Chip Lutz continued his solid play on Canadian soil, posting a 2-under 69 at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at The Briars Golf Club.

Lutz, the defending champion, got off to a good start on Wednesday carding two birdies over his first seven holes but said a few three-putts got in the way of a round that should have been better.

“I three-putted No. 17, which was disappointing but turned and birdied No. 3 to get back to 2-under,” Lutz said. “It looked like I might get some momentum going but I failed to birdie No. 4 like yesterday and three-putted again on No. 7.”

Despite a few hiccups with his putter, the Reading, Pa., native rolled in a crucial birdie on the par-5 9th after a nice approach from the greenside bunker to break free of a tie with Calgary’s David Schultz.

“That really helped to have a little more of a positive feel after finishing an average day that felt like it was going to be better but never materialized,” the two-time defending champion said.

With 36-holes remaining, the No. 6 ranked player in Golfweek’s Senior Amateur rankings sits at 6-under 136 and has a chance at becoming only the third player to capture the Canadian Senior Men’s Amateur Championship three years in a row.

“I’m just happy to play my game and see where it falls,” he said. “I only hope to be close at the end and that I’ll have a chance coming down the stretch.”

Schultz trails Lutz by a single stroke after posting a 2-under 69 on Wednesday. The Calgary native carded five birdies during his second round and will be paired with Lutz in the last group tomorrow.

“I’m going to go have fun, chase him and see what happens,” Schultz said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Howard Broun of Calgary carded the round of the day at The Briars after a 4-under 67. Broun currently sits three strokes off the lead in third, while Americans Duke Delcher of Bluffton, S.C., and Jay Blumenfeld of Parsippany, N.J., sit in a tie for fourth at 2-under par.

In the Inter-Provincial Team Championship, the Team Alberta contingent of Howard Broun of Calgary, Floyd Kilgore of Grimshaw, Alta., and Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta., fired a 4-under 138 to capture their second straight Phil Farley trophy with a 2-under 282 total.  The squad finished seven strokes ahead of overnight leader Team British Columbia who carded a final round 6-over 148.

In the battle for the Super Senior title (70+), Robert Fugere of Gatineau, Que., defeated Walt Martin of Oakton, Va., on the third sudden-death playoff hole after they finished the day tied at 6-over for the championship. Fugere, the Canadian Senior Men’s Champion in 2005, sank a short birdie putt on the par-4 10th hole to earn his first Super Senior title.

With the CN Future Links National Event taking place last week in Edmonton, we thought it best to share a fun video touching on junior golf, and CN’s heavy involvement with helping to grow it.

Canada’s junior golf program, CN Future Links, strives to provide Canadian junior golfers with a positive, reinforced learning experience through a suite of different programs. In partnership with the PGA of Canada, this program is delivered through qualified professionals at hundreds of golf clubs across Canada.

CN Future Links comes at no charge to the club and is designed to adapt to the busy schedules of golf professionals in order to maximize time while providing the tools to run a best-in-class program. The online database, drill library, and reward system are only a few of the many benefits to the program.

To learn how to have CN Future Links at your course, visit the CN Future Links website.

In partnership with CN, this past Tuesday featured Golf Canada’s 5th annual Future Links National Event that was conducted on-site at the CN Canadian Women’s Open at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton.

The event consisted of 23 juniors from across Canada that qualified for the finals amongst a field larger than 3,200 golfers. These lucky juniors qualified for the event based on their elite status on the CN Future Links National Leaderboard, which compiles all the results that were submitted from clubs throughout the year.

The top scoring juniors as of July 23rd at 12pm EST were categorized into the age groups below:

• Girls 11 and under (5 players)
• Boys 11 and under (5 players)
• Girls 12 to 14 (4 players)
• Boys 12 to 14 (4 players)
• Girls 15 to 18 (3 players)
• Boys 15 to 18 (3 players)

The skills challenge is compiled of four different sections: driving, iron play, chipping and putting. Each junior is graded according to the scoring template, which weighs each of the four categories evenly.

… and the winners are!

