OAKVILLE, Ont. – The stars of the PGA TOUR will take to Glen Abbey Golf Club for the 106^th playing of the RBC Canadian Open starting Thursday, July 23. The 2015 edition of Canada’s National Open Championship marks the 27^th time that the competition will be held at the historic club in Oakville, Ont.

Sixteen Canadians will take on Glen Abbey in an effort to end the 61-year gap between Canadians claiming the national title. Brantford, Ont., native David Hearn is excited for the opportunity to end the drought.

“Winning the RBC Canadian Open would mean a lot, without a doubt,” said Hearn. “Winning any PGA TOUR tournament would mean a lot. It just doesn’t happen that often. To be able to do it in Canada in front of everybody here would be the highlight of my career.”

Pat Fletcher was the last Canadian winner, having claimed victory in 1954 at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver. The significance of an RBC Canadian Open champion from the host nation is not lost on Graham DeLaet.

“It would mean everything for me,” said the Weyburn, Sask., native. “This is a major for us. I couldn’t imagine what it would do. I know how much support and how much kids look up to us. Obviously (winning) would take it kind of to a new level, but we all want to win this. Not just for ourselves, but for everybody else who just wants to end (the drought).”

The Canadians in the field are not the only players hoping to emerge victorious at Canada’s only PGA TOUR stop. Bubba Watson, the No. 3-ranked player in the world, has a unique connection to Canada as the Florida native’s wife Angie hails from Toronto.

“Any tournament is a big win, but winning a national Open and an Open that is part of my family now – me being part of Canada, I guess you could say,” said the eight-time tour winner. “I’ve got two flags at the house, so it’s a big deal. It would be a great honour, but a big deal for the family, as well.”

The return to Glen Abbey also holds significance for Hunter Mahan. The Dallas native has fond memories from the 2013 RBC Canadian Open, where he held the 36-hole lead with a two-stroke advantage. Despite leading, he withdrew and tended to his wife who had gone into labour.

“It’s unfortunate that it had to happen at the time it did,” Mahan explained. “I was still playing so good, and this is a place that I do want to win at and be the RBC Canadian Open champion. It’s something I want to be, but it is what it is. It’s a great moment in my life. I still have great memories here, and hopefully will continue that play into this week.”

The field of 156 players will tee-off Thursday, each looking to earn their share of the US$5.8 million total purse. First and second round tee-times are available here.

GREENING THE 2015 RBC CANADIAN OPEN
This year’s RBC Canadian Open is set to be the greenest yet. RBC, Golf Canada and other partners and suppliers have come together to ensure that environmental best practices are again being implemented.

“We are committed to reducing the environmental impacts of the RBC Canadian Open every year,” said Brent McLaughlin, tournament director for the RBC Canadian Open. “Glen Abbey is a great foundation for our environmental initiatives, we have a solid track record of environmental programming here and the golf course has been certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary since 2004.”

Earlier this year, the 2014 RBC Canadian Open was recognized for its environmental initiatives and named as a winner of the Sustainability Challenge. For 2015, there are new initiatives that will help to divert more waste from landfill. Additional information regarding the key environmental initiatives at the 2015 RBC Canadian Open can be found here.

SASKATOON, Sask. – A strong contingent of the world’s top female amateur golfers will compete July 27-31 for the title of Canadian Women’s Amateur champion at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, Sask.

The championship will feature 115 of the top Canadian and international female amateurs contending for the Duchess of Connaught Trophy. This year, 16 amateur players ranked inside the World’s Top-100 will participate, including Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Maddie Szeryk (No. 39) and Brittany Marchand (No. 58).

“We are very excited about this year’s Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Riverside Country Club,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna. “This prestigious tournament has historically been a stepping stone for amateurs making the leap to professional status. In 2014, the top three finishers all went on to turn pro. We look forward to seeing this year’s competitive field in action.”

