MELBOURNE, Australia – Antonio Murdaca of Australia earned a place in the field for next year’s Masters at Augusta after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship by seven shots Sunday on Royal Melbourne’s composite course.

The 19-year-old Murdaca led by eight strokes overnight and shot a 1-under 71 Sunday to finish at 13-under 275, becoming the first Australian to win the title.

Japan’s Horikawa Mikumu had a 69 to break out of a tie with Australian Todd Sinnott and take second place.

“I was worried in the practice rounds whether my game would fit the course here,” Mikumu said. “But as I played through the weak I got a bit more adjusted to the course and I was able to figure out a little bit how to challenge the course.”

Murdaca and Mikumu will also be exempt until the final stage of qualifying for the 2015 British Open at St. Andrews.

“It’s a dream come true. I can’t wait,” Murdaca said. “I was standing on that second shot today sort of thinking `wow, imagine if I get to the Masters. Imagine how many people there are going to be’.”

Murdaca’s lead was cut to five shots when he shot 36 on the front nine, but he came home strongly with birdies on the 10th and 14th holes.

Sinnott finished with 71 to take third place ahead of 16-year-old Australian amateur champion Ryan Ruffels in fourth. China’s Dou Zecheng and Guan Tianlang, who won the 2012 tournament aged 14, and Taiwan’s Pan Cheng-tsung shared fifth at 2-under 286.

Murdaca dominated the later stages of the tournament. He trailed Sinnott by two shots after his opening round, led by one shot after the second – as the only player in the 116-strong field to break 70 in both of the first two rounds – then took charge of the tournament with his equal low score of 67 of Saturday.

Murdaca had 21 birdies and an eagle in his four rounds over the 6,453-meter (7,059-yard) Royal Melbourne layout.

“I had a little bit of a sleepless night I guess,” Murdaca said. “I woke up nice and early. I didn’t want to miss my alarm this morning. That could have been a disaster.”

Murdaca said he tried not to think about winning on Sunday and try and concentrate on playing as he had throughout the week.

“I think after I hit that second shot into 18, I got some goose bumps,” he said. “It is pretty special considering the reward you get at the end. I’ve been working hard all year, hunting for a win and I finally got one and I think I found the right event to win.”

MELBOURNE, Australia – Antonio Murdaca shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to open a commanding 8-shot lead heading into the final round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship.

The 19-year-old Australian took a 1-shot lead into the third round after shooting 69 and 68 as the only player in the tournament to break 70 in the first two rounds. He hit every fairway Saturday on the way to the day’s low score over the 6,453-metre (7,059-yard) Royal Melbourne Golf Club layout.

Cheng Jin of China is in second place at four-under with Australia’s Todd Sinnott with and Pan Cheng-tsung of Taiwan. Horikawa Mikumu of Japan matched Murdaca’s 67 to move into a share of third place at 3-under.

Murdaca’s round was blemished only by a bogey at the par-4 11th. He had four birdies before and an eagle at the par-5 17th.

“I was feeling good. I went out today and just tried to do what I did yesterday … hit one shot at a time, just try to hit some solid shots,” he said. “I pulled that off so I’m happy with my round today.”

Murdaca is now poised to become the first Australian to win the Asia-Pacific tournament and, as this year’s winner, an invitation spot at next year’s U.S. Masters and an exemption into the final stage of qualifying for the British Open.

Pan shot a 1-under 71 Saturday, with four birdies and three bogeys, while Cheng had an even-par 72 and Sinnott a 2-over 74 after three bogeys on his outward nine.

Murdaca played what may have been the shot of the tournament when his 220-meter (yard) approach to the 17th nudged the lip of the hole and almost dropped for an albatross.

“I just hit a little fade 4-iron,” he said. “It hit the target. I didn’t quite catch it and hit it a little bit short but it released nicely and it gave me a good chance for eagle there.”

MELBOURNE, Australia – Antonio Murdaca of Australia shot a 4-under 68 to lead the Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship after two rounds by a shot from compatriot and overnight leader Todd Sinnott on Friday.

Murdaca had five birdies and a bogey at Royal Melbourne to take his two-round total to 7-under 137, edging Sinnott, who followed his first-round 67 with a 1-under 71.

The 20-year-old Sinnott, who plays on the pennants team for Metropolitan, another sand-belt course nearby, held a share of the lead until he bogeyed his final hole, finishing a mixed round with an eagle, two birdies and three bogeys.

