Kent State University’s Veronika Kedroňová shot 2-under to secure wire-to-wire victory in individual competition; Clairey Lin nabs win at Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp

AURORA, Ont. –The Auburn University Tigers shot a field-best 12-under on Tuesday to complete a come-from-behind victory at the inaugural Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ont.

The Tigers began the final round trailing the Kent State University Golden Flashes by three strokes after opening the tournament with a collective score of 4-under in wet conditions. On Tuesday, the Tigers pounced on the course’s dry terrain to claim the team championship by six strokes, using a field-best 66 from sophomore Balma Davalos of Castellón de la Plana, Spain to cement their victorious charge up the leaderboard.

“She has improved so much,” praised Auburn’s head coach Melissa Luellen of her sophomore, Davalos, following the win. “She had a tremendous summer – shooting 22-under par in the European Individual Championship – and her confidence is the biggest difference. Her belief is really high right now and if you believe, you can do great things in this game,” she added.

Davalos got Auburn off to a hot start with three birdies through her opening four holes. She filled the cup with three more on Nos. 10, 16 and 1 while mixing in an eagle at the par-5 12th to negate a pair of consecutive bogeys on Nos. 13 and 14. Her efforts were supported by a 4-under performance from Molly Brown Davidson of Springville, Ala. and a pair of 1-under finishes by Anne Fernandez of Singapore and Anna Davis of Spring Valley, Calif.

Charlotte Cantonis of Tampa, Fla. carded a round of 74 to also help the Tigers clinch their win at the debut championship on Tuesday.

“We have a very young group here,” said Luellen, noting their oldest player at the tournament being Davis, a junior while two of her seniors were out competing at Q School this week. “For the young ones to pull together and shoot some great scores, I couldn’t be more proud.”

In the individual competition, Veronika Kedroňová of Roznov pod Radhostem, Czech Republic was able to convert on her 18-hole lead with a 2-under showing on Tuesday to claim the championship over Davalos by two strokes.

The Czech international kicked off her final round with a birdie at the first to get to 7-under par. A bogey at the third reeled her back a touch but would only cause a brief wobble for Kedroňová, who responded with four consecutive pars and a birdie at the par-3 eighth to hold onto her multi-stroke lead. After the turn, Kedroňová filled the cup with three more birdies, working around dropped shots at Nos. 11 and 16 to put the finishing touches on her first individual victory of the 2025 campaign.  

“It’s amazing. I’ve been struggling a little in the last couple of months and this event was a good turnaround. I’m just so happy,” praised Kedroňová, who struggled to put into words the meaning of Tuesday’s win following her final round.

The victory secures Kedroňová a spot in the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open as well as next year’s Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO. She will be joined in the latter by Davalos, Fernandez, Madison Messimer of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Leon Takagi of Tokyo, Japan and Jaclyn LaHa of Pleasanton, Calif. who all picked up exemptions into the 112th playing of Canada’s oldest female amateur event.

“I never thought I’d get to play in an LPGA Tour event this soon so I’m super excited to see how I’ll do,” said Kedroňová, who has previously teed off in Ladies European Tour events but none to the magnitude of the LPGA Tour.

Additionally, Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. was able to clinch her third victory of the 2025 campaign with a comeback win at the Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp. Lin, who started her round on Tuesday in a three-way tie for the top spot of the leaderboard, rallied around a 4-under front nine to secure her place on the 2026 Team Canada – NextGen team and win the event by a trio of strokes with rounds of 73-67-140.

To view the full leaderboard from the final round of the Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational, please click here. For the final leaderboard of the Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp, please click here.

Kent State’s Veronika Kedroňová leads individual competition at 6-under; three players share top spot in the Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp

AURORA, Ont. – The Kent State Golden Flashes opened a three-shot lead over the Auburn Tigers in the first round of the Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational with a score of 7-under par. 

Unbothered by the morning’s inclement weather that delayed Monday’s opening round by nearly two hours, the Golden Flashes were able to capitalize on a favourable back nine to help set the pace during the first-ever round of the Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational.  

Beginning her round on the 5th hole of a shotgun start, Veronika Kedroňová of Roznov pod Radhostem, Czech Republic led the charge for the Golden Flashes. Steady throughout the entire round, Kedroňová made seven birdies to pull her way into the outright lead of the individual leaderboard.  

“We have an amazing team culture,” commented Kedroňová following her round of 66 on Monday. “I don’t know how many teams have that kind of friendship we have on our team and we’re really together and playing for each other rather than just trying to post our own scores,” she added.  

Kedroňová, a member of the Czech Republic national golf team and ranked within the top 200 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), started her opening round on the fifth hole and grabbed the outright lead after rolling in back-to-back birdie putts on Nos. 15 and 16 to get to 5-under. A bogey on the 18th would be the only speed bump to Kedroňová’s round, navigating around the blemish with immediate birdies on the par-4 second and par-5 fourth to help take a two-stroke edge over Auburn’s Anne Fernandez of Singapore.  

The Czech international looks to keep her game plan the same heading into Tuesday’s final round, maintaining the iron play and putting that led her to a low round on Monday. Her play with the flatstick was the major takeaway for the tournament’s leader through 18 holes, having recently adjusted her putting ahead of the collegiate season. 

“For me it’s just a matter of rolling the ball. [Today] I would get up to the green when it was kind of close and I just tried to roll it somewhere, and it would just end up in the hole,” Kedroňová commented.  

Prior to Kedroňová finishing her opening round at the fourth, her Kent State teammate Leon Takagi of Tokyo, Japan briefly held the clubhouse lead at 3-under, having worked around a double-bogey at the par-5 seventh with birdies on Nos. 9, 12, 14,16 and 4 to turn her day around and stay within striking distance of her teammate.  

Notably, Takagi and Kedroňová are joined in the top ten of the individual leaderboard by another one of their teammates, Isabella Goyette of Medina, Ohio. Goyette pieced together a 2-under 70 to round out the trio of Golden Flashes in the top ten.  

