From the shores of Lake Geneva to the fairways of Rio de Janeiro, the world’s top women golfers had a taste of what to expect in 2016 when they paid a visit to the Olympic Museum and IOC Headquarters ahead of the Evian Championship.

Seven golfers from five continents, all with aspirations of going to the 2016 Rio Olympics, played a nearest to the pin contest before taking a guided tour of the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland and posing in front of the Olympic Flame.

Shanshan Feng (China), Julieta Granada (Paraguay), Fabienne In-Albon (Switzerland), Caroline Masson (Germany), Paula Reto (South Africa), Alena Sharp (Canada) and Maria Uribe (Colombia) were all inspired to realise their own Olympic dreams as they learned about past records and heroes.

Staged at two editions of the Games (Paris 1900 and St Louis 1904), golf is returning to the Olympic programme in 2016 after a 112-year absence. To mark this event, the International Golf Federation (IGF) Executive Director Antony Scanlon announced that The Olympic Museum will devote an exhibition to golf with free admission from 9 December 2015 to 31 January 2016, where visitors can learn everything about the sport before the upcoming Games.

After the contest and tour, several players met the International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach at the IOC Headquarters to discuss their hopes for when golf returns to the Olympic Games next August. President Bach insisted on hitting a few chip shots with the players in the garden afterwards and said: “I really enjoyed trying golf but the passion was greater than the performance!”

World number eight, Shanshan Feng, who is one of China’s brightest medal prospects, commented: “It was really great to learn more about the history of the Olympic Games and it has certainly inspired me to go for a medal! The Olympics is so popular in China and I am determined to represent my country with pride.”

Julieta Granada, who is Paraguay’s representative on the current Olympic Ranking, commented: “As I’m from South America I’ve got extra incentive to perform well in Rio. As well as competing, I’m looking forward to the carnival atmosphere at the greatest show on earth.”

Fabienne In-Albon, who is poised to represent Switzerland, commented: “Representing my country in the Olympics has been a dream since I was a little girl. Now I have the chance to make this dream become a reality so I’m working very hard every day because I’m sure next year is going to fly by.”

Germany’s Caroline Masson, who won the nearest to the pin contest, commented: “It was a privilege to sit down with President Bach and the IOC staff and it was great to hear how much support golf has from the IOC in its return to the Games. I’m working really hard to make sure I’m in Rio next year.”

South African Paula Reto commented: “I always watched the Olympics growing up in South Africa so it’s going to be fantastic to compete and I will do everything I can to play well.”

Canadian Alena Sharp commented: “To represent my country and compete for an Olympic medal would be an absolute honour and I’m going to work hard to achieve my goals.”

Maria Uribe from Colombia commented: “For me, nothing will beat playing in the 2016 Olympics in my home continent, South America. I can’t wait for golf to return to the Games in Brazil after a 112-year absence and I’m sure the worldwide interest in golf will grow massively as a result.”

After their inspirational visit, the players took the short boat ride back across the lake from Lausanne, Switzerland, to Evian, France, which is hosting the final Major Championship of 2015. With less than a year to go until the next Games, watch the players compete in the Evian Championship and support them on the road to Rio in 2016.

The Golf in Schools program has a fresh new look for 2015/16.

It starts with updated curriculum, resulting from a partnership between Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada and the University of Ottawa to incorporate life skills into the learning resource that accompanies each Golf in Schools kit.

The new life skills component of the program was created from in-depth research of the leading scientific literature behind delivering life skills through sport. Based on this research, the University of Ottawa identified the importance of both intrapersonal and interpersonal life skills involved in golf:

Each life skill is carefully integrated throughout all lesson plans included in the Learning Resources for elementary, high school and the newly introduced intermediate program for grades 6–8. Developed by Physical Health Education (PHE) Canada, the Learning Resources are tailored to help teachers deliver lessons seamlessly, regardless of prior golf knowledge.

Also new for the fall of 2015, Golf in Schools has launched a brand new website (golfinschools.ca) and welcomed ambassador Graham DeLaet, Canada’s top-ranked PGA TOUR golfer.