Murdaca and Sinnott will play in the same group over the weekend.

“It should be fun. Anthony plays very aggressively,” Sinnott said.

Murdaca was fortunate to qualify for the elite field of 116 golfers, placing ninth among the 10 Australian entries.

“I’m pretty confident. I’m quite happy with my game,” Murdaca said. “All I’m looking to do is hit great shots, one after the other.

“So I am not going to try to think too far ahead at the weekend.”

Murdaca added, “I’ve always wanted to play the Masters as an amateur.”

The Asia-Pacific winner gets a spot in the U.S. Masters next year, and is exempt into the final stage of qualifying for the British Open.

Thailand’s Tawan Phongphun and China’s Jin Cheng were two shots further back in a tie for third place with two-round totals of 140, 4-under par.

The 2012 champion, Guan Tianlang of China, was among a group of four players tied for fifth place at 3-under 141. Guan struggled for consistency and had six bogeys and five birdies in a 1-over 73.

He was still a shot ahead of Australian amateur champion Ryan Ruffels, whose back-to-back rounds of 71 left him alone in ninth place at 2 under.

U.S. amateur champion Yang Gunn of South Korea followed his first-round 81 with a 1-over 73 to finish a shot inside the cut line.

Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada Foundation) – The Golf Canada Foundation has announced the 2014 scholarship recipients for their Canadian University/College Support Program.

A total of $66,000 in scholarships has been awarded by the Golf Canada Foundation in 2014 to 17 scholar-athletes this year.

This year marked the introduction of a new scholarship offered by the Golf Canada Foundation. The Choquette Family Foundation, a private foundation whose purpose is to receive and maintain funds to be used in the funding of scholarship programs for individuals pursuing post-secondary education, funded four scholarships for student golfers in strong academic standing who best exemplify the ideals of global fellowship. Daniel Cluney of Corner Brook, Nfld. (Holland College), Krysta Schaus of Fredericton, N.B. (Erskine College), Bruce Tomie of Bedford, N.S. (University of Victoria) and Jesse Teron of Red Deer, Alta. (University of Victoria) each received one of four Choquette Family Foundation Scholarships valued at $5,000 apiece.

The ClubLink Scholarships of Excellence were awarded to two students studying in British Columbia who have outstanding records in both academics and golf. This year’s recipients are Trent Abraham of Burlington, Ont. (University of British Columbia) and Brianna Carrels of Lethbridge, Alta. (University of Victoria). Each student receives $5,000 towards their studies.

Brynn Tomie of Bedford, N.S., and Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., student-athletes at the University of Victoria and Radford University respectively, each received the Connor/Spafford Scholarship award and $5,000 each. These scholarships are eligible to students from Atlantic Canada, with an emphasis on Nova Scotia residents.

The Geordie Hilton Academic Scholarship award, presented to students entering their second year of business studies or beyond, was given to Team Canada Development Squad member Valérie Tanguay of St-Hyacinthe, Que., a standout golfer at the University of Oklahoma.

Russell Bowie of Mississauga, Ont. (Queen’s University) and Jack Wood of Banff, Alta. (University of British Columbia) each received a Canadian Seniors’ Golf Association (CSGA) scholarship valued at $3,000, while Justin Shanks of Sussex Corner, N.B. (Holland College) was presented with the John Powell Memorial Scholarship (valued at $3,000) in honour of John Powell, a former Executive Director of the CSGA who passed away in 2011.

The Marlene Streit Golf Scholarship awards, valued at $3,000, are presented to standout Canadian female golf­ers attending Canadian universities and colleges. This year the awards were given to Rachel Cormier of Rothesay, N.B. (University of New Brunswick) and Ana Peric of Etobicoke, Ont. (University of Toronto).

Caroline Ciot of Brossard, Que., (Université de Montréal) and Kurtis Campbell of St-Lazare, Que. (Lincoln Memorial University) captured the Suzanne Beauregard Scholarship ($2,000 each). Heather Wogden of Barrie, Ont. (Queen’s University) was awarded the William Kucey Scholarship ($2,000).

This year’s selection of scholarship recipients reflects a wide range of scholastic backgrounds, including business, medicine, physics, engineering and social sciences, as well as kinesiology and biology studies. The impressive range of educational programs reinforces the Golf Canada Foundation’s commitment to supporting our future leaders and providing them with opportunities to study and stay in Canada.

