes three players at -4 heading into Thursday’s final round at The Pulpit. John Wild of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Xavier Marcoux of Concord, Mass., and round two leader Jordan Gilkison of Washington Township, Ohio all sit two back of McCulloch.

The final round at The Pulpit will tee off at 8:00 a.m. with the leaders teeing off at 10:01 a.m. For final round pairings, please click here.

The 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion receives an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. and the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. from August 14-20.

For the leaderboard of the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Jordan Gilkison leads Men’s Amateur by one shot after second round

Caledon, Ont. – The Willingdon Cup belongs to Team Ontario, as the host province was crowned as the Inter-Provincial Team champions on Tuesday at the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Ontario finished the team competition at 3-under to edge, the defending champions Team Quebec by one shot. Team Ontario consists of Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., Cameron Pero of Bloomfield, Ont. and Garrett Rank from Elmira, Ont.

“I’ve never played for the inter-provincial team in the Canadian Men’s Am so it means a lot to me and to play with these two incredible guys and win it for Ontario is pretty cool,” said Ashton McCulloch after Tuesday’s round. McCulloch’s scores of 69 and 68 counted for the team on both days.

“My name is not on that trophy, and I’ve done some cool things in golf so it’s cool to be on there,” said Garrett Rank with a smile.

“There’s a lot of really sweet names on there of guys that have gone on to do some really cool things in the game of golf. Golf is a very individual sport so anytime you get to play in a team setting and play with two other guys and get in that team atmosphere…it’s fun,” added Rank.

Rank shot a 1-over 72 on Tuesday to have his score count, while Cameron Pero’s 1-over 72 counted on Monday towards the team score. “This is my first Canadian Am and it was a pretty cool experience here at The Pulpit Club. I didn’t have my best stuff this week, I fought the putter pretty bad, but Ashton stepped up for the team and put together two pretty great scores so thanks to him,” said Pero.

Play resumed at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday on both courses of The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont. after Monday’s opening round was suspended due to darkness. 108 players in the field completed their opening rounds and were treated to sunny skies but windy conditions for round two.

Jordan Gilkison of Washington Township, Ohio shot back-to-back rounds of 68, to sit at 6-under for the tournament and leads by one shot over McCulloch in the race for the Earl Grey Cup heading into Wednesday’s third round.

“I think I’m playing really solid, and my bogey avoidance has been really good,” said Gilkison after finishing his second round at The Paintbrush.

“I’m hitting a lot of greens and giving myself a lot of birdie putts. When I am missing greens, I’m doing a good job of saving par so I would say all parts of my game are feeling pretty good right now,” he added.

Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont. finished his first round at The Paintbrush in the morning with a 68 and followed up with a 1-under, 70 at The Pulpit to sit in a tie for third with Alejandro Alonso of Mexico and Zach May of New Zealand at 4-under. Round three will be reduced to low 70 and ties.

The first two rounds of the tournament saw the field of 264 golfers split between playing both The Pulpit and The Paintbrush. The final two rounds of the national championship will be played on The Pulpit.

The 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion receives an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. and the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. from August 14-20.

For the leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Josh Nagy holds clubhouse lead at -6 with 108 golfers still to complete opening round

Caledon, Ont. – Josh Nagy shot an opening round of 65 on Monday to sit as the clubhouse leader in the 118th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

The opening round was delayed due to fog that pushed back tee times by two and a half hours or more on both courses of The Pulpit Club in Caledon, Ont. Most of the players in the afternoon wave were not able to complete their rounds on either course with play being suspended for darkness at 8:15 p.m. As a result, round one will resume at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday with round two tee times to follow.

Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont. was one of those not able to finish his opening round and is also at 6-under through 13 holes at The Paintbrush.

Nagy of Saskatoon, Sask. played in the morning flight and recorded seven birdies on his way to 6-under to hold the clubhouse lead by one-shot over Brady McKinlay of Lacombe, Alta. and Nicholas Dentino of Carmel, Ind.

“Just kept the driver in play all day and then the putter started to heat up on the front nine,” said Nagy following his round. “Made a nice long birdie putt on one and then on three, had a good look at eagle and was able to get that down for birdie and played the par fives really well too so that really helps.”

Nagy did just that as he birdied all three of the par-5 holes on The Paintbrush on Monday. He has had a successful run of late having won the 2023 Saskatchewan Amateur men’s title last month and said he hopes to build off that tournament through this week.