• Will Bellamy, Links O’Tay Golf Course (Boys 11 and under)
• Vincent Poirier, Vallee du Richelieu (Boys 12 to 14)
• Cameron Brennan, Copper Creek Academy (Boys 15-18)
• Alexis McMurray, Glen Abbey Golf Club(Girls 11 and under)
• Laura Wong, Seymour Golf Club (Girls 12-14)
• Jaclyn Lee, Glencoe Golf and Country Club (Girls 15-18)

Cameron Brennan and Jaclyn Lee earned exemptions into their regional CN Future Links Championships next season for winning their respective 15-18 age category.

Photos:

Click here for photos from the event.

In addition to the skills challenge, each junior is invited to partake in Wednesday’s Walk With a Pro event. After a random draw, each junior is paired up with an LPGA professional and will essentially be their honourary caddie for the hole. This could mean anything from carrying the bag, advising club choice or even taking the first putt.

More than 1 million junior golfers have successfully participated in Future Links programming since its inception in 1996. For information, visit www.cnfuturelinks.com.

Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mary Ann Hayward of Aurora, Ont., has captured the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship title at Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club in Vernon, B.C.

The victory marks Hayward’s third Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior title in four years, as she previously won the championship in 2010 and 2011.

“It feels great, it’s always a tough field so a win is never a sure thing.” said Hayward. “You prepare hard and you put a lot of work into getting your game to a level to be in contention to win so it feels very satisfying.”

Hayward’s even par 213 (75-67-71) 54-hole score gave her a five-stroke victory over runner-up Alison Murdoch of Victoria, B.C. Hayward carded a final round even par 71 on Thursday that was highlighted by three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 11th hole.

“I putted a little more conservatively today because I wasn’t worried about making a charge,” she continued. “I just struck the ball well enough to win.”

Hayward played her final round alongside two fellow former Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Champions in Murdoch and Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C. The pairing had won a combined eight Royale Cup Canadian Senior titles with Hayward winning the ninth on Thursday.

“They are both great champions and we had a lot of fun out there,” Hayward said about her pairing.

Hayward was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2007. Earlier this year she captured her third Investors Group Ontario Senior Women’s Amateur title. With the national win, Hayward earns an exemption into the 2013 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship contested September 21-26 at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.

Murdoch, who earlier this year was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, finished in second place at 5-over 218 (74-72-72) after firing a second consecutive 1-over 72. She also took home the Super Senior division title (60+) after Wednesday’s second round.

Diane Dolan of Gatineau, Que., and Marie-Therese Torti of Candiac, Que., finished in a tie for third at 7-over 220. Dolan (73-75-72) posted a 1-over 72 final round, while Torti (77-72-71) recorded an even par 71 on Thursday. Holly Horwood of Vancouver, B.C., rounded out the top five at 8-over 221 (71-76-74) after carding a 3-over 74 final round.

Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mary Ann Hayward of Aurora, Ont., leads the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship after the second round of action on Wednesday at Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club in Vernon, B.C.

Hayward, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2007, soared into the lead after firing a 4-under 67 second round, the best round of the tournament. She now has a four-stroke lead heading into Thursday’s final round at even par 142.

“I hit the ball and putted the ball way better than I did yesterday,” said Hayward following her round. “Throughout the round I made a lot of 10 to 15 footers for birdie.”

Hayward has won the Royale Cup Canadian Senior Women’s Championship twice in her career (2010 and 2011) and earlier this year captured her third Investors Group Ontario Senior Women’s Amateur title.

“It’s a good field, there are a lot of good senior golfers in Canada so it’s never easy to win,” she continued. “We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Tied for second are two former Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Champions – Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C., and Alison Murdoch of Victoria, B.C., both sit at 4-over 146 after shooting 1-over 72 second rounds. Little previously won this event in 2008 and 2009, while 2013 Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee Murdoch captured the title in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007.

In fourth place is Holly Horwood of Vancouver, who came into the second round with a two-stroke lead. Horwood carded a 5-over 76  on Wednesday to sit at 5-over 147 after 36 holes of play. Rounding out the top five is Diane Dolan of Gatineau, Que., who sits at 6-over 148 after recording a 4-over 75.