“We are extremely proud to support young Canadians in their pursuit of academic and golfing excellence,” said Martin Barnard, CEO of the Golf Canada Foundation. “Supporting collegiate golf is an important part of the Foundation’s mission to support and promote participation in the game.”

The Golf Canada Foundation supports Canadian student golfers and the development of Canadian university and college golf programs. Its mandate is to raise and grant funds for the advancement of golf across the country.

Since 1982, the Golf Canada Foundation has awarded over $2.5 million in scholarships to promising young golfers, landscape architects and turf grass scientists. The scholarship program has been funded through generous donations from corporations, golf clubs, associations and individual friends of golf.

In 2004, the Golf Canada Foundation began a program of granting funds to universities and colleges across Canada to enhance the institutions’ golf programs and competitive golf opportunities. The Golf Canada Foundation believes golf is a valuable part of Canadian society and strives to elevate golf programs to help them become recognized as a core sport of Canadian Intercollegiate Sport (CIS).

The Golf Canada Foundation is the leading source for golf philanthropy in Canada. The Foundation’s mission is to support and promote programs that increase participation in golf by engaging players of all ages and abilities across Canada. For more information on the Golf Canada Foundation, visit www.golfcanadafoundation.com.

The Nova Scotia Golf Association (NSGA) has announced their 2014 NSGA Player of the Year Award winners.

The NSGA Player of the Year (POY) is a ranking system that assigns points to players from their finishes in various tournaments throughout the golfing year. It is designed to promote the development of golfers in Nova Scotia through a points system based on their competitive accomplishments. Player of the Year Awards will handed out during the NSGA Annual General Meeting that takes place Sunday, October 26, 2014 at the Glen Arbour Golf Club.

After a long summer battle, Aaron Nickerson from River Hills Golf Club topped Ashburn’s Glenn Robinson to win the 2014 Men’s NSGA Player of the Year. Nickerson finished the year with a total of 219 points narrowly defeating Robinson by 19 points. Nickerson ended the season with 5 top five finishes, including wins at the Jack Frost and Greenwood Classic.

Oakfield’s Ruth Maxwell’s return to competitive golf in Nova Scotia was impressive as she dominated the 2014 Women’s Player of the Year. Highlights of her season included a first place finish in the NSGA Senior and the Oakfield Club Championship. She was 5^th overall at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and captured the Canadian Women’s Super Senior Championship title in Sherbrooke, Que.

2014 MJT Junior Player of the Year 

Ashburn’s Myles Creighton completed his impressive junior career in style after dominating the field at the Dartmouth Dodge Junior Championship in July where he won easily by a total of 16 strokes. Myles then went on to win CN Future Links Atlantic Championship, MJT Paragon, CJGA Oakfield and finished third at the Subway and Brightwood Invitationals. He also tied for 22nd at the Canadian Junior Boy’s Championship. This is Myles 4^th time winning the MJT Junior Player of the Year.

Allison Chandler narrowly beat out Heather McLean for the 2014 MJT Player of the Year. Chandler finished the season with a total of 335 points while Heather McLean ended with a total of 332. Allsion came in second at the 2014 NSGA Junior Championship after losing in a playoff to last year’s Junior Girls Player of the Year winner, Meghan McLean. She won the CJGA Oakfield and the Brightwood Invitationals, earned a second place finish at the Ashburn Invitational and 3^rd place honours at the MJT Paragon. The highlight of her season came at the 2014 Canadian Junior Girl’s Championship, where she finished tied for 16th and 6^th overall in the Juvenile competition.

Junior Zone Player of the Year

In addition to the Player of the Year, the NSGA presents awards to the junior player of the year in each of 9 Regional zones. The following golfers have been chosen as 2014 Zone Player of the Year:

Greatest Reduction in Handicap

Each year the NSGA recognizes the Greatest Reduction in Handicap for the golf season for players throughout the province. Congratulations to the following individuals who achieved the Greatest Reduction in handicaps for male and female players in each of the Junior, Amateur and Senior divisions.

MELBOURNE, Australia – Local golfer Todd Sinnott shot a 5-under 67 Thursday to take a one-shot lead over 2012 champion Guan Tianlang of China after the first round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne.

