Team British Columbia leads Inter-Provincial Team Championship by one over Manitoba
WINNIPEG, Man. – David White battled the conditions to sit atop the leaderboard following the opening round of the 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Niakwa Country Club in Winnipeg, Man. on Tuesday.
Gusty winds played a key factor for the field during the opening round and intensified to greet the afternoon wave of players. White of Winnipeg, Man. was able to emerge from the field to fire a 3-under 69 to lead and is only one of two players under par following the opening round.
White began his round on the back nine where he carded four birdies to make the turn at 4-under before dropping strokes after a bogey on no. 2 followed by a double-bogey a hole later. White was able to grab a couple back following an eagle on no. 7 and close with two pars. He complimented his caddie for keeping him calm on Tuesday.
“Short game was really good, making more ups and downs than I probably should have. Conditions deteriorated on the back nine in terms of wind, so all things considered, I held it together pretty well,” said White.
With conditions expected to be similar on Wednesday, the 59-year-old will be taking a similar approach while aiming to control the ball in the wind while focusing on ball flight as well.
Close behind White is Ronnie Clark of Scotland who sits a shot back following a 2-under 70. Clark also began his round on the back nine, with two bogeys and one birdie before opening his second nine with three straight birdies to get him into red figures. Clark went on to close his round with six consecutive pars as he battled the conditions in Winnipeg. Clark holds the lead in the Super Senior division by six shots over Lars Melander of Burlington, Ont. and Ken Griffith of Red Deer, Alta.
Behind the duo in the battle for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy is Stephen Watson of Nanoose Bay, B.C. who finished with an even par 72. Watson is followed by a trio who are tied for fourth at 1-over including defending champion, Don Martone of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Tied with Martone is Carlos Aranda of Springfield, Va. and Gregory Sato of South Pasadena, Calif.
Team British Columbia leads the Inter-Provincial Team Championship by one over Team Manitoba after shooting a combined score of 2-over on Tuesday. Team B.C. was led by Watson’s even par 72 and Andrew Pinette of Surrey, B.C., who carded a 2-over 74. Teammate Mark Henrich of Langley, B.C. finished with a 7-over 79.
White is also representing Team Manitoba along with Todd Fanning and Jay Doyle of Winnipeg, Man. who both finished with rounds of 6-over 78. The defending champions, Team Ontario sit third at 7-over.
The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship was established in 1962 for golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over that was introduced in 1995. The national championship consists of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut to the low 70 plus ties after 36 holes. Additionally, a minimum of five Super Seniors will make the cut as well as any Super Seniors within 10 shots of the division leader. In addition, the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship will run concurrently through the first 36 holes of the tournament.
A trio of Canadian Golf Hall of Famers lead the way having won the most Canadian Men’s Senior Championships in tournament history including, Bob Wylie of Calgary, Alta. with seven (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995). Nick Weslock of Oakville, Ont. with six (1973, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983) and Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que. with four (2001, 2002, 2008 and 2009).
The national championship features a field of 154 competitors with seven past champions among those battling in Winnipeg.
The winner will receive exemptions into the 2027 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, 2027 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, 2027 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship (plus a 10-year exemption, if eligible) and the 2027 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.
For the leaderboard following the first round of the 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.