Among the 10 players who joined the professional ranks since last year’s competition are Augusta James of Bath, Ont., who placed first; runner-up Su-Hyun Oh from Australia; and former World No. 1 amateur and Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. The tournament’s past eight champions have all turned professional.

This year’s field is set to include Bethany Wu of Diamond Bar, Calif., Korea’s Eun-jeong Seong, Caroline Inglis of Eugene, Ore., and Mariel Galdiano of Pearl City, Hawaii, who all sit within the top 40 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Team Canada’s Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont. placed T12 in last year’s competition. She is looking to build upon her recent momentum from claiming the 2015 Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship after having reached the quarter-finals at the 2015 British Ladies Open Amateur and placing second in the 2015 NCAA SEC Championship.

Also placing T12 in 2014 was Josée Doyon – currently Canada’s second highest ranked amateur golfer at No. 55. The St-Georges, Que., native notched three NCAA victories this season with Kent State University.

Also representing Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad will be Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., who recently finished T2 at the 2015 Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship. Completing the National Team contingent is Thornhill, Ont., native Elizabeth Tong who finished fourth in her home province’s amateur championship and 2015 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur Champion Jennifer Ha of Calgary.

Joining the National Amateur Team will be the full roster of Canada’s Development Squad: Victoria, B.C., native Naomi Ko; Alisha Lau of Richmond, B.C.; Calgary product Jaclyn Lee; Ottawa’s Grace St-Germain and Michelle Kim from Surrey, B.C., who claimed both the 2015 B.C. Women’s Amateur and B.C. Junior Girls titles in recent weeks.

The field representing 11 countries will not only be vying for the 2015 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship title, but also exemptions into the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C., and the 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship.

An inter-provincial team championship will also take place in conjunction with the first two rounds of stroke play; Team Ontario enters the tournament as defending champions.

The practice round will be held Monday, July 27 before championship play commences on Tuesday, July 28 through Friday, July 31. Following the first two rounds, the field will be cut to the low 70 and ties.

For more information on the championship including the full field, starting times and live scoring; click here.

Burlington, Ont. – Team Canada member Elizabeth Tong made eight birdies Tuesday at Burlington Golf and Country Club and leads the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada by three shots over the defending champion Brooke Henderson.

Tong’s impressive bogey-free round of 8-under-par 62 not only was the low round of the day, but was also low enough to set a new women’s competitive course record at Burlington Golf and Country Club.

“I didn’t really even realize I was five-under-par on the front nine until I got to No. 11 and I was like, “Oh, wait a minute I’m going pretty low,’” the amateur said. “This golf course seems pretty open to me, so it really doesn’t scare me. The greens are rolling really nicely right now, so you can easily roll them on the line you want.”

Tong, the 22-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., was recently named to the 2015 Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholars team. The Indiana University Hoosier senior is a three-time collegiate winner and a first-year Team Canada member.

“We play a lot of tournaments and it definitely keeps me busy,” she said about her first year on the national team. “It’s a lot of information intake and literally I’m learning new things every single week.”

Brooke Henderson, who won the 2014 PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, sits three back in second place after a first round 5-under-par 65.

“Overall it was a pretty good day and I’m right there in the mix,” Henderson said about her round that featured six birdies, an eagle, a bogey and a double-bogey on No. 18. “I was very fortunate to win this championship last year and I’m hoping to do the same this year.”

In 2014, Henderson became not only the first amateur to capture the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, but the youngest as well. As a 16-year-old she posted a two-day total of 13-under par at FireRock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont., setting a new championship scoring record.

Currently ranked No. 32 in the world, the Smiths Falls, Ont., native recently finished T5 at the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club. Henderson also finished T5 at the Women’s PGA Championship—the second of the LPGA Tour’s five majors—in June.

In addition to her two top-five finishes in majors this year, Henderson has four more top-25 finishes on the LPGA Tour in 2015, including a third at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic. The former Team Canada member also won the Four Winds Invitational on the Symetra Tour in June and has a pair of Suncoast Ladies Tour wins to her name this past winter as well.