Another new layer to the program—introduced in the spring of 2015—called the Golf in Schools Professional Visitation program, provides a grant for PGA of Canada professionals to conduct a visit to nearby schools registered in the program. Through the visit, PGA of Canada professionals offer guidance and expert golf advice to both students and teachers while also providing an avenue to pursue golf further should they wish to do so.

Alternatively, the CN Future Links Field Trip program provides a grant to bring a bus-full of students from a registered Golf in Schools site to practise on the grounds of a nearby CN Future Links facility.

In order to be eligible for the Golf in Schools Professional Visit or the CN Future Links Field Trip program, PGA of Canada professionals must be at an active CN Future Links facility and the school must be a registered Golf in Schools site.

To learn how to get involved with Golf in Schools, please visit www.golfinschools.ca

MEDICINE HAT, Alta – Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga., shot 7-under par through three rounds to claim the 2015 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Desert Blume Golf Club in Medicine Hat, Alta.

Hall, 58, battled through rainy conditions on Friday to shoot 1-over par 73 to claim a narrow one-stroke victory that was not decided until the final hole.

“There are three big international tournaments that Americans look forward to playing in, one’s the British, one’s the Canadian and one’s the U.S. Senior Amateur. To have one on my resume is there forever and I enjoy it – love it,” said Hall, who captured his first international title.

“I’ve played a lot in the states and I’ve had a lot of good accomplishments, but once you’re in the international side of it, I just think it’s wonderful. So to me having won this, words can’t explain it,” he added.

Although wind-swept conditions postponed play and ultimately reduced the championship to 54 holes, Hall welcomed the added adversity. “It was challenging, let’s say that for sure. I played with a couple of Canadians who said it was cold and that made my day. It was the right golf course to handle those kinds of conditions. I thought the weather made the tournament. We’re getting older, but we like challenges too.”

Hall recently claimed the 2015 Georgia Mid-Amateur Championship and has played in over 30 United States Golf Association events. With the win, he has earned an exemption into the 2015 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship taking place at Hidden Creek Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., from September 26 to October 1.

“It gives me more confidence, but I think the real plus for me is knowing that I can putt well. These greens here were absolutely wonderful. I think coming away from this event, I trust my speeds more and it gives you more opportunities to make more putts,” Hall explained, as he sets his sights on the competition ahead.

Pat Thompson of Asheville, N.C., and Hall entered the final hole deadlocked at 7-under par, but Thompson dropped a shot on the 18^th to finish with a share of second. The 57-year-old began the national championship with a senior’s course record of 7-under 65 and led after 18 holes.

Fellow North Carolina native Paul Simson of Raleigh shot the low round of the day at 2-under and climbed four spots into a share of second with a three-round total of 210. Simson claimed victory at the 2010 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship and made history by becoming the first person to capture the British, U.S. and Canadian senior titles in the same year.

David Schultz of Calgary finished as the top Canadian in the field with a fourth place finish at 1-under par. The 2013 champion fired rounds of 72, 71, and 72 in order to finish with a one shot edge over fifth place.

With a score of 16-over, George Stokes of New Hamburg, Ont., claimed a one-shot victory in the Super Senior (70+) division which was contested over the course of the first two rounds.

Team Ontario emerged as champions in the Inter-Provincial team competition which was also played concurrently over the first two rounds. Michael Jackson (Collingwood, Ont.), Michael Mealia (Richmond Hill, Ont.), and Lars Melander (Oakville, Ont.) posted a combined total of 3-under par 285 for the victory.

Additional information regarding the 2015 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship is available here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – The second round of the 2015 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship concluded Thursday at Desert Blume Golf Club in Medicine Hat, Alta., with Team Ontario emerging as provincial team champions.

The Ontario trio of Michael Jackson (Collingwood, Ont.), Michael Mealia (Richmond Hill, Ont.), and Lars Melander (Oakville, Ont.) posted a combined second-round of 4-under 140 to capture the Phil Farley trophy with a 3-under 285 total.