Madison Messimer of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Charlotte Cantonis of Tampa, Fla. will start the final round alongside Takagi at 3-under, three shots off the pace. A group of five players sit a shot behind at 2-under par.  

Playing in the Team Canada Selection Camp running concurrently with this week’s Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational, Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont., Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. and Jodie Han of Vancouver, B.C. all pieced together rounds of 73 to each grab a share of the lead heading into Tuesday’s final round.  

The trio will look to separate from one another with a guaranteed spot on the 2026 Team Canada – NextGen team awarded to the event’s winner. Alongside the collegiate players, this group will be part of a 9 a.m. local time shotgun start on Tuesday. 

Due to heavy rain delaying the start of Monday’s opening round, tournament organizers have shortened both tournaments from 54 holes to 36 in an effort to ensure a timely finish.  

Co-hosted by the University of Michigan and Kent State University, the inaugural championship features nine additional NCAA Division I teams and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds, the latter sitting in 11th through 18 holes at 20-over par.  

The winner of the individual competition on Tuesday will receive an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open, while the top five finishers – including the winner – will nab exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, set to descend on The Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont. for the 112th playing of the event. 

To view the full leaderboard from the opening round of the Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational, please click here. For an updated leaderboard and tee times from the Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp, please click here.

Twelve collegiate programs will tee off for 54 holes in debut tournament.

AURORA, Ont. – The Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational debuts at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ont. September 21 – 23, welcoming several NCAA Division I women’s golf teams and the 2025 Canadian University/College Championship winners for 54 holes of competition.

Co-hosted by the University of Michigan and Kent State University, the inaugural championship will feature nine additional NCAA Division I teams and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds. Last spring, the Thunderbirds punched their ticket into next week’s tournament through their victory at the Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO – their eighth consecutive national championship triumph and eighteenth overall.  

“We are excited to get play underway at the very first Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational this week at Beacon Hall Golf Club,” said Sam Meek, Senior Coordinator High Performance at Golf Canada and Tournament Director of next week’s championship. “The tournament pairs together our country’s best female collegiate talent with notable NCAA Division I programs at a venue proven to challenge some of best young talents in the sport today. We extend our thanks to the membership and staff at Beacon Hall for hosting as well as a special thanks to Jan Dowling at Michigan and Casey VanDamme at Kent State for their efforts as event co-hosts,” added Meek.

The tournament will kick off on Monday, September 22 and wrap up on Tuesday, September 23, with a practice round preceding action on Sunday, September 21. After 36 holes on Monday and a final round on Tuesday, a winner in both the individual and team competition will be crowned.

The team component will feature five members per team with the top four scores for the round counting towards the overall team score. Auburn, Central Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi (Ole Miss), Purdue, Rutgers, South Florida, Tennessee and Virginia will round out the field alongside UBC and co-hosts Michigan and Kent State.

The individual competition will be stroke-play, with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open and the top five receiving exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, set to descend on The Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont. for the 112th playing of the event.

Additionally, the selection camp for the Team Canada – NextGen Girls squad will be contested concurrently with next week’s Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Beacon Hall Golf Club. Twenty of Canada’s top junior girls will battle for a spot on Team Canada – NextGen in 2026, awarded to the tournament’s winner after 54 holes.

Beacon Hall was the inspiration of Bryan Leggett and Bill Carruthers, and its mission is to deliver a premier standard of excellence across all aspects of its membership experience. The Bob Cupp designed course opened on July 1, 1988, and since 1990 has ranked as one of the top 10 courses in Canada by SCOREGolf Magazine. In addition, Beacon Hall is consistently ranked as one of the top 100 courses outside the United States.

The course is known for its distinctively different front and back nine. The front nine features strands of pine trees, giving a similar feel to courses in the Carolinas and Georgia while the back includes fescue and waste bunkers to provide a similar look and feel to traditional Scottish links style courses.

“We are thrilled to showcase Beacon Hall during the Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational, celebrating the future of amateur golf and bringing together some of the finest talent from Canada, the United States and around the world,” said Sean DeSilva, General Manager, Beacon Hall Golf Club. “We are proud to offer these talented players the chance to experience our wonderful golf course and enjoy the same exceptional environment our members do every day. It’s a privilege to give back to the game we love and help foster the growth of amateur and Canadian golf.”

Beacon Hall Golf Club has hosted several marquee tournaments in the past, including the 100th playing of the PGA Championship of Canada in 2022, the U.S. Open Local Qualifier in 2017 and Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship in 1998.

The course will add the first-ever playing of the Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational to its hosting list when play gets underway on Monday. To view the full field, tee times and live leaderboards throughout the week, please click here.

Calen Sanderson fired an 8-under 64 to land the individual championship; Alexis Rouleau locks up 2026 Team Canada – NextGen spot with win at Team Canada Selection Camp.   

MACTIER, Ont. – The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish put the finishing touches on their wire-to-wire victory at the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational on Tuesday, collectively shooting 10-under par to once again leave Öviinbyrd Golf Club with a series of hardware for a second consecutive year.  

Represented by Calen Sanderson of Newton, Pa., Pavel Tsar of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Nate Stevens of Northfield, Minn., Rocco Salvitti of Canonsburg, Pa. and Jacob Modleski of Noblesville, Ind. the Fighting Irish failed to take their foot off the gas all week long to claim the championship by 10 strokes at 35-under.  

“I think the secret to a great team is depth and we got ten guys on our team right now that are just phenomenal players,” praised Notre Dame’s Head Coach and Director of Golf, John Handrigan. “They played amazing this week, and 35-under par is pretty impressive,” he added.  

The defending champions opened the second playing of the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational on Sunday with a 12-under showing to take a narrow three-stroke lead over the University of Michigan Wolverines into Monday’s second round. Led by Stevens’ 5-under 67 in round one, the momentum for the defending champions quickly shifted to the red-hot play of Sanderson, with their senior going on to blitz the final 36 holes with a team-high 15 birdies to secure both himself and his program an individual and team championship respectively.  

