Henderson and Canada ready for World Junior Girl’s Championship
MARKHAM, Ont. – Brooke Henderson is close to deciding her golf future.
The 17-year-old rising star from Smiths Falls, Ont., said Friday she expects to make a decision in the next two weeks regarding whether she’ll enrol at the University of Florida or join the LPGA Tour. Henderson, who is No. 1 in the world amateur golf rankings, has won seven amateur titles and two pro events this season while making the cut in all four LPGA tournaments she entered.
“Right now I’m making a lot of decisions, the big one being whether to go to Florida, which is one of the top-ranked schools in the U.S., or turn professional,” Henderson said during a telephone interview. “My decision is a little unclear at the moment but I think in the next couple of weeks a decision should be made.”
Giving Henderson food for thought is her performance in the LPGA events.
Not only did the articulate, well-spoken teen make the cut in all four tournaments, she finished tied for 10th — and was the top amateur — in the U.S. Women’s Open. She also finished tied for 26th at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, which is also a major.
Henderson was victorious at the Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario and PGA Women’s Championship of Canada and was also the low amateur and low Canuck at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in London, Ont., last August — the LPGA Tour’s lone stop north of the border.
“Those two (majors), really, were confidence boosters and showed me, ‘You know what? I can compete with the best,”’ Henderson said. “I know I still have a long way to go until I am consistently up there at the top but those were definitely key moments in my summer.”
Earlier this month, Henderson won the individual title at the world amateur championship in Japan and combined with Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., and Augusta James of Bath, Ont., to earn Canada a second-place finish in the team event.
For Henderson, it’s a perfect prep event for the upcoming World Junior Girls Championship at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
“It doesn’t happen often in golf that it’s a team sport,” Henderson said. “The Ryder Cup is going on right now but other than that, there’s not many team events so it is a learning experience, definitely.
“But coming off the world amateur, that was my last tournament so I’m still in that mindset and I think that’s definitely going to help.”
As the host country, Canada will field two three-golfer teams in the inaugural 15-country event, which begins Sunday. Henderson, Ottawa’s Grace St-Germain and Victoria’s Naomi Ko will make up one squad while the other will consist of Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee, Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont., and Alisha Lau of Richmond, B.C.
The 72-hole tournament runs through Wednesday. A total of 48 golfers aged 19 and under are scheduled to participate in team and individual competition.
Qualifying countries were invited based upon how they fared at the 2012 event in Turkey.
“They picked the top countries so they’re all very good players, they’re all very skilled,” Henderson said. “There’s always Korea, the U.S., and Japan who are always right up there.
“You’ve got to play your own game but also keep an eye on them.”
Playing on home soil will put added pressure on the Canadians, but Henderson says that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
“If there’s pressure, it means you’re doing something right and you’re expected to complete something,” she said. “Definitely everyone here wants us to play well and play our best and hopefully hold up that trophy at the end of the week.
“There’s always going to be that little bit, you just have to take the challenge and run with it.”
And given her place in the world rankings, that’s an attitude Henderson plans to take on to the course.
“Like I said, you have to take that challenge and perform your best,” she said. “If you’re able to represent your country and the people around you along the way, that’s perfect.
“The key is definitely to play my own game. It’s a team event but if I play well then it’s going to help my team in the long run.”
Golf is slated to return to the Summer Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and if the Canadian team was selected now, Henderson would make the cut as the highest-ranked female among pro golfers in the country. Although that selection won’t be made for a while, Henderson definitely wants to wear Canada’s colours in an Olympic competition.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play for Canada and go to the Olympics,” she said. “I’m excited right now because I am the No. 1-ranked professional in Canada so if the team was chosen right now I’d be picked to go to Rio and compete.
“I’m excited to be in this position and hopefully over the next two years I stay there.”
Click here for pairings for the World Junior Girls Championship.
CN Future Links crown National Junior Skills Challenge champions
MARKHAM, Ont. – CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) and Golf Canada are pleased to announce the six champions of Saturday’s CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event at the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., site of this week’s 2014 World Junior Girls Championship.
