Each week during the golfing season, we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they would like their story to be featured on our website and social channels.

OAKVILLE (Golf Canada) – The well-received hole-in-one report is back for a second year.

During the golfing season, congratulatory emails and digital certificates are sent weekly to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one through the hole-by-hole scoring option on the Golf Canada website, Golf Canada mobile app or at your club kiosk.

The stories are compiled and shared on the Golf Canada website and on the Golf Canada social channels.

Read some of the stories shared by fellow Golf Canada members who accomplished this incredible feat.

Luis Bridgeman, Deerhurst Golf Course, Hole #8

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out!

My friends and I were out in Huntsville earlier this year to enjoy a summer weekend. In my group, I was playing with my friends Savi, Kevin and Alan on the Highlands par 72 course. I was playing from the white tees. I got my hole-in-one on the 8th hole which was playing around 131 yards. The tees are slightly elevated, and you hit down into the green, so I factored this in and chose to hit my pitching wedge. The golf ball that I was using was a Titleist Pro V1x. I hit a slight draw on the shot and the ball landed about two or three feet left of the pin but had some nice right sidespin which spun it right into the hole! It was quite fascinating watching the ball spin about two or three feet back to the right and into the hole which made the moment that much more exciting. 

Thank you for providing me with a nice infographic to commemorate this exciting achievement! 

Kind regards,

Luis Bridgeman

Belinda McNeice, Meadow Gardens Golf Association, Hole #17

Hi,

It was on hole #17. I used my 4 hybrid had a beautiful straight drive! I was happy to land on the green and couldn’t actually see my ball from where we were. As I approached the green, I couldn’t see my ball so I assumed it went into the sand. I grabbed my sand wedge and headed towards the sandpit. One of the members I was golfing with walked straight to the hole and was like yup it’s in the hole! Somehow he knew! Pretty cool feeling. I was golfing with my girl friend Cindy and a new member that had just joined us on the last three holes. Maybe a good luck charm! Sorry didn’t catch his name. 

Went back to the clubhouse bought some drinks for who was there to celebrate!

Thank you, 

Belinda McNeice

Anisur Salim, Dentonia Park Golf Course, Hole #1

I recorded my seventh hole-in-one on October 6^th at Dentonia Park Golf Course. Occurred on the 102-yard first hole. I used my 56-degree wedge.

Thanks,

Anisur

Members, have you recently made a hole-in-one?

Tell us about it! Share your story, picture/video and course information with us via email at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.

Didn’t receive a congratulatory email from us? Record your hole-by-hole score on the Golf Canada website, Golf Canada mobile app or at your club kiosk.

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.

Alan Campbell, Brundenell River Golf Course, Hole #10

Thanks for sharing my first hole-in-one. It was #10 at Brudenell River Golf Course. 131 yards across water and windy and cool. The guys who were playing with me were John Currie, Alyre Poirier, and Josh Campbell (my son). I hit a 7 iron, it hit the green and rolled to the right and into the hole.

Barbara Ollenberger, Dunes Golf & Winter Club, Hole #3

Thank you. 

I was golfing with my friends Trina Irons and Allen Tomkins. It was 90 yards, and I used a 9 iron.

Benjamin Lisi, The Pulpit Club, Hole #16

Good evening Golf Canada Team,

Thank you so much for your email.

I am more than happy to share the details. It was so unexpected and a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.

My good friend from university, Joshua Hardy, invited me out to the club that day alongside his other two buddies, Noah Maunder and Connor Logan. The yardage was 164 yards and I hit an 8-iron. 

We were playing a money game and Noah and Connor were 1 up headed into 16. I previously made an up-and-down to save par on 15. I was the last to go in the group, Josh had hit the green and I had the opportunity to put the pressure on. Hole #16 at The Pulpit is very similar to hole #12 (Golden Bell) at Augusta, where you have to hit over some water with a bunker guarding the green in front and two bunkers behind. The pin was located on the middle left and there was a ridge feeding the ball down towards the hole.

The most satisfying part of it all was that I said to Josh right before I hit it “Smooth 8-iron over the bunker.” I was playing a draw for the majority of the round with my short irons and I hit the exact shot I wanted to hit. Josh said, “Oh, that could be in” once I hit it. The ball landed three feet to the right pin high, spun left off the ridge, and just disappeared!