“We were behind by a couple of shots going into today and we knew a couple of good scores had to be done,” said Team Captain Michael Jackson. The three-man unit began the day down two strokes and benefited from a second-round 69 by Melander and 71 from Jackson.

The victory adds to Team Ontario’s successful summer which has already included team and individual titles at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. “I’m really pleased to be a part of that and represent the Golf Association of Ontario,” added Jackson.

The squad finished one stroke ahead of Team Alberta made up of Floyd Kilgore (Grimshaw, Alta.), Howard Broun (Calgary) and David Schultz (Calgary) who finished 1-under par on the day. Rounding out the top-three with a total of 287 was John Gallacher (Burnaby, B.C.), Doug Roxburgh (Vancouver) and Sandy Harper (Nanaimo, B.C.) of Team British Columbia.

In the 70-and-over Super Senior division, George Stokes of New Hamburg, Ont., claimed a one-shot victory over Ken Bradley of Moose Jaw, Sask. Stokes improved upon a runner-up result in 2014 by carding rounds of 78 and 82 in tough windy conditions to finish 16-over 160 for the victory.

“It’s nice. It’s sort of the daily double because in 1998, I won the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship. So now that I’ve had a chance and finally won the Super Senior, it’s sort of a feather in my cap. I’m happy about it,” said the 73-year-old Stokes.

Bradley shot a 79 in his second round to finish 17-over par. Finishing in third was 2014 Super Senior champion Mickey Batten of Chateauguay, Que., with a total of 162.

Following tough windy conditions which forced the tournament to be reduced by 18 holes, the second round of the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship was completed on Thursday with Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga., taking the lead at 8-under par.

“I have the speed of the greens down pretty well and most every putt I hit got to the hole. When you have the ball getting to the hole, some of them drop,” explained the 2015 Georgia Mid-Amateur champion. After a first-round 69, Hall carded a bogey-free 5-under 67 to lead by one stroke.

“If I can come out and get loose early, hit a couple fairways and greens and play my game, I should be fine,” said the second-round leader.

Pat Thompson entered the second round in the lead and followed his 7-under course record with an even-par round. The Asheville, N.C. native matched two birdies with two bogeys and sits tied for second. Joining Thompson at 7-under 137 is Ronald Kilby of McAllen, Texas who carded scores of 68 and 69 despite both his rounds being suspended due to the harsh winds.

“I have to say that obviously our group got the short end of the draw, and that happens – that’s just golf. You win some of those and you lose some of those. Having got through the hard part playing well and scoring well, I feel like I’ve given myself a chance to win the tournament,” said the 60-year-old Kilby.

Lars Melander from Oakville, Ont., and Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Nev., are tied for fourth at 5-under par.

A total of 70 players finished 155-or-better to advance past the 36-hole cut to the final round which begins Friday at 7:30 a.m. MDT.

The winner of this year’s championship will earn an exemption into the 2015 U.S. Senior Amateur at Hidden Creek Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., from September 26 to October 1.

For additional information, including tee times and scoring can be found here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Strong winds and the ensuing unplayable conditions during day two of the 2015 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship forced the suspension of the second round at Desert Blume Golf Club in Medicine Hat, Alta.

Players that were unable to complete their first rounds on Tuesday due to suspension of play did so on Wednesday morning. The same windy conditions experienced on the competition’s first day resurfaced on day two and forced play to be suspended at 3:30 p.m. MDT. The third round has been cancelled and the competition will be reduced to 54 holes.

“It is unfortunate that we have had to shorten the championship, but we wanted to ensure that the tournament is fair to all players. Resuming the second round tomorrow will provide optimal playing conditions for the field,” explained Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna. “It was a difficult decision, but we concluded it wouldn’t be feasible to complete 72 holes due to limited amounts of daylight and time.”

Ideal conditions began the day and saw low scores from players beginning their first rounds. Leading the way in the morning was Pat Thompson of Asheville, N.C., who shot a first-round 7-under 65 – a senior’s course record.

