Rose Zhang dominated amateur golf like no other female in the modern game. Now the Stanford star is ready to take on the best.

Zhang announced Friday she is turning pro, ending an amateur career in which the 20-year-old sophomore set the Stanford record with 12 wins — one more than Tiger Woods — in only 20 tournaments.

She won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, followed that with her second straight NCAA titles and was No. 1 in the amateur world ranking for 141 weeks, another record.

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She will have no shortage of opportunities — the remaining four majors, including the U.S. Women’s Open and the Women’s British Open — have given her special exemptions.

The Women’s Open is at Pebble Beach, the most iconic of U.S. Open venues, for the first time. While no longer an amateur, Zhang is the first player to get a special invitation to the U.S. Women’s Open without having LPGA status since Michelle Wie West.

“This is a big moment for our sport, and I’m very appreciative of the USGA for the opportunity to be part of it,” Zhang said.

Even rarer is getting an invitation to the Women’s British.

“Rose Zhang is an incredibly talented golfer who has already written her name into the history books as an amateur golfer,” said Martin Slumbers, the CEO of the R&A. “It is very rare that we grant a special exemption for the AIG Women’s Open but we believe that Rose’s exceptional achievements to date warrant her inclusion in the field at Walton Heath.”

Zhang will make her debut next week in the Mizuho Americas Open, a new tournament hosted by Michelle Wie West at Liberty National in New Jersey.

“Rose is one of the greatest amateur golfers in the history of the sport – male or female – and we are thrilled to welcome her into our field,” said Jerry Rizzieri, the president and CEO of Mizuho Securities USA.

It was an example of the hype that Zhang brings with her to the professional game. But then, she has been facing expectations ever since she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Girls Junior. She was the eighth player to win both, but the first to win the Women’s Amateur (at age 17) before the Junior.

Along with the two NCAA titles — Stanford won the team title last year — the final piece of an incomparable career was the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, already among the elite amateur events because it is held at the home of the Masters.

She also will player the Kroger Queen City Championship in Cincinnati, an event run by Excel Sports, the management agency with whom she signed.

Zhang grew up in Irvine, California, and spent two years at Stanford. Her 12 career titles — the last won was the NCAA — broke the record previously held by Tiger Woods, Patrick Rodgers and Maverick McNealy. She tied the Pac-12 record set by Lorena Ochoa at Arizona.

Zhang first reached No. 1 in the women’s amateur ranking in September 2020. She broke Lydia Ko’s record of 130 consecutive weeks at No. 1, and overall record (141 weeks) that was set by Leona Maguire.

Along with the two Opens, the KPMG Women’s PGA at Baltusrol and the Amundi Evian Championship in France, Zhang has accepted invitations to play the Dana Open near Toledo, Ohio, and the CPKC Women’s Open. She could qualify for other LPGA events by finishing in the top 10.

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While turning pro, Zhang said she would finish her degree at Stanford.

(May 25, 2023) – A trio of PGA TOUR stars and fan-favourites will compete at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto as 11-time PGA TOUR winner Justin Rose, world no. 18 Tyrrell Hatton and 3-time PGA TOUR winner Cameron Champ have joined the field for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.

Rose, who will make his fifth start in the RBC Canadian Open, is currently ranked No. 22 on the FedEx Cup and no. 29 in the world. A European stalwart with the Ryder Cup and DP World Tour, Rose is a former US Open winner, past FedEx Cup champion, and gold medalist at the 2016 Olympics. He has four PGA TOUR top-10s this season including a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, T6 at The Players and T9 at the PGA Championship.

Fellow Englishman Hatton, who will make his second start in Canada, is a past winner on the PGA TOUR who sits no. 19 on the FedEx Cup and no. 18 in the world. The two-time Ryder Cup member and DP World Tour standout has five top-10s this season including a T6 at the WM Phoenix Open, T4 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, solo second at The Players Championship, T3 at the Wells Fargo Championship, and T5 at the Byron Nelson Championship.  

One of the longest hitters on the PGA TOUR, Champ makes his third start in the RBC Canadian Open. A three-time winner on the PGA TOUR, Champ has a pair of top-10s on the season including solo eight at the Zozo Championship and T8 at the Mexico Open.  

Rose, Hatton, and Champ join a growing field headlined by two-time defending champion and world no. 3 Rory McIlroy who will be looking to become the first player to win three consecutive RBC Canadian Open titles. Others previously committed include reigning US Open and RBC Heritage champion Matthew Fitzpatrick (world no. 9) along with fellow European stars Tommy Fleetwood (world no. 23) and Shane Lowry (world no. 26).  

