One of the biggest moments of Ben Silverman’s golf career was thanks, in part, to the efforts of a member at Oakdale Golf and Country Club.

Now he has an opportunity to return the favour by shedding a little light on the Toronto-area club as it prepares to host this year’s RBC Canadian Open.

Silverman, from nearby Thornhill, Ont., had only recently turned pro when he qualified to represent Canada at the 2013 Maccabiah Games. He didn’t have the funds to fly out to Israel for the multi-sport event for Jewish athletes, but an Oakdale member stepped up to pay Silverman’s way for the event.

He went on to win gold by 11 shots at Caesarea Golf Club, while Canada earned bronze in the team event.

“It’ll be nice to be able to go play at Oakdale where a bunch of (Maccabiah Games teammates) are members. (…) I think it’s amazing that they are getting to showcase their club at the national championship.”

Silverman was named to the RBC Canadian Open field on Monday, earning an exemption along with Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., who plays on the Europe-based DP World Tour. Silverman has only played at Oakdale once before, ahead of the Maccabiah Games back in 2013, but said he’s excited to compete on the composite course from June 6-11.

“It’s just more special that it’s closer to where my friends and family are, that are going to be able to come watch,” said the 35-year-old Silverman. “So I’ll be able to have more hometown support than I would traditionally anywhere else for the Canadian Open.

“But man, I’ve always just been excited to play in any RBC Canadian Open.”

Founded in 1926 in an agricultural area northwest of Toronto – the course has long since been subsumed into the city – Oakdale was born out of necessity as most country clubs at the time did not allow Jewish, Black, or Asian people to join. The club was founded seven years before the infamous Christie Pits riot, when Nazi-inspired youth flew a swastika flag to antagonize and provoke Jewish Canadians playing baseball at the public park in downtown Toronto.

“There were a number of members of the Jewish community who said, ‘Well, if we can’t play anywhere, let’s create our own place,”’ said Mark Sadowski, a past president of Oakdale on the club’s origins. “That was the spirit of, what started, the journey towards establishing Oakdale.”

The club’s membership is still predominantly Jewish but, as it was created in reaction to antisemitism, faith is not a barrier to anyone joining. Membership is sold to families rather than individuals and philanthropic work, either through donation or service, is the most important requirement for joining.

Sadowski said that charitable component to membership has its roots in the Jewish faith.

“That’s the sort of mindset of our club and I think that’s always been the case,” said Sadowski. “Since its origination it was expected that if you could afford to join a club like Oakdale you could afford to give to the community and that’s the standard that exists today.”

Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum said that growing up in Toronto he was aware of Oakdale’s reputation as a family-first club. He hopes that spirit will inhabit this year’s Canadian Open and again in 2026, when Oakdale will celebrate its centennial by hosting the men’s national championship a second time.

“It’s about community. It’s about culture. But the broader sense of culture, a culture of a club, culture of togetherness,” said Applebaum on Monday after the RBC Canadian Open’s media day at Oakdale. “I think what the membership is probably most proud of is welcoming people into their club like they’d be welcoming them into their homes.

“That probably is what makes it so enjoyable for us to bring the RBC Canadian Open to Oakdale.”

112 of Canada’s top junior golfers to compete over 54 holes at stunning west coast layout with exemptions into the Canadian Junior Boys and Girls Championships on the line.

Golf Canada’s 2023 championship season kicks off on Friday, May 5, at Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club in Roberts Creek, B.C. with the NextGen Pacific Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards.

The 54-hole stroke play competition gets underway with a practice round on Thursday, May 4, and championship rounds beginning on Friday, May 5. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 55 Junior Boys and top 15 Junior Girls, including ties, for the final round which wraps up on Sunday, May 7.

The starting field will feature 112 male and female competitors – 88 Junior Boys and 24 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 (including ties) 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 Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club after the club successfully hosted the 2018 NextGen Fall Series Championship. The course presents players with a classic west coast golf experience—given its unique Salish Sea influenced climate, the course is open 12 months a year and challenges players with fantastic year-round playing conditions. The golf course opened in 1969 and is the oldest 18-hole course on the Sunshine Coast.