American Sydney Cox also posted a 5-under-par round of 65 will join Tong and Henderson in the championship’s final group at 12:38 p.m.

Doris Chen put together a 4-under-par 66 first round, while Stephanie Connelly rounds out the top five after posting a 3-under-par 67. Kyla Inaba of Kelowna, B.C., and Stratford, Ont.’s, both shot two under and are T6. Amateur Valerie Tanguay of St. Hyacinthe, Que.; Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C.; and Americans Lauren Mielbrecht, Brooke Baker and Michele Chun are T8.

Full results from the first round as well as second round tee times are available here.

In total, 18 players posted par or better first round scores Tuesday at Burlington Golf and Country Club.

Designed in 1924 by famed Canadian golf course architect Stanley Thompson, Burlington was ranked No. 98 on SCOREGolf’s Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada 2014 Ranking.

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

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 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open to be held Aug. 17-23, 2015 at the Vancouver Golf Club in Vancouver. 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 2015 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.

The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) has released its “Rounds Played Reports” up to June 1, and the results are encouraging for most of the country.

Of the 49 major regional markets surveyed, only 10 showed declining rounds when compared to the 3 year average, with all other regions reporting varying degrees of good news.

Western Canada definitely leads the charge with BC rounds 10 per cent above average, Alberta up 60 per cent, Saskatchewan up 41 per cent and Manitoba up 33 per cent. Ontario and Quebec showed more modest increased rounds played, as did Newfoundland. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI were all down in rounds played, largely due to a late start to the golf season.

The accompanying Weather Score, measuring the impact of local weather on each participating golf course, demonstrates any correlation between weather and rounds played across the country. BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan experienced significantly more favorable weather conditions for golf than normal years. Manitoba and Ontario had slightly better than average weather, as did Newfoundland. Quebec’s golf weather was average, while the Maritime Provinces were hurt by a long and severe winter followed by below average spring golf weather. As expected, the correlation to weather is strong.

The NGCOA Canada “Rounds Played Reports” are derived from monthly surveys of golf course data throughout Canada, segmented into National, Provincial and Regional Reports. Each monthly report tracks the Month to Date and Year to Date for the current year and the 3 year average. Those statistics are presented in actual rounds played and the per cent change.

The Regional Reports are sent to each participating golf course with custom data to compare their own Rounds Played Report with the group data of golf courses in their local competitive market. The National and Provincial Reports are published by the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada for industry-wide use.

Jeff Calderwood, NGCOA Canada CEO, notes that “We’ve been steadily building the sample size for a couple of years allowing us to publish these Rounds Played Reports with high statistical confidence and the ability to segment the data down to 49 key golf markets. I encourage all golf course operators to take advantage of this free and valuable management tool.”

View the report here.

The final four players joining the 2015 RBC Canadian Open field will be determined Monday following the conclusion of final qualifying play at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton, Ont.

Sixty-three players, many of whom have earned their way via the three regional qualifying events across Canada, will battle over 18 holes of stroke-play in hopes of competing in the 2015 RBC Canadian Open being held July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

A total of 38 Canadians will take to Heron Point on Monday, including Team Canada Young Pro Squad members Albin Choi of Toronto and Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. Also looking to join the 14 Canadians already confirmed as part of the RBC Canadian Open field are Team Canada Development Squad member Étienne Papineau of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que., and Danny King of Milton, Ont., who recently captured the PGA of Canada and PGA of Ontario Championships.

Click here for pairings, start times and results for RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifying on Monday, July 20. Live scoring will not be available and results will be available as players complete their rounds.

Markham, Ont. – Canada’s Austin Connelly shot a third-round 2-under 70 at Angus Glen Golf Club to sit within striking distance of medal podium contention in the Pan Am Games Golf Competition at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.

Connelly, 18, made an early charge up the leaderboard, at one point sitting solo second at the turn. His lone blemish on an otherwise steady day would be a double-bogey on the par-four 11^th hole at Angus Glen Golf Club. The first year member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Squad heads into Sunday’s final round with a share of third with two other golfers at 7-under par, four shots off the lead.