It was so surreal and just like that the match was all square onto hole #17. Good thing there weren’t many people in the clubhouse when we came in or else it would have been an expensive bar tab.

Thank you again for reaching out! I appreciate it!

Best,

Ben

Bohdan Kolomijchuk, Willow Park Golf & Country Club, Hole #18

Thank you for the email and reaching out. It’s still very surreal that I got my hole-in-one.

Here’s a recap of the day:

It was Saturday, May 13^th, a beautiful morning in Calgary. We had a shot gun start at 8:30 AM, the tee sheet being jammed with two groups on each hole. Our starting hole was hole #13.

When I got to the course I knew or was expecting the round to be a long round, around 5 hours, based on the amount of players. The funny thing was while walking with my golf group heading out to our first tee on hole #13, one of my playing partners said “maybe we will only play 15 holes and not play 10, 11 and 12” based on all of us thinking it would be extremely slow with the number of players playing in the shot gun. I remember saying to everyone we will have to play all 18 holes if someone in our group gets a hole-in-one, too funny that I called it. ?

The horn goes off; the shot gun has begun, and we tee off on hole #13 as group one for that hole. I am playing with my regular Saturday group that would include other members of Willow Park as follows: my brother (Yar), my son (Tyler) and my friend (Bob). The time we got to the 18th hole this was our sixth hole of the day. I was not having my best golf day going into this hole I was already 8 over par so not having much fun. The good part of the day was the pace of play actually was way better than expected.

We were playing from the back tees this round which would be the (black/blue combo). Hole #18 was playing long at 201 yards into the wind the pin placement was positioned and tucked between two mounds middle right side of the green so needing the perfect tee shot to get it anywhere close.

As I recall I was eight over par going into this and remember quote on quote this is what I truly said to the group prior to teeing off, “Nothing that a hole-in-one can’t cure.”

I used a 5 iron and striped it. I knew it was good but had no idea it was in the hole. Walking up towards the green I didn’t see my ball. In my mind I was thinking the ball must have rolled off the back of the green?

To my surprise when I approach the green one of my playing partners has his hand extended to shake my hand. I am thinking, “What is he doing?” He said, “Look down into the cup.” Wow, what a surprise as I see my Titleist ball looking right at me. I mark my balls with a Happy Face on them and it was staring me in the eye.

At that moment I did not know what to say or do, I was in shock but so happy and it was surreal that I was able to have this moment and especially doing this with my regular weekend group including my brother and son.

Thanks again,

Bohdan Kolomijchuk

Brandon Kleinknecht, Weston Golf & Country Club, Hole #8

What a great email to receive. Wow, very professional. Thank you very much. I was playing with my best friend, Jeff O’Neill who is a member there. It was playing 122 yards and I hit my 50-degree gap wedge on route to a smooth 71. Jeff actually got an ace on the same hole with the same yardage a few years ago. Thanks again.

Brent Davidson, Legacy Ridge Golf Club, Hole #2

Hello and thanks for the congratulations email. Nice touch. My hole-in-one was at Legacy Ridge #2. It was a pitching wedge from 131 yards that bounced twice and trickled in. The excitement was shared with my wife, Kim, and our golf friends, Gord and Donna. A big thanks to the Legacy Ridge Management for presenting me with a hole-in-one flag directly after the round. Very nice touch!

Brian Goodwin, Glacier Greens, Hole #4

After going bogey, par, double bogey, Bill Village, Ernie Peaker and I made our way to the 4th hole at Glacier Greens, in the Comox Valley. Both gents hit decent shots over a pond to the green. Having not started very well, I changed to a used, beat-up ball as my confidence wasn’t running very high as I have put balls in the pond on numerous occasions. I hit a good shot in the direction of the pin that was 135 yards away. As I was a little frustrated, I turned to walk back to my bag. The boys said, that may have gone in. The pin was hard to see as it was in the sun. My first thought was that it went passed the pin and no one could see it. As we neared the green, none of us could see the ball, so I started looking past the green in the rough. Still not seeing the ball I walked slowly to the pin and saw the ball at the bottom of the cup. This was my second hole-in- one, having one 21 years earlier on my 40th birthday. This was the one time that I thoroughly enjoyed buying beer for my buddies and funny enough, a few more showed up after the round.

