KARUIZAWA, Japan – Canada continues to hold a two-stroke lead over defending champion Korea after Friday’s third round of stroke play at the Women’s World Amateur at Karuizawa 72 Golf East.

Leading the trio once again was 16-year-old Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., who carded a bogey-free, 6-under 66 for the second straight time on the Oshitate course. The Team Canada National Squad member recorded four birdies on the back nine to help her retain the individual lead for the tournament at 15-under par.

The world’s no. 2 ranked female amateur is dialed in and excited to close out the tournament strong in tomorrow’s final.

“I’m really excited for tomorrow and to be in the position that we’re in at such a beautiful golf course in beautiful Japan,” said Henderson. “I’m just really excited and enjoying the moment.”

The second-lowest Canadian score for the day was posted by 22-year-old Orangeville, Ont. native Brittany Marchand. In her first World Amateur appearance, Marchand has delivered consistent results across the board to sit at 6-under par (71-70-69) individually.

“I started out strong, I made a few good putts outside of 20 feet and I was really confident with my putter,” said 5^th year N.C. State student. “I was a little shaky on the back with a couple of birdies and a couple of bogeys but overall I think it was a good day.”

Augusta James of Bath, Ont. carded 16 pars en route to an even-par 72, which was discounted as the team’s highest score for the day. James, 21, is playing in her second World Amateur for Canada (2012) and knows what to expect come tomorrow.

“There are some things that I can draw on from two years ago but we’ve got a fresh golf course and it’s a different position that we’re in,” said the reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur champion. “Just trying to embrace that it’s a new day tomorrow and trying to improve on the last three days to help the team.”

Team captain, Liz Hoffman, plans to help the girls remain focused on closing out the tournament after holding the lead for three straight days.

“We talk about taking each day as a new day. We are focusing on each and every shot, one shot at a time, and we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. We haven’t got ahead of ourselves and we’re certainly not going to tomorrow. We’re ready for the challenge.”

The Canadian trio is set to tee-off tomorrow on the Iriyama course starting at 11:05 a.m. (JST). They will be paired with Korea (-21) and Japan (-17) in their quest to capture the first ever Espirito Santo trophy for Canada.

Click here for team scoring.

Click here for individual scoring.

Augusta James, Liz Hoffman, Brooke Henderson, Brittany Marchand (USGA/ Steve Gibbons)

KARUIZAWA, Japan – Canada’s trio combined for a 5-under 139 to retain their two-stroke lead following Thursday’s second round of stroke play at the Iriyama course at Karuizawa 72 Golf East.

Brooke Henderson, a 16-year-old Smiths Falls, Ont. native, led the team for a second straight day with a 3-under 69. The National Amateur Squad member struggled out of the gate with a bogey on the par-4 3^rd, but countered with four birdies in her next eight holes.

Henderson, this year’s U.S. Amateur runner-up, was pleased with being able to fight back after struggling out of the gate.

“It was a slow start, the first few holes I was 1-over but I was able to get my game back a little bit,” said the world’s no. 2 ranked female amateur. “The birdie at the last really saved my round and got it into the 60s – any day in the 60s is a good day.”

Brittany Marchand, an Orangeville, Ont. native, posted a 2-under 70 as the team’s second lowest score on the day. The 22-year-old National Team member carded a crucial birdie on 17 to help maintain the two-stroke lead.

“I had quite a lot of opportunities coming up the last stretch and I was just missing them, lipping out, just missing the edge, so to make one on 17 was really good for my own confidence going into tomorrow,” said the 5^th year N.C. State student.

Augusta James, 21, struggled with a 4-over 76 after carding a 69 in the opening round. The Bath, Ont. native remains optimistic with the team format after her score was discounted as the highest of the three.

“We talked a lot this week about taking care of ourselves individually and focusing on each shot of our own game, which in the end will help the team,” said the 2014 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion. “I will continue to focus on that for the next two days.”

Team captain, Liz Hoffman, acknowledged the team’s slow start but credited the overall determination of the girls to get back to where they want to be.

“What I saw today in Brooke, Augusta and Brittany was just tremendous determination, they really worked hard at focusing and playing every shot to the best of their ability – I’m very proud of the team today,” said Hoffman.

She also credited the team’s success to their preparation, and direction from National Team Head Coach, Tristan Mullally.

“We do a lot of learning and work in prepping for each round,” she said. “We watch very carefully what each player is doing, how the ball is reacting, and we try to gain some advantage from that.”

Canada holds a two-stroke lead over Japan at 12-under par, who are closely followed by defending champion Korea at 11-under par.

The Canadian contingent is back on the Oshitate course tomorrow, scheduled for the late tee-off times, beginning at 11:05 a.m. (JST). They will be grouped with Japan and Korea.

Click here for team scoring.

Click here for individual scoring.