The 20-year-old Sinnott plays on the pennants team for Metropolitan, another sand-belt course nearby.

Two strokes behind Sinnott and tied for third with 69s were Lee Chieh-po of Taiwan, Australian Antonio Murdaca and Tawan Phongphun of Thailand.

Australian amateur champion Ryan Ruffels had a 71 while Yang Gunn, the U.S. Amateur champion from South Korea, was well back after an 81.

The Asia-Pacific winner gets a spot in the U.S. Masters next year and is exempt into the final stage of qualifying for the British Open.

“There’s a long way to go yet,” Sinnott said after taking advantage of the calm morning conditions on Royal Melbourne’s composite layout.

“This is a course where you need to contain yourself,” he said after making birdie on his last two holes. “It’s all about positioning the ball. You can make double bogey here as quickly as you can make a birdie by attacking.”

Guan agreed.

“I felt very comfortable today, made a lot of good putts and played pretty smart,” he said. “But I think I cannot be too aggressive on this course, just play safe and then try to make a couple birdies.”

It’s the first time the 72-hole tournament, which has a field this year of 115, has been held outside Asia since it began in 2009.

Lee Chang-woo, who won the 2013 event in China at Nanshan International Golf Club, is not competing after turning professional.

New Zealand‘s James Beale, the reigning Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, is tied for 8th after an opening-round 71.

On Thursday, Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club in Hong Kong was confirmed as host venue for the seventh Asia-Pacific Amateur. It will be played Oct. 1-4, 2015.

The Canadian Turfgrass Research Foundation (CTRF) has announced it has received a $12,000 donation toward turfgrass research in Canada from the Atlantic Turfgrass Research Foundation (ATRF). The monies will be used for turfgrass research aimed at improving the quality and sustainability of turfgrass sites including golf courses, sports fields and turf uses generally.

This contribution is the second of three that the ATRF has committed to providing to the Foundation. It is in addition to the annual assessment that each member organization is asked to contribute. The ATRF is funded through events and activities and industry support generated by the Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association.

The CTRF is currently supporting nine active research projects at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Olds College in Alberta, the Orillia, Ont. campus of Lakehead University and a privately managed project with the Chimera Group. These projects are concerned with overwintering and related cultural practices, drought resistance, the activation of natural defense mechanisms in the turf plant to fight disease and the identification and management of magnaporthe poae, the causal agent of summer patch on annual bluegrass and Kentucky bluegrass. The newest projects involve an educational poster on the benefits of turfgrass in the urban environment, the selection and management of bentgrass cultivars for improved resistance to microdochium patch under current and predicted future climatic conditions, the management of take all patch in high pH soils and the impact of golf courses on nutrient loss and overall pollutant export from developed areas.

In total, CTRF spending on turfgrass research over the next three years based on current and pending approvals will exceed $350,000. This is just the CTRF contribution to this research. In total, these commitments will induce total spending for donated services and matching or leveraged grants of over $750,000, a number that could grow before the research is completed.

The CTRF is a registered charity with a mandate to raise monies and sponsor research projects that advance the environmental and economic benefits applicable to turfgrass. The CTRF is funded by contributions received from the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, Golf Canada and regional golf and turfgrass research organizations from across Canada including the Western Canada Turfgrass Association, the Alberta Turfgrass Research Foundation, the Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association, the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation, the Quebec Turfgrass Research Foundation and the Atlantic Turfgrass Research Foundation.

FAR HILLS, N.J. – The United States Golf Association has announced the nomination of Thomas J. O’Toole Jr., of St. Louis, Mo., to serve a second one-year term as the 63rd president of the USGA. The election of officers and the 15-member USGA Executive Committee will take place Feb. 7, 2015, at the USGA’s Annual Meeting in New York.

As president, O’Toole leads the USGA’s professional staff of more than 300 and nearly 1,200 volunteers who serve on more than 30 committees.

“It is a great honor to be nominated to continue my service to the game for a second term,” said O’Toole. “The USGA remains steadfast in its commitment to advance the long-term viability of golf, to continue to deliver exemplary championships, to increase accessibility, and to ensure that the game remains challenging and enjoyable for those who play.”

O’Toole is in his seventh year as a member of the USGA Executive Committee, a term that includes three years as vice president and one year as secretary.