The National Event, running for the sixth consecutive year, crowned both a female and male champion from three different age groups (9-11, 12-14 and 15-18). Among the 25 participants from across the country, the following six individuals emerged as champions:
- Braxton Kuntz, Breezy Bend Country Club, Manitoba (Boys 9-11)
- Sarah Gallagher, Braeben Golf Course, Ontario (Girls 9-11)
- Finn Lawlor, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Boys 12-14)
- Laura Wong, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Girls 12-14)
- Tyler Leclair, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Boys 15-18)
- Molly MacDermaid, Gowan Brae Golf Club, New Brunswick (Girls 15-18)
The winners of each age group received a champion’s package from Titleist, valued at $300. In addition, Tyler Leclair and Molly MacDermaid – winners of the 15-18 age groups – will be given an exemption into their local 2015 CN Future Links Championship.
“It was a lot of fun out there,” said boys 15-18 winner Leclair. “It was very special to win here. The event was really set up well; all of the sponsors have been great. It was tough, everyone battled hard, and it got close and came down to one putt in the end. To win this on a national level is very sweet.”
Saturday’s National Event tested juniors in a four part skills challenge which tested putting, chipping, driving and iron play. The participants, split into three different age groups, were invited based on their scores from individual Skills Challenge events hosted at local clubs throughout the year by CN Future Links instructors.
“The objective of the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event is to focus on the core skills (chipping, putting, iron play and driving) of the sport and put the spotlight on participants that have achieved the top scores from various events that have happened throughout the season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “We congratulate all of the competitors who qualified for the National Event and look forward to another great year of challenging Canada’s most talented and eager juniors.”
Current CN Future Links programming includes the ‘Learn to Play’ program as well as mobile clinics, the Junior Skills Challenge, Junior Leagues, Girls Club and the CN Future Links Championships. As part of its investment in Canadian junior golf, CN is also a proud supporter of Golf in Schools. New programming as part of the investment in youth golf will include CN Future Links School Adoption Program and CN Future Links Field Trip Program.
A full listing of programs and information for junior golfers, parents, instructors and facilities is available at www.cnfuturelinks.com.
CN Future Links crown National Junior Skills Challenge champions
MARKHAM, Ont. – CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) and Golf Canada are pleased to announce the six champions of Saturday’s CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event at the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., site of this week’s 2014 World Junior Girls Championship.
The National Event, running for the sixth consecutive year, crowned both a female and male champion from three different age groups (9-11, 12-14 and 15-18). Among the 25 participants from across the country, the following six individuals emerged as champions:
- Braxton Kuntz, Breezy Bend Country Club, Manitoba (Boys 9-11)
- Sarah Gallagher, Braeben Golf Course, Ontario (Girls 9-11)
- Finn Lawlor, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Boys 12-14)
- Laura Wong, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Girls 12-14)
- Tyler Leclair, Seymour Golf Club, British Columbia (Boys 15-18)
- Molly MacDermaid, Gowan Brae Golf Club, New Brunswick (Girls 15-18)
The winners of each age group received a champion’s package from Titleist, valued at $300. In addition, Tyler Leclair and Molly MacDermaid – winners of the 15-18 age groups – will be given an exemption into their local 2015 CN Future Links Championship.
“It was a lot of fun out there,” said boys 15-18 winner Leclair. “It was very special to win here. The event was really set up well; all of the sponsors have been great. It was tough, everyone battled hard, and it got close and came down to one putt in the end. To win this on a national level is very sweet.”
Saturday’s National Event tested juniors in a four part skills challenge which tested putting, chipping, driving and iron play. The participants, split into three different age groups, were invited based on their scores from individual Skills Challenge events hosted at local clubs throughout the year by CN Future Links instructors.
“The objective of the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event is to focus on the core skills (chipping, putting, iron play and driving) of the sport and put the spotlight on participants that have achieved the top scores from various events that have happened throughout the season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “We congratulate all of the competitors who qualified for the National Event and look forward to another great year of challenging Canada’s most talented and eager juniors.”
Current CN Future Links programming includes the ‘Learn to Play’ program as well as mobile clinics, the Junior Skills Challenge, Junior Leagues, Girls Club and the CN Future Links Championships. As part of its investment in Canadian junior golf, CN is also a proud supporter of Golf in Schools. New programming as part of the investment in youth golf will include CN Future Links School Adoption Program and CN Future Links Field Trip Program.