Sincerely,

Brian Goodwin

Carmen Bropinak, Goose Hummock Golf Resort, Hole #4

Thanks for the cool graphic.

The hole was 103 yards to the flag and was very windy. I hit an 8 iron and it landed beside the flag and spun into the hole. I was with my husband, Jeff Kropinak, and his friend, Robert Toutant.

Deborah Cooper, Toronto Golf Club, Hole #7

Thank you for your email.

My story should be called Pure Luck. I was playing with Tammy Demaine and her daughter Rachel Demaine as well as my daughter, Kiera Dirisio. All members at TGC. First round of the season!

I used my rescue club. First hole-in-one for me. I hit my ball on the green and honestly saw it roll to the right and lost sight of it. The rest of the group was talking and didn’t see me hit. Typical! We all walked up to the green and I thought it rolled off down the hill as it was nowhere to be seen. I even brought my pitching wedge with me. My daughter also landed on the green and when she went to putt hers in the hole, she screamed, “Mom, your ball is in the hole!” I think the entire course heard us screaming. Lots of celebrating on the lawn afterwards.

Overall super exciting and truly unbelievable!

Deb

Jean-Guy Godin, Nottawasaga Inn Golf Club, Hole #4

Thank you for your kind message. My hole-in-one on May 1, 2023 was my very first one.It happened on hole #4 of the Hill-Valley course at the Nottawasaga Inn Golf Club in Alliston. I was playing with three of my neighbours and friends, Ken Beckett, Terry Corbett and Terry Mudry. The hole played to 149 yards (front pin position), with a slight headwind. I used a Callaway Big Bertha Diablo Hybrid 4 club and a Callaway Max ball. We were playing the white tees on an elevated tee box. When I struck the ball off my tee, I knew right away that it was a good shot – high loft and straight at the pin. I saw the ball land about one metre from the pin but did not see it roll into the cup. As I started walking away from the tee, my golf mates who were standing behind me started yelling that the ball rolled into the cup and that I had made a hole-in-one. Initially, I thought they were kidding, but then quickly realized that I had indeed shot my first hole-in-one. Quite a surprising and great golfing moment for me! Happy to have shared it with golfing buddies. 

Best regards,

Jean-Guy Godin

Kory Mortimer, Galt Country Club, Hole #11

Thanks for reaching out. I was playing with my brother, Kyle Mortimer, and my two friends, Todd Chevalier and Vinny Luka. It was a 9 iron from 146 yards. Nice high draw that landed about three or four feet left of hole and rolled right inside the door. I was fourth to tee off in the group. Vinny was on the green and Kyle and Todd were 6 and 8 feet from the hole. Didn’t think I could do much better, turns out I could!

Murray Alley, Wyldewood Golf & Country Club, Hole #11

Hi,

May 11^th 2023

Hole # 11

123 yards

9 iron

Thanks,

Murray Alley

Neil Pagett, Osoyoos Golf Club, Hole #13

Hello,

Thanks for the email, it was a nice surprise.

I was playing with a couple of friends and golf mates, Garry and Phil. 13th hole, out on the Meadows course back nine, which was our front nine due to an irrigation project under way at the Osoyoos Golf Club. Front pin, tees back, playing about 134 yards to the stick. I hit a 9 iron nice and easy into a little bit of a breeze, just caught the front apron and rolled right at the flag. It seemed to hang there for a moment then goik!

Ended up shooting 80, great day overall!

Warm Regards,

Neil Pagett

Randy Wood, Royal Regina Golf Club, Hole #14

On May 10, 2023, I recorded a hole-in-one on the 14^th hole at the Royal Regina Golf Club.

Samuel Shiposh, Eagle Creek Golf Course, Hole #11

Thank you so much for reaching out! I was playing at my home course, Eagle Creek Golf Club, with two of my brothers, Aubry and Brennan Shiposh. Hole #11 was playing 115 yards and I hit my 52-degree wedge. I hit the shot and it was tracking the entire way and ended up dunking in the hole! We were all going crazy. This was my second hole-in-one ever, as well as my second on this very same hole. 

Steve Geoffrey, Oaks of St. George Golf Club, Hole #8

Hi,

Thanks for sending this. I thought it was kind of cool at the time, but I really didn’t make a big deal about it.  I didn’t even tell them at the Proshop.  I was playing with Malcolm MacCrae, Brian (Malcolm’s friend) and Blair (Brian’s son).