“The members at the Sunshine Coast (Golf & Country Club) are excited to share our course with these talented junior golfers competing in the NextGen Championship. We hope that they enjoy the course and the competition,” said Jim Pringle, Director of Golf and PGA of Canada Head Professional, Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club. “We have hosted a number of provincial and national events and look forward to another fun week.”

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

Jim Furyk gets another crack at being U.S. captain for a road game, this time the Presidents Cup in Canada.

The PGA Tour on Tuesday introduced Furyk as captain for the 2024 matches at Royal Montreal, where the Americans will try to win for the 10th consecutive time.

Mike Weir previously was named International team captain for the Presidents Cup, which returns to Canada for the second time.

“Being selected by my peers to take on the role as captain of the U.S. Team for the 2024 Presidents Cup is truly an honor that I am humbled and excited to accept,” Furyk said.

Furyk is the fourth Presidents Cup captain – and second in a row – to have been a Ryder Cup captain previously. He had that job in 2018 in France against a hostile crowd, and it ended with a seven-point European victory.

“My favorite question is, `Would you have done anything differently?’ I laugh,” Furyk said in an interview in October, after he served as an assistant Ryder Cup captain to Steve Stricker at Whistling Straits. “How much of an arrogant (person) would you have to be to say, `No, I’d do it the same way.’ Of course I’d do things different.

“For the first year or year-and-a-half, that Ryder Cup in France, there wasn’t a week or day that I didn’t think, `This is what I would have done. This is what I could have changed.”’

The Presidents Cup is different. The Americans have lost only once since the matches began in 1994, and that was in 1998 in Australia. They won last year at Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina.

Furyk played seven times in the Presidents Cup, including the U.S. victory at Royal Montreal in 2007 when Jack Nicklaus was captain for the fourth time. Furyk also is a back-to-back winner of the RBC Canadian Open, at Hamilton Golf Club in 2006 and Angus Glen in 2007.

(May 1, 2023)  One of the hottest golfers on the planet is sure to be a fan-favourite at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto as world no. 6 Matthew Fitzpatrick will compete in the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.

Competing in his third RBC Canadian Open, the 28-year-old Englishman is having a stellar 2023 season with three top-10 finishes including a victory at the recent RBC Heritage and a T10 finish at The Masters. Currently ranked no. 22 on the 2022 FedEx Cup, Fitzpatrick, a two-time winner on the PGA TOUR, six-time winner on the DP World Tour, and two-time Ryder Cup team member will compete in Canada’s National Open Championship before defending his U.S. Open title the next week at L.A. Country Club.

“I am really looking forward to returning to Canada and competing in the RBC Canadian Open in front of the amazing Canadian golf fans,” said Fitzpatrick. “Having won the RBC Heritage last month, I am hopeful to play well at Oakdale and keep that momentum going into the U.S. Open.”

Fitzpatrick joins an emerging 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. A victory for McIlroy would make him only the fourth three-time champion, joining Tommy Armour, Sam Snead, and Lee Trevino. Leo Deigel’s four victories are the most in the tournament’s storied history.

McIlroy and Fitzpatrick will be joined by fellow European stars Tommy Fleetwood as well as Shane Lowry. The world no. 23 ranked Lowry is a two-time PGA TOUR winner and a past Open Championship winner while Fleetwood, who has two top-10 PGA TOUR finishes this season, has won seven international titles, and is ranked no. 25 in the world.

The group will compete alongside Team RBC ambassadors Sam Burns (world no. 13), Cameron Young (world no. 16), Sahith Theegala (world no. 24), 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. 30), Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. (world no. 57), Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. (world no. 56), Nick Taylor of Abbottsford, B.C. (world no. 65), 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.

A trio of Canadians have also accepted tournament exemptions to compete at Oakdale including Winnipeg, Man. Native Aaron Cockerill who is currently ranked 24^th on the DP World Tour as well as Thornhill, Ont. native Ben Silverman who won on the Korn Ferry Tour earlier this year to sit second on the Tour’s 2023 Points List.