A full listing of programs and information for junior golfers, parents, instructors and facilities is available at www.cnfuturelinks.com.
DeLaet Foundation raises over $1,200 for Golf in Schools program
On Sunday, the Twitter campaign for the Graham and Ruby DeLaet Foundation came to a close, raising more than $1,200 for the Golf in Schools program.
Running from September 11-21, the Graham and Ruby DeLaet Foundation picked up 1,200+ Twitter followers, including fellow PGA Tour star Ernie Els and big name NHL player John Michael-Liles of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Launched this summer, the Foundation is focused on improving the health and wellness of children and supporting the development of junior golfers at all stages.
In all likelihood, the money raised will go towards adopting three additional schools into the program, which regularly cost $475 per school/package.
Golf in Schools was developed in 2009 by Physical Health Education (PHE) Canada in partnership with Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada. Since its inception, the program has been delivered to over 2,500 elementary and high schools across Canada.
The Golf in Schools program consists of safety-approved golf equipment, along with a relevant teaching resource for teachers to deliver lesson plans to students.
Click here to learn more about Golf in Schools.
Participants announced for CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the nation’s top 25 scorers who will compete in the CN Future Links Skills Challenge National Event on Sept. 27 at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
The participants, split into three different age groups, were invited based on their scores from individual Skills Challenge events hosted at local clubs throughout the year by CN Future Links instructors. During the season, live results are available online through the National Leaderboard, allowing juniors to compare their scores against others in the country.
“The objective of the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event is to focus on the core skills (chipping, putting, iron play and driving) of the sport and put the spotlight on participants that have achieved the top scores from various events that have happened throughout the season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “We look forward to hosting all of these talented young players with our partners at CN.”
A trophy will be awarded to the winner of each age group in both the boys and girls divisions. The participants are listed below:
Ages 9-11
| Girls | Boys |
| Theodora Jucan, Copper Creek, ON | David Subotic, Copper Creek Golf, ON |
| Clara Levesque, B2golf, QC | Connor Munro, Braeben, ON |
| Sarah Gallagher, Braeben, ON | Ben Hirasawa, Copper Creek Golf, ON |
| Ella Gifford, Edmonton Girls Club, AB | Thomas Carrier, B2golf, QC |
| Claire Sheppard, Links at Montague, NS | Braxton Kuntz, Breezy Bend Country Club, MB |
| Nicole Hogan, Gowan Brae, NB |
Ages 12-14
| Girls | Boys |
| Taylor Cormier, Blomidon G&CC, NL | Nathan Hogan, Gowan Brae Golf Club, NB |
| Laura Wong, Seymour Golf Club, BC | Simon Isabelle, Vallée Du Richelieu, QC |
| Megan Colbourne, Blomidon G&CC, NL | Finn Lawlor, Seymour Golf Club, BC |
| Sara Albert, Edmunston Golf Golf, NB | Sean Buckles, Seymour Golf Club, BC |
Ages 15-18
| Girls | Boys |
| Molly McDermaid, Gowan Brae Golf Club, NB | Tyler Leclair, Seymour Golf Club, BC |
| Juliana Pouliot, The Links at Montague, NS | Olivier Racine, Vallée Du Richelieu, QC |
| Brooklyn Ward, Bacovan Golf Club, ON | Andrew Wong, Seymour Golf Club, BC |
CN is proud to give juniors the chance to partake in friendly Skills Challenge events through the safe, affordable programming of CN Future Links. The National Event is a celebration for juniors across Canada to be involved with the experience of friendly competition against some of the country’s top juniors.
Each participant will receive a travel subsidy from CN of $500, along with a welcome package from Titleist valued at $200. The winners of each age group will also receive an additional package from Titleist, valued at $300.
In addition, the male and female winner of the 15-18 event will be given an exemption into their local 2015 CN Future Links Championship event.
Inaugural World Junior Girls Championship set for Angus Glen Golf Club
Markham, Ont. (Golf Canada) – The world’s best female junior golfers are set to compete in a showcase international competition as the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship will run September 26th to October 1st at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario Canada.
An elite field of female junior golfers will compete at the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship which will be conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario.
In all, 48 of the world’s top female junior golfers representing 15 different countries worldwide will compete in both a team and individual competition on the South Course at Angus Glen.