Canadian Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., battled tough in his third round, carding a quadruple bogey, two bogeys and six birdies to finish even-par for the second consecutive day and 7-over through three rounds at Angus Glen, good for a share of 20^th position. Rank’s play has been consistent except for blow-up holes in each of tournament rounds round including three triples and a quad over 54 holes.

Second-round leader Felipe Aguilar of Chile shot a three-under 69 (11-under through 54 holes) to head into Sunday’s final round with a two-shot lead over Colombia’s Marcelo Rozo, who tied the course-record 63 to sit two shots back at 9-under. Canada’s Austin Connelly is tied for third at 7-under with Argentina’s Tommy Cocha and American Lee McCoy.

Click here to the see the complete men’s individual leaderboard

In the women’s individual competition, Canadian Lorie Kane followed up a disappointing 83 on Friday with 3-over 75 to climb into a share of 20^th position at 21-over through 54 holes.

Sitting atop the women’s leaderboard is American Andrea Lee who shot a two-under 70 Saturday to climb to nine-under for the tournament, good for a two-shot lead over Columbia’s Mariajo Uribe while Julieta Granada of Paraguay is solo third at 5-under.

Click here see the complete women’s individual leaderboard

In the overall mixed team competition, Canada moved up two position into 9^th spot through 54 holes. The team competition counts the top male and female score each day from each of the participating countries.

Click here to see the complete overall team leaderboard

Due to the expected inclement weather Sunday, July 19, final round tee times for the Pan Am Games will be off split tees starting at 8 A.M. Players will play from both the 1^st and 10^th holes. Regulation play is estimated to be completed by 3 P.M. (followed by any required playoffs). Medal ceremonies will commence immediately following the end of competition, if the weather conditions are suitable.

THIRD-ROUND QUOTES FROM TEAM CANADA:

Austin CONNELLY (CAN)

On his scoring on the par-fives this week:

“I really attribute that, more to (the fact that) I switched wedges right before the week started. I had ’em shipped to Angus Glen. And I changed wedge shafts, and these wedges have a little more feel at the bottom. They’re a little bit heavier. And I have much better feel. Right now, if I have anything inside about 80 yards, pretty much all week, I’ve been inside four or five feet.”

On being three shots off the lead:

“It’s just a golf tournament; it’s another round tomorrow. Come out and hit all the shots as good as you can. Add ’em up at the end and see where you are.”

On the fan support:

“Ya, it’s pretty special to have all the fans out here. It’s been a great experience the last couple days. I’ve gotten a lot of support, which is always nice. To hear the cheers…it’s really a great atmosphere here.”

On his performance so far:

“I feel like I’ve played solid. I can definitely hit the ball better. I need to ball-strike better to have a chance to win tomorrow (July 19). But I’m really rolling it well right now. I feel like if I can just give myself a lot of opportunities, I feel like I can make a lot of birdies.”

Garrett RANK (CAN)

On his first three rounds of the tournament:

“It’s been an adventurous first three days; it’s really been feast or famine but a lot of great golf, just two or three bad holes.”

“I had a good game plan coming into this week and felt comfortable, just four bad holes; three triple bogeys and a quadruple bogey, quickly that’s thirteen over… you just can’t make big numbers.”

On his quadruple bogey on hole #4 today:

“I got off to a really good start and didn’t really hit a bad shot and then just got caught in the long grass and took a bunch to get it out of there. It was nice to fight back… it could have been a really good day, a lot of good golf and nothing to be discouraged about.” 

Lorie KANE (CAN)

On her bounce back round of 3-over 75, eight shots better than Friday’s second round 83:

“I just felt a little more comfortable. I did some work last night. I probably hit the middle of the clubface a few more times today. (On the greens) I never holed anything today, really. But felt good about most things, so we’ll just build from there.”