O’Toole has been involved with the USGA since 1988 and has served as a Rules official at more than 140 USGA championships, including every U.S. Open Championship since 1990. He has also been the official in charge for more than 125 USGA championship qualifiers. In addition to chairing the Championship Committee from 2010 to 2014, O’Toole was a member of the Rules of Golf Committee from 2004 to 2014.

In 1992, O’Toole helped to found the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association, which serves eastern Missouri and central Illinois. He continues to serve on its executive board.

O’Toole, a partner in the law firm of Mickes Goldman O’Toole, LLC, chairs its Business and Corporate Group, while his practice focuses on real estate, specializing in zoning/land use, condemnation and real estate transactions. He earned both his undergraduate degree (1979) and law degree (1985) from St. Louis University.

Four other current members of the Executive Committee have also been nominated to serve as officers: Diana M. Murphy, of St. Simons Island, Ga., and William W. Gist IV, of Omaha, Neb., as vice presidents; Sheila C. Johnson, of Middleburg, Va., as secretary; and Mark E. Newell, of McLean, Va., as treasurer.

In addition, Ernest J. Getto, of Santa Barbara, Calif., has been nominated to serve a third term as general counsel for the USGA.

The other six current members of the Executive Committee nominated to continue their service are: William E. Fallon, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; C. Malcolm Holland III, of Dallas, Texas; C. Thomas Hough, of Atlanta, Ga.; Asuka Nakahara, of Merion, Pa.; Mark P. Reinemann, of Pewaukee, Wis.; and George J. Still Jr., of Atherton, Calif.

There are four newly nominated candidates for the Executive Committee for 2015: J. Stuart Francis, of Hillsborough, Calif.; Robert D. Kain, of Gates Mills, Ohio; Martha J. Lang, of Birmingham, Ala.; and Gregory B. Morrison, of Duluth, Ga.

J. Stuart Francis is a senior managing director for Evercore, where he leads the firm’s Silicon Valley technology practice. He most recently served as vice chairman of investment banking and chairman of the global technology group for Barclays. Previous roles include vice chairman of Lehman Brothers, the last of many positions he held with the organization since 1991. He has been an advisor to many of the most visible Silicon Valley companies, including Amgen, Cisco Systems, Facebook, Google, NetApp, Netsuite and Workday. Francis is an accomplished amateur golfer, having played in three U.S. Amateur Championships and two NCAA Championships. Francis earned a B.A. from Princeton University, where he was co-captain of the varsity golf team, and an M.B.A. from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

Robert D. Kain retired as co-CEO of IMG in 2006 after a 40-year career at the global sports management company. He began his career in tennis management, representing elite players and each of the Grand Slam events. He was the chairman of IMG’s Academy business, and also created and built IMG’s figure skating business, as well as IMG Fashion. In 2007 Kain was vice chairman of the Cleveland Browns, and helped Randy Lerner buy and reorganize Aston Villa Football Club. He also served on the board of trustees of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. An accomplished amateur golfer, Kain played in the 2005, 2009 and 2011 U.S. Senior Amateur Championships and the 2006 and 2007 British Seniors Open Amateur Championships. Kain is a graduate of the University of Virginia.

Martha J. Lang was chairman of the USGA Women’s Committee from 2011-2012, after serving on various USGA committees for more than 20 years. She served on the Illinois Women’s Golf Association board from 1988-1991, and joined the USGA Regional Affairs Committee in 1989. Today, Lang serves on the Shoal Creek board of governors and golf committee, as well as the Women’s Southern Golf Association board of directors. She has competed in more than 60 USGA championships, and won the 1988 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. She played on the 1992 USA Curtis Cup Team, and captained the 1996 Curtis Cup Team as well as the USA Team in the 2014 USA Women’s World Amateur Team Championship. From 1975-1991, Lang held various accounting positions, including a six-year stint at Shell Oil. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama.

Gregory B. Morrison is the senior vice president and chief information officer for Cox Enterprises, Inc. He previously served as vice president of information systems at Prudential Financial, Inc., where he worked in various roles over two tenures. Morrison also served as the chief operating officer at realestate.com in 2000-2001. Prior to that, he served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Signal Corps for eight years. Morrison serves on the board of directors of Piedmont Healthcare System, and the boards of trustees for Clark Atlanta University and Gwinnett Technical College. He also serves on the board of visitors of Emory University. He holds a B.S. in math and physics from South Carolina State University and a masters of industrial engineering from Northwestern University.