Inspiration can be found almost anywhere. In this case, look no further than the nine-year-old daughter of Steve Careau, Director of Golf at The Grand Vallon in Beaupré, Qué.

Frédérique, just nine years old, took the initiative to shave her head in front of 90-plus participants in a Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru event last month. Thanks to her remarkable courage, Frédérique raised $2,695 (a third of the event’s total donations) to be donated towards the Québec Breast Cancer Foundation.

Golf Canada is hosting the Golf Fore the Cure National Event on Sept. 22^nd at Carrying Place in King, Ont. to celebrate accomplishments like Frédérique’s, and the program’s success this season.

To learn more about Golf Fore the Cure National Event, click here.

KARUIZAWA, Japan – Canada sits alone atop the leaderboard after Wednesday’s record-setting opening round of 9-under par at Karuizawa 72 Golf East. They hold a two stroke advantage over defending champion Korea in the quest for the Espirito Santo trophy.

Canada’s combined score of 135 is the lowest first-round score in Women’s World Amateur Team Championship history. The record was previously held by USA, who recorded a 136 at the 2010 playing in Argentina.

The Canadian trio was led by teen sensation Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. The 16-year-old Team Canada member fired a bogey-free 6-under 66 to record the day’s lowest score. Henderson is very pleased with her start, but is looking forward to the next three rounds.

“Yeah, it was a great day today, I hit the ball really well and had a lot of opportunities to make birdies and I capitalized on a lot of them,” said Henderson, the world’s no. 2 ranked female amateur. “It’s good to get a run on the first day and I’m really excited to play the next couple days and hopefully continue at the top of the leaderboard.”

Augusta James, the reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion, posted a 3-under 69 – recorded as the team’s second lowest score for the day. The Bath, Ont. native was happy with her ability to stay calm and bounce back after bogeying the 10^th and 12^th holes.

“I had a bit of a hiccup in the middle with a couple bogeys, but I was happy to come back and finish strong,” said the N.C. State senior. “I felt like I could get to three or more under, so I was happy that I did that.”

Brittany Marchand, also a member of Team Canada’s National Squad, posted a 1-under 71 which was discounted as the team’s highest score for the day. Having an under-par score discounted is always a promising sign for any team moving forward.

“It’s always good to have a throwaway score be under par – it’s awesome that my teammates helped me out today,” said the Orangeville, Ont. native. “I made a lot of up-and-downs to save par and I missed quite a few opportunities for birdies, but I’m hoping those are going to drop the rest of the week.”

Although very pleased with the team’s performance in the opening round, captain Liz Hoffman is determined to keep the team focused on the remaining three rounds.

“I’d say we played the easier of the two courses and we saw some wonderful scores out there so we know we’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Hoffman. “We have three more rounds to play – we’ll take it one shot at a time, one day at a time.”

The Canadian contingent tees-off Thursday morning starting at 9:15 a.m. (JST) on the Iriyama Course.

Click here for scoring.

Brooke Henderson & Augusta James (USGA)

BOND HEAD, Ont. – Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club outlasted 27 other teams, along with heavy rain, to claim the George S. Lyon Championship title September 2 at The Club at Bond Head.

Four-man teams from golf clubs across Ontario came together for the 79th playing of the event. Players took to Bond Head’s South Course in a combined gross-score format, with Cedar Brae earning the title by three strokes at 16-over (304).

The team from Cedar Brae, in Scarborough, was comprised of Toronto’s Robert Gibson, Scarborough’s Richard Persaud, Markham’s Wesley Kwok and Toronto’s Marc St-Germain.

At the end of the round it was Gibson who led the way finishing in a tie for second among all players at even-par (72). Persaud and Kwok were both second on the team at four-over (76) and St-Germain finished eight-over (80). It is the third title for Cedar Brae since the inaugural event in 1931. Cedar Brae’s last title came in 2006.

“Winning this is a big deal for us,” said Gibson. “There are so many good players at our club so I think just to be here and represent the club in a competition like this is an achievement. There are a lot of folks that are going to be proud of us when we get back. We’ve had our name on here (the George S. Lyon Shield) before, but it has been a while, so it is good to have it back on here.”

Gibson went on to discuss how the team dealt with the day’s rainy conditions.

“We just tried to keep the big numbers and damage down,” he added. “It was easy to give up, make big numbers and shoot high scores but we stayed patient and didn’t try to get any big numbers back, that was the main thing.”

Runner-up honours went to the team representing the Sarnia Golf and Country Club – Ethan O’Meara, Eric Pattenaude, Stephen Brown and Aaron Pedlar, who were three shots back finishing at a combined 19-over (307).

The bronze medals were awarded to the team from The Club at North Halton. They finished the day at a combined 22-over (310). North Halton was comprised of Darren Morris, Brendan Heinz, Adam Salisbury and Rick Cody.