In the Inter-Provincial Team Competition, Team British Columbia came out victorious on Wednesday, winning the title by three-strokes over Team Quebec. The British Columbia contingent of Little, Lynda Palahniuk of Kelowna, B.C., and Karen Pultz of Surrey, B.C., finished at 10-over 294 after carding a combined 5-over 147 final round. Team Quebec finished in second place at 13-over 297 while Team Ontario rounds out the top three at 17-over 301.

Claiming the Super Senior title (60+) was Murdoch who bested Horwood by a single stroke. Palahniuk rounded out the top three at 8-over 15 after shooting 6-over 77 in her second round.

The winner of the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Senior Women’s Championship earns an exemption into the 2013 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship being played September 21-26 at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.

Holly Horwood of Vancouver, B.C., leads the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship after the first round of action on Tuesday at Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club in Vernon, B.C.

“I’m very happy with how I played today,” said Horwood following her round. “I only missed one putt that I should have made and hit a lot of greens.”

Horwood carded an opening round even-par 71 on Tuesday to take a two-stroke lead heading into the second round.

“Tomorrow I just need to keep it straight and I should be fine,” she continued.

Diane Dolan of Gatineau, Que., Lynda Palahniuk of Kelowna, B.C., and Lisa Smego of Olympia, Wash., are tied for second after firing 2-over 73 in their first rounds.

Two former Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Champions are tied for fifth, as 2013 Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee Alison Murdoch of Victoria, B.C., and Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C., both posted 3-over 74’s in the opening round.

In the Inter-provincial Team competition, Team British Columbia has a 3-stroke lead over Team Quebec heading into the final round of play with a team score of 5-over 147. Team British Columbia consists of Lynda Palahniuk of Kelowna, B.C., Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C., and Karen Pultz of Surrey, B.C. Team Quebec follows in second place at 8-over 150 while Team Ontario rounds out the top three at 12-over 154.

Horwood also leads the Super Senior competition (60+) by two strokes over Palahniuk, with Murdoch following in third. Ginny Marshall of Waterloo, Ont., is in fourth place at 5-over 76, while Jewell Malick of Rockwall, Tex., Joey Bush of Aurora, Ont., and Diane Williams of Calgary, Alta., are tied for fifth at 9-over 80.

The winner of the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Senior Women’s Championship earns an exemption into the 2013 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship being played September 21-26 at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.

Many of North America’s elite senior women amateurs are ready to compete for the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship which takes place Aug. 20-22 at Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club, in Vernon, B.C.

The field of 107 players competes for the Ada Mackenzie Trophy over three rounds of stroke play. Simultaneously, the first two rounds of the championship feature an inter-provincial team competition and a Super-Senior championship, which is open to players 60 years of age and older.

“We are thrilled that Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club will have the opportunity to host this national championship,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada Tournament Director. “The strong field that we have in attendance this year is sure to be treated to a beautiful golf course and a wonderful championship. We could not ask for a better conclusion to the 2013 Royale Cup events.”

Headlining the field will be 2013 Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee Alison Murdoch of Victoria, B.C. Murdoch will attempt to take home a record fifth Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship title in her home province. Murdoch has also had success in international competition winning both the British and Irish Senior events.

This year’s field also consists of Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and two-time Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Champion Mary Ann Hayward of Aurora, Ont. Hayward, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2007, won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. Her illustrious career includes four Canadian Amateur Championships, five Ontario Amateur Championships, six Quebec Amateur Championships and an extraordinary 12 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur titles.

Also in the field is two-time Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Champion Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C. who won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009. Previously this season, Little won her second Alberta Senior Ladies Championship title.

In addition to competing for the Ada Mackenzie Trophy, competitors vie for the Royale Cup Champions Trophy. This commemorative trophy honours each of the three women’s Canadian amateur champions (junior, amateur and senior) crowned each season by Golf Canada. The Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion, Team Canada National Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and the Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Champion, Maddie Szeryk of Allen, Texas, had their names etched on the trophy earlier this season.

The winner of the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship also earns an exemption into the 2013 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship being played September 21-26 at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.

The inter-provincial team championship features three-member teams competing in conjunction with the first two rounds of stroke play. Each day, the best two of three scores will count towards the two day team total. This year, Team Ontario looks to defend their title as provincial champions with Hayward, Andrea Blackwell of Kingston, Ont., and Ivy Steinberg of Stouffville, Ont.