On her mindset for tomorrow:

“Go out and entertain. That’s what I do. I play golf for a living and I’m very lucky to be able to do that. And to have the Pan American Games and be a part of that here in Toronto, with the great fans and the support that we’re getting, and all the people in orange t-shirts that are the support team around the Pan Ams. It’s pretty special. I think the city’s done a great job.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS

CN and Golf Canada are pleased to announce the six champions of Saturday’s CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event at the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., site of next week’s 2015 RBC Canadian Open.

The National Event, running for the seventh consecutive year, crowned female and male champions from three age groups (9-11, 12-14 and 15-18). Among the 22 participants from across the country, the following six individuals emerged as champions:

• Eric Collier, Copper Creek Golf Club, ON (Boys 9-11)
• Emily Zhu, Copper Creek Golf Club, ON (Girls 9-11)
• Nathan Hogan, Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club, NB (Boys 12-14)
• Laura Wong, Seymour Golf & Country Club, BC (Girls 12-14)
• Tyler Leclair, Seymour Golf & Country Club, BC (Boys 15-18)
• Elizabeth Blier, Club de Golf La Vallée du Richelieu, QC (Girls 15-18).

The winners of each age group received a champion’s package from Titleist Footjoy. In addition, Tyler Leclair and Elizabeth Blier – winners of the 15-18 age groups – have earned exemptions into their local 2016 CN Future Links Championship.

“It was really fun playing against all the great competition out here,” said boys 9-11 winner Eric Collier. “I really wasn’t sure if I was going to win but I hit a few great shots in the end and came out on top today, it was so much fun.”

Saturday’s National Event tested juniors in a four-part skills challenge which tested putting, chipping, driving and iron play. The participants, split into three different age groups, were invited based on their scores from individual Skills Challenge events hosted at local clubs throughout the year by CN Future Links instructors.

To celebrate the event being hosted for the first time leading into the RBC Canadian Open, junior participants will also have the opportunity to test the storied Glen Abbey layout in an exciting match play format on Sunday, July 19^th. Following that, junior participants will be provided weekly grounds passes and have an opportunity to be involved in Monday’s Canada Day Pro-Am and secure a spot in Wednesday’s CN Future Links Walk with a Pro event during the Championship Pro-Am.

“The CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event is in place to recognize individuals from across the country in three age groups who have accumulated the highest score in our four key skill areas—chipping, putting, iron play and driving,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “The event’s first time being integrated into the RBC Canadian Open made for a very memorable event and we thank all competitors for their participation.”

Current CN Future Links programming includes the Learn to Play program as well as mobile clinics, PGA Jr. League, Girls Club, Field Trip and the CN Future Links Championships. As part of its investment in Canadian junior golf, CN is also a proud supporter of Golf in Schools.

In 2014, CN Future Links junior golf activities were conducted at 455 golf facilities with more than 7,000 juniors registered in the Learn to Play program. In addition, 160 golf facilities took part in the Junior Skills Challenge running more than 3,200 juniors through qualifying events. More than 56,000 youngsters participated in more than 1,200 mobile golf clinics across the country. Since 2006, more than 1.2 million children have been introduced to golf through the CN Future Links program.

Click here for pictures of CN Future Links at the 2015 RBC Canadian Open

CALGARY – Jennifer Ha wins the 2015 Sun Life Financial Alberta Ladies Amateur after a rainy round at Lynx Ridge Golf Club, finishing -8, 205. It was a close finish between Ha and Garrison, with the two going head-to-head in the championship round. A strong front nine game, which included three birdies, put Ha ahead by four strokes to take the title. 

“It feels incredible,” Ha reflects on her win. “This is definitely something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”

After recently graduating from Kent State University, Ha hopes to turn pro in the near future. “This is a big stepping stone. A lot of great players have won this event and I’m really looking for a chance to be following their foot steps.”

Sabrine Garrison from Country Hills G&CC came close to Ha, finishing 4 under 209. The defending champion, Jaclyn Lee, placed third gaining a spot to compete in the 2015 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship alongside Ha and Garrison.