McKinlay, was also playing The Paintbrush and briefly held the lead on Monday. He finished with six birdies, including four in a row from holes 14 through 17.

“I birdied 11, made a good birdie there and those four in a row I just had good numbers, good wedges and I think I had about three or four putts from seven feet, and I made them all,” said McKinlay.

In the Inter-Provincial Team Championship, Team Alberta sits at 6-under to lead Team Saskatchewan by one-stroke and defending champions, Team Quebec by two. Team Alberta consists of Brady McKinlay, Ethan Wilson (St. Albert, Alta.) and Kye Fisher (Leduc, Alta.). The team championship is being played over the first 36 holes of the tournament.

The first two rounds of the tournament see the field of 264 golfers split between playing both The Pulpit and The Paintbrush. Players who start on The Pulpit will then play the Paintbrush for round two and vice versa. The final two rounds of the national championship will be played on The Pulpit.

The 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion receives an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. and the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. from August 14-20.

For the leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

FARMINGTON, Utah – Canadian Roger Sloan capped a final-round 5-under 66 with birdies at Oakridge Country Club’s par-4 17th and 18th, hitting back-to-back approaches inside 10 feet, including a near hole-out to set up the winning putt, en route to victory at the Utah Championship. Sloan’s closing birdies moved him to 24-under par for the tournament, one stroke ahead of runner-up finisher Christopher Petefish, who did not make a bogey all week.

The win snaps a winless drought of just over nine years for Sloan, who earned his only previous Korn Ferry Tour win at the 2014 Nova Scotia Open in his native Canada.

“It feels great,” Sloan said. “To (win) here is special just because this place reminds me so much of being back home. I love Salt Lake City. It’s a great place. Anytime you win, though, is very special. This one, my family was here. To see my kids run onto the green and hug them, that’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

Sloan began Sunday’s final round one stroke behind outright 54-hole leader Kevin Dougherty at 20-under par. An eagle at the par-5 seventh and back-to-back birdies at the par-4 eighth and ninth moved Sloan into the outright lead at 23-under par. Sloan fell back to the pack after bogeys at the par-3 11th and par-4 13th, and Petefish jumped in front at 23-under par with an eagle at the par-5 15th.

Petefish eventually made a miraculous par save at No. 18, rebounding from a second shot which hit a tree. Petefish signed for a bogey-free 5-under 66 and became the first player since Brandon Crick at the 2021 Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS to finish a 72-hole event without a bogey. Every other player in the field made at least three bogeys (or worse) this week.

Once Sloan stuffed his approach inside of 3 feet on the 72nd hole, Petefish ceased playoff preparations and settled for a career-high finish and third top-10 in his 34th career start on the Korn Ferry Tour.

“I knew I was tied for the lead,” Sloand said. “I knew once I had that (birdie) putt on No. 17. When I hit a really good putt on No. 17, I had a feeling we might be able to do something on No. 18. I just had a perfect number, hit a 56-degree wedge, and I hit it 95 (yards). Couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Sloan previously graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour at the conclusion of the 2014 and 2018 seasons. Sloan played four consecutive seasons on the PGA TOUR, until a No. 160 finish on the 2021-22 FedExCup Playoffs and Eligibility Points List relegated him to the Korn Forn Ferry Tour for 2023.

The win moves Sloan inside the top 30 of the Korn Ferry Tour Points List and into contention for a return to the PGA TOUR.

“I haven’t had the greatest of years results-wise, but it’s because I’ve been having to work on my game more than I have lately,” said Sloan, who entered the week without a top-10 in 14 starts this season. “I really just got to keep chipping away at what I’ve been doing all year, stay committed to that. The goal is for me to be the best player I could be, hopefully get back to the PGA TOUR soon, but I’m just taking it one day at a time.

“While this is great and we’re going to enjoy it, it’s back to the grindstone next week.”

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.

Abe Fehr, Essex Golf and Country Club, Hole #7

It was a wonderful feeling and accomplishment for me. I was playing with fellow Essex Golf and Country Club members Gary Langeman and Jake Neudorf. It was hole #7 and we were playing the blue tees. I used my 8 iron from a distance of 142 yards.

Adele Williamson, Canmore Golf Club, Hole #12

It was a thrill to have a hole-in-one on July 15, 2023. I was playing with Sandra, Judy and Cheryl, the members of my newly formed Masters competitive curling team. I was trying to impress them at my Canmore course but without much success until we came to hole #12.