The championship features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition.
In addition to a 72-hole competition, the World Junior Girls Golf Championship will include an international golf coaches’ summit, golf clinics and a fundraising golf tournament conducted by the Golf Canada Foundation in partnership with TORONTO 2015. The World Junior Girls Golf Championship will also include the sixth annual CN Future Links Skills Challenge National Event.
What you need to know about the World Junior Girls Golf Championship:
The Event: The inaugural World Junior Girls Championship
Where: Angus Glen Golf Club (South Course)
10080 Kennedy Road, Markham, Ont., L6C 1N9
www.angusglen.com
When: Friday, September 26th to Wednesday, October 1st
Admission: Free for spectators all week.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, September 26th
Golf Canada & TORONTO 2015 Fundraising Golf Event (2:00pm)
Coaching Summit – Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO)
Skill Development Clinic (3:00pm-5:00pm)
Saturday, September 27th
Championship Practice Round (7:30am – 9:00am)
CN Future Links National Junior Skills Challenge Final (11:00am)
Official Opening Ceremony (5:30pm)
Sunday, September 28th
Round 1 / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1st & 10th tee)
Monday, September 29th
Round 2 / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1st & 10th tee
Tuesday, September 30th
Round 3 / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1st & 10th tee
Wednesday, October 1st
Final Round / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1st & 10th tee
Closing Ceremony (immediately following the completion of play –approximately 2:00pm)
Format:
Team Competition: 3 players per country (best 2 out of 3 scores count each day); 72 holes of stroke play; no cut
Individual Competition: 72 holes of stroke play; no cut
Countries represented: 15
(Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden and USA). Click here for a full listing of team rosters.
Notables Players Set to Compete:
- Brooke Henderson (Canada) – no. 1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; Runner-up at 2014 US & Canadian Amateur; Low Amateur at 2014 US Women’s Open; Low Individual at 2014 World Amateur
- Megan Khang (USA) – no. 40 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; two-time US Open competitor
- Mika Liu (USA) – no. 48 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
- Karis Davidson (Australia) – no. 53 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Australian Amateur runner-up
- Angela Yin (USA)– no. 57 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; medalist at 2014 US Junior Girls
- Nuria Iturrios Servera (Spain) – no. 61 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2012 silver medal & 2013 bronze medal at European Girls Team Championship
- Alice Hewson (England) – no. 75 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; quarter-finalist at 2014 British Amateur
- Alejandra Pasarin Olalla (Spain) – no. 108 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
- Inci Mehmet (England) – no. 113 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
- Puk Lyng Thomsen (Denmark) – no. 129 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
- Ana Pelaez Trivino (Spain) – no. 131 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
- Hannah Green (Australia) – no. 156 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
- So Jin (Jenny) Lee (Australia) – no. 179 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
- Olivia Mehaffey (Ireland) – no. 227 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; Irish Girls U18 Open Stroke Play champion
- Julianna Alvarez (New Zealand) – no. 260 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; T10 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
- Naomi Ko (Canada) – no. 279 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 British Columbia Junior champion
- Jaclyn Lee (Canada) – no. 423 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Alberta Amateur & Junior champion
- Selena Costabile (Canada) – no. 426 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 GAO Spring Classic champion
- Maria Fassi (Mexico) – no. 459 on World Amateur Golf Rankings; T13 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
- Sandra Salonen (Finland) – T20 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
- Grace St-Germain (Canada) – no. 472 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Canadian Junior Girls champion
Canadians in the Field:
- Brooke Henderson, Smiths Falls, Ont. (17)
- Naomi Ko, Victoria, B.C. (17)
- Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, Ont. (16)
- Jaclyn Lee, Calgary (17)
- Selena Costabile, Thornhill, Ont. (16)
- Alisha Lau, Richmond, B.C. (14)
As the host country, Canada will field two team in the competition – one team will featuring Brooke Henderson, Grace St-Germain and Naomi Ko while the second team includes Jaclyn Lee, Selena Costabile and Alisha Lau. Click here for a listing of Team Canada player bios.
The Canadian teams will be coached by Team Canada Development Squad Women’s Coach Ann Carroll, alongside Reggie Millage, the provincial Head Coach for the Golf Association of Ontario.