Four current members of the Executive Committee will retire at the 2015 USGA Annual Meeting: Karen S. Ammerman, M.D., of Webster, Mass.; Daniel B. Burton, of Lititz, Pa.; William L. Katz, of Chatham Township, N.J.; and Edward G. Michaels III, of Atlanta, Ga.

FAR HILLS, N.J. – The United States Golf Association has announced the nomination of Thomas J. O’Toole Jr., of St. Louis, Mo., to serve a second one-year term as the 63rd president of the USGA. The election of officers and the 15-member USGA Executive Committee will take place Feb. 7, 2015, at the USGA’s Annual Meeting in New York.

As president, O’Toole leads the USGA’s professional staff of more than 300 and nearly 1,200 volunteers who serve on more than 30 committees.

“It is a great honor to be nominated to continue my service to the game for a second term,” said O’Toole. “The USGA remains steadfast in its commitment to advance the long-term viability of golf, to continue to deliver exemplary championships, to increase accessibility, and to ensure that the game remains challenging and enjoyable for those who play.”

O’Toole is in his seventh year as a member of the USGA Executive Committee, a term that includes three years as vice president and one year as secretary.

O’Toole has been involved with the USGA since 1988 and has served as a Rules official at more than 140 USGA championships, including every U.S. Open Championship since 1990. He has also been the official in charge for more than 125 USGA championship qualifiers. In addition to chairing the Championship Committee from 2010 to 2014, O’Toole was a member of the Rules of Golf Committee from 2004 to 2014.

In 1992, O’Toole helped to found the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association, which serves eastern Missouri and central Illinois. He continues to serve on its executive board.

O’Toole, a partner in the law firm of Mickes Goldman O’Toole, LLC, chairs its Business and Corporate Group, while his practice focuses on real estate, specializing in zoning/land use, condemnation and real estate transactions. He earned both his undergraduate degree (1979) and law degree (1985) from St. Louis University.

Four other current members of the Executive Committee have also been nominated to serve as officers: Diana M. Murphy, of St. Simons Island, Ga., and William W. Gist IV, of Omaha, Neb., as vice presidents; Sheila C. Johnson, of Middleburg, Va., as secretary; and Mark E. Newell, of McLean, Va., as treasurer.

In addition, Ernest J. Getto, of Santa Barbara, Calif., has been nominated to serve a third term as general counsel for the USGA.

The other six current members of the Executive Committee nominated to continue their service are: William E. Fallon, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; C. Malcolm Holland III, of Dallas, Texas; C. Thomas Hough, of Atlanta, Ga.; Asuka Nakahara, of Merion, Pa.; Mark P. Reinemann, of Pewaukee, Wis.; and George J. Still Jr., of Atherton, Calif.

There are four newly nominated candidates for the Executive Committee for 2015: J. Stuart Francis, of Hillsborough, Calif.; Robert D. Kain, of Gates Mills, Ohio; Martha J. Lang, of Birmingham, Ala.; and Gregory B. Morrison, of Duluth, Ga.

J. Stuart Francis is a senior managing director for Evercore, where he leads the firm’s Silicon Valley technology practice. He most recently served as vice chairman of investment banking and chairman of the global technology group for Barclays. Previous roles include vice chairman of Lehman Brothers, the last of many positions he held with the organization since 1991. He has been an advisor to many of the most visible Silicon Valley companies, including Amgen, Cisco Systems, Facebook, Google, NetApp, Netsuite and Workday. Francis is an accomplished amateur golfer, having played in three U.S. Amateur Championships and two NCAA Championships. Francis earned a B.A. from Princeton University, where he was co-captain of the varsity golf team, and an M.B.A. from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

Robert D. Kain retired as co-CEO of IMG in 2006 after a 40-year career at the global sports management company. He began his career in tennis management, representing elite players and each of the Grand Slam events. He was the chairman of IMG’s Academy business, and also created and built IMG’s figure skating business, as well as IMG Fashion. In 2007 Kain was vice chairman of the Cleveland Browns, and helped Randy Lerner buy and reorganize Aston Villa Football Club. He also served on the board of trustees of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. An accomplished amateur golfer, Kain played in the 2005, 2009 and 2011 U.S. Senior Amateur Championships and the 2006 and 2007 British Seniors Open Amateur Championships. Kain is a graduate of the University of Virginia.