Hole #8 played 190 to the pin that day with a slight head wind, so I picked up a 4 iron (from the gold). I hit it reasonably well but not flush. I saw the ball clear the water and bounce twice, lost it in the glare of the sun and bent over to pick up my tee thinking “Okay, it’s up there.”

I watched the others tee off and we made our way to the green. All the way to the green I was thinking I couldn’t see a ball on the green. I must have over hit it. So, I head to the back of the green. I looked at the fringe, over the back mounds and all way up on the next tee block. I was thinking the whole time, “205 max. No way I hit it this far.”  

So, now I’m miffed at having lost the ball on what I thought was a really good shot. I dropped a ball on the back mound as the fellas were putting out. Blair was the first one to get within 3 feet of the hole and said, “There’s a ball in the hole!” He pulled it out and it had my red and blue markings on it!  

I couldn’t believe it!

Thanks for asking. I love telling this story!

Steve

Steven Leslie, Saugeen Golf Club, Hole #8

Thank you for your email. I appreciate you taking the time and for your interest. 

The hole was Saugeen Golf Club, Legacy #8. 126 yards. 8 iron. My playing partners were Larry (The Commish) Dudgeon, Gord Wallace and Byron Sadiku. All Saugeen Golf and Golf Canada members.

It was pure with nice loft, two hops, looked like it stopped and disappeared in the jar. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Side note: Larry Dudgeon, a local legend, has seven aces!

Thank you again for your interest.

Hit’m straight.

Steven Leslie 

Wayne Ricord, Loomis Trail, Hole #12

My name is Wayne Ricord. I played golf on Friday, May 12, 2023 at Loomis Trail in Blaine,Washington. I had a hole-in- one on hole #12. 177 yards. White tees. 5 iron. It was a shot in the sun, so we didn’t see it go in. My buddy Bill’s shot was just short of the green and we kind of thought that’s where I was. Walking up to the green we only saw one ball and it was Bill’s. He said you better look in the hole maybe it’s there. I waited till after he chipped then I looked in and low and behold there it was. Hole-in-one! It was a great day on the links with great friends, Randy Balfour and Bill Farden.

Wayne Ricord

May 18, 2023 – Golf Canada and The Keg have announced that The Keg will become the official restaurant partner of Golf Canada for 2023 and 2024, which includes the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open events.

The Fare Way featuring The Keg

As part of the agreement, The Keg will be the featured brand of the Fare Wayoffering re-imagined Keg classics on site. Originally introduced at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, the Fare Way is a food and beverage experience for fans to enjoy throughout the week at both tournaments.

The Fare Way featuring The Keg will be located on course at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto and the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.

“As Canada’s favourite steakhouse, we are thrilled to become Golf Canada’s official restaurant partner,” said Chantal Chiarelli, The Keg’s Vice President, Marketing. “We look forward to celebrating the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open with an elevated sense of hospitality and delicious food and beverage offerings for everyone to enjoy during these fantastic events. With over 100 locations across Canada and the USA, we can’t wait to bring The Keg’s famous experience to Golf Canada.”

“We are excited to have The Keg become the official restaurant partner of Golf Canada,” said Lisa Ferkul, Chief Commercial Officer, Golf Canada. “The Fare Way has become a destination experience for fans at both the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open and we look forward to The Keg along with all of our premium food and beverage partners delivering an exceptional festival vibe onsite at our National Open Championships.”

Caledon, ON. – Not only did Sebastian Szirmak have to wait out an early morning frost delay to begin his round, but also to see if anyone could top him and the other clubhouse leaders during the afternoon flight. In the end, a playoff was required, and Szirmak outlasted Ben MacLean (a) and Keaton Veillette on the second playoff hole on Wednesday to earn a direct exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-11 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto. Eric Yun (a) birdied the 18^th hole during the afternoon flight to join the trio but was eliminated after the first hole of the playoff.

All four golfers recorded rounds of 67, good for 5-under. Szirmak recorded five birdies and a bogey free round. While some stuck around to see what their fate would be, Szirmak felt he shot a good number and left the course and let life distract him, “I just got back from Mexico and we’re moving back in and there was so much to do so as soon as I left, I called my girlfriend and she’s like hurry up, we need this, we need that so my brain completely left golf which I think was really beneficial because I wasn’t sitting there refreshing and seeing what guys were doing. I was just patiently waiting until 7:00 p.m. when I was going to leave downtown and come back here and see if there was a playoff or if someone got to six under,” he said.