Sanderson led the Fighting Irish with rounds of 65 and 64 in the second and third round respectively. He wrapped up his week with scores of 68- 65- 64- 197 to edge out Lucas Politano of Brandon, Vt. at 19-under and lock up a spot in the 2026 RBC Canadian Open through his individual win.  

“Anytime you can have an individual win, and a team win is great,” said Sanderson following his round. “It’s awesome to come back and defend as team champions at this event…Especially with our coach being from right in this area so it means a lot to win it for him,” he added. Handrigan hails from Bracebridge, Ont., located about 30 minutes east of Öviinbyrd Golf Club and was emotional while putting into perspective what Tuesday’s victory meant for his senior, Sanderson. 

“It almost brings me to tears. I’m so proud of him. He’s worked so hard for four years and he hasn’t seen results, but he kept grinding and kept working every day and just never gave up,” said Handrigan. “He’s earned this, it’s just been a ton of hard work so it’s very rewarding for him to see something like this come and obviously the RBC Canadian Open exemption is amazing,” he added. “Calen earned this one.”  

Politano – who started his final round on the par-5 fourth – briefly held the outright lead on Tuesday, pouring in three-consecutive birdies on Nos. 16, 17 and 18 to get to 17-under and hold a one-shot advantage over Sanderson who was four holes behind. A birdie at the first vaulted the Rutgers product into the clubhouse lead, but the score ultimately became a footnote to his 9-under 63 after Sanderson birdied the 17th to reclaim the top spot on the leaderboard and clinch his individual honours.  

Sanderson rolled in eight birdie putts to cap off a bogey-free 64, capitalizing on every par-5 except for the last, where he two-putted for par to seal the deal on his first win of 2025. On Monday, Sanderson identified his ability to take advantage of the scoreable par-5s as the leading cause to him soaring up the leaderboard and nabbing the outright lead after 36 holes. On Tuesday, he credited his ability to fight until the very end of his round as the recipe for securing both him and his team a championship.  

“I just wanted to compete hard until the last putt dropped and I was telling myself whatever you think you need, you probably need about two or three [shots] more and that was very true today,” said Sanderson. “I’m proud of the way I handle that and stayed present throughout the whole day. 

“I played really solid golf all day. Gave myself a ton of birdie chances and don’t think I missed a green all day. Every birdie was great momentum and kept building throughout the day,” he added. 

Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. led the Canadian contingent, finishing seven-strokes off the pace and in third place to open his sophomore season at Kent State University on a high. Tuesday’s result clinches Ibit a spot in next year’s Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, with the Team Canada – NextGen member being joined by Sanderson, Politano, Modleski, John Logan of Wilmington, N.C., Alex Creamean of Winnetka, Ill., R.J Arone of Las Vegas, Nev., Dean Muratore of Dix Hills, N.Y. and Gray Mitchum of Greenville, N.C. who all finished in the top five to secure their spot in Canada’s oldest amateur tournament.  

Additionally, Alexis Rouleau of Montreal, Que. also secured a vital spot for his 2026 season on Tuesday, edging out Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. by a single stroke at the Team Canada Selection Camp to win the tournament and lock up a guaranteed spot on Team Canada – NextGen for next season. The event was held concurrently with this week’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational and brought together 27 junior talents from across the country to compete for a lucrative position on Team Canada’s roster. To view the final leaderboard from the Team Canada Selection Camp, please click here.  

The second playing of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational was conducted by Golf Canada and co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University who are both led by Canadian head coaches, Jon Mills (Kent State) and Mark Leon (Penn State). The tournament featured 10 NCAA Division I men’s golf teams with prominent Canadian ties along with the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds. UBC qualified after winning the 2025 Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO, earlier this summer at Rivershore Golf Links in Kamloops, B.C. 

Both the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational and Team Canada Selection Camp were contested over 54 holes and featured a shotgun start throughout Tuesday’s final round. The team component of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational featured five members per team with the top four scores for the day counting to the overall team score. 

To view the full leaderboard of the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Invitational, please click here.  

University of Notre Dame Senior Calen Sanderson grabs outright lead in individual competition following team-best 7-under performance on Monday.  

MacTier, Ont. – The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish moved a step closer to successfully defending their 2024 title on Monday, collectively shooting 13-under at Öviinbyrd Golf Club to carry a five-stroke lead into the final round of the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

On Sunday, Nate Stevens of Northfield, Minn., kicked off the tournament with a team-best 5-under 67 to help the Fighting Irish set the pace at 12-under par. On Monday, it was his teammate, Calen Sanderson of Newtown, Pa. who carried the charge for the defending champions, piecing together a bogey-free 7-under 67 to extend his side’s lead over the University of Michigan Wolverines to five strokes heading into the final round of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

Sanderson, who began his second round on Monday in sixth place on the Individual leaderboards after opening with a 4-under 68, rolled in seven birdie putts to not only help inch his team closer to victory, but grab the outright lead in the tournament’s individual competition as well.

Birdies on Nos. four and seven got things going for Sanderson before the senior poured on four more birdies over the next six holes to charge up the leaderboard and grab a share of the lead with Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont., at 10-under. Sanderson would go on to make par on his holes 14 through 17 before rolling in a birdie putt on the last to take a one-stroke edge over Ibit at 11-under.

“I’ve been playing the par-5s great this week, I think I’ve taken care of every single one of them with birdie so if you can do that here, you’re setting yourself up for success. I’ve done a great job of that over the last few days and am looking to keep it up tomorrow,” said Sanderson after nabbing birdies at all four of the course’s par-5s to help reel into contention on Monday.

As for Sanderson’s ambition of clinching another Canadian Collegiate Invitational, the message remains simple for the unit he feels is well-equipped with the right personnel to put the finishing touches on a wire-to-wire victory come Tuesday.

