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.

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.

Adam Bilyea, Tarandowah Golfers Club, Hole #12

Hello,

I was playing as a single and was joined on hole #4 by another single (thank goodness). We got to hole #12 and I selected a 7 iron. Yardage to pin was 157. 

I hit it pure and knew as soon as I hit it, it was going to be good. The ball landed a few feet on the green, took a nice hop and then rolled in. The foursome ahead of us that left the green and was on next tee box also got to celebrate it! This was on our first Men’s night, and on the closet to the pin hole. 

As you can see in the pic my puppy Rory photo bombed the picture. I guess he is my good luck charm. It was his very first round. 

Certainly, was a memorable evening.

Alex Dumais, Sirocco Golf Club, Hole #5

Good morning,

Thank you for the well wishes and the graphic! I will be printing it and putting it up with the flag I was given by the club that day.

I was grouped that morning with a member named Richard Wong, and two other public players, Phil and Dave. The hole was playing 179 yards and I hit a 6 iron.

There is a funny lesson regarding rules with this event:

I hit my tee shot left into a steep bank with trees, shrubs and fescue and was hoping for a bounce onto the green. The ball landed over a small mound, and I saw no bounce. I went up to the area the ball landed on the hill and searched for a minute or two and then decided to drop a ball to keep pace of play. I chipped my dropped ball close to the hole and tapped in to find my original tee shot in the bottom of the cup. Had this been in a tournament, I’m not sure if my tee shot would have counted as I had already put another ball in play (although maybe this could be discussed with a Rules official)? Regardless, always check the hole if you think there’s any chance the ball went in.

Thanks again,

Alex Dumais

Arlene King, Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club, Hole #14

Good morning,

What a lovely surprise receiving this note from you.

I serve as the Secretary of Zone 6 Ladies BCGA and have done for the past 6 years. I did not start playing golf until 8 years ago so to have these honors, as a Senior…well, it was well worth the wait!

On Wednesdays, I book a couple of tee times for members of the Qualicum Beach Legion Br#76. On this day I had the pleasure of playing with my husband, Wayne Brown alongside David Livingstone and Wendy Chisholm. The second group was made up of Dave Horrocks, Ben Villeneuve and Jenny Mann. They all joined us on the Clubhouse patio following the round to lift a glass in celebration.

Hole #14 is a par 3 and was playing 120 yards (uphill) that day. I got to the tee box with my 7W (Heavenwood) in hand and swung slow and easy, I could not see the ball finish, but it was on a good line and trajectory. By the time I got up to the green, Wayne was marking his ball and said, with a huge grin, “Can you get your junk outta the hole so the rest of us can putt?” WHOOOOHOOO! So excited. It was a fabulous day made even more special golfing with some of my favorite people! And yes, we enjoyed a pint and a toast to the golf gods. ?⛳?

Thanks for the opportunity to share my story. Ace number two is now in the books.

Thank you so much for taking an interest.

Best regards,

Arlene King

Bob Dubask, McKenzie Meadows Golf Club, Hole #17

Thank you very much for the email.

McKenzie Meadows Golf Club, Calgary, Alberta. It was May 4, 2023, at 4 PM (the “fourth” must’ve been with me!). Hole # 17 is a par 3 with water on the left. The hole was cut on the right front at about 116 yards. Strong wind blowing from left to right. I used a 7 iron and made what I thought was a pretty decent shot (for a 80-year old! ?). The ball landed on the green, bounced once, and then rolled towards the pin. It was the strangest feeling…time seemed to stand still, as the ball kept rolling and rolling and rolling, and then simply disappeared! Hole-in-one! ? This is my third hole-in-one. 22 years since the second! ?

Playing partners that day were Alex Tye, David Mahoney and Bruce Simpson

David Rossall, Deer Creek Golf Club, Hole #5

Thank you so much for sending me a congratulations card.  

I was playing with my brother Wayne Rossall, my nephew John Alcott and Jeff Eadie. All are members of Golf Canada.  

We play closest to pins on par 3’s and I had the last shot. Nobody was on the green, so it was wide open. I originally had a pitching wedge in my hand but watching all the other shots I thought let’s change it to a nine iron. The hole was playing 135 yards. As soon as I hit all I heard was “That’s got a chance.” I hit the ball as perfect as I ever could and it bounced once, twice and in the hole. It was on the 5th hole of Black Pearl Course. I just let out a yell and so did everyone I was playing with. Best feeling ever to have in the game of golf. I’m 61 years old and have been playing for 41 years.