“I went to Costco, I went to our Airbnb units, I took care of a few things, it was a lot more than I’m sure most guys would imagine I was doing for those six hours,” added Szirmak with a laugh.

Once the afternoon group concluded play it was time for the playoff and Szirmak and MacLean both found the fairway with their tee shots on the par 5 first hole. MacLean hit onto the green for a chance at eagle, while Szirmak’s third shot from a green side bunker came close to an eagle of his own, “Anytime I’m around a green I feel like I have a good chance to be aggressive, so it just lipped out and I thought oh man is that my Canadian Open gone, a lip out, but two more guys made birdie so we went to 18,” he said.

Szirmak and MacLean would again both have chances at eagle on the par 5, 18^th hole. Szirmak hit a 5-iron for his second shot that hit the green, “We got up there and had about a 30-footer across the green, lagged it up to five feet and for some reason it was pitch black but I saw the line, I felt the line and looked up and it’s going in, so that was an awesome feeling for sure.” Szirmak made his birdie while MacLean came up just short of extending to a potential third playoff hole.

With the win, Szirmak earns a direct exemption into the RBC Canadian Open and will make his first appearance in the National Open Championship. This is a place where Szirmak has thought about getting to and he is excited to get his first opportunity to play with some of the world’s best, “I’m just really looking forward to it. I think I’m going to have my eyes out looking and just kind of soak in the moment, not because I don’t think I belong there just because I know the opportunity and it’s probably the only one I’ll play this year, so I will make the most of it.

“And of course, playing in Canada, I’m hoping there will be some love from the fans so I think that will be a lot of fun for sure,” added Szirmak.

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course), played to Par 72 at 7,151 yards with a field of 142 golfers. Along with Szirmak’s exemption, an additional 31 golfers (remaining top 15% of the field) from Caledon have advanced to the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier scheduled for Sunday, June 4 at Coppinwood Golf Club in Goodwood, Ont.

RBC Canadian Open Second Ontario Regional Qualifier Results:

*Lost in playoff

There are two RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers remaining on the schedule. The next qualifier is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24 at Golf Château Bromont in Bromont, Que. and on Monday, May 29 at Pinebrook Golf and Country Club in Calgary, Alb.

For the full leaderboard click here.

Results from the B.C. Regional Qualifier can be found here.
Results from the first Ontario Regional Qualifier can be found here.

Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship renamed following the historic rail merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern

May 17, 2023 – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have announced the tournament known since 2014 as the CP Women’s Open is now the CPKC Women’s Open.

The renaming of Canada’s National Women’s Golf Championship follows the historic combination of title sponsor, Canadian Pacific, with Kansas City Southern. The two railway companies came together April 14, 2023, to become CPKC, the first single-line railway network connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico.

“We are extremely proud to partner with CPKC in this new chapter of the railway’s storied, iconic history,” said CPKC Women’s Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “CPKC remains a major supporter of women’s golf globally and we look forward to introducing the new CPKC Women’s Open brand across the tournament.”

“This event, the lone Canadian stop on the LPGA Tour, showcases CPKC’s continued commitment to our world-class championship that raises significant amounts of money for children’s heart health in a host communities across Canada,” Paul added.   

The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will be played August 22-27, 2023, at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, B.C.

In nine years of title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $13.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in the event’s host communities. The 2023 charitable beneficiary of the CPKC Women’s Open will be the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation in Vancouver, B.C.

For more information about the CPKC Women’s Open, visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com

Nick Taylor believes he’s playing the best golf of his career. His results this season back that up.

Taylor is the highest ranked Canadian on the FedEx Cup standings, a position that’s earned him a berth in this week’s PGA Championship. He qualified for the second major of the men’s golf season based on his 22nd overall ranking in the PGA Tour’s points list.

The 35-year-old from Abbotsford, B.C., hasn’t played in the PGA Championship for three years and has only appeared in one major – the 2022 U.S. Open – since 2020.

But given how Taylor’s been playing this season, he’s hoping for more.

