Minett, Ont. – The second round of the 2014 CN Future Links Ontario Championship continued today at The Rock Golf Club in Minett, Ont.

Tyler Saunders of Sturgeon County, Alta. continued his strong play, breaking yesterday’s tie with Sun Kim to land first with 2-under-par 69 – a total score of 4-under-par 138. Kim, 16, of L’Ile-Perrot, Que. holds second in the Junior Boys division, scoring 2-over-par 73 today for a total of 142, and Bryce Evon, 18, of Windsor, Ont. sits in third with a 3-over-par 74, a total of 145. Osama Khan of Mississauga and Charles Corner of Cayuga, Ont. share fifth.

Selena Costabile of Thornhil, Ont. continued to hold onto the first place spot in the Junior Girls division, scoring 3-over-par 74 today to sit at an overall score of even par-142. Team Canada Development Squad Member Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C. follows in second by one stroke, scoring 2-over-par 73 for a total score of 143. Third place’s Grace St-Germain, 15, of Ottawa fired the shot of the day with her career’s first hole-in-one on the par-3 second hole at The Rock, making for a second round score of even-par 71.

16-year old Danielle Sawyer of Grafton, Ont, sits in fourth, followed by Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont. and Team Canada Development Squad Member Valérie Tanguay in shared fifth.

The top six competitors in the Junior Boys division of each of six regional CN Future Links Championships being held in 2014 will earn exemptions into the 2014 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, which will be contested July 28 – August 1 at the Legends on the Niagara Battlefield Course in Niagara Falls, Ont. The Junior Girls champion from each 2014 CN Future Links Championship will earn an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Junior Girls Championship which runs July 28 – August 1 at Thornhill Golf and Country Club in Thornhill, Ont. In addition, the Junior Girls champion will receive an exemption into a 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour event.

The third and final round of the CN Future Links Ontario Championship takes place tomorrow at 7:20 a.m. EST. For complete scoring and information, click here.

Minett, Ont. – The first round results are in and it’s evident that the 2014 CN Future Links Ontario competitors refused to let a rainy Muskoka, Ont., day interfere with their play.

Tyler Saunders, 18, of Sturgeon County, Alta., and Sun Kim, 16, of L’Ile-Perrot, Que., are tied for first in the Junior Boys division at 2-under-par 69. Saunders fired an six birdies today, demonstrating his commitment to improving on his third place finish at the CN Future Links Pacific Championship held earlier this month. Osama Khan, 18, of Mississauga, Ont. sits in third with a score of 1-under-par 70, followed closely by Bryce Evon, 18, of Windsor, Ont., in fourth after an even-par 71.

Team Canada Development Squad Member, and the 2012 CN Future Links Ontario Champion, Matt Williams, shares fifth place with Trevor Ranton of Waterloo, Ont. The pair carded an opening score of 1-over-par 72.

In the Junior Girls division, 15-year old Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont. continued the excitement, carding four birdies to lead after a 3-under-par 68 in the opening round. Costabile is followed closely by Team Canada Development Squad member Naomi Ko, 16, of Victoria B.C. who shot a 1-under-par 70. Danielle Sawyer, 16, of Grafton, Ont. sits in third with a score of 73.

The top six competitors in the Junior Boys division of each of six regional CN Future Links Championships being held in 2014 will earn exemptions into the 2014 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, which will be contested July 28 – August 1 at the Legends on the Niagara Battlefield Course in Niagara Falls, Ont. The Junior Girls champion from each 2014 CN Future Links Championship will earn an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Junior Girls Championship which runs July 28 – August 1 at Thornhill Golf and Country Club in Thornhill, Ont. In addition, the Junior Girls champion will receive an exemption into a 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour event.

The second round of the CN Future Links Ontario Championship takes place tomorrow at 7:20 a.m. EST. For complete scoring and information, click here.

The women’s NCAA golf championship wrapped up in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday with the University of Southern California’s Doris Chen taking home medalist honours at 6-under par.

Individually, Team Canada’s Augusta James finished as the low Canadian. James, a junior at North Carolina State University ended the championship at 4-over 284 after rounds of 74-70-67-73.

SooBin Kim of Coquitlam, B.C. followed closely behind James, finishing in a tie for 16^th at 5-over par. The Washington University junior recently finished in a tie for fourth at the Canadian Women’s Tour stop in Parksville, B.C.