When I stepped onto the tee box, I recognized that the pin placement was the same as it had been last July 13th when I had an ace on the same hole. The same white flag was again placed in line with the left edge of the sand trap. The distance was the same at 107 yards. Even though I have new clubs this year, I reached for my 7 hybrid as last year’s success was with a 7 iron. The ball soared and landed three feet from the hole and rolled in at the same angle as my last. How uncanny is that! The other cool fact is that everyone watched the ball go into the hole. There was a pause and a look of disbelief between us before the cheering began.

Alison Griffin, Andersons Creek Golf Club, Hole #8

It was an exciting moment. I was playing with my mother, Iva Griffin. The hole is 95 yards, and I used my 7 iron. It was a beautiful day, and the wind was just enough to help my ball get into the hole.

Amanda Barney, Prince Rupert Golf Club, Hole #4

I was playing with my partner Tim Young, and the yardage was 115 so I used my 7 iron. The pin placement was behind a large sand bunker, so we didn’t see the ball go in. We knew it was a great shot, but we looked for the ball off the back of the green before I glanced in the hole and saw the ball.

Angela Arora, Ashburn Golf Club, Hole #8

Editor’s Note: Angela Arora, a Team Canada and University of Tennessee golfer, recorded a hole-in-one during the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

Ann Newberry, Barcovan Golf Course, Hole #18

I had a hole-in-one at Barcovan Golf Course on hole #18 on July 25^th. I was playing in the weekly ladies’ league with Janet, Linda and Kim. I used an easy 8 iron for the 99 yard shot. The ball landed off the green and rolled on and into the hole. A superb ending to what had been a horrendous round.

Bill Woodley, Mabel Lake Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

It was an absolutely gorgeous day, 29 degrees with a light wind. My playing partners were Phil Malbeuf, Mike Striha and Eric Hoffman. It was 159 yards, and I used a 6 iron.

Brodie McRae, Shaganappi Point Golf Course – Valley, Hole #7

I had been playing with my friends (Aiden McRae and Riley Douglas) and the yardage was 170 yards. I used my 6 iron.

Chloe Wills, Ashburn Golf Club, Hole #14

My first hole-in-one!

Cliff Truax, Islington Golf Club, Hole #10

On July 25, 2023, I aced the 10th hole at Islington Golf Club. The hole was playing 165 yards uphill to the green. I was playing with my buddy, Brian Beith, and I used my Taylor Made M4 driver. This was my second hole-in-one, having aced Islington #6, on September 22, 2020.

Dan Klimas, Lachute, Hole #2

The hole-in-one was the fifth in my lifetime. This was just as special as the others. It was hole #2 on the Thompson Course at Lachute Golf Club. It was 164 yards, and I used a 5 hybrid.

Dave Lewis, Gander Golf Club, Hole #4

I used a 6 iron to complete this feat and the hole was playing 135 yards.

David Huffer, Canmore Golf Club, Hole #8

This was my second hole-in-one, both have come on the 8th hole of the Canmore Golf Club. I was playing with my friend Dieter Kuhn. My first was October 2014 with an 8 iron from 135 yards out, my recent was with a 5 iron from 157 yards.

DJ Stevenson, Woodlands Links, Hole #7

I used a 9 iron from 155, landed roughly eight feet past the hole and spun back into the hole! It took about 10 seconds to fall into the hole. I didn’t think it was going to go in but finally fell! I was playing with a couple of my buddies at men’s night, their names are Brandon Gibson and Tom Dawson.

Dustin Boydell, Cultus Lake Golf Club, Hole #2

I was playing with my friend Andrew and a twosome that got paired up with us. Their names were Jae and Mac. The hole was playing about 110 yards so I hit a nice, controlled pitching wedge. The depth perception of the green made it seem as though the ball had landed short of the pin and spun away. However, when we arrived at the green, we discovered the ball in the hole!

Evan Cranshaw, Malone Golf Club (east), Hole #3

It was in the second round of the St. Lawrence eight man tournament at Malone Golf Club. I was playing with Sean O’Conner, Matt Heney and Tanner Wiseman. The hole was 186 yards and I hit a 6 iron.

Fred Hill, Granite Springs Golf Club, Hole #16

My latest hole-in-one was at Granite Springs Golf Club from 123 yards. I used a Callaway Apex Pro 8 iron and a Vice Pro Plus golf ball. Stuart Tebbutt and Scott Murphy were my witnesses.

