Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru represents support for women’s health in Canada – recreationally, physically and even emotionally. Whether organizing, participating, or donating, involvement with Golf Fore the Cure is, in some capacity, benefiting the status of women’s health.

Conducted by Golf Canada, the program looks to engage more women in golf through an unstructured, friendly format. And that doesn’t just mean a round of nine or 18 holes – it means laughter, friends, and conversation. It means taking a break to enjoy some good company on a day outdoors. It means a new hobby that will last a lifetime.

All fundraising totals from across Canada are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society to go towards breast cancer research, making Golf Fore the Cure’s cause both meaningful and important.

For a greater scope of what the program is all about, watch the video below:

There are many ways you can help. Get involved at golfcanada.ca/golfforethecure.

Julia Henderson (Abercrombie) and Ruth Maxwell (Oakfield) both left with smiles on their faces at the Antigonish Golf and Country Club Tuesday. That’s because the pair combined to win the 2014 NSGA Women’s Two Ball event besting the field of 111 teams.

“It’s really special, there were a lot of good teams here and winning this is as good a feeling as winning the amateur, especially to do it with a partner like Ruth it was a memorable day,” said Henderson on the feeling of winning the NSGA Women’s Two Ball Championship.

“It was a thrill to play with Julia, she’s a great up-and-coming young player and her ability is something I enjoy watching. Today we really tried to feed off each other. If I had a bad shot, Julia would come back with a good shot, and vice versa,” added Maxwell.

For full results, please click here, click here.

The country’s best female professional and amateur golfer highlight the field of this year’s PGA Women’s Championship of Canada presented by Nike Golf.

Alena Sharp of Hamilton, the top ranked professional female golfer in the country, looks to capture her fourth PGA Women’s Championship of Canada later this week at FireRock Golf Club just outside London, Ont. However the No. 2-ranked female amateur golfer in the world, Brooke Henderson hopes to continue her summer of impressive play and add another championship to her resume.

Earlier this summer the 16-year-old from Smith Falls, Ont., earned low amateur (T10) at the U.S. Women’s Open, finished T26 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and T45 at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. The Team Canada member’s year has also included wins at the Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario stop, the Porter Cup, the Ontario Women’s Amateur, the Scott Robertson Memorial, the SALLY Tournament and the Junior Orange Bowl International.

Two years ago, Henderson became the youngest player ever (14-years-old) to win a professional event.

Sharp, who has previously won the PGA Women’s Championship in 2004, 2011 and 2012, has made seven cuts on the LPGA Tour this year, including a T18 at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, a T14 at the North Texas LPGA Shootout and a T31 at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. She currently sits No. 81 on the Race to CME Globe standings. This past February, Sharp won the Symetra Tour’s season-opening event, the Visit Mesa Gateway Classic.

The PGA Women’s Championship of Canada was first played in 1987 and past champions include Cathy Sherk, Gail Graham, Nancy Harvey, Lorie Kane and Jessica Shepley.

The PGA Women’s Championship of Canada will count as the third and final stop on the Canadian Women’s Tour with points awarded toward the Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year at the conclusion of the championship.

Similar to past years, the champion of each Canadian Women’s Tour stop and the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada will receive an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open to be held Aug. 18-24, 2014 at London Hunt & Country Club in London, Ont. As well, following the conclusion of play at the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, two (2) additional exemptions will be awarded to the top competitors, not otherwise exempt into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open from the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit

In addition, the top five (previously the top 3) players on the Canadian Women’s Tour season-ending Order of Merit will be awarded direct entry into LPGA Stage-2 Qualifying.

Other notable players in the field include past Canadian Women’s Tour winners Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., as well as Americans Michelle Piyapattra and Emily Childs.

LPGA Tour player Kris Tamulis, who is coming off T7 finish at the Marathon Classic, looks to win her first PGA Women’s Championship of Canada title.
Symetra Tour players Danilelle Mills of Montreal; Hamilton’s Ashley Sholer; Emma de Groot; Tessa Teachman; Hannah Jun and Michele Chun join Big Break competitors Lindsay Aho and Lindsey Bergeon.

In addition to Henderson, Team Canada members teeing it up at FireRock include Jennifer Ha, Anne-Catherine Tanguay and Taylor Kim.

Click here for first round tee times.

Having proven his ability to hold his own against the world’s top amateur golfers, Listowel, Ont.’s Corey Conners has his sights set on doing the same against the world’s top pros in the near future.

With five collegiate tournament victories to his credit, along with a semi-final appearance at the 2013 U.S. Men’s Amateur, the 22-year-old has some respected golf insiders believing he has all the tools to make that successful transition to the next level.