Supporting Partners:
A special thank you to our partners who have aligned their brand with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship including the International Golf Federation; the R&A; Sport Canada; the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Central Counties; TORONTO 2015; the PGA of Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation.
Conducted by:
Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario
CN Future Links Adopts 15 Schools in Saskatoon region
CN and Golf Canada announced that CN is adopting 15 local schools from the Saskatoon Public School Board to deliver the game of golf to local students. Students from two of the schools celebrated with a one-day field trip event on Wednesday Sept. 24th at the Holiday Park Golf Club, receiving lessons in putting, chipping and driving from head PGA of Canada professional, Brian Gabrush.In total, CN has adopted over 100 schools in various markets across the country since 2013.
“To get an entry level introduction to a sport that can be played for a lifetime is absolutely huge for our students and our school division,” said Bruce Bradshaw, Superintendent of Education for the Saskatoon Public School Board. “Golf requires a certain level of etiquette and safety to be followed, and thanks to CN these kids will have an understanding of the sport which makes a whole lot of difference in being able to participate in the sport with people from the community.”
This marks the second group of schools adopted by CN as part of the CN Future Links Community Tour, which consists of three community festivals each year, intended to share the health, wellness and safety values of golf. Saskatoon was this year’s third tour stop, with Montreal and Sarnia receiving visits earlier in the year. Each Community Tour event engages community youth and festival attendees in various golf activities as well as rail safety tips from CN Police.
“CN is proud to support the future of the game and the health and well-being of our children by introducing the next generation of golfers to the game,” said Claude Mongeau, CN President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that Golf Canada’s vision to grow the sport aligns well with our corporate values to promote the health and wellness of children in communities across Canada. “Golf and its inherent values are good for our children and we are pleased to be bringing Canada’s national junior golf program to communities across Canada.”
CN has been a driving force in Canadian junior golf since becoming title sponsor CN Future Links in 2006.
“Saskatoon is an important part of CN’s network across Canada. Just as CN plays a vital role transporting Saskatchewan products to markets we also welcome the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the youth in Saskatoon by helping Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada grow junior golf through the CN Future Links program,” said Mr. Mongeau.
Current CN Future Links programming includes the ‘Learn to Play’ program as well as mobile clinics, the Junior Skills Challenge, PGA Jr. League, Girls Club and the CN Future Links Championships. As part of its investment in Canadian junior golf, CN is also a proud supporter of Golf in Schools. New programming as part of the investment in youth golf will include CN Future Links School Adoption Program and CN Future Links Field Trip Program.
For Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons, CN’s commitment to junior golf reinforces the shared values of health, wellness and safety to junior enthusiasts across Canada.
“I can’t say enough what it means to Canadian golf that CN has aligned their brand and their corporate values with Canada’s national junior golf program,” said Simmons. “Together with CN as well as our partners at the PGA of Canada and the provincial golf associations, the CN Future Links program is introducing children in communities across Canada to a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.”
Click here to learn more about CN Future Links
Golf Fore the Cure celebrates success at 11th annual National Event
On Monday, over 100 enthusiastic ladies took part in the annual Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru National Event. The celebration, now in its 11th year, consisted of a full day’s activities on the facilities of Carrying Place Golf & Country Club, a semi-private club in King, Ont.
Participants included program sponsors, female members of Carrying Place, corporate teams and Canada’s top fundraising sites. The ladies battled cold weather conditions upon morning arrival but were thankful to be greeted by warm fall sunshine to start the 18-hole shotgun round, featuring special sponsor challenges throughout.
While raising funds for breast cancer research, Golf Fore the Cure is dedicated to promoting female participation in the sport, regardless of prior experience or skill level. Above all, the day is a fun-filled celebration to thank everyone involved for their hard work and support of a sincere cause.
Subaru Canada has been the presenting partner for seven years running, and is truly the ‘driving’ force behind Golf Fore the Cure and all of its success.
This season, Golf Fore the Cure and all its participants raised over $300,000 to date in support of breast cancer research. The top three fundraising teams in Canada were given a special thanks for their contributions during Monday’s dinner ceremonies. In addition, Pamela Fralick, President & CEO of Canadian Cancer Society, joined the ladies for dinner and shared some inspiring words.