Ethan Saucier, Beverly Golf & Country Club, Hole #17

Thank you very much. I was playing with my good friends, Ken Wiersma and Jim Hemrica. The pin was around 160 yards and I hit an easy 6 iron. The pin was on the downslope and the ball hit the top of the slope and slowly trickled back into the cup.

Jack Demroski, Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course, Hole #9

Hello.

Thank you for the mention of my hole-in-one. I think it was because my wife Kathy enters my scores hole-by-hole on the Golf Canada site.

Eight of us were playing a net score game and I was in the second group, getting ready to tee off on the short but tough 9^th hole at Tsawwassen Springs G.C. It’s protected by traps on either side and at the back as well. The group ahead of us were part of our small money game and were heading to the tenth tee. One of them (Ken Natsuhara) left a KP marker where his tee shot stopped within a foot, left of the flag. Rob in our group said, “Someone’s got to hole it to beat that KP!”. Shortly after is when the lead group heard a loud whoop from our group, turned around and realized someone in our group had holed out. Me! For my very first hole-in-one, ever!

Members in my group took pictures and they were: Theo van Tunen, Robert Clare and Casey Whittit. The hole was only 110 yards, but playing into the wind, so more like 120 yards. I “stepped hard” on a pitching wedge as I realized I had left my pushcart and clubs several yards away in the designated area before realizing I might not have enough “club”. I committed to the wedge. It landed about six inches in front and slightly to the right of the cup, one hopped past and spun back into the hole. I was stunned and silent as I was realizing what had finally happened, but my friends cheered immediately! 

Thanks for the graphic.

I had just turned 65, 2 days before (on the 24th), so took a couple days off to play with friends who play most Wednesdays throughout the year, weather permitting. We are all part of the Pacific Golf cCub, all players with established H’caps (Via BCGA/CGA), who play throughout the Lower Mainland, usually on Saturdays. Currently at around 40 members, open to men and women. I have been a member with Pacific for over 10 years, and was a member of Fraserview Golf Course, part of the Vancouver Parks board, for 25 years before that. 

Cheers and thank you, again.

Jacques Fournier, Moncton Golf & Country Club, Hole #2

Had never had one in 17 years and now have two in the last three years. 

Occurred on hole #2. I used a 9 iron on the 145-yard hole. Hit spin back in the hole. 

Jacques Fournier

Jim Carlson, National Pines Golf Club, Hole #15

Thank you. 

The hole-in-one was achieved May 5th on National Pines’ 15th hole. It was playing 110 yards and I used it Wedge. Playing partners were Bob Goss and Andy Williams. 

Cheers.

Kelan Dhanai, McCall Lake Golf Course, Hole #4

I was playing with my friend. Wind was coming in from the back, I was 170 yards into a front left pin. I had a 9 iron in hand ready to try and draw it in. Right as I was about to swing, I thought to myself I should hit a light 8 iron. So, I grabbed it from my bag. As I hit my ball, it started off five yards left of the pin with a baby draw then landed five feet left of the pin and had a draw spin into the hole.

Ken Rondeau, Stonebridge Golf Club, Hole #13

Thank you for your email.

Hole #13 which played approximately 135 yards. Hit a 9 iron. Played with Steven Check and Bruce in the morning at 7:10.

Neil McKendrick, Fernie Golf & Country Club, Hole #11

Thanks for reaching out.

Here are the details:

– Fernie Golf Club, opening day for 2023.

– Hole #11, white tees. 142 yards, 8 iron.

– Playing partners were Bonny McKendrick (wife), Al Kamp and Jessica Rodrigues.

• The club gives a hole-in-one flag to commemorate the event. 

This is my second hole-in-one on this hole (first was in August, 2020) and my sixth since I started playing golf. My score on Sunday was 72. I’m 71 years old and started playing when I was 16. 

Very exciting for me and those I was playing with. 

Thank you for the graphic. 

Peter Hastings, Rattlesnake Point Golf Club, Hole #13

Hi and thank you for your email and the certificate.

I was playing with Don Young (Rattlesnake) and Carl Hiltz (Heron Point).