Gail Halsall, Cardinal Lakes Golf Club, Hole #12

I had a hole-in-one at Cardinal Lakes Golf Club! It was on the back nine on the Sparrow course! We were 94 yards with a 7 iron! Margaret Edwards and Tom Halsall were with me to celebrate the shot.

George Mulligan, Deer Ridge Golf Club, Hole #6

The yardage was 160 yards and I hit my pitching wedge. I was using Titleist clubs and a ball. My playing partners were Kevin Casey, Bob Fleming and Brian Hopkins.

Guy Allford, Granite Hills Golf Club, Hole #12

I played Granite Hills Golf Course in Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba. We were visiting from Calgary and played with my brother-in-law, nephew and a longtime friend. I used a 7 iron on the 12th hole, 154 yards. It hit the pin and straight in the cup. This was my 7th hole-in-one.

Nine years ago, we were playing Granite Hills and on the 12th hole, as we were teeing off, we received a phone call that our son who was 35 years old passed away very unexpectedly. It will be nine years on August 5th. I was golfing with my brother-in-law and nephew as well that day. As I was teeing off the other day my thoughts were with our son Ryan and as everyone said he was as definitely looking down on me. We are going to make a trip to Scotland next July, hopefully to play the Old Course to honour my grandparents who immigrated from Scotland, my parents and Ryan; they were all avid golfers.

Jackson Telka, Pine View Golf Course, Hole #11

Today, I’m overjoyed to share the incredible news that I achieved a hole-in-one! The magic began with a special moment before the match at 11:11, I made a wish to become the world’s greatest golfer. Little did I know that destiny had something extraordinary in store for me. On my way to the course, my friend Gavin Hopkins and I shared laughter, imagining what it would be like to get a hole-in-one. As I reached the 11th hole, 132 yards to the pin, I confidently stood at the tee, holding a 7 iron. I took a swing, and to my absolute amazement, my ball disappeared into the hole. It could only mean one thing! A dream come true that I will cherish forever.

Jamie Girolametto, St. George Golf Club, Hole #17

I was playing with my son Elijah Girolametto, Ernie Romaine and Tom Fisher. It was on the 17th hole at the Oaks of St. George. The hole was 117 yards. I used a pitching wedge. The ball went over the flag, stuck on the green and then came back down the slope about 10 feet. This is my first ever hole-in-one.

Jamie Spademan, Water Valley Golf and Country Club, Hole #2

I was in a group of four with two of my golfing buddies. It was James McKeage and Keith Field. The fourth member of the group was James’s nephew Chris VanTilborg. The yardage was 105 and I hit a pitching wedge.

Jean-Guy Boudreau, Pine Needles Golf and Country Club, Hole #4

On July 17th, I was playing with Freddy Vautour who shot 91, and Bernard Savoie who shot 83. They witnessed my hole-in-one on the 4th hole of the Pine course which is 150 yards long. I hit my pitching wedge. I used a Titleist ProV1x ball. My score that day was 74 from the yellow tees.

Jean-Philippe Bolduc, Saint Raphaël (Club de Golf), Hole #17

I was playing with Vincent Lecavalier, Mark Allison and Karik Boisjoly. It was 108 yards and I hit a 56-degree wedge.

Jérôme Himbeault, Kanawaki Golf Club, Hole #11

I had a hole-in-one on July 30th on the 11th hole at my home course Kanawaki Golf Club, during my final qualifying round for my Interclub team tryouts. The distance was 163 yards, I used my 9 wood to hit my shot and it took a bounce and in. My playing partners were Paul Rice and Nicolas Ponton.

Jerome Northcott, Gander Golf Club, Hole #4

It is the fourth hole at Gander and I used a 5 wood. I played with Judy Goulding, Ryan Tobin and Kevin O’Keefe on the 29^th of July.

Jim Gerhart, National Pines Golf Club, Hole #17

After 58 years of golf, I finally made a hole-in-one! A few weeks earlier, on the same hole, I hit the pin and finished six inches from the hole. I wondered if I would ever score an ace.

I was playing with fellow National Pines members Mike Sullivan and Shael Dolman in our regular Tuesday morning tee time. The scorecard yardage was 158 yards. The actual yardage to the pin was 142 (front pin). I used an 8 iron. 