After ending the final round with a tie for lead, Meaghan LeBlanc and Jocelyn Alford were forced into a playoff for the Mid Amateur title. “I wasn’t really expecting to go out again,” says LeBlanc, from Bearspaw Country Club. She took the win with +9 for the tournament. “I was kind of surprised … I think I did well despite the weather.”

Meg Nicholson, also from Bearspaw Country Club, battled to first place for the Mid Master Championship win despite the poor weather conditions. “Thanks to all the competitors. Without everybody playing we wouldn’t have this,” Nicholson said of the tournament.

Photos from the championship can be found on Alberta Golf’s Facebook page, here. 

Click here for full scoring.

The sun shone bright over Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B., as Calvin Ross and Allison Chandler secured the CN Future Links Atlantic titles to conclude the championship’s 2015 series.

Calvin Ross was locked in a four-way tie for the lead following the first day of competition before breaking through with a three stroke lead after day two. The Fredericton, N.B., product maintained momentum into the final round, posting a 1-under par 71 for a 215 total.

“Today started out well, I got off to a great start with a birdie and from there, I was just playing conservative and trying for a few more birdies. I was really just trying to hit greens and make some pars and continue on,” said Ross. He went on to string together eight pars to follow up his opening birdie for a 1-under on the front nine.

Ross claims the Atlantic title after having recently recorded runner-up finishes at the 2015 New Brunswick Junior Boys Championship and at the 2015 Kent Ford Motors Bouctouche East Coast Junior Championship. “It feels great to finally break through. I’ve been playing well all year, but I have just been coming up a little bit short, so it’s great to finally win one.”

Challenging Ross was Ryan Legault who opened the day with an impressive 6-under front nine before finishing with at 67 for the low round of the tournament. The early push from the Charlottetown, P.E.I., native earned him second place at 218. Finishing in third at 221 with a final round of 74 was five-time Newfoundland and Labrador Junior Boys Champion Blair Bursey of Gander, Nfld.

The 16-year-old Ross has earned an exemption into the 2015 Canadian Junior Boys Championship to gauge his skills against a field of top juniors. The five runner-up finishers in the Junior Boys division at the CN Future Links Atlantic Championship have also earned exemptions to compete in the national championship from August 2-6 at Summerlea Golf & Country Club in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que.

Allison Chandler opened the third round with a three-stroke lead over Claire Konning of Indian Mountain, N.B., but it was Laura Jones of Moncton, N.B., who would challenge Chandler down the stretch. After hole 13, Jones had climbed within two of the lead, but Chandler maintained her focus to secure the win.

“I was more nervous than I thought I would be,” said Chandler on playing with the lead. “I tried not to think about it and instead tried to think of it as any other round.”

Chandler signed for a 3-over 75, matching her opening round for the lowest score in the Junior Girls division. The Chester, N.S., native concluded the competition with four birdies to finish at 227. The 17-year-old credits her tee shots for the victory. “I drove the ball really well and very consistently.”

Runner-up Laura Jones posted a round of 4-over 76 with three birdies to finish at 232. Third-place finisher Felixe Jacques of St-Gabriel de Valcartier, Que., shot a final round 79.

With the victory, Chandler has earned her place in the 2015 Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton, Sask., from August 3-7. Chandler looks to improve upon a T15 finish at the 2014 edition of the national championship hosted at Thornhill Golf & Country Club in Thornhill, Ont. She has also earned an exemption into a 2016 Canadian Women’s Tour event of her choice.

The five runners-up in the Junior Girls division of the CN Future Links Atlantic Championship have also earned their way into the field at the 2015 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

The CN Future Links Atlantic Championship marks the final stop in a series of six tournaments presented by Golf Canada in partnership with CN. The 2015 series opened at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach, B.C., where Team Canada Development Squad members Trevor Ranton (Waterloo, Ont.) and Grace St-Germain (Ottawa, Ont.) found the podium at the championship’s Pacific edition. Ontarians Jack Simpson (Aurora, Ont.) and Alyssa Getty (Ruthven, Ont.) captured the titles in their home province at Pine Knot Golf & Country Club in Dorchester, Ont.