“I was hitting it stiff. Most of the birdies were within five feet,” said Thompson, who carded five consecutive birdies from holes four to eight before adding three more on the back nine.

“When I could have made bogies I was saving pars. I just started to hit the ball right where I wanted to every time, just over and over. A couple of times, I missed a little bit and I happened to hit it above the hole and it would feed down closer and I’d end up with five feet again,” said the 2014 Georgia Senior Invitational champion.

One stroke back is Ronald Kilby, who shot 2-under through nine holes before his second round was suspended. The McAllen, Texas native opened with a 4-under first round and sits 6-under par through 27 holes.

Frank MacKenzie is currently third following an opening-round 4-under par on Wednesday morning. The 64-year-old from Vernon, B.C., went bogey-free to accompany four birdies.

Team Alberta leads the Inter-Provincial team competition through one completed round of play. Floyd Kilgore of Grimshaw, Alta., and Calgary natives Howard Broun and David Schultz totaled a combined 1-under par 143. Two shots behind the host province are Teams Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia who sit tied for second at 145.

In addition to the Inter-Provincial team competition, the Super Senior division is also played concurrently over the championship’s first 36 holes. Leading the 70-and-over competition is Ken Bradley of Moose Jaw, Sask., who carded 10-over par in his first round. Two shots back is George Stokes from New Hamburg, Ont., who completed the first 13 holes of his second round before play was suspended.

The 2015 Canadian Men’s Senior champion will earn an exemption into the 2015 U.S. Senior Amateur at Hidden Creek Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., from September 26 to October 1.

The second round of the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship will continue on Thursday at 8 a.m. MDT. Scoring, pairings and start times can be found here.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Wind gusts of up to 65km/h forced the delay of the first round at the 2015 Canadian Senior Men’s Championship at Desert Blume Golf Club in Medicine Hat, Alta.

Approximately half of the competitors in the field of 156 were able to finish their first rounds after a six-hour delay. The remaining players will begin their opening rounds on Wednesday, September 2 at 7 a.m. MDT with revised tee times. Round two is slated to begin following the completion of the first round.

“Unfortunately the weather didn’t fully co-operate with us for the start of our national championship,” said Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna. “You can play in windy conditions, however when wind gusts become so strong that still balls start to move, the course becomes unplayable. We remain confident that we will catch up and have a full 72-hole championship.”

Leading the way among players who finished their first rounds was Ronald Kilby of McAllen, Texas, who battled through the gusty winds to shoot 4-under 68.

“I felt like I controlled my distance with the irons really well coming into the greens. I didn’t have any really hard putts, I felt like I was below the hole and kind of where I wanted to be most of the day putting-wise,” said the 2014 Texas Senior Amateur champion.

Kilby started on the back nine and was even-par through six holes when play was delayed. “I just stayed out here and chipped and putted through the delay so that I didn’t tighten up a whole lot,” said the 60-year-old who shot five-under par on the front nine after the stoppage. Highlighting his round were four straight birdies through the fifth to eighth holes.

Four shots back is William Jackson of Oklahoma City, Okla., at even-par. Jackson began his round on the back nine at 2-over par, followed by a bogey-free two-under front nine to break even.

John Bracken of Seattle, Wash., Allen Barber of Yorktown, Va., Keith Newton of Olds, Alta., and Randy Fleet of Banff, Alta., sit tied for third at 1-over par.

George Stokes of New Hamburg, Ont., leads the Super Senior Division after a 6-over 78. The 70-and-older division is played concurrently with the first two rounds of play.

An Inter-Provincial competition also takes part over the course of the first 36 holes of the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship and will see teams tee off for their first rounds tomorrow morning.

This week’s champion will earn an exemption into the 2015 U.S. Senior Amateur at Hidden Creek Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., from September 26 to October 1.

The first round of the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship will continue on Wednesday at 7 a.m. Players who completed their first rounds on Tuesday will tee off for their second rounds beginning at 11:50 a.m. MDT. Scoring, pairings and start times can be found online here.

Coming full circle is a term used to symbolize transitioning or returning to an original position or state of affairs.