Martha J. Lang was chairman of the USGA Women’s Committee from 2011-2012, after serving on various USGA committees for more than 20 years. She served on the Illinois Women’s Golf Association board from 1988-1991, and joined the USGA Regional Affairs Committee in 1989. Today, Lang serves on the Shoal Creek board of governors and golf committee, as well as the Women’s Southern Golf Association board of directors. She has competed in more than 60 USGA championships, and won the 1988 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. She played on the 1992 USA Curtis Cup Team, and captained the 1996 Curtis Cup Team as well as the USA Team in the 2014 USA Women’s World Amateur Team Championship. From 1975-1991, Lang held various accounting positions, including a six-year stint at Shell Oil. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama.

Gregory B. Morrison is the senior vice president and chief information officer for Cox Enterprises, Inc. He previously served as vice president of information systems at Prudential Financial, Inc., where he worked in various roles over two tenures. Morrison also served as the chief operating officer at realestate.com in 2000-2001. Prior to that, he served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Signal Corps for eight years. Morrison serves on the board of directors of Piedmont Healthcare System, and the boards of trustees for Clark Atlanta University and Gwinnett Technical College. He also serves on the board of visitors of Emory University. He holds a B.S. in math and physics from South Carolina State University and a masters of industrial engineering from Northwestern University.

Four current members of the Executive Committee will retire at the 2015 USGA Annual Meeting: Karen S. Ammerman, M.D., of Webster, Mass.; Daniel B. Burton, of Lititz, Pa.; William L. Katz, of Chatham Township, N.J.; and Edward G. Michaels III, of Atlanta, Ga.

The final round of the 2014 PING CCAA Golf National Championships were washed out Friday. Heavy rain was forecasted throughout the week in Quebec City and the surrounding area and Mother Nature finally forced the cancellation of Round 3. The event was shortened from 54 holes to 36.

As a result, the Holland Hurricanes captured their first-ever CCAA National Championship title in the men’s division. All-Canadian Eric Locke led the Hurricanes to a tournament-best overall score of 286. Holland placed three shots ahead of the Camosun Chargers to earn gold.

The defending champion University of the Fraser Valley Cascades were forced to settle for bronze, six strokes back of the Hurricanes. The host Lions finished one-shot back of a medal.

Locke, meanwhile, tied for fourth individually. Brett Wilson (T-7), Justin Shanks (13th), Neal Ryan (T-17) and Luke Allen (T-39) also contributed in the Hurricanes victory.

The host St. Lawrence Lions saw their streak of six straight individual women’s champions come to an end, but the women’s team celebrated the team title on Friday after a commanding 9-shot victory.

The defending champion University of the Fraser Valley Cascades took silver, two shots ahead of PACWEST rivals UBC Okanagan.

In men’s individual play, Jarred Callbeck of Camosun College fired rounds of 68-70 for a one-shot victory. Callbeck had a 36-hole total of 138 to sit at 6-under.

Hugo Bernard (139) of Cégep André-Laurendeau fired a 68 in difficult conditions on Thursday which earned him a silver medal. Adam Poulin (140) of Champlain St. Lawrence finished third at 4-under. An impressive total of 10 golfers were under par after two rounds.

In women’s individual play, Lorelle Weavers of Niagara College fired back-to-back 77’s to capture gold with a two-round total of 154. Weavers finished ahead of St. Lawrence Lions teammates Noémie Ouellette (156) and Océane Jacques (158). Carolyn Lee of UBC Okanagan also finished at 158. Two bronze medals were awarded. Of the nine female All-Canadians, eight placed in the Top 10.

The St. Lawrence Lions had previously won gold in women’s individual play in each of the last six seasons.

At the Closing Ceremony and Awards Banquet, the CCAA announced the tournament All Stars. Men’s winners included Callbeck, Bernard, Poulin, Étienne Papineau (St. Lawrence Lions), Locke and Grant Maskiewich (Camosun Chargers).

Women’s All Stars were Weavers, Ouellette, Jacques and Lee.

Recipients of the PING Fair Play Awards were Brennan Smith of St. Lawrence College Kingston and Elizabeth Stewart of MacEwan University.

The 2015 National Championships will be hosted by the University of the Fraser Valley.

Final Standings

Men’s Team

Men’s Individual

Women’s Team

Women’s Individual