Joining the winners circle at the Prairie Championship were Alexander Smith (Calgary, Alta.) and Development Squad member Alisha Lau (Richmond, B.C.) at Cooke Municipal Golf Course in Prince Albert, Sask. At Golf Château-Bromont in Bromont, Que., Alyssa Getty claimed her second CN Future Links title of the season while Jason Chung (Thornhill, Ont.) took the Quebec Junior Boys title. Jason Martens (Edmonton, Alta.,) and Kenna Hughes (Calgary, Alta.,) captured the Western Championship at the Goose Hummock Golf Course in Gibbons, Alta.

For full results from the 2015 CN Future Links Atlantic Championship, please visit the tournament website here.

While most of the golf world went to sleep Wednesday dreaming of the third major championship of the year and Scottish greens, Austin Connelly, Garrett Rank, and Lorie Kane did not.

Instead, they were getting ready for the Pan American Games, and dreaming of gold, sliver and bronze.

The three aforementioned golfers will represent Canada when the golf portion of the 2015 games begins Thursday. It will wrap up Sunday afternoon.

Brooke Henderson was supposed to round out the foursome but withdrew June 29th to concentrate on her professional career.

However, on a conference call with Canadian media Wednesday, the conversation had shifted away from who wasn’t there to who were, and what they were trying to accomplish this week.

“It’s too bad for Brooke that she’s not here, but we’ve got a really strong team in myself and the two guys across the table from me. We do have an opportunity to still medal,” Kane said. “I understand Brooke’s situation and it’s a difficult one, but this is where we are.”

“I’m going to tee it up tomorrow as part of Team Canada and I’m going to do my best, as will the other two guys here, and we’ll see how it goes,” she continued.

Rank, Connelly and Kane will combine their scores for the team portion of the competition, while Rank and Connelly will try for a medal on the men’s side, and Kane will go for gold on the female side of the draw.

To get to this point, Derek Ingram – the men’s coach – said the process is something that has been in the works for several years.

“We’ve been preparing a lot of things behind the scenes for a long time – two years or more in some cases – so it’s nice that it’s finally arrived,” he said. “We’re down to crunch time and playing golf, which is what everyone loves to do.”

Tristan Mullally joins Ingram in the coach’s corner.

Mullally, Golf Canada’s women’s national team head coach, will concentrate on Kane over the four days of competition. He admitted there is much more happening now than at a regular golf event.

“We’re part of a team and that’s a great honour, but there are lots of great athletes around. There are people here who are sporting legends and heroes,” he explained. “We’re doing everything we can to make sure these guys can go play and that’s what they will do. And, they’ll do it well.”

Despite the excitement for the Pan Am Games, Connelly and Rank will both be making their debuts at the RBC Canadian Open next week. That said, they both are committed to focusing on one thing at a time.

“This is a great opportunity and a really cool environment to be a part of. Austin and I will probably not get a chance to play in something like this again, so it’s just a matter of staying focused and enjoying the opportunity,” explained Rank.

“It’s an honour to represent Canada,” continued Connelly. “While the PGA Tour event is really an honour to play in, it’s going to be a fun week this week.”

Despite the difference in ages – Kane is 50, while Rank is 27 and Connelly is 18 – the triumvirate is all working towards the same goal.

“We played a practice round together as a team and they kicked my butt to be honest,” said Kane with a laugh. “These two have lots of experience, it’s just a little different than my 19 years on the LPGA Tour. But, we’re all here doing the same thing – representing our country – and we’re all proud to do that.”

And for Rank – who works full-time for the National Hockey League as a referee – this week is particularly special.

“It’s the pinnacle of my golf career so far,” he said.

It might be time for some of those dreams to become a reality.

The Pan Am Games golf competition gets started at 8 a.m. Thursday from Angus Glen. The full schedule can be found here.