In this case, it represents two local friends from Manitoba, Aaron Cockerill and Josh Wytinck.

Their story began in southern Manitoba, where the pair began to cross each other’s paths through local tournaments and tryouts under Golf Manitoba’s youth development programming.

Wytinck, one of roughly 650 natives of Glenboro, recalled playing in tournaments at the age of 11 before deciding to specialize in golf at age 15. With his hometown’s smaller population, Wytinck was quite familiar with his competition—with the exception of a surprise at the 2007 Manitoba Rural Junior (players outside Winnipeg).

“All of a sudden I remember showing up at the rural junior in Manitoba, this guy named Aaron Cockerill wins the tournament,” he said. “I’m pretty sure it was his first Golf Manitoba event—so he was kind of the guy to beat.”

Their friendship took off after that and was officially cemented in the summer of 2009 when both Wytinck and Cockerill were a part of Golf Manitoba’s training squad for the upcoming Canada Summer Games in P.E.I.

“Oh wow, yes that was a while back,” laughed Cockerill of his past with Wytinck. “Golf Manitoba had us training together, working out together, practising and of course playing in a ton of tournaments throughout the summer.”

Only a year apart, the duo shared in many great competitions together, most notably the 2012 Manitoba Men’s Amateur. At 21, Wytinck edged out runner-up Cockerill in a playoff to take the title.

A few years later, both golfers went on their separate collegiate paths with Cockerill going to play for the University of Idaho and Wytinck staying home to play for the University of Manitoba Bisons.

Coming from Stony Mountain’s population of roughly 1,000, Cockerill took some time adjusting to the busy scene at Idaho but it wasn’t long before he found his place.

“I loved it there—we had a lot of great guys on the team, we all ended up living together,” he said. “I learned a lot there and had a blast at the same time.”

Being a 22-hour drive from home, maturity caught up with Cockerill pretty quickly. “In terms of being on my own, I really grew up a lot when I was there—and that really affected my golf game in a positive way as well,” he said.

He went on to earn first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honours in his senior year to go along with 14 top-25 finishes throughout his time at Idaho.

Across the border, Wytinck mirrored the success of Cockerill by captaining the Manitoba Bisons to the Canadian University/College Championship title in 2014—his senior year.

Despite their different routes, each has gained a wealth of experience and the pair has now come full circle as they pursue careers in professional golf through the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada. Both athletes are currently playing in Monday qualifiers while working towards full-time status.

“We’ve been training a lot together now in Winnipeg since this is both our professional jobs now,” said Cockerill. “We play together at courses that are side-by-side (Elmhurst and Pine Ridge) which helps with our training.”

Both Wytinck and Cockerill shared very similar words of advice for aspiring Manitoba natives looking to chase the same dream—the more situations you put yourself in, the greater the chance you have to learn and succeed. Play as many events as you can and never stop learning.

To learn more about Golf Canada’s junior development programs, visit the Golf Canada Juniors website at golfcanada.ca/juniors.

CAMLACHIE, Ont. – It came down to the wire at the 2015 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship as Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont., captured a trio of titles at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort and Spa.

Samuel, 54, was crowned the Senior (50+), Mid-Master (40+) and Mid-Amateur (25+) champion after carding 3-under for the competition.

“It feels great. It was a wonderful tournament and I had a great time. It’s very exciting to win the Championship,” said Samuel, who also won the 2012 Canadian Senior Championship. “I think it really helps that you’ve done it before because you can believe in yourself. But it also relaxes you because you have won and you’re not trying to do your first.”

The Weston Golf and Country Club member entered the final round tied with Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., and edged the competition with a 1-over par final round. Samuel opened the tournament with a 3-under 68 followed by a 70 on day two.

“I played with Judith Kyrinis for three days and she played absolutely flawlessly. She barely missed a shot and every time I would hit a bad shot, it seemed I had a horseshoe and had a good break,” said Samuel, who was in a draw with Kyrinis heading into the final hole. “I actually didn’t feel good at first because I thought she probably deserved to win the tournament as opposed to myself, but I guess it’s good to be lucky sometimes.”