Team Canada’s Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec and Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., both ended their NCAA careers in a tie for 43^rd at 11-over par. The seniors will both tee-it-up together next for Team Canada on the Canadian Women’s Tour in June.

Kim’s Washington Huskie teammate Jennifer Yang of Coquitlam, B.C., finished in a tie for 59^th.

In the team division, Duke finished in the top spot edging out the University of Southern California by two strokes at 10-over par. Tanguay’s Oklahoma Sooner squad finished in fourth place, while N.C. State took home tenth place. The Washington Huskies closed the championship in 17^th.

For complete scoring and results from the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship click here.

ALLENDALE, Mich. – The No.1 ranked Barry Buccaneers took home the NCAA Men’s Div II title on Friday, their second in as many years.

The NCAA championship format begins with three stroke play rounds. Each team has five players, with the best four scores counting towards each daily total. The top eight teams advance on to elimination match play.

Barry University held their spot at the top of the stroke play leaderboard, thanks in part to their tournament-low 280 on Wednesday’s final round. The Bucs came in at 25-over par, advancing to match play as the No.2 seed. They were led by Surrey B.C., native and Team Canada member, Adam Svensson.

The 20-year-old sophomore finished as runner-up at 1-over 214 (71-75-68) behind medalist Tim Crouch of Florida Southern. Svensson made a run on Wednesday with a four-birdie 68, but was matched by Crouch to fall shy by just one stroke for an exciting finish at the Meadows.

Svensson’s season has been a memorable one. The Sport Management major has won seven individual NCAA titles, and looks poised to be a leading candidate for the Jack Nicklaus award, given to the most outstanding golfer in the division.

In quarterfinal match play, the Bucs defeated No.7 seed Cal State Monterey Bay, 3-2. They advanced to the semi-finals, where they defeated Chicago State 3-2 to move on to the finals against Nova Southeastern, eventually defeating them 3-1 to take home the trophy once more.

For the full leaderboard, click here

GC:       What prompted The Rock to host the CN Future Links Ontario
Championship?

SM:      The Rock takes pride in helping to build the game of golf in Canada, and in doing so we recognize that assisting Junior Golf in Canada is imperative to that. We had a wonderful experience hosting the GAO Ontario Junior Girls Championship in 2013 as well.

GC:      What can players expect when they arrive at your club?

SM:      Players can expect a warm reception with attentive staff in a very relaxed atmosphere. We will be able to provide insight for all competitors regarding any questions they may have.

GC:      What preparations have went into hosting this championship?

SM:       Working with CN Future Links staff, we are setting up the course in a fair but challenging way. We have planned a logistically sound staging area, reached out to locals in the community for volunteers, and reviewed all aspects of the CN Future Links manual in preparation for the event.

GC:      What do you think will challenge competitors the most?

SM:       The Rock is a very difficult course at only 6600 yards from the tips. The important aspect is certainly course management – placement off the tee is crucial for providing the opportunity for an aggressive approach shot to our well guarded greens.

GC:      Are there any significant holes or sections of the golf course that should provide excitement for the tournament?  

SM:       I believe holes 16 and 18 will be exciting and pivotal holes for the event. With the risk reward aspect of these two par 5’s it certainly could be the “make or break” for players in contention.

GC:     Why is hosting this championship important to the club?

SM:       The Rock prides itself on being family-friendly and a great home for junior golfers. There is nothing better than hosting competitive junior events to carry on this tradition.

GC:      What does hosting an event like this do for your local community?

SM:       I feel like it will bring the community together. This area of Muskoka is a wonderful family getaway location and hosting an event like this will only add to that.

GC:      What does your club do to encourage and engage your junior membership each season?

SM:       We provide a highly discounted season pass for junior golfers, and we also host a family night where any parent can pay a $30 green fee and their kids will play for free! We have a lineup of age appropriate junior camps during July and August as well.

GC:      What sets your club apart from others in the area, in terms of both the
course and/or its membership?

SM:       Certainly the relaxed family oriented atmosphere sets us apart from other Muskoka courses. Although we don’t have a large membership group we have a very tight-knit group of pass-holders.

GC:      What is your club looking forward to the most in hosting this
championship?

SM:       We are excited to show off our beautiful Faldo design to young competitors who play great tracks all season long.