“I’ve got a lot to accomplish this year. I’d really like to make the Tour Championship, that’s a big goal of mine,” said Taylor while travelling to Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, N.Y., for the PGA Championship. “We have three majors left, this week being one, and playing those and hopefully being in contention at some point.”

Taylor’s consistency this season has put him in five top 10s and made him a runner-up twice after 18 events. He most recently finished second with partner Adam Hadwin, also from Abbotsford, at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on April 23.

Other highlights from this season include tying for sixth at the Fortinet Championship on Sept. 18, a tie for seventh at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Jan. 15, a runner-up finish at the WM Phoenix Open on Feb. 12, and a tie for 10th at the Valspar Championship on March 19.

“When I went to Hawaii, I felt like I was committed to what I was doing and I wasn’t going to be searching anymore,” said Taylor, who has been working with short-game coach Gareth Raflewski. “I think anybody can go down that rabbit hole and it never ends up working out.

“So being committed to that and knowing that everything that we were looking for (in my game) was good and sticking to it.”

A total of 13 cuts made has Taylor up to US$4.05 million in winnings near the midway point of the season, more than doubling his income from the 2019-2020 season, his most lucrative season until now.

“Keep putting myself in good spots,” said Taylor of his mindset. “I think this year, more than past years, I’m just sticking to process goals and doing the things that the results are reflective of, instead of focusing on the results and going backwards.”

Taylor and Hadwin – “Team Abbotsford” at the Zurich Classic – will be joined by another four Canadians at the PGA Championship. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., are also in the field.

The six Canadians at this year’s PGA Championship matches last year’s U.S. Open for most ever at a men’s major, according to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Taylor said that “it’s awesome” to have so many Canadians earning their way into majors as they are a pretty close group off the course.

“I think that drives us,” said Taylor. “It feels like we can go out and you can see a Canadian flag toward the top of the leaderboard every week.

“We’re going to keep getting better. I think a lot of us have the Presidents Cup circled on our calendar next year that’s in Canada. Mike Weir being the captain, that’s a big motivation for a lot of us.”

First Tee – Canada and Youth on Course will provide greater access to the game for 10,000 youth by end of 2023

TORONTO – Today, RBC and Golf Canada are excited to welcome 18 new golf course sites to RBC Community Junior Golf, which provides affordable access to the game for underrepresented groups and socio-economically disadvantaged youth in Canada. The newly selected sites join fifteen returning courses from the 2022 inaugural season, which engaged nearly 6,000 young people in communities across Canada.

RBC Community Junior Golf enables the implementation of First Tee – Canada and Youth on Course programming at accessible municipal and public golf courses and helps create pathways to the game at nearby schools and communities. The courses were selected based on accessibility to local public transit as well as proximity to community centres, with an intentional focus on regional and diverse representation.

“RBC strongly believes that sport has the power to build character, provide opportunities for young people to grow and foster vibrant communities,” said Shannon Cole, Vice President, Brand Marketing, RBC. “We are incredibly proud of the impact RBC Community Junior Golf had in its first season and look forward to expanding our reach to enable more access to the game of golf.”

RBC Community Junior Golf Welcomes New Golf Courses:

• Club de Golf Saint-Michel – Bellechase, QC
• Club de Golf Bic – Rimouski, QC
• Country Meadows Golf Club – Moncton, NB
• Doon Valley Golf Course – Kitchener, ON
• East Park Golf – London, ON
• Fox Meadow Golf Course – Stratford, PEI
• Glacier Greens Golf Club – Comox, BC
• Golf Mentor Group – Winnipeg, MB
• Highland Pacific Golf – Victoria, BC
• Hollinger Golf Club – Timmins, ON
• Humber River Golf Club – Deer Lake, NL
• KenWo Golf Club – New Minas, NS
• Kingswood Golf Course – Fredericton, NB
• Lakeview Golf Course – Regina, SK
• The Marshes Golf Club – Ottawa, ON
• Tuxedo Golf Club – Winnipeg, MB
• Roseland Golf & Curling Club – Windsor, ON
• Wildwood Golf Course – Saskatoon, SK

RBC Community Junior Golf Returning Golf Courses:

• Archie’s Family Golf Centre – Cornwall, ON
• Blomidon Golf and Country Club – Corner Brook, NL
• Cedar Hill Golf Course – Victoria, BC
• Chedoke Golf Club – Hamilton, ON
• Club de Golf Municipal Dallaire – Rouyn-Noranda, QC
• Club de Golf Les Rivières – Trois-Rivières, QC
• Humber Valley Golf Course – Etobicoke, ON
• Legends on the Niagara – Niagara, ON
• Mill River Golf Course – Woodstock, PEI
• Peel Village Golf Course – Brampton, ON
• Tam O’Shanter Golf Course – Scarborough, ON
• Walter Gretzky Municipal Golf Course – Brantford, ON
• Whitewater Golf Club – Thunder Bay, ON
• Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Golf: Fraserview Golf Course – Vancouver, BC
• Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Golf: Queen Elizabeth Park Pitch and Putt – Vancouver, BC

Each location will be equipped with First Tee instructor training, tailored lesson plans, equipment and financial support to operate at no cost to the location or participants. Additionally, each golf facility will offer Youth on Course, which provides young golfers aged six to 18 with access to subsidized rounds of golf for five dollars or less.

“RBC Community Junior Golf has played a major role in the thriving growth of First Tee and Youth on Course across Canada,” said Kevin Blue, Chief Sport Officer, Golf Canada. “Their initiative will continue to expand our reach in equity-deserving communities and provide more children with life-enhancing opportunities through golf. We look forward to our partnership and commitment to ensuring that our sport reflects the diversity of Canadians.”

Canadian youth aged five to 18 years can benefit from First Tee and Youth on Course at one of the participating golf courses. RBC Community Junior Golf participating facilities work with community centres or schools in their local area to register youth participants. For more details, visit: https://www.golfcanada.ca/rbcjrgolf.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 97,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.

About Golf Canada

Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada, representing more than 319,000 golfers and 1,435 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s vision is to be a world leader in golf and achieving the mission to increase Canadian participation and excellence. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit golfcanada.ca.

About First Tee – Canada

First Tee – Canada is a youth development program operating under Golf Canada since 2020. In partnership with First Tee, Golf Canada launched First Tee – Canada to provide inclusive and accessible life-enhancing opportunities to children through golf. First Tee – Canada continues to expand programming and positively impact youth at golf courses, schools, and community centres across the country. For more information and to learn how to support First Tee – Canada, visit firstteecanada.ca.

SOURCE RBC

For further information: Fiona Anderson, RBC, fionaelisabeth.anderson@rbc.com; Madelyn Boelhouwer, Golf Canada (First Tee – Canada), mboelhouwer@golfcanada.ca

Coquitlam, B.C. – After a competitive 36-holes, Gabriela Ruffels of Indian Wells, California and Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. have earned direct exemptions into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open by finishing atop the leaderboard at the U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier at The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C.

Ruffels, 23, shot a combined 7-under with rounds of 69 and 68 to earn her spot in the U.S. Women’s Open for the third time in her career and credited solid play and patience for getting her back to the U.S. Women’s Open this year, “I hit a lot of fairways out there, hit a lot of good approach shots, hit a lot of greens and was just tapping in for par pretty much the whole day and then just had to stay patient and the birdies came.”

Ruffels won the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur and finished T13 in the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open as an Amateur and is excited to return to Pebble Beach, “I love USGA events, especially at Pebble it’s going to be really historic and unique. I love Pebble, it’s one of my favourite places so being able to go this year is just amazing,” said Ruffels.

Kim, 17, shot a combined 5-under with rounds of 70 and 69 to earn her place in the U.S. Women’s Open. The Team Canada member found herself one back heading into the second round, “I just told myself to keep chasing as if I’m one stroke back the entire round. My dad and I were just working together to push as hard as we could, save our pars whenever we could and make birdies when there was the opportunity, so I think that was key.”

Kim who will be attending the University of Texas later this fall will be headed to the U.S. Women’s Open for the second straight year, “I still can’t wrap my head around it, it’s so surreal. I did it last year and that took a while to sink in, so I think I’ll wake up tomorrow feeling a little happier and excited.”

Vanessa Zhang of Vancouver, B.C. will be the first alternate. The Team Canada NextGen member finished 2-under with rounds of 69 and 73. Today’s qualifier marked the first time that a U.S Women’s Open Qualifier has been hosted in Canada. The field in Coquitlam at The Vancouver Golf Club featured 57 golfers with a combination of both professionals and amateurs competing for two direct exemptions. A record 2,107 entries are competing in qualifiers for spots into the field of 156 players for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open. This year’s tournament runs from July 6-9 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.