Kyrinis shot a final round 74 to finish two strokes behind to finish runner-up. The 51-year-old matched Samuel round-for-round, but shot a double-bogey on the 18^th hole to finish second in the Mid-Amateur, Mid-Master and Senior divisions.

Mary Ann Hayward of Aurora, Ont., rounded out the top three in all three divisions after posting 2-over par for the tournament. The Canadian Golf Hall of famer, who has three Canadian Women’s Senior titles, rebounded from a 4-over par front nine during the final round with an eagle-birdie-par to finish 1-over for the final round.

With the victory, Samuel gains entry into the 2015 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur at Hillwood Country Club in Nashville, Tenn., from September 26 to October 1.

“That was the best part really, it was great to get that exemption,” said Samuel who was headed to a qualifier for the U.S.G.A event next week.

The Inter-Provincial Team and Super Senior divisions that were played concurrently with the first two rounds of play were awarded on Thursday and saw Team Ontario alongside Joey Bush emerge victorious.

The host provincial team finished the two-round championship at 3-under par and was comprised of Hayward, Uxbridge, Ont., native Gail Pimm and Debbie Court of Mississauga, Ont.

In the Super Senior division, Bush, 64, of Aurora, Ont., captured the over-60 Super Senior Championship title after finishing 11-over par through the opening 36 holes.

Additional information regarding the 2015 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship is available here.

NEW GLASGOW, N.S. – Garrett Rank successfully defended his Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title at the 2015 edition of the national championship. Hosted by Abercrombie Country Club in New Glasgow, N.S., Rank led wire-to-wire and completed his title defence with a final-round of 1-under 69 to finish 3-under 277 in the competition.

“This means a lot to me. I worked really hard on my game this summer,” reflected the champion. “To win another national championship feels really good. I played solid again today and gave myself a lot of chances. I was just really steady.”

The native of Elmira, Ont., opened with an even-par 36 across the front nine and totaled four birdies on the day. With the victory, Rank has captured his second consecutive President’s Cup as Canadian Mid-Amateur champion, following a thrilling 2014 playoff victory. He joins a list of five past champions who have claimed more than one title at this event.

“This championship allows you to meet the different guys and hear their stories,” said Rank. “Playing with Dave (Bunker) again was nice. There are guys here like Graham Cooke who has won this tournament seven times. It’s great to play against those guys and then also learn what they do and where they come from.”

The 27-year-old has earned his way into the field for the 2016 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. It will be his second foray into Canada’s National Open Championship after playing in the 2015 edition by way of last year’s victory in this tournament. The 107^th playing of the RBC Canadian Open is slated to take place July 18-24, 2016.

“I’m excited to get back to the RBC Canadian Open,” added the former University of Waterloo Warrior. “Playing this year was a great experience. I’ll be able to play a little more settled next year. I won’t have as many nerves. I know if I play my game and if I play the way that I can play, I can compete out there.”

Finishing in second place was Dave Bunker. The native of Woodbridge, Ont., collected back-to-back birdies on holes 3 and 4 before finishing the day at 2-over 72. Michel Landry of Saint John, N.B., carded three birdies across the back nine to complete the competition in third place at 7-over 287.

With his four-day total of 4-over 284, Bunker captured the over-40 Mid-Master division of the championship. “I had a really good start. I felt really good,” said Bunker, who notched two birdies across his first four holes. “I ran into some trouble on holes 11 and 12. That kind of put me out of the chance to catch Garrett. In the end, a 72 is not a bad round in the wind and in the conditions we played through today.”

This is the seventh Mid-Master title for the 50-year-old. “I feel great about that. It means that I’m playing well because there are so many really good players over 40. To be able to finish second overall is really good. Garrett is a great person, first of all. He’s also a really good player. This is really good for him. He deserves everything he’s getting with the chance to play in the RBC Canadian Open again.”