—

Spencer Morland is the Director of Instruction and Associate Golf Professional at The Rock Golf Club

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada and Acura are pleased to announce a three-year partnership in which Acura will become vehicle sponsor of the CN Future Links Mobile Golf Clinics – an initiative of Canada’s national junior golf program.

A joint initiative developed by Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and Canada’s provincial golf associations, Canada’s national junior golf program is also supported by the National Golf Course Owners Association. The program offers a full suite of junior golf programs for boys and girls ages 6-18, from beginners to those with a high degree of experience and playing ability. CN Future Links is committed to providing junior golfers and young golf enthusiasts in communities across Canada with affordable and accessible golf programs.

”We are thrilled that Acura has aligned their respected brand with Canada’s national junior golf program,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “Through the efforts of our partners at the PGA of Canada and the provincial golf associations, CN Future Links Mobile Clinics are bringing quality golf activities to communities across Canada and now Acura will be a big part of that success.”

Acura will support the CN Future Links program by providing each of the 10 provincial golf associations with a current model year MDX vehicle. Each vehicle will be decaled in CN Future Links artwork and used as the official vehicle of CN Future Links Mobile Clinics presented by Acura.

Each fully equipped Mobile Clinics Acura MDX vehicle will be staffed with a PGA of Canada professional and will travel to various locations across each province to teach juniors golfers introductory golf lessons. The CN Future Links Mobile Clinics vehicle will travel to almost any location including parks, recreation centres, schools and golf facilities, ensuring golf is brought to where the kids are.

“We are delighted to sponsor CN Future Links Mobile Clinics, as Acura is committed to supporting youth initiatives across Canada and this is a natural partnership of the two brands,” said Dave Gardner, vice president of sales and marketing, Acura Canada. “With luxury comfort, dynamic performance, class-leading fuel economy ratings, advanced safety features, and a versatile passenger and cargo cabin, the MDX fits the needs of the program and will contribute greatly to its overall success.”

In addition to being the official vehicle sponsor, Acura has committed to providing branded range balls, BirdieBalls and the almostGOLF balls to the program. Each CN Future Links Mobile Clinic presented by Acura participant will also receive Acura branded tee packs and a participation certificate.

Under the leadership of PGA of Canada golf professionals, CN Future Links junior programs help young golfers develop the technical skills, appropriate attitude and self-confidence to succeed on the course, while teaching them the positive life lessons to succeed off the course.

“This is an exciting and worthwhile partnership for the CN Future Links Mobile Golf Clinics,” said PGA of Canada CEO Gary Bernard. “Since the program’s inception in 1996 the PGA of Canada and Golf Canada have seen more than 1-million kids go through CN Future Links and I feel this terrific initiative will only enhance the world-class junior golf program.”

In 2013, nearly 65,000 juniors took part in more than 1,700 CN Future Links Mobile Clinics across the country. Since launching in 1996, more than 1 million juniors have experienced quality golf activities through the CN Future Links program.

Minett, Ont. – The Rock Golf Course in Minett, Ont., will play host to the second CN Future Links Championship event of 2014 – the CN Future Links Ontario Championship – which will be held May 22-25, with a practice round being staged on Thursday, May 22.

The 54-hole stroke play championship will feature the country’s top junior golfers aged 11-18. Players will vie for titles in a Junior Boys and Junior Girls division, respectively.

“We are excited to be in Muskoka for the CN Future Links Ontario Championship,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director Cam Crawford. “With so many Team Canada Development Squad members, as well as other CN Future Links veterans, this championship should prove to be both exciting and challenging for the competitors.”

In the Junior Girls division Team Canada Development Squad members Valérie Tanguay, 18, of St. Hyacinthe, Que. and Naomi Ko, 16, of Victoria will look to continue their strong play from the CN Future Links Pacific Championship. Earlier this month, Tanguay captured the season-opening event in a playoff, while Ko finished third. On the Junior Boys side, Team Canada Development Squad member Carter Simon of Sutton, Ont., returns to defend his CN Future Links Ontario title from 2013. Tyler Saunders of Sturgeon County, Alta., will also look to improve on his third place finish at CN Future Links Pacific.

The Rock Golf Club opened in 2004 and was Nick Faldo’s first Canadian design course. The Rock has previously played host to the Ontario PGA Class ‘A’ Championship in 2009 where golfers battled for a coveted spot on PGA Team Ontario.