“We just got to compete hard until the last putt drops. We’re a great team and have so much talent and so much depth on this team and every one of us is capable of shooting the best score on the team tomorrow,” said Sanderson. “I fully believe in all these guys, and I know we’re going to have a great day tomorrow.”

Individually, the Notre Dame product will be rivalled by Ibit, who overcame an errant drive that resulted in a double bogey on the second hole with five birdies to claw his way to a hard-fought 70 on Monday.  

“I knew there were holes ahead that I could easily get the strokes back, so I didn’t really pay It much attention,” commented Ibit. “Just play your own game, try and shoot the best score you can and at the end of the day just see what happens,” he added. Ibit, who finished runner-up in the event’s individual competition last year, will begin the final round a stroke behind Sanderson and with a one-shot lead of his own over Lucas Politano of Brandon, Vt., the latter catching fire on Monday with a six-under performance to get into contention.

Jacob Modleski of Noblesville, Ind. and John Logan of Wilmington, N.C. both trail Politano at 8-under and are in a tie for fourth, with Logan tying the course record on Monday with an impressive 9-under 63.

The winner of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational individual competition will earn a spot in the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, while the top five finishers at the end of Tuesday’s final round will secure a place in next year’s Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

As for the second round of the Team Canada Selection Camp taking place concurrently alongside this week’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational, Alexis Rouleau of Montreal, Que. each leads Emile Lebrun of Laval, Que by three strokes at 6-under par. Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. sits a stroke back of Lebrun in third while Dawson Lew of Toronto, Ont. and Austin Krahn of Christina Lakes, B.C. rounds out the top five at 1-under and 2-over respectively through 36 holes. Tuesday’s winner will receive a guaranteed spot on the Team Canada squad in 2026.

To view the full leaderboard of the Team Canada Selection Camp, please click here. To view the full leaderboard, as well as find final round tee times and further information on the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, please click here.

Team Canada NextGen member and Kent State University Sophomore Isaiah Ibit holds lead in Individual competition after 8-under 64 performance.

MacTier, Ont. – The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish were able to carry over the momentum from their win at last year’s event on Sunday, collectively shooting 12-under to take a three-stroke lead at the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club.

Nate Stevens of Northfield, Minn. led the charge for the defending champions on Sunday, rolling in six birdies to finish his opening round with a team-best 5-under 67. Stevens’ productive opening round was supported by his teammates Jacob Modleski of Noblesville, Ind. and Calen Sanderson of Newton, Pa. who both wrapped up their first rounds at three and four under par respectively.

“We played here well last year, I had some nice rounds too so a lot of confidence on this course,” said Stevens following his round. The Notre Dame product referenced his unique familiarity with the course’s winds to helping better his score on Sunday and looks to maintain that same grasp on the conditions over the final 36 holes.

“Today it was a different wind than we saw yesterday so I was prepared having a couple extra rounds. I hope we’re the most prepared team in the field with how many times we played here,” he added.

Vying for their second title in as many years, the Fighting Irish will have the luxury of doing so from a position of strength with the 18-hole lead and a slight edge over their closest chasers, the University of Michigan Wolverines. Nicolas Simon of Elk Grove Village, Ill. fired a 4-under 68 to help power the Wolverines into contention, with the group set to begin Monday’s second round three shots off the pace at 9-under.

In the Individual competition, Team Canada NextGen member Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. was able to use Sunday’s warmer afternoon conditions to steam past clubhouse leader Stevens and take a three-stroke lead into Monday.

“It’s probably one of my favourite tournaments of the year if not my favourite so its really nice to be back… just kind of a dream weekend,” commented Ibit, who claimed his opening round of 8-under to be his best performance of his collegiate career. “I felt really good on the greens and hit some good putts today,” he added.

An eagle at the par-5 ninth vaulted Ibit into a tie with the clubhouse leader after starting his round with birdies on Nos. two, six and eight to begin his accession up the leaderboard. The Kent State University sophomore was able to distance himself from the pack at the turn, mixing in a trio of birdies at the 10th, 12th and 13th to rocket to eight-under.

The low round should come as no surprise for Ibit, who claimed last year’s Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, by shooting a 6-under 66 in his final round to overcome a two-stroke deficit and land his first victory of the 2024 campaign. Another low round at the 120th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, earlier this summer nearly clinched Ibit his second victory in the last year. His clutch 6-under 64 in the event’s final round secured the Ontarian in a playoff, only to be defeated on the second hole by Declan O’Donovan of Sydney, Australia.

As for the opening round of the Team Canada Selection Camp taking place concurrently alongside this week’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational, Henry Dao of La, Prairie, Que. leads Emile Lebrun of Laval, Que. by a single stroke at 4-under. Dao enters the final 36-holes of the Camp having pocketed a win already in 2025, accomplishing the feat at the 2025 NextGen Quebec Championship for his third victory at the event.

The winner of this week’s Team Canada Selection Camp will earn a secured spot on Team Canada for the 2026 campaign. Alexis Rouleau of Montreal, Que, Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. and Austin Krahn of Chrstina Lakes, B.C. round out the top five after 18 holes.

Both the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Invitational and Team Canada Selection Camp will resume on Monday. Full leaderboards Canadian Collegiate Invitational can be found here, while the rest of the leaderboard for the Team Canada Selection Camp can be found here.

Kent State University, Penn State University and University of Notre Dame headline talented field teeing off for 54-hole competition.

MacTier, Ont. – For the second time in as many years, the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational heads to Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont., September 14-16.

The 54-hole tournament will feature 11 teams and 62 collegiate players from Canada and the United States competing for the top spot in each of the event’s two competitions. An individual and team competition will run concurrently over 54 holes, with the top four scores from each team counting towards their final score following each of the three rounds.