John Powers, Sunset Ranch Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

I was golfing with Mike Hodder and Brian Bleakley. I used a 7 iron for 181 yards. I did not catch the ladies name that was the spotter as it was a hole-in-one for 5,000 dollars during the Sunset Men’s invitational.

Jordan Hollett, Cabot Cliffs, Hole #14

The yardage was 143 yards, and I used an 8 iron. I was playing with Shane Roney, Brodie McGregor and Ron Hately (there was also a Cabot caddie with us).

Karen Dove, Blue Springs Golf Club, Hole #5

This is my fourth hole-in-one. On July 18, 2023, I scored an ace on hole #5 at Blue Springs Golf Club. It was 115 yards over a pond with a 7 wood. It was witnessed by my good friend Leini Locsin and my husband Ron Falsetto. We celebrated later in the club house along with other members, one of whom had also scored an ace on the same hole earlier in the afternoon. High fives all around! I have to say it never gets old.

Karen Hodgins, Maple Ridge Golf Club, Hole #3

It was my ladies night at Maple Ridge. It was 99 yards on hole #3 with my pitching wedge. I will remember it forever!

Leslie Rahie, Pointe West Golf Club, Hole #2

It was hole #2, 141 yards and I used my 8 iron. I was golfing with Mike Vrionis and Nick Magyar.

Luke Fender, Quarry Oaks, Hole #15

What a day!

Marcel Desloges, Cowichan Golf and Country Club, Hole #6

I’ve only been playing golf for four years. I started when I was 59. It happened on hole #6 which is the most difficult par 3, according to many golfers. The green slopes left to right. My club selection was a 9 iron. The ball landed left of the pin, which was my aiming point, about eight feet. It looked like the ball had stopped then it started slowly rolling to the right and fell in! All the playing partners, Nate especially, were as excited as I was.

I’ve played many different sports in my life; golf is by far the most challenging and rewarding of all. I am hooked!

I would like to acknowledge Doug Morgan, the Club Professional at Richmond Golf and Country Club, in Richmond B.C, that I belonged to when I first started my journey in golf.

Doug’s first lesson, was a verbal lesson and a very important one. He said, “Marcel, you are not good enough to get mad.” I’ve taken that advice to heart, and it has paid off immensely.

Marlene Vickers, The Links at Dover Coast, Hole #1

It was 115 yards from the yellows, and I used my driver.

Martyn Gray, Bally Haly Country Club, Hole #13

I was playing my friend and work colleague Paul McGrath and shared the tee time with Don Bursey and Jim. It was 115 yards, and I used a pitching wedge. The wind was blowing right to left, I aimed at the right side of green. The ball hit the green and rolled, then it disappeared. Of course, we just thought it rolled behind a mound, but Paul took out his range finder and couldn’t see a ball on the green. It was in the hole!

Mitzi Koebernick, Drayton Valley Golf Club, Hole #4

It was the first time golfing with my three good friends after Drayton Valley had to evacuate due to a wildfire. The hole was one of the most beautiful holes at our course, 81 yards from the red tees, over a pond that looks as large as the Pacific Ocean. I was the first to tee off, I grabbed my 8 iron, and had a great swing. The ball hit the green about two yards in front of the hole and rolled to the flag. From the angle I was standing I was sure the ball had rolled past the flag, but my friends whooped and hollered and told me it was in the hole. I didn’t believe them.

Morley Woloschuk, Windermere Valley Golf Course, Hole #16

My first ace on hole #16! It was 145 yards uphill with a 7 iron. I was playing with my wife and son.

Nathan Le-Nguyen, Weston Golf and Country Club, Hole #8

I was playing with my sister and hit a pitching wedge from 137 yards.

Nathan Strom, Greensmere Golf Club, Hole #14

I played with my dad, wife, daughter and one of my good friends and his son. The pin was over water and 130 yards. I went on to shoot 81 that day, it was unreal!

Rob Atitise, Whitewater Golf Club, Hole #5

I had 178 yards from the blue tees to the pin and it was favouring the right side of the green just a bit so as a leftie I decided to play a little draw to that pin. It landed about one foot past the pin and it one hopped back right into the cup. It was special because I had just missed one on the Friday prior with my friends on hole #15 at Whitewater. It was a very cool experience and even cooler because it was in the presence of my parents and daughter.

As a side bar, a good friend of mine was playing behind me and drove up to the green after he realized I had made an ace and almost tackled me to the ground; obviously very happy for me as well. I will never forget it!