For the full leaderboard click here.

Oshawa, ON. – Daniel Kim of Toronto, Ont. shot a 5-under 66 Monday at the first Ontario Regional Qualifier hosted at Oshawa Golf and Curling Club in Oshawa, ON to earn a direct exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-11 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

Kim got off to a flying start with a birdie on the opening hole and an eagle on the fourth hole to sit at 3-under through four. Kim finished the day with six birdies and an eagle to earn medalist honours and finish two shots clear of amateur Luc Warnock of McGregor, Ont. (-3) and Charles Huntzinger of Greensboro, Georgia (-3).

Kim, 32, came out on top from a field of 136 professional and amateur golfers at Oshawa Golf and Curling Club to earn his spot in Canada’s National Open Championship. It’s quite the turnaround for Kim after he decided to quit playing golf professionally last year due to injury and personal reasons.

“If you were to ask me six months ago, would I be playing the Canadian Open, I would have said you’re crazy. I’ve been working full time and I keep telling people it’s a hobby now, it’s not my job, it’s a hobby now and its pretty crazy how things come around, said Kim. “This was the last little competitive thing I was actually going to do, before digging in and start working. So, this is a blessing in disguise, and I feel so thankful and grateful.”

Oshawa Golf and Curling Club, played to Par 71 at 6,596 yards and provided a strong test for the field with only 12 players shooting under par. Along with Kim’s exemption, an additional 24 golfers (remaining top 15% of the field) from Oshawa have advanced to the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier scheduled for Sunday, June 4 at Coppinwood Golf Club in Goodwood, Ont.

RBC Canadian Open Ontario Regional Qualifier Results:

There are three RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers remaining on the schedule. The next qualifier is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. Additional qualifiers will take place on Wednesday, May 24 at Golf Château Bromont in Bromont, Que. and on Monday, May 29 at Pinebrook Golf and Country Club in Calgary, Alb.

For the full leaderboard click here.

Results from the B.C. Regional Qualifier can be found here.

Abbotsford, B.C. – Taylor Durham of North Vancouver, B.C. shot a 5-under 65 Friday at the B.C. Regional Qualifier hosted at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, B.C. to earn a direct exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, June 6-11 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

Competing in the RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier as an amateur, Durham caught fire at the turn, reeling off five straight birdies on holes 9 through 13 and seven birdies on the day to earn medalist honours, two shots clear of Zahidali Nathu of Richmond, B.C. (-3). Team Canada NextGen amateur Alex Zhang of Richmond, B.C. was solo third at 2-under with six others finishing with a share of fourth at 1-under.

Durham, 29, outlasted a field of 124 professional and amateur golfers at Ledgeview Golf Club (exceeding the 120-golfer requirement for a direct exemption) to earn his first-ever start in the Canada’s National Open Championship.

“I’m pretty speechless to be honest, it’s definitely a lifelong dream to play in a PGA TOUR event but you never really believe its going to happen, said Dunham, a 2-time Men’s Club Champion from Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver. “After hole 11, just off birdies on 9 and 10, I felt I was hitting if really nice, and tried to get home without any big numbers. I’ve been texting friends and family, it still feels hard to believe, just an awesome day and I’m super excited to be in this position right now.”

The remaining top 15% of the field from the B.C. Regional Qualifier will advance to the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier scheduled for Sunday, June 4 at Coppinwood Golf Club in Goodwood, Ont.

Playing to Par 70 over 6,159 yards, Ledgeview proved to be a solid test for Qualifier field, with only nine players shooting below par. In addition to Durham’s exemption, 19 golfers will advance to the Final Qualifier on Sunday, June 4.

RBC Canadian Open B.C. Regional Qualifier Results:

For the full leaderboard click here.

The B.C. Qualifier at Ledgeview was the first of five 2023 RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers. The next is scheduled for Monday, May 15 at the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club in Oshawa Ont. and then Wednesday, May 17 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. Additional Regional Qualifiers will take place on Wednesday, May 24 at Golf-Château Bromont in Bromont, Que. and on Monday, May 29 at Pinebrook Golf and Country Club in Calgary.