Also accepting an exemption to compete is Canadian golf icon and President’s Cup International Team Captain Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont. who will be competing in his 31^st  RBC Canadian Open, one back of fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Cummings who had a record 32 starts in Canada’s National Open Championship.

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.

“We are less than 40 days away from the RBC Canadian Open and extremely excited to get the tournament started,” said Bryan Crawford, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open. “Oakdale Golf and Country Club in the heart of Toronto joins our host club rotation for the first time and will present a great test of golf for the world’s best players. Our partners have leaned into our National Open Championship in a major way to deliver a truly immersive fan festival experience as a kickoff to summer.”

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

TORONTO, April 27, 2023 — ‘I’ve Got a Feeling’ that Friday, June 9 will be ‘Good Night’ at the RBC Canadian Open.

RBC and Golf Canada are excited to announce six-time Grammy Award-winning pop group, Black Eyed Peas, will headline the RBCxMusic Concert Series on Friday night of the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.

Performances for the RBCxMusic Concert Series will take place on the Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10 of tournament week on site on the practice facility at the iconic Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

Last month, seven-time Grammy Award-winning Canadian icon Alanis Morissette was announced as the headline artist for the RBCxMusic Concert Series on Saturday, June 10, 2023.

Audiences will also enjoy opening acts from First Up with RBCxMusic – a program dedicated to providing emerging Canadian artists with a platform for exposure, funding, education, and mentorship opportunities. Opening act performances will take place at the SiriusXM Stage located onsite in the Fare Way food and beverage experience.

Tickets for Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10 at the RBC Canadian Open are $120 (plus tax and service charges) and include full day access to the tournament and the RBCxMusic Concert Series. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission to the RBC Canadian Open all week with a ticketed adult. Tickets are available at RBCCanadianOpen.com.

Golf Canada joins the Canadian golf community in extending our deepest respect and condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of golf writer and industry contributor Ian Hutchinson of Newmarket, Ont. on the news of his sudden passing.

Hutch had a meaningful impact over four decades chronicling the game of golf for a variety of outlets and trade publications during his respected career as a reporter and columnist.

In 2020, his contributions to Canadian golf were celebrated as a proud recipient of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award. He was also honoured by the Golf Ontario Hall of Fame in 2017 as a recipient of the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award. 

In 2008, Hutch reinvented himself in the digital space when he founded Golf News Now, a Canadian website and daily newsletter devoted to covering the golf industry. With GNN, he had become a trusted voice in the Canadian golf industry with daily insights and reporting on all facets of the game.

Hutch’s career began in 1978, covering a multitude of sports including golf for community newspapers including the Newmarket Era, Mississauga Times, and Mississauga News before moving on to become an associate editor at MVP, Canada’s national sports magazine at the time.

He also covered the NHL, CFL, NFL and MLB, before transitioning into full-time golf as an editor with ScoreGolf Magazine. Hutch would go to become managing editor of World of Women’s Golf Magazine before beginning a 14-year run as golf columnist for the Toronto Sun and other Sun Media newspapers.

Over a distinguished media career, Hutch contributed to various Canadian and US golf publications as an editor or writer including Pro Shop Magazine, Ontario Golf Magazine, Golf Scene Magazine, and Golf Canada Magazine in addition to writing for Golf Channel’s website.

He was also a long-time supporter of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, both as a frequent nominator as well a recent contributing member to the CGHF Selection Committee.

Hutch will be remembered and celebrated a tremendous contributor, storyteller, and supporter of Canadian golf.

A Celebration Of Life is planned for Monday, May 15 from 1pm – 4pm at Woodington lake Golf Course in Tottenham, Ont.