Rob Mannila, Spruce Needles Golf Club, Hole #9

I used a 7 iron and was playing with Luke Boiseneau and Ron Maxwell.

Rosemary Willett, Paragon Golf and Country Club, Hole #15

This was my sixth hole-in-one, and I am very happy about it. It was a sunny July 30th, and I was playing with Michael Willett, Lorraine and John Drummond. Hole #15 at Paragon is 128 yards, and I used my 3 wood.

Spencer Hagopian, Calgary Golf and Country Club, Hole #17

It was a 165-yard hole and I hit an 8 iron to about 10 feet on the left side slope of the green. It had some side spin and managed just to go right in the hole.

Stephanie Holland, Hylands Golf Club, Hole #16

My hole-in-one was made while playing in our weekly Ladies League, so I was credited with an eagle for our Birdies, Ringer and Chip-in competition. I was playing with my friends Linda and Elise who helped me celebrate, very loudly, I might add.  The distance to the flag on hole #16 measured 111 yards but as the green is elevated and there was a bit of wind, I played it 121 yards with a 7 iron. My shot was perfectly straight and aimed at the flag. The ball landed on the front of green and rolled perfectly straight into the centre front of the hole.  Honestly, it seemed to take forever to get there.

There is a bit more to this story. Two days later, I was playing on our South course again in our Senior Intersectional team try-outs with a lady named Heather. I told her about my hole-in-one, and she said that it was on her bucket list. As we played the 16th hole, she made a hole-in-one! Unbelievable!

Steve Stone, The Okanagan Golf Club, Hole #11

I was playing with my wife Megan Stone, and our good friends Geoff and Cathy Cruickshank. It was 140 yards with a pitching wedge that never left the flag.

Thomas Considine, Landings Golf Course, Hole #17

A magnificent day for me!

Tim Helferty, Greyhawk Golf Club, Hole #13

I had joined three other members as a single that day. Paul, Ferd and Ian who had someone drop out of their regular group. It was 170 yards, I used an 8 iron.

Tony Cupido, Beverly Golf and Country Club, Hole #14

I’m thrilled about my hole-in-one on July 30. I was playing the par 3, the 200-yard 14^th hole at Beverly Golf and Country Club.  I’m a proud member of Beverly. I used a 3 wood and because of the glare and distance, we couldn’t actually see it go in the hole! We knew it was close but did confirm until I investigated the hole.

Trevor Klassen, Pine Ridge Golf Club, Hole #14

It was hole #14 at Pine Ridge Golf Course, which is 178 yards adjusted to a back pin. I used an 8 iron on a perfect evening. I was with my brother-in-law and two friends.

Trevor Quesnelle, Settlers’ Ghost Golf Club, Hole #11

I was playing with my good friend Adam Bourgeois. We were playing from the gold tees and it was 163 yards uphill in the wind and the rain! I used a 7 iron.

Trudy Spidle, Eagle Crest Golf Course, Hole #1

I was pretty excited to get a hole-in-one! I’ve been a member of Eagle Crest since 2001 so it’s been a long time. I was golfing with my great girlfriends Ruth Ward, Karen North and Ann Marie Legge. I used my 3 wood and a Noodle golf ball. It ran onto the green and right into the hole. Ruth was standing right beside me!

Yvonne Gütz, Pakenham Highlands Golf Club, Hole #6

My golf partner Kate Swift and I were playing our front 9 on the Island Course at Pakenham Highlands Golf Club in Pakenham, ON. 

Hole #6 is the Island green and is Pakenham Highlands’ signature hole. It is unforgiving. I knew I needed lots of loft to not overshoot the green. Since I tend to slice my irons when under pressure, I choked down on my 5 wood and aimed directly for the flag. 

Kate shouted, “you did it – you did it, a hole-in-one.” I was skeptical and Kate just kept grinning at me. I thought that I had bumped into the flag stick and rolled onto the fringe. She said, “I saw and heard it hit the flag stick and drop in the cup.” When we approached the flag stick, with my putter in hand and peeked in, sure enough there was my Pinnacle Rush ball in the cup!

Caledon, Ont. – The final field is now set for the 118th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Nine players earned the final spots in the field of 264 following Friday’s supplemental qualifier at The Pulpit in Caledon, Ont. The national championship is set to begin on Monday, August 7 with the opening two rounds being played on both courses of The Pulpit Club (The Pulpit and The Paintbrush).