Pickering’s Christopher Kertsos, from York Downs Golf & Country Club, walked away with the top-individual award. He finished at two-under (70) and was the only player to finish the day under par.

For the final individual and team leaderboard, click here.

The George S. Lyon Team Championship was first played in 1931 and ran consecutively until 2000. Originally an inter-club championship, the event was reinstated in 2006 and is named after 1904 Olympic Golf gold medalist George S. Lyon, who still stands as the reigning Olympic champion of the sport.

KARUIZAWA, Japan – The Women’s World Amateur Team Championship begins Wednesday, bringing the top amateur golfers from 52 countries around the world to 72 Golf East in Japan.

The Canadian squad is set to tee-off first thing in the morning at the Oshitate Course. Augusta James, a Bath, Ont. native and reining Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion, tees off at 6:45 a.m (JST). Brooke Henderson, a native of Smiths Falls, Ont. and world no.2 ranked amateur, will follow at 6:55 a.m. Brittany Marchand, an Orangeville, Ont. native and first-time selection, will close out the group at 7:05 a.m.

The Canadian contingent will be grouped with Hong Kong and Sweden in their quest to capture the Espirito Santo Trophy from defending champion Korea. The scoring format is four rounds of stroke play, with the best two scores from each day being counted towards the team total.

The men’s competition gets underway on Sept. 10 following the women’s competition.

The Team Canada women got a pleasant surprise when they arrived in Japan earlier this week – decorated rooms and letters from children.

Click here for live scoring.

West Vancouver, B.C. (Golf Canada) – Vancouver’s Doug Roxburgh shot a 2-under par 69 Friday to claim a wire-to-wire victory at the 2014 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.

Roxburgh, 62, finished at 7-under 277 (69-69-70-69), three-shots clear of runner-up Brady Exber (74-71-67-68—280) of Las Vegas. Exber, 58, is the reigning (British) Seniors Amateur Champion. Steven Hudson of Birmingham, Ala. finished third at 1-over par 285 (71-71-76-67).

The win today at Capilano Golf and Country Club marks the sixth national golf title for Roxburgh, who won the Canadian Junior Boy’s Championship in 1970 and Canadian Amateur titles in 1972, 1974, 1982 and 1988.

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member and 13-time British Columbia Amateur champion was ecstatic with the win, perhaps even more so because it came so close to home.

“It feels outstanding,” Roxburgh explained. “I had a good week here. It was fun, I had great playing partners and the course was outstanding. Each national championship is special, but it’s nice to win in Vancouver in front of my family, friends and clubmates from Marine Drive (Golf Club) who came out to support me.”

With the win, Roxburgh earns an exemption into the 2014 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship taking place September 13-18 at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach, Calif. Surprisingly, the career amateur has played just one previous United States Golf Association (USGA) event during his 40 plus years in competitive golf. Roxburgh was tentative to confirm he’d be taking advantage of the exemption and head south to challenge for the Frederick L. Dold Trophy.

“I still need to talk it over with my wife,” added Roxburgh. “I did try about 10 days ago to qualify for it (US Senior Amateur) in Portland, but I didn’t make it. I’ve only played one other USGA event and it was many years ago – the U.S. Amateur – so it might be sort of fun. And, I hear the golf course is just outstanding. So, you’ll probably see another Canadian flag on the leaderboard… somewhere.”

Final results and a full field list can be found online here.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – In anticipation for next month’s National Event, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru is pleased to announce this year’s top three fundraising sites.

Each of the following three teams are recognized as the leading fundraising sites for 2014:

• RedTail Landing Club (top fundraising site), Matt Truong, Alberta — $22, 527
• Southside Golf Course (2^nd top fundraising site), Eleanor Rudd, Manitoba — $14, 388
• New Brunswick Golf Association (top provincial site) — $20,418

The top two fundraising sites have made the list for the first time, while the New Brunswick Golf Association has consecutively won the provincial honour since the inaugural season. As a result of their play and significant fundraising, the New Brunswick Golf Association will be represented by teams from Pine Needles Golf & Country Club and Maplewood Golf & Country Club.

Golf Fore the Cure, now in its 11^th year, has a long list of people to thank including site coordinators, donators, sponsors, participants and host golf courses. In addition to the achievement of the above three sites, it is important not to forgot the fact that every bit counts and the program is equally as thankful to all other sites.

Program coordinator, Rebecca Siddall, couldn’t be prouder of all participants and the support they show for the cause and for one another.

“The support we receive from all angles fuels the success of the program,” said Siddall. “Seeing everyone work together and share a passion for this cause is truly a beautiful thing.”

The top three fundraising sites will be flown into Toronto (courtesy of Golf Canada) to play in the Golf Fore the Cure National Event on September 22^nd at Carrying Place Golf & Country Club in King, Ont. The day marks the success of the program through a fun-filled day of activities, celebration and golf.