The hole-in-one was on Copperhead #13. I believe the yardage to the middle of the green was 160 and we were playing to a blue flag. There was a strong wind in our faces, so I hit a 5 wood to make sure I got to the back of the green. The shot had a high trajectory, landed about 15 feet left of the pin and then rolled into the hole.

Thanks.

Rey Erickson, Victoria Golf Club, Hole #8

My hole-in-one occurred while I was playing golf with my wife, Maureen Erickson, and Mitch Prothman, a member at Victoria Golf Club.

The yardage was 109 yards with wind against us. I used a Miura 9 iron to get my hole-in-one.

Shawn Delaney, Algonquin (Club de Golf), Hole #5

Witness was John Decontie. Yards were 166. Iron used was a 5 iron. Ball was a TaylorMade soft response. It was a very small left to right fade. Slam dunk. Man, it was unbelievable. I didn’t realize what happened until I looked over to John and he’s losing his mind then it clues in that it did in fact go in.

Steve Akazawa, Harvest Golf Club, Hole #4

Thank you for reaching out to me to celebrate my first and only hole-in-one after 40 years of golfing!

The happy event occurred on April 26, 2023, on hole #4 of the Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna, B.C. where I have been a member for six years since I retired and relocated from Vancouver. 

On this Wednesday, April 26, I joined up as a single with some out of town visitors; a lovely couple, Christian and Catherine from Montreal and another single, Richard Burrage from Calgary. So, I was pleased to be able to be a course guide for them, helping with the hole layouts and green reading. Even without a hole-in- one it was a great day of golf and socializing, especially at the 19^th hole. 

I normally play the White tees, but on this occasion, decided to join Richard and Christian on the Combo tees. On hole #4 the regular white and blue tees were closed due an improvement project to the teeing area and the grass area was still undergoing new growth. So, all of the fourth hole tees were moved up to the 128-yard Green Tee location. I used an 8 iron for my lucky hole-in-one shot and was fortunate that all members of our foursome saw the ball roll into the cup! Talk about good course yardage for our guests. All in all, a phenomenal day.

P.S. I had an incident with my electric MGI golf cart last year that was fully covered (less $100 deductible) by the insurance program provided by the Golf Canada membership. The process was quick, simple and very courteous; thank you for providing this service.  

Steve Akazawa

Todd Pearson, Hylands North, Hoe #12

Hole-in-one happened on hole #12 at the Hylands North, course in Ottawa. 199 yards. 4 iron.

DULUTH, Ga. – Stephen Ames capped off his dominant week on the TPC Sugarloaf with a 4-under 68 on Sunday that gave him the tournament scoring record and a four-shot victory in the Mitsubishi Electric Classic.

Ames joined David Toms as the only multiple winners on the PGA Tour Champions this year. He previously won the Trophy Hassan II in Morocco.

Ames had a three-shot lead going into the final and was never seriously challenged. He drove into the water on the final hole and still made a 30-foot par putt to finish at 19-under 197. Ames broke his own 54-hole record at Sugarloaf by four shots. He also won in 2017.

Miguel Angel Jimenez birdied the final hole for a 68 to finish alone in second.

Brett Quigley tried to make a run at Ames and got within three shots until a bogey-double bogey finish for a 69 to finish alone in fourth.

Ames, from Calgary, won $300,000 and moved up four spots to No. 4 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings. What made this victory more special was having his son, Ryan, as his caddie for the week. Ryan Ames is a PGA of Canada member and aspiring teaching pro.

“The fact I ended up winning was icing on the cake,” Ames said.

Steve Stricker didn’t make a birdie until the back nine and then shot 32 to tie for seventh, keeping his lead in the Charles Schwab Cup. He has finished in the top 10 in all seven of his PGA Tour Champions events this week, and 11 in a row dating to last August.

Roberts Creek, B.C. — After battling rainy conditions on Friday, Jerry Li and Amy Seung Hyun Lee won their respective divisions to claim the NextGen Pacific Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards at the Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club this weekend.

The 54-hole stroke play competition marked the first tournament in the NextGen Championships and featured a starting field of 111 male and female golfers.

Li of Vancouver, B.C., shot a final round 73 to hold off Brendan O’Brien by three shots to secure the NextGen Pacific Championship and a spot in the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to showcase my skills at a really high level and show it this week. I stayed patient and kept my grips dry even though it didn’t really work. And just took it one shot at a time,” said Li.