The individual champion of this year’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational will earn a coveted exemption into the 2026 RBC Canadian Open set to return to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. Additionally, the top five finishers in the individual competition will also each receive exemptions into next year’s Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

“We are excited to kick off the second playing of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational after a successful debut last fall,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We’d also like to extend our appreciation to Kent State University and Penn State University for co-hosting this event that will gather a talented list of programs and players from across the NCAA at the hospitable Öviinbyrd Golf Club,” she added.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish collectively shot 17-under in last year’s team event to successfully claim the first-ever Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational. The leaderboard in last fall’s individual competition was headlined by Team Canada member Hunter Thomson of Calgary, Alta. who edged out current Team Canada – NextGen member Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. by a pair of strokes. Ibit will be returning to represent Kent State University this year. Also in the field is 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. McCulloch finished third last year while representing Michigan State University.

Having debuted in 2024, the Canadian Collegiate Invitational features NCAA Division I male golf programs with prominent Canadian ties from both a player and staff level. Co-hosted by Kent State University, Penn State University and their respective Canadian head coaches, Jon Mills and Mark Leon, the tournament aims to showcase the best of collegiate golf from both Canada and the United States with an emphasis on bringing competing players together for three days of exciting competition.

In addition to Kent State University and Penn State University, the Canadian Collegiate Invitational will also feature players from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Miami University (Ohio), University of Missouri, George Mason University, University of North Carolina – Wilmington, Rutgers University and the defending champions from the University of Notre Dame.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds will also tee off in this year’s event, having secured their place in the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Invitational through their victory at the 2025 Canadian University / College Championship, presented by BDO, that took place in Kamloops, B.C. earlier this season. It will be UBC’s second trip to Öviinbyrd Golf Club in as many years.

Öviinbyrd Golf Club is one of Canada’s premier golf courses, designed by Thomas McBroom and opened in 2004 in Muskoka, Ont. The 7,118-yard layout is set amongst the forests and exposed granite of the Canadian shield in Ontario’s famous cottage country and will create a challenging and memorable experience for the players.

“On behalf of the membership and management team at Öviinbyrd, we are delighted to once again host the Canadian Collegiate Invitational,” said Jeff Paterson, Öviinbyrd. “It’s an honour to welcome back elite NCAA athletes, the reigning Canadian University/College Champion and top Canadian junior boys to our club. Building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural event, we’re proud to carry this tradition and offer a world-class experience, in the heart of Muskoka.”

In addition, the Team Canada Selection Camp will run concurrently with the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club as Canada’s best junior boys will also be competing for one secured spot on the 2026 Team Canada – NextGen roster.

The 2025 Canadian Collegiate Invitational gets underway on Sunday, September 14. To view the full field, tee times and live leaderboards throughout the week, please click here.

Championship schedule to include 12 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and two Canadian Collegiate Invitationals in addition to Canada’s National Open Championships –
the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open

Golf Canada will also conduct qualifiers for several USGA Championships including Local and Final Qualifying for the U.S. Open as well as the U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Men’s and Women’s Amateurs and U.S. Junior Girls and Boys Championships

February 6, 2025 – Golf Canada is pleased to announce its full 2025 championship schedule, which includes amateur and professional competitions in addition to various qualifiers hosted at golf facilities across Canada.

The 2025 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s two National Open Championships — the RBC Canadian Open, taking place at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont. June 4-8 and the CPKC Women’s Open, being held at the historic
Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., August 20-24.

Golf Canada’s 2025 competition calendar also includes 12 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, two Canadian Collegiate Invitationals and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

As the National Sport Federation and governing body of golf in Canada, Golf Canada conducts the country’s premier amateur and professional golf championships to support the development of the nation’s top talent through world-class competition.

“We are pleased to announce the full championship schedule for 2025 and look forward to hosting the top amateur athletes from across the country and around the world competing for our prestigious national championships,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada Director, Amateur Championships and Rules. “On behalf of Golf Canada, I would like to thank our corporate partners, our host clubs across the country, our tournament staff and volunteers coast-to-coast who are essential in making these tournaments possible.”

The Canadian Junior Financial Assistance Program supported by Gary Cowan Heritage Fund and the Canadian Senior Golf Association will once again be available for juniors competing in the NextGen Championships and all National Junior Championships (Juniors and U15) who meet eligibility requirements. More details on the program for the 2025 season will be released later this month.

Golf Canada will also conduct several professional and amateur championship qualifiers including five regional qualifiers into the RBC Canadian Open as well as final qualifiers for both the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open.

Other notable qualifiers conducted for USGA Championships on the 2025 schedule include a U.S. Open Local and Final Qualifier, a U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier in addition to qualifiers for the U.S. Junior Amateur and Girls’ Junior Championships, U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, and a local qualifier for the U.S. Men’s Amateur Final qualifier.

Golf Canada’s championship season kicks off May 1-4 with the NextGen Pacific Championship at Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, B.C., the home course of 2023 RBC Canadian Open champion, Nick Taylor. The season concludes with the inaugural playing of the women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ont., September 22-23.

To view Golf Canada’s 2025 Championship Schedule, including all host venues, registration requirements and volunteer opportunities visit, golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.

2025 Amateur Championship Season at a Glance:

The second annual BDO National Golf League Finals will be held at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. on May 31 ahead of tournament week of the RBC Canadian Open. Fifty-two teams will compete in a four-ball net stableford format to crown the BDO National Golf League champions.

The Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO, will be held June 2-6 at Rivershore Golf Links in Kamloops, B.C. The championship includes both a team and individual component featuring Canada’s top university and college talent. The winning men’s and women’s team will qualify for their respective 2025 Canadian Collegiate Invitationals.