“The Rock takes pride in helping to build the game of golf in Canada, and in doing so we recognize that growing junior golf is imperative to that,” said Spencer Morland, Director of Instruction and Associate Golf Professional at The Rock Golf Course. “There is nothing better than hosting competitive junior events to carry on our tradition of being family-friendly and a great home for junior golfers.”

Team Canada’s Development Squad will be well represented at The Rock in both the Junior Boys and Junior Girls divisions. The men’s side will be represented by defending champion, Carter Simon, 18, of Sutton, Ont., along with Étienne Papineau, 17, of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., and Matt Williams, 18, of Calgary, Alta.

From the Women’s Development Squad, the field includes Tanguay, Ko and Sabrine Garrison, 18, of Calgary, Alta.

In 2013, Carter Simon won the CN Future Links Ontario Championship at the Listowel Golf Club, while Matt Williams placed first in the 2012 championship at the Loyalist Golf and Country Club in Bath, Ont. Maddie Szeryk , the 2013 CN Future Links Ontario Junior Girls champion, will not be in the field at this year’s event.

The top six competitors in the Junior Boys division of each CN Future Links Championship will earn exemptions into the 2014 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, which will be contested July 28 – August 1 at the Legends on the Niagara Battlefield course in Niagara Falls, Ont. The Junior Girls Champion from each CN Future Links Championship will earn an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, which runs July 28 – August 1 at the Thornhill Golf and Country Club in Thornhill, Ont.

The CN Future Links Junior Golf Championships are part of CN’s ongoing partnership with Golf Canada and their commitment to junior golf. Focused on supporting safe and fun activities that have a positive impact on children’s health and well being, CN’s investment in CN Future Links is helping to increase grassroots junior golf participation in communities across Canada. In addition, the Junior Girls champion will receive an exemption into a Canadian Women’s Tour event.

The CN Future Links tournament schedule also includes the CN Future Links Prairie Championship (May 29 – June 1 at Shilo Country Club in Westman, Man.), the CN Future Links Western Championship (July 1- 4 at Birchbank Golf Course in Trail, B.C.), the CN Future Links Quebec Championship (July 7 – 10 at Club de Golf Continental in Ste-Victoire de Sorel, Qué.), and the CN Future Links Atlantic Championship (July 13 – 16 at Humber Valley Resort in Little Rapids, N.L.).

For more information on the 2014 CN Future Links Ontario Championship, click here. 

UXBRIDGE, Ont. — Vaughn, Ont.’s Tony Gil and Thornhill, Ont.’s Selena Costabile each earned comeback wins this long weekend at the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) 2014 Investors Group Junior Spring Classic.

Gil entered the final round tied with fellow Team Canada National Development Team member Carter Simon. Gil went on to score one of the best rounds of the day, a 4-under 68, to finish the tournament at 7-under. As for Simon, the Sutton, Ont. resident carded an 1-under 71 for a tournament total of 4-under.

“My iron play was right on throughout the week.  I made a lot of good putts and didn’t make any big mistakes, so it was a good week for me,” said Gil. “The first three birdies on 10, 11 and 12 was a confidence booster and turned my game on. I was a little nervous on the first tee and cold topped it but I just thought to myself that there were 17 holes to go and anything could happen.”

At 16-years-old, Gil also captured the juvenile division title.

Finishing in a tie for third at 3-under for the tournament were Waterloo’s Trevor Ranton and Cayuga’s Charles Corner. In fifth was Mississauga’s Conner Watt.

Over at Sleepy Hollow, in Stouffville, Ont., Alyssa Getty of Kingsville, Ont. began the day with a single shot lead going into the final round. Selena Costabile edged the lead from her with a birdie-birdie start. Costabile continued on to birdie four on the back nine and finished with a confortable three-shot victory. She ended the day 3-under for a tournament total of 2-under.

“I played really well today which helped me close the victory,” said Costabile. “My putts were rolling really well the past three days and most of the credit for my win is because of my putting. After nine holes I was behind but once I started making those birdies on the back nine I knew I had a good chance to win. Birdieing my first two holes, especially the second, was a huge confidence boost, even though I double bogeyed six. I was able to make a few good putts later and it all turned out ok.”

Finishing third was Toronto’s Ana Peric. Pickering’s Crystina Kertsos and Markham’s Stephanie Chu tied for fourth.