The group will compete alongside Team RBC ambassadors Sam Burns (world no. 14), Cameron Young (world no. 16), Sahith Theegala (world no. 27), seven-time PGA TOUR winner Webb Simpson, and nine-time PGA TOUR winner Matt Kuchar.

A full Canadian contingent will also challenge for the national championship led by PGA TOUR winners Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. (world no. 28), Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. (world no. 58), Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. (world no. 62), Nick Taylor of Abbottsford, B.C. (world no. 66), and Adam Hadwin of Abbottsford, B.C. (world no. 71) as well as fellow PGA TOUR members Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont. and Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont.

In addition to world class golf, fans at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open will be treated to the two-night RBCxMusic Concert Series onsite at Oakdale Golf and Country with Grammy Award-winning pop group, the Black Eyed Peas performing on Friday, June 9 and Canadian Grammy Award-winning icon Alanis Morissette performing on Saturday, June 10.

Tickets for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.

It’s human nature to be attracted to the best-of people.

Quickly proven but no-less surprising, a Class ‘A’ Specialization from the PGA of Canada can help enhance profile, service offering, and in turn, help drive more revenue and awareness to a club’s facility.

The introduction of Specializations continues to enhance a commitment to members, employers, and hiring managers to ensure that PGA of Canada pros are trained to the best of their ability based on their role and desired personal and professional growth. You don’t have to look too far to find the best of the best.

“Clubs and facilities want the best teachers, coaches and the best operations people to help the golf community,” says Nelson Inacio, the career development manager at the PGA of Canada. “Pros with Specialization add an extra layer of expertise, making them that much better and that much more connected to the golfing community they serve.

“They bring (facilities) stronger, world-class operations from end-to-end, and at the end of the day, that translates to more profitability for these clubs.”

There are four umbrellas for Specializations – Golf Operations, Management & Leadership, Teaching, and Coaching. With a tighter hiring marketplace, candidates that are looking to differentiate themselves would do well to acquire these badges of distinction, according to Inacio.

Potential candidates can acquire more than one Specialization and, with PGA of Canada pros believing in themselves and broadening their personal value proposition, an employer can reap the benefit of that expertise and what it brings to them and their club or facility at the end of the day. With a Class ‘A’ professional that has one or more Specializations, there is now an added layer of professionalism to their craft.

“As with any professional, subject-matter experts are highly acclaimed – whether it be Golf Operations or Teaching/Coaching or Management Leadership – earning that badge of distinction, not only have they achieved something academically, but they have a real-world understanding of what it takes to be a stellar professional and support those niches,” says Inacio.

There are plenty of professionals who have accelerated their efforts through the PGA of Canada thanks to Specializations, including Ann Carroll – a 32-year member of the PGA who is a teaching specialist. Carroll has a junior girls’ golf academy, is the head coach at the Ann Carroll Golf Academy, and works with over 100 clients at Toronto’s Lambton Golf Club.

She’s been able to see a direct correlation from her in-demand teachings to club revenue. Carroll says she sells upwards of 20 sets of clubs per year to students – money that goes directly to the pro shop. There’s also been people who have joined the club after spending so much time there with a family member taking lessons from Carroll.

“With my experience […] I found people will travel very far – two or three hours in the car – spend a couple hours with me and tee it up on the course, have some drinks after, maybe buy some things at the golf course. People just want to use the whole facility,” says Carroll. “The trickle-down effect is incredible.”

Another PGA of Canada National Award Winner, Doug Lawrie, says “influence” is a key thing that comes out of seeing a PGA of Canada pro with a Specialization at a club. The person members or the public sees first and foremost is likely that teaching professional on the driving range, because they are out there for nine or ten hours per day, “helping people love the game.”

That person is an authoritative figure – in the best of ways.

“We influence buying, memberships, spending, it’s something that is a major value because if people are trying to improve their game, I’m going to recommend they get fit and improve their equipment,” says Lawrie. “The other cool part is if you get people taking up memberships, you get a bigger membership and more dollar value. Parents will invest more in their kids because they want them to prosper and learn and be the best at the sport that they love. So, it spreads out like cracks on the ice, and it really does ripple.

“You get a bigger buy in, people hear about it and they see the bags with the crest on it and people ask, ‘where is that?’”