The 111th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, takes place July 21-25 at Riverside Country Club in Rothesay, N.B. The champion will earn an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

The 120th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested July 28-31 in Gatineau, Que. at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and the Rivermead Golf Club. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, as well as an invitation to the 2025 U.S. Men’s Amateur Championship. The winner will also receive an exemption into final qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Open and into the 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, will be played at The Dunes at Kamloops in Kamloops, B.C., August 4-7. The national championship for players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments, will be contested over 54-holes. Natasha Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. is the four-time defending champion on the women’s side, while Chris Willis of Aurora, Ont. has won the men’s title the past two years.

The Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be held August 5-8 at Club de golf Lachute in Lachute, Que. The field is open to female amateurs aged 25-and-over. The winner will receive exemptions into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur and the 2026 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships.

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested August 11-15 at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, N.B. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, will run August 12-16 at Club de golf Sainte-Marie in Sainte-Marie, Que. The winner will earn an exemption into the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, the 2026 U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship and the 2026 Canadian Junior Girls Championship (if eligible).

The Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be held August 18-22 at Seymour Golf & Country Club in North Vancouver, B.C. The field is open to male amateurs aged 25-and-over. The winner will receive exemptions into the 2025 U.S. Men’s Mid-Amateur, 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur and the 2026 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships.

The Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, will take place August 25-28 at Nanaimo Golf Club in Nanaimo, B.C. The winner will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship as well as the 2026 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur, 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2026 U.S. Women’s Senior Open. 

The second playing of the Canadian U15 Championship will be contested August 26-29 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C. The boys and girls’ individual champions will earn exemptions into their respective 2026 Canadian Junior Championship, presented by BDO and an invitation into the 2025 NextGen Selection Camp.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, will be played at KenWo Golf Club in New Minas, N.S., September 8-12. The winner will earn exemptions into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, the 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, 2026 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2026 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.

The men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational will return to Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 13-16. The tournament will be once again co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University. The intercollegiate tournament will feature eleven NCAA Division I teams along with the winners from the 2025 Canadian University/College Championship. The individual champion will receive an exemption into the 2026 RBC Canadian Open and the top five will earn exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. The boys NextGen Selection Camp will run concurrently with the invitational.

The tenth playing of the World Junior Girls Golf Championship will take place at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines, Ont., from September 15-20. Teams compete as three-member squads while also competing for an individual title. The Republic of Korea are the defending champions after beating Team Canada 1 through a tiebreaker. World no. 10 on WAGR, Soomin Oh, from the Republic of Korea won individual honours and will compete at the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club this August. The 2025 individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open.

The 2025 Amateur Championship season concludes with the inaugural playing of the women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational, being held at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ont., September 21-23. The tournament will be co-hosted by Kent State University and the University of Michigan. The intercollegiate tournament will feature 11 NCAA Division I teams along with the team champions from the 2025 Canadian University/College Championship. The individual winner will earn an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open and the top five will earn exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. The girls NextGen Selection Camp will run concurrently with the Invitational.

2025 NextGen Championships

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2025 national junior championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

The 2025 NextGen Championship host clubs include: Ledgeview Golf Club (Abbotsford, B.C.), Black Bear Ridge (Belleville, Ont.), Trestle Creek Golf Resort (Entwistle, Alta.), The Legends Golf Club (Warman, Sask.), Rideau View Golf Club (Manotick, Ont.) and Oakfield Golf & Country Club (Enfield, N.S.).

2025 Registration Information

Registration for Golf Canada’s 2025 competitions will open on the following dates:

• NextGen Championships: Wednesday, February 19 at 12:00pm EST
• RBC Canadian Open Qualifying: Wednesday, February 26 at 12:00pm EST
• National Amateur Championships: Wednesday, March 5 at 12:00pm EST

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the addition of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational women’s tournament that will take place at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ont. from September 21 – 23, 2025.

The tournament will be conducted by Golf Canada and co-hosted by Kent State University and the University of Michigan. The tournament will feature NCAA Division I women’s golf teams along with the winners of the 2025 Canadian University/College Championship.

The inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational men’s tournament was conducted this past September at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. and was co-hosted by Kent State and Penn State University.

Kent State is led by head coach Casey VanDamme, who is currently in his fourth season with the Golden Flashes. In his first three seasons at Kent State, the team has won three Mid-American Conference titles, extending the program’s streak to 25 consecutive conference titles.

Michigan is led by head coach Jan Dowling of Bradford, Ont. Dowling is currently in her 12th season as head coach and during her tenure, the Wolverines have won six tournaments and have had 13 medalists. The team won the 2022 Big Ten Conference Championship for the first time in program history and has earned four trips to the NCAA Finals under Dowling’s direction. Dowling won the 2000 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and had a Hall of Fame career playing at Kent State (1998-2002).

Joining the co-hosts from Kent State and Michigan will be Auburn University, Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Purdue University, Rutgers University, Texas A&M University, University of Tennessee and the University of Virginia. The 2025 Canadian University/College Women’s Team champions – who will be crowned this spring – will also compete in the inaugural event.

In addition, the selection camp tournament for the Team Canada – NextGen Girls squad will be contested concurrently with the Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Beacon Hall Golf Club as Canada’s top junior girls look to qualify for the 2025 Team Canada – NextGen Girls squad. Invitation criteria for the selection camp will be made available in the coming weeks.

“We are thrilled to add a women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational to our Amateur Championship schedule for this season. This tournament will bring together some of the best collegiate women’s golfers and coaches from top programs to compete alongside our national champions,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We extend our thanks to the membership and staff of Beacon Hall for hosting the inaugural women’s tournament as well as a special thanks to Jan Dowling at Michigan and Casey VanDamme at Kent State for their efforts as event co-hosts.”

Beacon Hall was the inspiration of Bryan Leggett and Bill Carruthers, and its mission is to deliver a premier standard of excellence across all aspects of its membership experience. The Bob Cupp designed course opened on July 1, 1988, and since 1990 has ranked as one of the top 10 courses in Canada by SCOREGolf Magazine. In addition, Beacon Hall is consistently ranked as one of the top 100 courses outside the US.