The Investors Group Junior Spring Classic Championship is a 54-hole stroke-play competition contested annually over the Victoria Day long weekend that features many of Ontario’s best male and female junior golfers. The field of competitors gained entry to the competition through a qualifying process earlier in the season.

Full Leaderboard and Scorecards – Investors Group Junior Spring Classic, Boys

Full Leaderboard, Info and Scorecards – Investors Group Junior Spring Classic, Girls

ROANOKE, Va. – Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson captured the Scott Robertson Memorial on Sunday with a one-stroke advantage over runner-up Emily Campbell of Carrollton, Tex.

Henderson, a Smiths Falls, Ont., native, carded a four-under 209 (68-72-69), recording nine birdies at the Roanoke Country Club on her way to the title. She was the lone Canadian playing in the girls 15-18 event.

Henderson joins an impressive list of past Scott Robertson champions, including professional stars Paula Creamer, Webb Simpson and Hunter Mahan.

With the win, Henderson adds to an impressive year that features a win at the South Atlantic Amateur and a T26 finish at the LPGA’s Kraft Nabisco Championship.

The 16-year-old entered the tournament as the No. 3 ranked female amateur in the world according to the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). This finish could see her catapult to the top.

For the full leaderboard, click here.

Bernadette Little, the three time Nova Scotia Golf Association (NSGA) Junior Girls Champion, recently completed a very successful sophomore season with the Cleveland, TN based NCCAA division II Lee University Flames. Finishing within the top 10 at every event she played in, she also earned herself a first medalist honours.

Beginning her 2013-14 season on a high note, Little won the Smokey Mountain Invitational by two strokes in September after firing rounds of 69-73-(142). After her first tournament win, Little used that momentum to add four more top five finishes; including second overall at the NCCAA National Championship. These individual successes rolled in, all while she helped the Lady Flames achieve three tournament wins and three second place finishes.

“Winning the Smokey Mou
Outside of her tournament win, a second place individual finish at the NCCAA National Championship in November was also an impressive highlight for Little. Her win there was made even more special when the Lady Flames won their first national title, and teammate Courtney Shelton took medalist honours.ntain was really exciting and exactly what my golf game needed,” explained Little.  “After getting my first win my mind set going into tournaments changed, I now feel I have a chance to win events, whereas before I just wanted to shoot a score that could help my team.”

“National Championship was a total team effort,” Little added “I was also really happy to see Courtney get that win, knowing how much time she put into her game. Finishing runner up to a teammate while winning the team portion in both men’s and women’s events made it even better”.

Little has finished inside the top 10 in all 10 events she played in this season, which she attributes to a combination of hard work in the off season, increased focus on her mental game and her coach, John Maupin.

Maupin had nothing but praise for the sophomore talent.

“Bernadette has helped our team this year in numerous ways, not the least of which is her stellar play,” explained Maupin. “Bernadette provides great leadership to our team through her dedication and work ethic. She also has a knack for teaching, and has been able to effectively share information with her younger teammates”.

Little’s success has made Maupin much more aware of some of the talent available in Nova Scotia

“It’s something I discuss often with Bernadette, we would love to add another player from the province,” he added.

Despite her collegiate season being done, don’t expect Little to have much down time when she gets home. Little has her eyes set on the provincial amateur, nationals and a tournament in Florida this August in order to prepare for next season.

As for expectations heading into 2014-2015, Little said she wants to continue more of the same from this season. “I just want to keep improving my game, and put myself and our team in position to win some tournaments.”

Maupin sees Little’s stock continuing to rise. “She has a true talent, but even more importantly she has the desire and passion necessary to be the best. Knowing Bernadette, she won’t stop until she is the best player in Division II”.

Off the course, Little studies business management at Lee and plans on becoming involved with the coaching aspect once she graduates.

“After graduating I plan on becoming a golf coach and hopefully have the chance to work my way to the college level,” said Little.

Given her work ethic and pedigree as a player, Little’s future pursuit of a coaching role will no doubt be successful as well.

____

Kody Blois is a former goaltender with the Amherst Ramblers, now attending Saint Mary’s University, and is the Tournament and Communications Coordinator for the Nova Scotia Golf Association. You can follow him on twitter @kodyblois or follow his blog www.kodyblois@blogspot.ca.