One of them is Canadian men’s national team head coach, Derek Ingram.

“He’s does all the right things and he’s just been super steady out there,” said Ingram. “He’s got a fantastic combination of length and accuracy off the tee; along with a fantastic putter.

“Corey’s improved in small incremental amounts in every area of his game over the years and if he continues to put in the work, I just think he’s just going to have a tremendous career as a professional golfer,” Ingram added.

Besides praise from Ingram, the recent Kent State graduate is also spoken about highly by his former head coach at the university, Herb Page.

Having won the 2013 and 2014 Gopher Invitational, the 2014 General Hackler Championship, the 2014 Mid-American Conference Golf Championship and the 2014 Jones Cup, combined with a semi-finals appearance at the 2013 U.S. Men’s Amateur, Page says Conners has been nothing short of a superstar on the Kent State team.

He also points to Conners’ steady progression and hard work as an indication of a bright future ahead for the amateur standout.

“He came in to Kent State as a really good junior player from Ontario and he’s leaving as one of the top amateurs in the world,” said the long time Kent State head coach. “And I see no reason why he shouldn’t continue to make that progression.

“Corey’s a very bright young man off and on the golf course and very determined; he’s got all the skills and all the tools to reach his goals on the golf course.” Page added about the talented young Canadian who stands at six feet even.

For his part, Conners says both programs have played a vital role in his maturity and development as a golfer.

“Being part of Team Canada and the Kent State golfing program has obviously been instrumental to helping me to become a better player,” he acknowledged.

“At Kent State, we had a great team there and it was great to play in a lot of competitive collegiate tournaments,” noted Conners.

“It was an awesome experience. I learned a lot about how to manage things on and off the course; and definitely grew as a person,” he added about his four years at Kent State which saw him graduate with a major in actuary math.

The 22-year-old was also quick to recognize the important benefits of his four years spent as a member of the Canadian national team program.

“Being on Team Canada is a big honour; the resources that we have available to us are second to none,” he pointed out. “Derek (Ingram) and all the staff are really great in helping us to get a good plan together and being properly prepared before we compete.”

Grateful for the strong support and encouragement from Kent State and Golf Canada, Conners has plans to make the complete transition from amateur to pro after the World Amateur Golf Championships in September.

Conners had the chance to taste what life would be like as a member of the PGA Tour when he competed at the RBC Canadian Open in Montreal. It was an experience that left the talented young golfer hungry for more.

“It’s definitely fun playing in front of the big crowds; definitely a motivating and exciting experience for me,” he noted.

“I was disappointed that I didn’t play a little better,” admitted Conners, who posted a five over par in the first two rounds and failed to make the cut. “But still this was an awesome experience for me.”

Despite the disappointment of missing the cut, the amateur standout says the entire experience from competing against the world’s best at the Royal Montreal Golf Club has given him extra clarity on where he envisions himself within the next few years.

“Competing at this stage made me realize that this is definitely where I want to be,” said Conners. “So I’m going to keep working hard and try to earn a place out here on the PGA tour.”

Woodstock, Ont. – Team Canada’s Augusta James ran away with the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship on Friday winning by six strokes after a final round 2-under 69 at Craigowan Golf and Country Club.

James showed that she was in command early, firing a 3-under 32 to open up her final round. Her front-nine came on the heels of Thursday’s record-setting performance where she carded the lowest round in the championship’s 101-year-old history with an 8-under 63. 

“There’s no better way to describe it then I’m pumped,” said James. “It’s such an honour to be part of a strong tradition, so many fantastic women before me have won this tournament so I’m proud to have my name up with them.”

Over the 72-hole championship the N.C. State Wolfpack senior carded 19 birdies and only five bogeys to finish at 14-under 270. The victory also earned her exemptions into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open and U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

“Tristan [Team Canada’s Women’s Head Coach] and I were talking about how I’ve put in a lot of work and it’s tough because you want to force it to happen but you have let it happen,” James continued. “This week obviously I was able to do that and I’m proud of myself and happy that I was able to.”

The win marks the largest of the 21-year-old’s career and was extra special for James as her family and teammates from Team Canada and N.C. State University were behind the 18th green to celebrate when she finished. 

“We do play an individual sport, we all have different tee time things like that but we are through and through a team and we want the best for each other,” James said. “Brooke [Henderson] and I roomed together this week and there was never any type of issues, we had a great night last night and a great night all week, to have that support from my N.C. State team and Golf Canada was fantastic.”

Australia’s Su-Hyun Oh finished in solo second at 8-under par after a final round 2-under 69. Oh narrowly edged out Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. who carded a 1-under 70 on Friday to finish in third. Kendall Martindale of Jefferson City, Tenn. claimed solo fourth at 5-under 279, while Lauren Diaz-Yi of California shared fifth place at 4-under par alongside China’s Jing Yan.  