Conducted since 1971, the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship has featured many of the country’s top senior golfers. Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Murdoch, Hayward, Marlene Streit, Gayle Borthwick, Marilyn O’Connor and Margaret Todd all own senior titles.

The Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship is contested over three rounds of stroke play (54-holes). The field is open to players who have reached the age of 50 by the date of the first round, Aug. 20, 2013.

Practice rounds will be held Monday, Aug. 19. Championship play will be conducted Tuesday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 22 with 18 holes of stroke play each day. Any tie after 54 holes will result in a hole-by-hole playoff.

A complete list of competitors, starting times and full post-round results for the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship can be found here.

After a back and forth day at Royal Colwood Golf Club, Eli Cole tapped in for par on the 18th green to capture the 109th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Cole, 23, of Beverly Hills, Calif., entered the final round in a three-way tie for the lead alongside, Ricardo Celia, 21, of Colombia and Corey Conners, 21, of Listowel, Ont.

On Friday, the championship came down to the final hole at Royal Colwood Golf Club after Cole and Conners both hit the 18th green in regulation tied at 6-under par. Cole cozied his 15ft birdie putt up to the hole and tapped in for a regulation par only to watch Team Canada’s Conners three-putt from outside 50ft for bogey to hand Cole the Canadian Men’s Amateur title.

“I never thought Corey was going to three putt, he’s just such a classy player and he’s so good,” Cole said. “I was lucky to play with him the last few days, he was just a great guy all the way around yesterday and today, start to finish.”

As a graduate of Texas Christian University, Cole recently recovered from a double fracture of the tibia and fibula – An injury that left him sidelined from golf from nearly a year.

“It’s been a long road and if I said I did it by myself I’d be lying, so many people have helped me along the way,” he stated. “I’m really lucky to have come in contact with the people I have and everyone associated with TCU has just been incredible and everyone over in Canada this week have been so friendly.”

Cole carded an even-par 70 to finish at 6-under 276 for the championship to earn the coveted exemption into the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at Royal Montreal Golf Club and also a spot into next week’s 2013 U.S. Amateur.

“One of my goals is obviously to play on the PGA TOUR and now I’m about 1-millionth of the way there playing in the event,” he stated. “I have to stay healthy knowing my history but I couldn’t be more excited, I absolutely love it up here in Canada.”

Finishing in a tie for second one-stroke behind Cole at 5-under par 277 were Team Canada’s Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith, 22, of Richmond Hill, Ont. Conners carded three birdies on his back nine to post a 1-over 71, while Pendrith thrilled fans holing out from 179 yards for eagle from the middle of the 18th fairway to post a 2-under 68 final round.

Colombia’s Celia, finished in solo fourth at 4-under 278 after a final round 2-over 72, while Team Canada Development Squad member, Adam Svensson, 19, of Surrey, B.C., finished in solo fifth at 3-under 279 after 4-under 66 on Friday.

Full final results from the 2013 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship are available here.

Ricardo Celia, Corey Conners and Eli Cole all sit atop the 109th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship leaderboard after the third round at Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C.

Celia, 21, of Colombia, carded the round of the day after a 4-under 66 on Thursday. His third round was highlighted by five birdies, three of which he rolled in during his final five holes with his Colombian teammate Mateo Gomez on the bag.

“He really helped me out there today, he gave me the right club on my second shot into 18,” Celia said. “I hit it to 30ft and finished with a birdie. Tomorrow I’m just going to go out there, have fun and enjoy the challenge.”

Tied for the lead at 6-under 206 with Celia are Team Canada’s Conners, 21, of Listowel, Ont., and Eli Cole, 24, of Beverly Hills, Calif, who carded a 1-under 69 on Thursday.

Cole, a recent graduate of Texas Christian University, wowed fans following the final group early in the third round. Through five holes, Cole was 5-under par after holing out from the greenside bunker on the par-3 4th and rolling in a 8ft eagle putt on the par-5 5th hole.

“You always think that kind of shot is possible but you know the chances are slim to none,” Cole stated about his hole out. “Fortune was definitely on my side the first few holes today.”