It doesn’t take long to bare witness to how a specialized pro can help drive success at a club. Look at Dean Manz and his effort at Red Deer Golf and Country Club. Manz, a Class ‘A’ Member since 2007 and who has a

Specialization in Golf Operations, helped drive pro shop revenue at his Alberta club by 200 percent over a three-year span.

As a long-time PGA of Canada pro himself, Manz says getting to know his members is key. Building a relationship with them means a good chance to earn their business.

He encouraged the club to invest in another PGA of Canada pro on his team who had a specialized skill set, laser-like on promoting and growing the game. He couldn’t recommend hiring a PGA of Canada pro more.

“It’s the only way to go,” Manz says, “if you are looking to take your club to the next level.”

Bromont, QC – Despite rainy weather conditions, Dom Lalonde from Chateauguay, Que. shot a 5-under, 67 to top the list of golfers that have advanced to the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier on June 4 at Coppinwood Golf Club.

Lalonde carded five birdies in a bogey free round on Wednesday at Golf Château Bromont in Bromont, Que. Max Gilbert from St-Georges, Que. shot a 3-under round of 69 and recorded five birdies including three straight from holes six through eight.

The top 15% of the field have advanced to the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier, direct exemptions are given when the starting field consists of 120 or more golfers.

RBC Canadian Open Quebec Regional Qualifier Results:

There is one RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier remaining on the schedule. The final qualifier is scheduled for Monday, May 29 at Pinebrook Golf and Country Club in Calgary.

For the full leaderboard click here.

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

Results from the first ON Regional Qualifier can be found here.

Results from the second ON Regional Qualifier can be found here.

156 of Canada’s top junior golfers to compete over 54 holes on the Trent Canal, with exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships on the line.

Golf Canada’s 2023 championship season continues Friday, May 26, at Peterborough Golf and Country Club in Peterborough, Ontario. With the NextGen Ontario Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards.

The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Thursday, May 25, and championship rounds beginning on Friday, May 26. After the second round on Saturday, the field will be reduced to the low 49 Junior Boys and top 22 Junior Girls, including ties, for the final round which wraps up on Sunday, May 28.         

The starting field will feature 156 male and female competitors – 108 Junior Boys and 48 Junior Girls – vying for a spot into their respective Canadian Junior Championship later this summer.

The top eight players in the Junior Boys division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 14-17, at North Bay Golf and Country Club Ltd. in North Bay, Ont. The top eight players in the Junior Girls division will earn exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 24-27, at Hampton Golf Course in Hampton, N.B.

Golf Canada is proud to return to the stunning Peterborough Golf and Country Club after successfully hosting several prestigious amateur competitions, including the 2015 Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship. Peterborough consulted legendary Canadian course architect Stanley Thompson to design what is now their 18-hole layout in 1929. With its diverse mixture of mature trees and spectacular views on the Trent Canal it offers a walkable player-friendly layout, proving to challenge the country’s best golfers.

“As Peterborough Golf and Country Club enters its 126^th year, we are extremely excited to welcome the next generation of Canadian Golf talent. We have had the continuous support of all the staff and membership who recognize how important the Golf Canada Next Generation Tournament is to Peterborough Golf and Country Club,” said Kurtis Sweeting, Sports Director and Head Professional, Peterborough Golf and Country Club. “PGCC has been pursuing excellence over numerous years to provide its membership with the highest quality golf and facilities as one of the only private clubs in the area. Adorned with nature, one can recognize the heritage that Peterborough Golf and Country Club stands on. This Next Generation tournament speaks to intertwining the past, present and future of Peterborough Golf and Country Club as we look forward to welcoming all participants. The spirit of golf truly lives at Peterborough Golf and Country Club.”

To follow the live leaderboard of the NextGen Ontario Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards, click here.

About the NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

The NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards is a high-performance junior golf series which totals eight competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2023 national championships. Two additional Fall Series events will be hosted to close the season. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. For more information on the NextGen Pacific Championship, click here.

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 mission is to increase Canadian participation and excellence in golf. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Brooks Koepka had a 4-under 66 – the low round at Oak Hill for the second straight day – and leads the 2023 PGA Championship by one shot over Viktor Hovland and Canada’s Corey Conners heading into the final round.

But Koepka won’t have it easy.

Conners played Oak Hill like a U.S. Open – that’s what this PGA Championship feels like – by opening with two birdies and 13 pars that kept him in front for so much of the wet, gruelling day. And then one swing changed everything.