In the Mid-Amateur division (25+), Christina Proteau of Port Alberni, B.C. repeated as the champion for the fourth consecutive year. Proteau carded a final round 7-over 78 to finish seven strokes ahead of Helene Chartrand of Pincourt, Que. at 14-over 298. 

“It feels great, I didn’t play well today but I finished with a birdie on 18 which was nice but looking at the four days total I played really solid,” Proteau said. “I feel really proud of that achievement, you do have to play well to win that part of the tournament and it was nice to get it done today.” 

Chartrand captured the Mid-Master division (40+) by 11 strokes over Marion Reid of Etobicoke, Ont. finishing at 21-over for the championship.

Post-round results and a full-field list are available here.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – The Royal & Ancient Golf Club will hold a postal vote on whether to admit women members for the first time.

The club announced Friday that it would allow members to vote by post rather than limiting the vote to members attending in person.

The club says “by taking this decision all members can take part in this historic vote.”

Club rules previously required members to be present to vote. R&A secretary Peter Dawson said last week at the British Open that “it’s clear that the majority of R&A members feel that postal voting would be appropriate in this case.”

The result will be announced on Sept. 18.

The 260-year-old club has about 2,400 members around the world.

Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C. won her second consecutive Alberta Senior Ladies Championship, facing winds up to 60km/h in the final round.

“Conditions were challenging, and that makes you focus in a little bit harder,” said Little, following her final round 75 which gave the BC Public Player her second consecutive Alberta Senior Ladies Championship title.

Following her victory, Little explained that although winning is important, even more so is the camaraderie she shares with her competitors.

“Everyone is trying to compete and win, but championship is secondary; it is more about seeing everyone and enjoying the company of the ladies,” said the two-time Canadian Women’s Senior Champion.

Growing up in Edmonton and playing at the Glendale Golf Course, Little has a long history of playing golf in Alberta.

Click here for the full leaderboard.

Since 1938, the Canadian Junior Boys Championship has stood as a proving ground for young male golfers under the age of eighteen. This tournament has seen the likes of Web.com Tour player Nick Taylor, Champions Tour player Jim Rutledge, and various Canadian Golf Hall of Famers including George Knudson, Gary Cowan, and more.

Previously hosted at Timberwolf Golf Club in Sudbury, Ont. (2013), and Osprey Ridge Golf Club in Bridgewater, N.S. (2012), this year’s national championship will be played at The Niagara Parks Commission’s (NPC) Legends on the Niagara Golf Complex Battlefield Course, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Doug Carrick was responsible for the design of Legends’ Battlefield Course, which is situated next to the historic site of the War of 1812’s Battle of Chippawa. It includes four signature holes, all wrapped around a beautiful 7 hectares (19 acre) man-made lake. The centrepiece of the facility, which links everything together, is a spectacular clubhouse designed by Canadian Architect Peter Berton. This building truly captures the spirit of the Niagara area and it embodies NPC’s vision of a world-class golfing venue that exists in concert with Niagara’s natural and historic setting.

In July of 2004, the Battlefield Course played host to the best women golfers in the world when the Canadian Women’s Open was held at Legends. The course continues to host prestigious golf championships, including the Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario stop in both 2012 and 2014. The Canadian Junior Boys Championship will run from July 29 – August 1, 2014, with a practice round being staged on July 28.

“Niagara Parks believes that hosting national championships of this caliber demonstrates our efforts to help grow the game of golf across the country,” stated Janice Thomson, Chair of The Niagara Parks Commission. “We look forward to hosting this prestigious tournament and to working with Golf Canada to ensure our competitors and their families have the most memorable of experiences when they visit Niagara and Niagara Parks.

According to NPC’s Head Golf Professional, Curtis Labelle, “Legends on the Niagara Golf Complex offers a championship-caliber facility with all of the amenities required to host a national championship. On the Battlefield Course the greens are elevated, undulating and have subtle breaks. This combined with the length of the golf course, well-guarded bunkers and water hazards will provide the challenge our championship competitors are looking for.”

For more information about the Canadian Junior Boys championship, including: starting times, post-round results, and full tournament details, click here.

Woodstock, Ont. – Team Canada’s Augusta James set records with an 8-under 63 on Thursday at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

James’ bogey-free 63 set a new women’s course record at Craigowan Golf and Country Club and also became the lowest 18-hole score ever recorded in the history of the 101-year-old championship. 

“It’s maybe my second or third bogey-free round ever, I think it might be my first one in a tournament,” James said. “It’s always good to have one of those, you come so close sometimes and I’m happy that I could eliminate the big mistakes that would turn into bogeys or doubles.” 