After opening the tournament with two-over-par 74 on Friday, Li bounced back to enter the final round on Sunday atop the leaderboard by firing a five-under-par 67 on Saturday which included four birdies on the back nine. “Being able to have that two-shot cushion was pretty big and knowing that I was able to make those birdies at those times was pretty cool,” added Li.

Amy Seung Hyun Lee of Langley, B.C. led from start to finish, with rounds of 73, 72 and closed with a one-under-par 71 on her way to a five-shot victory.

Lee opened the final round with a three-shot lead and carded four birdies on Sunday to earn the NextGen Pacific Championship. “I feel really honoured to be even participating in this tournament and I could definitely see myself developing and a few spots I can improve on, but I think I really played the course pretty well.”

Lee added that trusting in herself throughout the week was key to keeping calm and winning the tournament. “Tee shots finding the fairway and hitting the green and then letting the putting do the work. I think trusting in myself was really important for the first day and the last day. Just believing in myself.”

In the Junior Boys division, a playoff was required to determine the top eight players to 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 have earned exemptions into the 2023 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 24-27, at Hampton Golf Course in Hampton, N.B.

The next stop in NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards will be at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club in Peterborough, Ont. for the NextGen Ontario Championship from May 26-28. For the full results of the NextGen Pacific Championship 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.

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.

Andrew LeBlanc, Kingsville Golf & Country Club, Hole #18

There is quite more to the story than my hole-in-one!

I was playing with my usual group of friends. We have three times blocked every Saturday morning and on this particular Saturday, I was playing with Ryan Krahn (who shot 32 on the front nine), Dan Schnekenberger, James Flynn and myself.

We get to #17 (8 Red) which is a par 5. All hit decent drives James gets up to his and is about 215 yards out, straight into the wind. Pulls out hybrid and hits a great shot at the pin, goes in for an albatross! Amazing!

We finish the hole out and go to #18 (9 Red). Playing 145 yards, I step up with 52-degree wedge and hit a nice hit tight draw at the pin. Lands seven feet past the pin and spins back into the hole!

Pretty exciting finish to our day!

Belinda McNeice, Meadow Gardens Golf Association, Hole #17

Hi,

It was 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

Craig Heyland, Whitetail Crossing Golf Course, Hole #8

Good morning,

Thank you for your email.

Please share if it would help promote junior golf in Canada as I would never have stuck to it without having the opportunity as a kid.

As for details:

– Playing partners: Elliot Heyland (son), Chris Naughton and Larry Moore

– Yardage: approximately 128 yards into a headwind

– Club: “knock-down” 9-iron

Thanks, 

Craig

David McKinty, Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club, Hole #9

Hi there, 

My first hole-in-one!  It was very exciting!

Dundas Golf and Country Club – hole #9, from the Blue Tees and was playing 219 yards. I used my trusty 3-wood (there was a strong head wind! ha!)

My foursome was J. Gilmore, P. Walsh and T. Kyte (all Dundas members).

Thanks for the congratulations.

Thanks, 

David McKinty

Grant Bunker, Bonita Bay Club, Hole #8

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out and for the banner. 

Yes, it was a great day and fun to have my whole family there to witness it. The hole-in-one was Sundaym April 30 at the 8th hole of Creekside Course, Bonita Bay Golf Club in Florida. It was a 142-yard par 3 over water, into the wind. I hit an 8 iron just left of the pin and the ball landed a few yards outside the hole and trickled it. 

I was playing with my sons Jack and Ty at the time. And my wife Andrea and other son Charlie were just ahead of us. Everyone happened to be there to see the big event. 

Also, we were at the Leafs vs. Tampa NHL game the night before and was able to watch them win and get out of the first round in 19 years. It was the best 24 hours ever!

Here’s a picture of my wife Andrea, sons Charlie, Ty, myself and Jack celebrating at the hole. 

John White, Myrtlewood Golf Club, Hole #6

Thank you. The hole measured 156 yards with my range finder. It was downwind and I used an 8 iron. Playing partners were Phil Hamlin, Jamie Stride and Kirk Steele. It was my third career hole-in-one, the last one in 1995.