Beacon Hall is known for its distinctively different front and back nine. The front nine features strands of pine trees giving a similar feel to courses in the Carolinas and Georgia. The back nine features fescue and waste bunkers, giving a feel of traditional Scottish links style courses.

“We are thrilled to showcase Beacon Hall during the inaugural Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational, celebrating the future of amateur golf. This event provides an incredible opportunity to support some of the finest young female golf athletes from Canada, the U.S., and around the world,” said Sean DeSilva, General Manager, Beacon Hall Golf Club. “We are proud to offer these talented players the chance to experience our wonderful golf course and enjoy the same exceptional environment our members do every day. It’s a privilege to give back to the game we love and help foster the growth of amateur and Canadian golf.”

The inaugural championship will be contested over 54 holes in two days, with 36 holes played in the opening round and 18 holes in the final round. The team component will feature five members per team with the top four scores for the round counting towards the overall team score. The individual competition will be stroke-play with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open and the top five receiving exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

The full 2025 Amateur Championship schedule will be announced at a later date.

ABOUT THE TEAMS…

Kent State Golden Flashes (Co-Host)

The Golden Flashes have earned three top-four finishes in five tournaments during the fall season, including a pair of third-place finishes at the Boilermaker Classic and the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational. Sophomore Veronika Kedronova from Czechia won two individual titles during the fall season at the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational and the Red Raider Invitational. Kent State currently has two Canadians on the roster, senior Jennifer Gu of West Vancouver, B.C. and freshman Aryn Matthews of Little Britain, Ont.
Fall Ranking – 57

“Kent State is very proud of its connection and many players from Canada. We are excited to co-host the first women’s college event at Beacon Hall. Golf Canada has produced many incredible golfers, and we are excited to be a part of showcasing a first-class collegiate event!” – Casey VanDamme, Head Coach, Kent State Golden Flashes Women’s Golf Team

Michigan Wolverines (Co-Host)

The Wolverines earned four top-10 finishes during the fall season, including a sixth-place finish at the Mary Fossum Invitational. The Wolverines feature a younger team this season with four freshman, two sophomores and two juniors. Team Canada member, Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.) recently graduated from Michigan having won four individual titles during her collegiate career including the Big Ten Championship Conference title in 2022 and was co-medalist in her Senior year in 2024.

Fall Ranking – 67

“As a proud Canadian, this is truly an honour for us to bring the University of Michigan Women’s Golf Team across the 49th parallel to compete in the first female collegiate event hosted in Canada! Additionally, to have Beacon Hall as the host golf course will be a tremendous experience for all the players and coaches. Golf Canada has been a proud partner to countless collegiate golfers and coaches, and it’s very exciting to partner up for a prestigious women’s collegiate tournament.” – Jan Dowling, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines Women’s Golf Team

Auburn Tigers

The Tigers had a successful fall season earning one championship, along with three consecutive top-five finishes to close the fall season. Auburn won their first tournament of the year at the Cougar Classic. They followed up with a second-place finish at the Schooner Fall Classic, then a third-place finish at the Illini Women’s Invitational at Medinah and fourth at The Ally. Team Canada member Katie Cranston of Oakville, Ont. is in her junior year at Auburn and earned a T6 finish at the Cougar Classic followed by a top-20 at the Schooner Fall Classic and a top-25 at The Ally. Cranston was also a member of the 2023-24 Tigers team that was a national quarterfinalist. Teammate Anna Davis of Spring Valley, Calif. is in her sophomore year and earned one individual title (Illini Women’s Invitational at Medinah), two second-place finishes and a third-place finish in four tournaments during the fall season.

Fall Ranking – 20

Central Michigan Chippewas
The Chippewas earned three top-fives during the fall season. They opened the season with a third-place finish at the A-Ga-Ming Invitational, where freshman Ella Zanatta of Hamilton, Ont. finished tied for first individually before losing in a playoff in her first collegiate tournament. Zanatta also added a second-place finish, T9 and 22nd in four tournaments. Two other Canadians are on the roster including graduate student, Hailey Katona of Tilbury, Ont. During the fall season, Katona earned three top five finishes. Alexis McMurray of Oakville, Ont. is in her junior year with the Chippewas.

Fall Ranking – 206

Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans earned three top-fives and a top-10 finish during the fall season. Michigan State opened with a T4 at the Folds of Honor Collegiate along with a pair of second-place finishes at the Mary Fossum Invitational and the Tar Heel Invitational. The Spartans have two Canadians on their roster, Taylor Kehoe from Strathroy, Ont. and sophomore Ella Weber from Burlington, Ont. Kehoe is in her junior year and has earned a top-10, two top-20’s and a top-25 individually this season.

Fall Ranking – 22

Ole Miss Rebels

The Rebels won twice during the fall season including back-to-back tournaments at the Mary Fossum Invitational and the Illini Women’s Invitational. The team also added a fourth-place finish at the Landfall Invitational to close the fall campaign. Senior Caitlyn Macnab won individual honours at the Mary Fossum Invitational. Team Canada member, Nicole Gal of Oakville, Ont. is currently in her Junior year at Ole Miss. Gal has earned one top-five, one top-10 and two top-20 finishes so far this season.

Fall Ranking – 19

Purdue Boilermakers

The Boilermakers opened the fall season with a successful title defence of the Boilermaker Classic on home soil. They added a T6 finish at the Mary Fossum Invitational and closed the fall season with a second-place finish at the White Sands Bahamas Invitational. Senior Natasha Kiel opened and closed her fall season with individual titles, winning the Boilermaker Classic and finishing as co-medalist at the White Sands Bahamas Invitational. Current Canadian LPGA Tour member Maude-Aimee LeBlanc is an alumna of Purdue.