The Bath, Ont. native opened with a 5-under 30 on the front-nine that was highlighted by four straight birdies over the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th holes at Craigowan. 

“I putted well but I hit the ball pretty close too which made it a lot easier, I made a few putts that you don’t expect to make everyday,” she continued.

The 21-year-old currently holds a six-stroke lead heading into the final round over Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. and Australia’s Su-Hyun Oh. Sitting at 12-under 201 for the championship a win on Friday would be the biggest title of her career.

“It’s been a few years since I’ve held a trophy for first place and it would be a great honour to have competed with this field and won,” the N.C. State Wolfpack senior said.  “That is a long way away still, lots of work left to do tomorrow for that.”

Henderson, the defending champion, posted a 1-under 70 playing alongside her Team Canada teammate in the final pairing to finish 54-holes in a tie for second place alongside Oh who fired a 4-under 67 on Thursday. 

In the Mid-Amateur division (25+), Christina Proteau, the defending champion, carded a 1-under 70 to open a large gap in the race for her fourth consecutive title. The Port Alberni, B.C. native currently sits eight strokes ahead of Helene Chartrand of Pincourt, Que. Chartrand leads the Mid-Master division (40+) by nine strokes over Marion Reid of Etobicoke, Ont. 

The champion of the 101st Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship receives an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open and also the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur. 

Starting times, post-round results, full field list, and live scoring are available here.

Thornhill, Ont. (Golf Canada) – The top golfers in the country will be on display at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, July 28-August 1 at Thornhill Golf and Country Club in Thornhill, Ont. 
 
In its 60th year, the Canadian Junior Girls Championship continues to showcase Canada’s top players. This year 125 players will vie for the title over 72 holes of stroke play with the field being cut to the low-70 players and ties after 36 holes.
 
“The excitement continues to build around this year’s Canadian Junior Girls Championship,” said Tournament Director Justine Decock. “The field is incredibly strong and it should prove to be a very exciting four days of action at Thornhill Golf and Country Club as Canada’s best juniors compete for the prestigious title.”

Challenging for the title will be various provincial champions including Team Canada Development Squad member, Jaclyn Lee, 18, of Calgary who finished tied for 7th at last year’s event and Naomi Ko, 16 of Victoria. Lee has been on an impressive run this summer capturing the CN Future Links Prairie Championship along with the Alberta Women’s Amateur and Junior Girls titles, while Ko picked up the CN Future Links Pacific Championship and B.C. Junior Girls title earlier this summer.

Four additional CN Future Links champions are also entered into the field including, Team Canada Development Squad’s Valerie Tanguay of St. Hyacinthe, Qué., Annie Songeun-Lee of Surrey, B.C., Alyssa Getty of Ruthven, Ont. and Rachel Cormier of Rothesay, N.B.

Other notable contenders include recent Ontario Junior Girls’ Match-Play Champion Grace St-Germain who also won the Québec Women’s Amateur title, Development Squad’s Sabrine Garrison of Calgary who finished tied for 5th at the 2013 Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Cherry Downs Golf and Country Club and Courtney Tolton of Mitchell, Ont. who claimed the 2014 Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship.

Thornhill Golf and Country Club has a rich history in championship play having previously hosted the 2006 Canadian University/College Championship and the 2009 Toronto Star Women’s Amateur. In addition, the Stanley Thompson design was the site that played host to 1945 Canadian Open where Byron Nelson claimed his remarkable 11th victory in a row.

“It’s a great honour to host the top juniors in our country and there is certainly a lot of excitement building in the Thornhill community,” said Craig Stait-Gardner Host Club Tournament Chair at Thornhill. “The support from our local sponsors and volunteers has been outstanding and everyone is looking forward to a great championship.”

This year’s Canadian Junior Girls Champion will receive an exemption to the 2015 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, as well as each of the 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour events.
 
In 2013, Maddie Szeryk, a dual-citizen of Canada and the United States ran away with the Junior Girls’ title, winning by an impressive 14 strokes. Szeryk will not be in the field this year.

Practice rounds will be held Monday, July 28, while championship play will be conducted Tuesday, July 29 through Friday, August 1 with 18 holes of stroke play each day.  Any tie after 72 holes will result in a hole-by-hole play-off.
 
Starting times, post-round results, full field list, and live scoring are available here.

The Canadian Junior Girls Championship is open to female amateur golfers who have not reached their 19th birthday by the last scheduled day of the Championship, Aug. 1, 2014. The Canadian Juvenile Championship is open to female amateur golfers who have not reached their 17th birthday by the last scheduled day of the Championship.