Bunker finished six-strokes clear of Matlock, Man., product Garth Collings, who completed the tournament with a 1-over 71 showing. Three players finished tied for third at 295 – Calgary’s Kevin Temple; Moncton, N.B., native Stu Musgrave; and Glenn Robinson of Middle Sackville, N.S.

Played concurrently with the first 36 holes of the competition, Team Ontario emerged victorious in the inter-provincial team championship to claim the R. Bruce Forbes Trophy. Garrett Rank and teammates Kevin Fawcett of Toronto and Josh Hunke from New Hamburg, Ont., totaled 5-over 285. Playing in their home province, the members of Team Nova Scotia took runners-up honours with an 8-over 288 score while Team New Brunswick captured third-place at 12-over 292.

Additional information regarding the 2015 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship is available here.

CAMLACHIE, Ont. – Team Ontario emerged as provincial senior team champions as Joey Bush claimed the Super Senior division following second-round play at the 2015 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort and Spa in Camlachie, Ont.

The team of Gail Pimm (Uxbridge, Ont.), Mary Ann Hayward (Aurora, Ont.), and Debbie Court (Mississauga, Ont.) finished at 11-over 295.

The winning team was led by a second-round even-par performance from Golf Hall of Fame member Mary Ann Hayward while Pimm and Court both shot 7-over 78 in the second round of the championship.

“We always have good battles with B.C., so it’s nice to have Alberta in the mix. Ontario hasn’t won too many of the team titles this year, so it’s good,” said Hayward.

Team Alberta finished two strokes back of the winners at 13-over par. The team comprised of Kim Carrington (Calgary, Alta.), Gail Barros (Edmonton, Alta.), and Susan Thomson (Calgary, Alta) began the second round in third – three strokes behind second-place Team Quebec.

Hélène Chartrand (Pincourt, Que.), Marie-Therése Torti (Candiac, Que.) and Marlène Desbiens (Clermont, Que.) of Team Quebec claimed third-place at 17-over par.

Joey Bush, 64, of Aurora, Ont., took the over-60 Super Senior Championship title after finishing 11-over par through two rounds. The Super Senior division was played concurrently with the first two rounds of the tournament.

“I’m ecstatic. I have never won anything like this before in my life,” said Bush, who considered withdrawing after a poor practice round. “I went out yesterday, played and missed two fairways, so that gave me all the confidence and I have a great caddy on the bag.”

Finishing in solo second in the Super Senior division was Janice Roberts Wilson of Flagler Beach, Fla. A hole-in-one on the 140-yard ninth hole on Thursday helped Wilson reach 6-over par on the day and 14-over par for the championship.

Holly Horwood of Vancouver B.C., Ruth Maxwell of Dartmouth, N.S., Victoria’s Alison Murdoch and Kathie Houghton of Thornbury, Ont., finished tied for third at 16-over par.

Separating themselves from the pack were first-round co-leaders Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., and Etobicoke, Ont., product Terrill Samuel who again mirrored each other’s scores with second rounds of 1-under par. The pair reached 4-under for the championship to open a 5-shot advantage in the Senior (50+), Mid-Master (40+) and Mid-Amateur (25+) divisions.

“What you want to do after the first two days is have a chance,” said Samuel, who captured the 2012 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship. “It’s nice to have one under the belt so there’s less pressure.”

Samuel, 54, had a strong start, carding a 3-under 32 on the front nine. Kyrinis, who was in a grouping with Samuel again, tallied four birdies en route to her second-round 70.

“Playing with Terrill is great because we’re always rooting for each other to make those putts and make some birdies. You’re always trying to play catch-up or get ahead of her, so it was very enjoyable the last two days,” said the 51-year-old Kyrinis.

Mary Ann Hayward sits in third place in the Senior, Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master divisions. Her even-par second-round puts her at 1-over 143 heading into the third and final round.

A total of 78 players finished 176 or better to advance to the final round which begins at 7:30 a.m. EDT.

The champion of this year’s Canadian Women’s Senior division will receive an exemption into the 2015 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur at Hillwood Country Club in Nashville, Tenn., from September 26 to October 1.

For additional information, including tee times and scoring, click here.