There was a four-way tie for first with Isaiah Ellis (Smithville, Ont.), Patrick Deardorff (Clarkston, Mich.), Matthew Bremer (Burlington, Ont.) and Alex Wilson (Orangeville, Ont.) all shooting rounds of 69, good for 2-under. Mike Kray (Oakville, Ont.) shot an even par, 72 while four players shot 1-over, 72 to round out the nine players that secured their spots on Friday.

The 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion receives an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. and the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship taking place at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. from August 14-20.

For the full player field competing in the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship Supplemental Qualifier Results

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Halifax, N.S. – Lauren Kim shot a final round 2-under 71 on Friday to win the 109th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO at Ashburn Golf Club (New) in Halifax N.S.

Team Canada’s Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. held second place during the first three rounds of the championship and entered Friday’s final round two-strokes behind Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont. Kim recorded five birdies on Friday to finish with rounds of 67, 69, 73, 71 to edge out Rivers by one-stroke to win the national championship.

“I just needed to take down one stroke at a time, its hard to stay focused sometimes with the wind out there but I’m glad I came in strong for the last hole,” said Kim. “It’s crazy because I haven’t won in a few years and to do it on homeland, and one of the biggest championships in Canada, it’s unreal.”

With the win comes an exemption into the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C., from August 22-27 and the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Bel-Air Country Club, Calif., from August 7-17.

Rivers played an impressive tournament and finished second after shooting 1-over during the final round on Friday. Rivers started off the tournament by firing an opening-round course-record 65 and continued to hold top spot after a second-round 69 on Wednesday.

During the third round, Rivers got off to a fiery start by carding two back-to-back birdies on the par-5 second hole and the par-4 third hole. She encountered a challenging end to the front nine, carding three bogeys in a row but was able to push through till the end to maintain her lead.

In today’s final round Rivers shot a final round of 74 to finish in second place. Sadie Englemann from Austin, Texas, shot an even par, 72 and finished the tournament in third at 5-under.

Kim will also be awarded a cheque of $1,200. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, competed for a purse of $8,000 CAD. Along with Kim, top-10 finishers and ties earned prize money.

For the full leaderboard click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, CPKC, Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear, and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

This week on Road to the Tour, presented by Hilton, the spotlight is placed on Team Canada coaches and the impact they have on players’ growth. These coaches are committed to the performance of Team Canada athletes and play a key part in the development of all players.

Rest and Relax like a Pro, start planning your next stay with Hilton today.

Halifax, N.S. – Brooke Rivers of Brampton, Ont., shot 1-over-par 73 at Ashburn Golf Club (new) in Halifax, N.S. on Thursday and will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the 109th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship presented by BDO.

The 18-year-old Rivers—who opened the championship with a course-record 65 followed by a second-round 69—sits at 9-under-par (207) through 54 holes of the prestigious championship. She got off to a good start Thursday with back-to-back birdies on the par-5 second hole and the par-4 third, then struggled with three consecutive bogeys on holes six through eight. Rivers’ back nine included a birdie and a bogey as the Team Canada member looks ahead to Friday’s final round with hopes of going wire-to-wire for her first-ever Canadian Women’s Amateur title.

“I still think that having a good game plan going into the last day is the most important thing,” said Rivers. “The pins are getting more tucked as the day goes on so paying attention to where the pins are and where the flat putt is crucial to have a good score.  I like to play my own game, focus on one shot at a time and not focus where everyone else is in correlation to me but just try to hit a good shot and leave the ball where I want.”

Rivers will need to hold off a hard-charging group of competitors including her teammate on the National Amateur Team, 18-year-old Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., who continues to sit alone in second at 7-under (209) through 54 holes after shooting a third-round 1-over 73.

A trio of Americans—Sadie Englemann (Austin, Tex.), Phoebe Brinker (Wilmington, Del.), and Maisie Filler (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), hold a share of third at 5-under (211), four shots off the lead, while defending champion and Team Canada member Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont. sits alone in sixth at 2-under for the championship.

The low round of day belonged to Vanessa Borovilos (Toronto, Ont.) and Antonia Malate (Seaside, Cal.) who shot matching 5-under 68’s to sit T7 and T12 respectively.

The winner of the 2023 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship will earn an exemption into the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship

For the full leaderboard click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, CPKC, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist, FootJoy and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.