The California native isn’t long off recovery from a serious injury that halted his golf career. While at TCU, Cole suffered a double fracture of the tibia and fibula playing a fun game of soccer that sidelined him for an entire season.

“It would mean a lot to win this but I still have a long way to go, anything can happen out here” he said. “I’m just having fun, it was great with the volunteers and the crowd today. It’s just exciting and I’m happy to be back playing again tomorrow.”

Conners played alongside Cole in the final group and posted an impressive 5-under 30 over his opening nine, but struggled over his closing holes posting two late double bogeys for an even-par 70. Despite his back nine mishaps on Thursday, the Team Canada National Squad member is ready to make a run at the title tomorrow.

“It obviously would be really special to win, I can’t really put it into words,” Conners said. “I’m just going to try to do my thing tomorrow and make it happen.

Sitting three strokes behind the leaders in a tie for fourth at 3-under par are Scott Secord, 20, of Calgary and Team Canada’s Taylor Pendrith, 22, of Richmond Hill, Ont. Secord posted a 2-under 68 on Thursday, while Pendrith carded a 1-under 69.

The 2013 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship resumes tomorrow, Friday, August 9, 2013, with the final round at Royal Colwood Golf Club beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Taiwan’s Yu-Chian Hsiang fired the low round of the championship during the second day of play at the 109th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Hsiang, 16, carded a bogey-free 7-under 65 around Gorge Vale Golf Club on Wednesday to position himself one-stroke ahead of overnight leader Corey Conners, at 7-under 135 heading into the third round.

“Whatever position I’m in heading into tomorrow, I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing,” the high school sophomore said. “I’m just going to try to continue hitting fairways because it doesn’t matter if I’m in first place or second place, I’ll try to do my best tomorrow.”

A native of Taiwan, Hsiang moved to the United States last year and has been residing in Rowland Heights, Calif. This tournament marks his first trip to Canada and he stated he was happy with his second round play.

“Today I tried to keep it on the fairway and I made a couple of putts,” he said. “I just tried to focus on every single shot out there.”

Heading into the third round, Hsiang has a strong contingent of players challenging for the lead including, first round leader and Team Canada’s, Corey Conners, 21, of Listowel, Ont. Conners posted an even-par 70 at Royal Colwood Golf Club on Wednesday and currently sits at 6-under 136 for the championship.

California native, Eli Cole, 24, of Beverly Hills, carded the low round of the day at Royal Colwood Golf Club. His 4-under 66 leaves him in solo third for the championship at 5-under par.

Rounding out the top five were Paul Misko, 24, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., who posted a third round 1-under 69, while Andrew Whalen, 19, of Ephrata, Wash., sits in solo fifth at 3-under 139.

In Willingdon Cup Inter-Provincial Team Championship play, Team British Columbia, comprised of Charlie Hughes of Langley, B.C., Kevin Carrigan of Victoria and Team Canada Development Squad Member, Adam Svensson, of Surrey, B.C., came out victorious after a even-par 140 on Wednesday to finish at 1-over 285 for the championship. The squad edged out the Team Ontario’s contingent of Chris Hemmerich, Garrett Rank, and Stephane Dubois by a single stroke.

In addition, Team Canada’s National squad continued their strong play on Wednesday. Heading into the third round, five members of the program currently sit inside the top-15 including, Corey Conners, Justin Shin, 21, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., Taylor Pendrith, 22, of Richmond Hill, Ont., Adam Svensson, 19, of Surrey, B.C., and Chris Hemmerich, 20, of Kitchener, Ont.

The 2013 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship resumes tomorrow, Thursday, August 8, 2013, with third-round play at Royal Colwood Golf Club beginning at 7:30 a.m. The third and final rounds will both be contested solely at Royal Colwood Golf Club with the champion being crowned on Friday, August 9.

The winner of Canada’s oldest national golf championship will earn an exemption into the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. In addition, the winner will also be exempt from local qualifying for the 2014 U.S. Open and receives an exemption into the 2013 USGA Amateur Championship and, if applicable, the U.S. Amateur Public Links, U.S. Junior Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur and USGA Senior Amateur Championships.