I’m devasted to have to report the passing of Ian Hutchinson.
The president of Golf News Now apparently died this morning of heart failure at his home in Newmarket.
The family says details of a Celebration of Life will be provided later.
Golf wont be the same without Hutch. RIP. pic.twitter.com/NPoaVyZWQ4

— Garry McKay (@GarryMcKay5) April 30, 2023

A favorite image of Hutch.
Man had a smile that could light up St Andrews. From our media trip to Scotland in 1995.
? Chris Gallow pic.twitter.com/y9YaaQCn62

— Rick Young (@YoungerGolf) April 30, 2023

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Ben Kohles became the first two-time winner of the Korn Ferry Tour season on Sunday when he seized on Ben Silverman’s mistake on the final hole of regulation and beat him with a birdie in the playoff in the HomeTown Lenders Championship.

Kohles, from Texas, who won in Chile at the start of the month, closed with a 3-under 67. It looked like it would come up short until Silverman took double bogey on the 18th hole and to fall into a playoff.

Silverman, from Thornhill, Ont., was also looking for his second win of the year.

Kohles and Silverman now are Nos. 1 and 2 on the points list and assured of finishing in the top 30 to earn PGA Tour cards for next season.

Kohles won for the fourth time on the Korn Ferry Tour. His previous two wins were more than a decade ago.

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.

Alex Matheson, Palmeto Hall Plantation, Hole #6

Hi,

Really appreciate you and the team reaching out, big fan of Golf Canada and the great work you guys do.

We were on a golf trip to Hilton Head, playing with a few buddies. 7 iron from 177 yards that we got to watch go in the whole way. Two hops, a bit of a roll out, hit the pin and dropped. Surreal feeling.

Would like to add my playing partners were Joe Hemingway, Peter Dabic and Jared Lubczuk.

Andrew Bouchat, Belleview Golf Club, Hole #16

1st ever Hole-in-One

– Occurred on April 20, 2023

– Member at Belleview Golf Club – Woodslee, ON

– Witnesses: Claire Primeau Bouchat and Cody McFarlane

– Handicap – 8.3

– Hole 16 – Par 3 – 93 yards – used a Titleist Vokey 50° Gap Wedge

Story:

April 20, 2023, was a cold, windy day. I was playing with my wife and a friend. Came close earlier in the round and my wife Claire (who has 2 holes-in-one) who stated it will happen, eventually, with a smile. Had recently ordered new Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges and other then the practice range, had not hit my 50° wedge many times. The shot on the 16th was two feet left and short of the hole. It bounced and hit the lower part of the flag stick and dropped in the hole. After an immediate fist pump, I yelled “yeah – finally” loud enough that the group behind us and the group on the 17th tee heard me and clapped. Shot 76 and told the Golf Course Manager (Josh) who sent a notification to the Membership via Facebook. This was my very first hole-in-one even though I have been playing for 50 years!

Anul Patel, Woodside Golf Course, Hole #7

Thank you for the opportunity to share the ace with Golf Canada!

I was playing with two Woodside Members (Cal Daling and Ron) as well as another single, Chris Brown. 135 yards into a 1 club wind. Punched 9 iron struck a couple of grooves low on the face. The ball landed at the front of the green, hopped, checked and rolled into the cup! I’m thrilled for my third ace!

Best,

Anul Patel

Brent Glanville, Summerland Golf & Country Club, Hole #4

Greetings,

Playing with friends Dave Bowman of Kelowna B.C. and Harold Schneider visiting from Calgary, AB.

4th hole at Summerland Golf and Country Club plays 133 yards to middle of green over water. Pin was at the back playing 140+ yards. Both friends hit and put their shots onto the green.
I was last to swing and swung an easy eight iron. “Johnny Miller Baby Draw.” The ball landed directly in front of pin and tracked in for the hole-in-one.

All smiles!

Brent Glanville

Brett Bateman, Sandpiper Golf Club, Hole #12

Good morning!

Thank you for the message and the visual to share.

I was playing in week two of the six-week BC Zone 3 Spring Tour with a foursome that included a friend of mine, Max. The yardage was 113 yards and I hit a 52-degree wedge. 

This is actually my second hole-in-one! My first was at the Willows course at Surrey Golf Course in May 2021.

Thanks again.