Lastly, the welcoming staff at Carrying Place Golf & Country Club helped make the event one to remember. To view pictures from the event, click here.
To learn more about Golf Fore the Cure, visit the website.
Garrett Rank wins Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
BARRIE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Garrett Rank rolled in a short birdie putt on the first playoff hole to capture the 2014 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Barrie Country Club.
Rank, 27, finished the championship tied with Rob Couture of Dallas, Texas at 4-under 284 after Couture forced the pair into a playoff by birdieing the par-5 18th hole in regulation.
The pair headed back to No. 18 tee for the first playoff hole, where Rank found the right rough off the tee. He went on to hit a magnificent 3-iron, leaving just 20 feet for eagle, putting the pressure squarely on Couture.
“It wasn’t a great lie, it was advanceable and I knew I could get some club on it,” Rank said. “I just took one extra club and it came out perfect. When it was in the air I knew it was going to be pretty good.”
After Couture’s approach from the fairway came up short, he left his third shot 20 feet below the hole and couldn’t convert his birdie putt after watching Rank’s eagle putt slide by. The stage was then set for Rank who was left with only a tap-in birdie for the victory and a spot in the field at the 2015 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
“The reason I came here was to win and I was trying to get into the RBC Canadian Open,” Rank said. “Anytime you can win a national championship is a huge honour and I’m glad I pulled it out.”
The Elmira, Ont. native carded rounds of 73-70-69-72 to finish the championship at 4-under 284. His win adds to the list of successes the Team Canada National Amateur Squad program has amassed this season.
“The boys [Team Canada] have been playing really well, we’ve got a lot of trophies to the Golf Canada and Team Canada name in the last couple of years and it’s nice to just add another one my behalf,” he continued.
In the Mid-Master division, second round leader Darren Shaw narrowly missed a spot in the playoff for the overall title after a final round 2-under 70 that left him in solo third. The Stoney Creek, Ont. native ran away with the Mid-Master division finishing seven strokes ahead of Dwight Reinhart of Renfrew, Ont. at 2-under 286.
Complete scoring and results can found online by clicking here.
Gallacher and Lindbjerg claim Pacific Northwest Men’s Senior Team Championship
Sunriver, Ore. – John Gallacher of Burnaby, B.C. and Gudmund Lindbjerg of Port Moody, B.C. posted a 5-under par 66 to come from behind and win the 32nd Pacific Northwest Men’s Senior Team Championship held at Sunriver Resort. The 54-hole championship was held on the resort’s Woodlands and Meadows courses and was conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA).
The duo of Gallacher and Lindbjerg began the day one shot behind second-round leaders Charles Griswold and Don Orrell, both of Bend, Ore., and posted their bogey-free round in the Four-Ball format on the resort’s Meadows Course for a three-shot victory. Griswold and Orrell finished tied for second.
Gallacher and Lindbjerg had seized an early lead after round one, which was held on the resort’s par-72 Woodlands Course, with a 7-under par 65 in the Four-Ball format. They struggled the second day in the Chapman format, finishing with a 1-over par 72 on the resort’s par-71 Meadows Course. But all scores were higher under the Chapman format, so they didn’t lose much ground.
“John and I have played many years in best-ball events,” Lindbjerg said. “So we know how to do that. It’s difficult to play Chapman. It gets a little confusing.”
Gallacher and Lindbjerg have played as a team in this championship for more than a decade. “We always play to win,” Lindbjerg continued. “And were finally able to finish it this year.”
“You still have to create opportunities for birdies,” added Gallacher. “We’re both pretty consistent off the tee, so that helps (in the Chapman format). But it’s a struggle when you’re playing your partner’s ball and trying not to make things too difficult for him. It’s not alternate shot, but it sure feels like it.”
Last year’s champion, Karl Smith of Gig Harbor, Wash. who won the championship with partner Jim McNelis, finished tied for seventh this year with partner Dave Schrenk of Fox Island, Wash. Ron Younglund of Sutherlin, Ore. and Kenneth Linden of Roseburg, Ore.posted rounds of 61-65-61 to win the championship’s net division title.
For complete final results, please click here.
The Pacific Northwest Men’s Senior Team Championship is one of 16 major, regional, amateur championships for men, women, juniors, and seniors conducted annually by the PNGA throughout the Northwest.