John White

Karlyn Roberts, Osoyoos Golf Club, Hole #13

Thank you. I was playing with my partner, Jim Jung, and a twosome we were paired up with: Jay (uncle) and James (nephew) from Whistler that own a restaurant. Yardage was 117 and I used a hybrid that I normally hit between 110 and 120. I hit a beautiful shot to the left of the flag that rolled into the hole. It was a special moment! None of my playing partners had ever seen a hole-in-one live.

Ken Barnes, Penticton Golf & Country Club, Hole #6

Hi,

Thank you for your email.

Yes, it was exciting to card a hole-in-one; my first!

Here are the details:

– Date: April 30, 2023

– Hole #6, Penticton Golf and Country Club

– Gold Tees, 133 yards

– 9-iron from my set of Callaway Rogue ST irons with stiff graphite shafts

It was a nice shot (not a bad shot gone lucky, thankfully). Well struck, high in the air, landed about five feet from the pin, bounced once and rolled in. Was witnessed by PGCC Members Mike Mann, Bobbi Miller, and Jasper Barnes (playing partners in my foursome). It was also witnessed by the group ahead watching from #7 tee area.

Thank you for sending the graphic, I will share it across my social channels.

Best,

Ken

Ken Dick, Crosswinds Golf & Country Club, Hole #5

Good morning and many thanks for your note.

To provide some context, the fifth hole at Crosswinds is a short par 3 and as we were playing the Blue / White tees. We played this hole from the Whites as the Blues were still closed as they had resodded the blue tee block. The hole is surrounded by water on three sides. I was playing with two sons Jackson Dick (22) and Kevin Dick (28) and my oldest friend, Chris Sainsbury.

The hole that day was playing 118 yards to the pin into about a 10 miles per hour wind that was a little unpredictable. Trying to determine club was difficult but after watching both my sons hit 45 degree and 50-degree wedges that were somewhat long, I hit my 52-degree Vokey with the target being the top of the hill on the right side. The pic shows where the pin was that day at the bottom of the green about centre cut. My thought was to land it at the top on the right side of the green and let it feed to the hole. Of course, I did not expect it to go in but was trying to get it close and it hit in the right spot with enough spin to get it moving down the hill and it just stayed on the line and dropped in.

There were many around us as the group heading to hole #6 turned when hearing the cheers and the first green is also close and those on the green also were cheering.  Unfortunately, based on how busy the course was that day (early season, gorgeous weather) we did not take any pictures and moved onto the next hole.

As an aside, as it was early in the season the bar facilities were not open yet so no drinks for everyone – but we play there often so I am sure I will get hit up for some drinks over the balance of the season.

I have been playing golf for 52 years and this was my first hole-in-one! It was very exciting and to do it with my boys and my oldest friend made it an experience I will never forget!

Many thanks once again and now I am on the hunt for the second one!

Cheers,

Ken

Michael Marasco, Inglewood Golf & Curling Club, Hole #7

Good morning,

I was playing with Tim Jarratt, Debbie Huitema and Richard Jones.

The hole was 157 yards, and I used a 7 iron.

Thank you!

Michael Marasco

Monique Saindon-Syring, Pheasant Glen Golf Resport, Hole #13

Thank you for reaching out. First of all, the business. 140 yards. 4 hybrid. 

I was playing with my husband, Shawn Syring, Ryder Eaves and Robert Eaves. The coolest part of the story is that I did not see it go in as I was picking up my tee and it was from sunlight to shade. But, Ryder (a junior, 13 years) said, “I think it went in.” His dad and him were in a cart and reached the green before us. He ran up the green and stopped himself and said, “No. You need to check the hole.”. 

At the end of the round, Ryder said he would remember that day the rest of his life. I told him that he would get many holes in one as he is an amazing golfer. Two days later, he got one!

Monique

Sameer Azam, Glencairn Golf Club, Hole #7

Thank you for your email and kind gesture! 

Some background:

– April 27th, 2023

– Glencairn On Leithfield

– Hole 7

– Par 3

– 157 yards into the wind from left side going uphill

– Had to club up from the Blues/Grey tee used a 6 iron and rest is history

– Clublink friends: Ameen Khasimuddin (Glencairn), Imdad Ali (Greystone) and Jauher Ahmed (Rattlesnake)

I had my first ever hole-in-one!

Wow what a feeling!

Sameer