Brett Bateman 

Chad MacMillan, Paragon Golf & Country Club, Hole #13

Hi,

Thank you for your e-mail! I used a gap wedge from 122 yards. I was playing with Colin Muise and my father, Gerry MacMillan. It was my second career hole-in-one, but my first while playing with my father – to share that moment with him was special.

All the best and thank you once again,

Chad MacMillan 

Darrell Peters, Markland Wood Golf Club, Hole #2

Thank you for your congratulatory email!

I made a hole-in-one at our Club’s opening day! I was playing with friends Richard Innes, Frank Vrabel and Orest Szot.  On hole #2, with my 6th swing of the year (yes, I bogeyed #1 ☹️), I got my hole-in-one. The hole was playing 157 yards to a middle pin. I hit my 7-iron. Two bounces and in! This is my second hole-in-one!

David Boddington, Whispering Woods, Hole #6

I was playing with Warren Hynes, Brad Jones and Ronn Reaman. We hit from the whites. 176 yards. Playing 180 yards and I hit my 4 iron in on the fly.

David Stone, Raven Crest, Hole #3

First round of the year. Playing with Malcolm Grist, Jerry Hall and Ed McGonaghy at Ravencrest. Back pin. Ranged at 140 yards against the wind. 7 iron. Jerry and I both hit decent shots but only one wasvisible by the hole. Looked in, and there it was, my third hole-in-one. Great way to start the year.

Ellie Kerr, Morgan Run Resort & Club, Hole #3

Hello to Golf Canada and thank you for your congratulatory e-mail.

I’m a member of Cherry Hill Club in Ontario, Canada. I was golfing with my good friend Tami McClenny at our winter course, Morgan Run Club and Resort, in Rancho Santa Fe, California.  

We were playing the North course as our second nine on Saturday April 8, 2023. The 3rd hole is listed as 97 yards for the red tee, and it was a back pin. I hit a 9 iron to the elevated green and when I walked up and didn’t see my ball on the green, I feared it bounced off the back. When we found it in the hole, we couldn’t believe it. We shouted and jumped up and down and looked around to share the moment but there was no one behind us or in front of us on the course. Some folks walking across the road from the course heard us and we shared the great news with them. It was my first hole-in-one.

My husband and children surprised me by being at the clubhouse when we finished, and we celebrated together.

Here’s to a great season of golf in Canada.

Ellie Kerr

Fred Ollewagen, Deer Creek Golf Club, Hole #7

Greetings, 

I was featured in your October 2022 feature with my first and second holes-in-one in the space of one weekend. 

Only 15 rounds later I’m proud to say I have my third. It was the 7th hole on Diamond at Deer Creek GC. 123 yards. 54-degree wedge.

Jason Jiang, Mayair Lakes, Hole #4

Hi,  

I was playing in the Chinese bald eagle tournament. On hole #4 I had my first official hole-in-one.

Josh King, Osprey Ridge Golf Course, Hole #8

Thanks! This is a nice touch by Golf Canada.

I was playing with Ryan Nowe and Patrick Gillis. Hole #8 at Osprey is 150 yards straight uphill. Ryan and Patrick both hit really good shots and then I hit a 9-iron that never really left the pin and when I got up to the green and only saw two balls I sort of knew mine had to be in the hole and sure enough it was. Lord knows my scorecard needed it as I was playing awful up to that point. It’s my third career hole-in-one and hopefully not my last!

Thanks, 

Josh King CA, CPA

Kay Tsurusaki, Marine Drive Golf Club, Hole #4

Hello, 

Thank you for your message.  Yes, it was very exciting as it was my first hole-in-one! It was at hole #4 and 107 yards. I used 7 iron for the shot. Amazing it went in.

Thank you for sending me the graphics to commemorate this event!

Kay Tsurusaki

Susan Barnes, Creston Golf Club, Hole #6

Hole-in-one at the Creston Golf Club on April 21^st with my girl friends Shirley and Petra. It was 112 yards, and I used a choked down 5 utility. Shirley is my good luck charm as she was with me last year for a hole-in-one (same hole).