He was in a bunker right of the 16th fairway when he hit the ball so thin that it disappeared into the lip of the soggy turf. It was plugged deep in the sod, and Conners had to drop it in gnarly rough on top of a mound framing the bunker. He did well to advance that toward the green into more thick grass and took double bogey.

Conners, in control for so long, had to settle for a 70.

Hovland overcame mistakes early with three birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn. But then the Norwegian failed to take advantage of the scoring stretch – Nos. 13, 14 and 15 – and took bogey from the bunker on the 18th hole for a 70.

He will be in the final group of a major for the second time. Hovland was tied with Rory McIlroy at St. Andrews last summer and closed with a 74.

Missing from all this activity was Scottie Scheffler, the No. 2 player in the world, who started with two straight bogeys and didn’t make a birdie _ his only one of the round – until the 14th hole. He shot a 73, but is still very much in the mix.

So is Bryson DeChambeau, who played with Koepka and took double bogey on the sixth hole for the second straight day. He ground out a 70 and was three shots behind.

McIlroy was about like the weather – promising and then bleak – during a wild round that ended with a par save for a 69. He was among only seven players under still under par, but still five shots behind the four-time major champion Koepka.

Oak Hill in pleasant weather has been a brute. Rain came down at the start of play and never really let up except for a brief burst of sunshine and shadows, and then the showers returned. Fairways were framed by umbrellas. The rough was thick and wet. McIlroy was among players who wore their caps backward to keep rain from dripping off the bill.

Fellow Canadians Adam Svensson and Taylor Pendrith are sitting tied for 20th at +3, 9-shots back of leader Koepka.

Conners following his round

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it was a really solid day. I managed my game well in the difficult conditions, and yeah, happy with the round. It was a fun battle out there and very difficult.

Q. On 16, it went from a flawless round to a bizarre situation. Did you know right away the ball was buried, or did you think it maybe skipped off, or what do you think in the moment?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I didn’t make great contact there. I saw everybody looking up in the air. I did that as well. I thought it maybe skipped up. But you know, didn’t see anything land and was pretty certain it was embedded there. The ball was below my feet and didn’t quite adjust for that. Wish I could have that one back.

Q. Was there anything you did or talked over with Danny afterwards to try to clear your head going to the next hole?

COREY CONNERS: We had a laugh about it, really. It was an unfortunate situation and a poor shot. Didn’t really affect the last few holes. Just tried to give myself a couple looks on 17 and 18.

Q. Are you happier with your score or maybe how you mentally handled everything today, including the weather?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, equally both, I would say. I managed my calmness and freedom out there pretty well despite the challenges through the weather. I’m happy with how I handled myself, and also pretty happy with the score.

Q. You’re only one shot back heading into the last round of a major championship. Just in terms of your approach to tomorrow, how are you feeling going into the final round?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I played solid the last few days, so just trying to do more of the same and have some fun out there and play with freedom.

Q. Looking back on it, what happened at 16, do you find that as a pretty significant break that it actually did embed, versus what could have happened?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, if it wasn’t embedded, it was a pretty steep bank. I don’t think it would have stayed on there, but yeah, was able to get a free drop, and yeah, maybe got a break.

Q. Were you comfortable with how it worked out, where you would have to drop, so forth and so on?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, if I could have dropped it on the side closest to the fairway, I might have had a better stance there, but it was pretty clear once we took a look that it was going to be closer to the hole and had to drop no closer to the hole. I put myself in a difficult spot there, but you know, just got to follow the rules.

Q. What was your approach to the 6th hole, and how do you think you did on the front nine? Did you do as well as you hoped to do?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I got off to a great start. Was really steady on the front nine. The sixth hole had a 5-iron and was basically trying to mid the middle of the green. Just pulled it a little bit but got it on the green which is a big plus.

Q. If someone had said to you at the start of this week, you are one shot back going into the final round of a major, what would your response have been?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, sounds pretty sweet to me.

Q. What would winning a major mean to you and Canadian sport?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, watching Mike Weir win the Masters in 2003 was huge, and it would mean a lot to me and I’m sure a lot to people across Canada. I will be playing hard tomorrow, but I’m trying to have some fun out there.

Q. How much has he inspired your career?

COREY CONNERS: Incredibly. He was 11 years old when he won the Masters, just getting into competitive golf. I think he really definitely inspired me to want to make it as a pro.

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.