Click here to learn more about Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru.

West Vancouver, B.C. (Golf Canada) – Vancouver’s Doug Roxburgh edged closer to winning his first Canadian Men’s Senior Championship title Thursday, firing a 1-under-par 70 at Capilano Golf and Country Club to take a 4-shot lead heading into tomorrow’s final round.

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member once again got off to an unsteady start with a bogey on the 1^st hole, but it proved to be the only blemish on his scorecard for the day.

The four-time Canadian Amateur and 13-time British Columbia Amateur champion carded birdies on holes 9 and 10 to fire his third consecutive sub-par round (69-69-70) at Capilano to sit at 5-under 208.

“I had a bit of a shaky start, but settled into a nice rhythm,” said Roxburgh. “I always enjoy playing with Sandy Harper and it was a fun day. I’m looking forward to tomorrow with Sandy again and Brady (Exber).”

Brady Exber of Las Vegas carded a 4-under 67 Thursday – the low round of the tournament – and now sits alone in second at 1-under 212 (74-71-67), four-shots back of Roxburgh.

“My approach today was to not make the silly mistakes I made the first two days,” he explained. “I’ve been driving the ball really well, and having some 4 or 5 irons into the par-5s, but was missing the greens in very bad spots. Today I did a better job of that, birdieing all four of the par-5s.”

Exber is the reigning (British) Seniors Amateur Champion, winning the R&A’s championship earlier this month in North Yorkshire, England to gain entry into the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.

“My goal this week was to just not embarrass myself because people know I’ve won a big tournament and I didn’t want them to think it was a fluke,” he joked. “I think I’ve accomplished that at this point, so the pressure if off there. I’m still riding that high though, trying to play good and hopefully tomorrow will be a good day.”

Nanaimo, B.C.’s Sandy Harper is third, five shots off the lead at even-par 213 (71-73-69).

This week’s champion receives an exemption into the 2014 USGA Senior Amateur Championship taking place September 13-18 at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach, Calif.

The Canadian Senior Men’s Championship continues Friday with the final round beginning at 7:30 a.m. (PDT). Scoring, pairings and start times can be found online here.

CHILLIWACK, British Columbia – Diego San Pedro secured the 2014 Juvenile Boys’ Championship title with a one-hole play-off victory, while Shirin Anjarwalla held on to become the Juvenile Girls’ champion at Royalwood Golf Course after leading all three days of competition.

San Pedro’s first play-off hole tee shot found the middle of the fairway, while Jaewook Lee drained his into the water hazard. His opponent’s error and added stroke left the 16-year-old with some breathing room and despite bogeying the hole, he became this year’s Boys’ Juvenile champion.

“I knew I had a good chance [to win], and I felt a little pumped on the first tee, so that’s always a good start. It’s good to pull it off in the end,” San Pedro said.

After sitting comfortably in third place and within strokes of the lead on both days one and two, San Pedro made a surge for the title with just a few holes remaining to play. He forced a play off against Lee after an eagle and two birdies coming in left him tied for first at 6-under.

“On hole 14, the par-5, I had a chip and I told them to take the flag out because I knew I had a chance to chip it in… and it went in,” added San Pedro.

“So I fist pumped a little bit and that got me going real fast, the adrenaline started coming and I finished strong.”

Lee (72-68-70), 15, led after the second round and remained even at the turn, but applied some pressure with a pair of late-round birdies to hold on to his share of the lead and force the playoff.

A.J. Ewart (66-77-68) finished in third with an exciting final-hole birdie aided by a great tee-shot landing just feet from the pin. The 15-year-old from Coquitlam shot the championship low-score on the first day of play.

Anjarwalla shot -1 (72) on her final round on the way to becoming the 2014 girls’ champion. The 14-year-old from Nanaimo cultivated her lead early and would hold on over three days of tough competition finishing with scores of 68-67-72.

“I played really good, I think my first two rounds were the best I’ve ever played, so I was really proud of myself,” said Anjarwalla.

Over the course of 54 holes, Anjarwalla only made three bogeys but made an outstanding 15 birdies.

When Team Canada member, Naomi Ko, began to catch her lead, Anjarwalla changed her approach.

“I was just thinking to myself, don’t try to play so aggressive, just try to make your pars. If birdies fall then they’ll fall, but don’t play just for birdies,” she explained. “I was just trying to stay to my game plan and keep steady.”

Ko (69-70-69), the 2014 BC Junior Girls’ Champion played with consistency and finished just a single stroke behind Anjarwalla at -11, after playing a stellar final round, finishing 4-under for the day.

Tiffany Kong played her best round of the championship on the final day to finish in third, carding four birdies and an eagle to finish -3 for the day and +1 for the Championship.