Tab Clark, Listowel Golf & Country Club, Hole #2

Thank you for the congrats on the hole-in-one.  I’ve been golfing since I was a teenager, and this is my one.

As per your note below, it occurred on the second hole Listowel Heritage course from the White Tees, roughly 125 yards. 8 iron. The ball landed about one metre from the hole. I bent down to pick up the tee and the guys I was playing with said “it’s in”. Because I was picking up the tee, I did not see the ball go into the cup. I was playing with Wayne Harwood, Andre Paradis and Wayne’s son Gavyn Harwood. It was my first time out for the season during the stretch of nice weather we had in Southern Ontario.  

Best regards,

Tab Clark

Teddi Swalm, Landings Golf Course, Hole #6

Thank you for acknowledging my hole-in-one. I’ve been golfing since I was a kid and finally at 63 got my first hole-in-one. I was golfing with my husband Tim Merrill and friends John Van de Ven and Dave Wein. It was a 100-yard par 3 and I used my Utility Wedge.

Tom Fraser, Yarmouth Golf & Curling Club, Hole #7

I was teeing off on number 7, 100 yards with my pitching wedge and my Titleist 5. I showed the ball to my playing partner Richard because it was a bit warn. Given the cart was a distance away, I decided to just play it. When I hit the ball, we thought it would end up in the bunker but instead it kicked right up to the green and we watched roll right into the hole. Want a moment. 

Thank you.

Tom Fraser

Trevor Coldwell, Paraiso del Mar Golf & Country Club, Hole #6

Thanks for the email. The hole was playing 131 into the wind. I hit a 9 iron. I was playing with my wife, Terri, and our neighbours, Terri and Lisa McCreadie.

A near-win at the ISPS Handa Championship has Canada’s Aaron Cockerill dreaming of the first major of his career.

Cockerill lost to Australia’s Lucas Herbert in a two-hole playoff at PGM Ishioka Golf Club in Omitama, Japan, on Sunday. That second-place finish moved Cockerill up to 25th on the DP World Tour’s points list and within range of a berth at the upcoming British Open.

“If I keep moving up and stay high on the Race to Dubai standings, there’s a chance that I could play in maybe a couple of majors this year, which would be a first for me,” said Cockerill, who is based in Dubai and is a regular on the Europe-based DP World Tour.

Cockerill, who is from Stony Mountain, Man., has until June 28 to qualify himself for the British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on July 16. His clearest route is to be one of the top five players, not already exempt for the Open, within the top 20 of the Race to Dubai Rankings through the BMW International Open in Munich.

Currently sitting 25th on that list has him within an iron’s distance of that goal, especially as several players ahead of him in the DP World Tour rankings – like former British Open champion Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Jon Rahm – already have spots at the prestigious event based on other qualifications.

Cockerill also moved up to 250th in the men’s world golf rankings, the highest Canadian not on the PGA Tour. Golf Canada recognized him as its player of the week for the strong showing in Japan.

He said it was “pretty cool” to be recognized by the national sport organization.

“I feel like sometimes it’s harder to keep track of golf over on the European Tour with the time zones and everything like that,” said Cockerill from Incheon, South Korea, where he will play in this week’s Korea Championship presented by Genesis. “It’s a little bit of an acknowledgment and some people who may forget about (the tour) will maybe tune in and pay attention to the golf on our tour as well.”

The 31-year-old Cockerill said that his game has been rounding into form this season because he’s more mature and that “all the boring stuff” is adding up.

“I take care of myself, I don’t really go out, I’m not drinking a whole lot,” said Cockerill. “I’m pretty disciplined with my practice. I set up a schedule of what I want to do every single week on tour, and I just tick them off, tick off the boxes and make sure I complete all my drills and games and maintenance things that I need to do throughout the week.”

Coming from a hockey background, Ashton McCulloch found the sport of golf a little bit too slow for his liking when he was first introduced to it. But after picking it back up in his teenage years, the Kingston, Ontario native has since developed a passion for the game and has emerged as one of the most promising amateurs in the country.

“My dad was an avid golfer and he wanted me to get started in the sport at a young age. I was seven when I first started but coming from a hockey background, I found the game a little slow. I stopped playing and didn’t pick it back up until I was 13,” recalls the now 20-year-old.

As a former goaltender, he appreciates how playing that position may be beneficial to his overall approach on the golf course.

“I guess being a goalie you have the mentality of being by yourself and you learn how to bounce back; and that carries over to golf,” McCulloch reasoned.

The second year member of Golf Canada’s National Team Program says his dad, John McCulloch, gave him some great advice which he implements to this day.

“The best advice my dad gave me was the importance of practicing with a purpose. It comes down to how diligent you are when you practice because practice makes permanent.”

Taking his dad’s advice and McCulloch got his first golf membership at the age of 14. After putting in the work in practice to improve his skills, he would enter his first tournament at the club’s annual championship later that year.

“I shot a 79 which was my first time breaking 80. And to do that in my first tournament was pretty awesome,” he pointed out.

After that eye opening result in his first tournament, McCulloch would work even harder to improve all areas of his game. And his disciplined efforts would lead to multiple rewards.

In 2021, he won the Glencoe Invitational and followed that up by winning the British Columbia Men’s Amateur Championship.

National Team men’s head coach, Derek Ingram, speaks highly of McCulloch’s work ethic and dedication to the sport.

“Ashton has a work ethic similar to Corey (Conners) and Mac (Hughes). He works hard on all areas of her game and is smart and committed. Also, similar to those guys, he’s going to a northern school and a school that plays a good schedule,” said Ingram about McCulloch who is currently in his second year at Michigan State University.

The talented 20-year-old is grateful that his involvement in the National Team Program has provided him with the opportunity to compete in high profile tournaments that he would not otherwise gain entry into.

“I’m not from British Columbia but being part of Golf Canada’s junior boys program gave me the opportunity to spend a winter training there and gave me the chance to compete the B.C. AM,” he noted.

“My aunt and uncle and cousins live out in B.C. and it was the first time they got to see me playing golf and see me doing what I love. It was a great feeling to win it with them there.”

McCulloch says consistency has been a key to his success on the golf course.

“I don’t do anything spectacular but I also don’t do anything to get myself in trouble. I would say I’m very steady and consistent out there and just try to do what I’m supposed to,” he noted when asked to describe his game.

McCulloch is studying engineering at Michigan State University on a full golf scholarship. The talented Canadian had a stellar rookie season and earned Big 10 Freshman of the Year honours. Currently, in his sophomore year, McCulloch has the goal of playing on the PGA Tour one day.

Ingram sees a lot of potential in the highly touted amateur, and in understanding his tremendous work ethic, the National Team men’s head coach outlines some key areas that McCulloch will have to focus on and work on in order to have the best chance to make his dream a reality.

“Ashton has to get longer and stronger – not unlike just about anyone based on the way the game is going. And he has to tidy up his short game,” Ingram pointed out.

“Then Ashton has to play against the best amateurs in the world and be able to learn, grow and refine his game from those experiences,” he added.

Ingram notes that by being part of the National Team Program, McCulloch will have the resources and support to help him reach his full potential on the golf course.

“Ashton now has a group of team members and alumni to support, lead and push him to see how good he can be,” said Ingram.

“We know the average Canadian playing on the PGA Tour takes over five years to make it onto the Tour. It’s a long process and journey so every player with the ability needs to be in it for the long haul.”

For his part, McCulloch is grateful for all the support he gets through the National Team Program. And he’s prepared to make a commitment to doing everything within his control to be successful.

“The depth of support we get in terms of coaching and resources is just a huge advantage. I have had so much success since being part of Golf Canada and I see so much more to come,” said McCulloch.

“We get so many opportunities that we wouldn’t otherwise get like playing in big tournaments in Canada and around the world. I’m just grateful to be part of the Program and to be able to learn from the experiences, the coaches, and those who have been through the program before,” he continued.

“By being part of the Program, I feel like I’m on the right track. Still, I know there’s a lot of work that is required to reach my goals but I’m committed to putting in the work to reach them.”