Fall Ranking – 33

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Scarlet Knights opened the fall season with three consecutive top-10 finishes including a tie for fourth at the Cardinal Cup. Rutgers features two Canadians on its roster, sophomore Krystal Li of Richmond Hill, Ont. and freshman Joline Truong of Mississauga, Ont. Truong has enjoyed a successful debut season earning one top-five and a pair of top-10 and top-20 finishes in five tournaments played.

Fall Ranking – 112

Tennessee Volunteers

The Lady Vols finished the fall season with three consecutive top-five finishes. They earned a third-place finish at the Cavalier Regional Preview followed by a fifth-place finish at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational and a T2 finish at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship.

Fall Ranking – 40

Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies earned three top-five finishes and closed the fall season with a runner-up finish at the Charles Schwab Women’s Collegiate Challenge. At the same tournament, Aggie sophomore Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio won her first collegiate tournament and Team Canada member, Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. finished tied for second. Borovilos is in her freshman year with the Aggies and also earned a T12 finish in her first collegiate tournament in August 2024 at Pebble Beach.
Fall Ranking – 17

Virginia Cavaliers

The Cavaliers won the Pan-Pacific UGSL Tournament to open their fall season in Mishima, Japan. They also added a second-place finish as the host team at the Cavalier Regional Preview, and a fourth-place finish to close the fall season at the Stanford Intercollegiate. Senior Amanda Sambach won the fifth individual title of her collegiate career at the Pan-Pacific and finished second at the Cavalier Regional Preview.

Fall Ranking – 11

Team Canada NextGen member Hunter Thomson wins
individual competition

MacTier, Ont. – The Fighting Irish came from 11 shots back to win the inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. on Tuesday.

Notre Dame shot a collective 6-under in the final round to finish the tournament at 17-under to beat the University of Michigan and University of Missouri by five shots to claim the championship. Kent State University finished fourth at 11-under and Michigan State University rounded out the top five, finishing 6-under.

Following play yesterday, Notre Dame head coach, John Handrigan said the team had a great meeting where they talked about what they needed to do in the final round. They focused on the par fives and their inability to score during the first two rounds. That brought about their plan of attack, “let’s treat every par five like it’s a par four and be aggressive mentally,” said Handrigan.

“If you think of it as a par four, you’re going to have some threes and a lot of fours and we did that today, the amount of eagles and birdies we had on the par fives were outstanding, so we just wanted a more aggressive mind set rather than being conservative and cautious and our guys came out firing.

“I think that’s what obviously when another team sees you come out firing, they’re on defence a little bit so really proud of how our team handled it, they didn’t hold back and we’ve been working on that aggressive mindset all year so it’s nice to see them pull through and do that,” added Handrigan.

Notre Dame was led by Nate Stevens of Northfield, Minn. And Rocco Salvitti of Canonsburg, Pa. who both shot 2-under 70’s on Tuesday. Jacob Modleski of Noblesville, Ind. and Mike Qiu of Dalian, China also had their scores count to the team total following rounds of 1-under 71. Christopher Bagnall of Pretoria, South Africa was also a member of the team and both his scores on Monday contributed to the team total.

“We do a lot of work as coaches to find the right chemistry within our team, the right players and we have such an amazing culture and I think that’s part of our success for sure, the guys get along and there’s never any fighting, there’s some needling here and there because they’re guys and they’re competitive but they get along so well and they truly love one another and when you have a team like that I think you can do some amazing things,” said Handrigan on his team.

Heading into the tournament, Handrigan, who is from Muskoka, Ont. had a simple message for his team and that was to enjoy it.

“This is my home area, so bringing our players to where I am from was special in itself and obviously to get the win was amazing. To bring them here, nobody knows Muskoka really in the U.S. so the players don’t know the beauty of this place and the beauty of Öviinbyrd, so we just wanted to get here and enjoy it and really have a good time. They absolutely loved it. The hospitality is one but the quality of the golf course this week was phenomenal,” he said.

In the individual competition, Team Canada NextGen member, Hunter Thomson (Michigan) of Calgary, Alta. finished 14-under to hold off fellow Team Canada NextGen member, Isaiah Ibit (Kent State) of Orleans, Ont. by two. Thomson fired rounds of 66-66-70-202 and has earned an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open and 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Thomson said something just clicked for him this week in MacTier after working on his game the previous two weeks and that winning the individual competition was special having never been to Muskoka, Ont. before.

“When I heard there was a college event in Canada, I was excited, being part of Team Canada for the last three-four years it’s pretty special.

“Last week leading up to this I felt like I got back to myself, got a little hungrier for sure and worked on my game and I felt amazing this week, something just clicked to be honest,” said Thomson.

In addition to Thomson and Ibit, four others have also earned exemptions into the 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, including: Team Canada member and 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, Ashton McCulloch (Michigan State) of Kingston, Ont., Bryce Reed (Kent State) of Delaware, Ohio, Veikka Viskari of Espoo, Finland and Ben Borgida (Washington State) of Shoreline, Wash.

As a Canadian, Handrigan was also proud to see three Canadians finish atop the individual standings.

“Shows you how strong Canadian golf is and people don’t understand that. Look at the Presidents Cup, three of our Canadians in the Presidents Cup. This week one, two and three…Canadian golf is strong and to bring a college tournament to Canada is really special and for me being from this area, being from Muskoka and having all my family and friends here this week it was just so special,” he added.

Austin Krahn of Christina Lake, B.C. survived an eight-hole playoff over Charlie Gillespie of Calgary, Alta. and Jager Pain of Woodbridge, Ont. to earn his spot on the 2025 Team Canada NextGen squad. Krahn entered the day one shot back of the lead and recorded rounds of 73-69-74-216. The Team Canada NextGen Selection Camp tournament was being played concurrently with the Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

The inaugural invitational tournament was conducted by Golf Canada and co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University who are both led by Canadian head coaches, Jon Mills (Kent State) and Mark Leon (Penn State). The tournament featured nine NCAA Division I men’s golf teams with prominent Canadian ties along with the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds. UBC qualified after winning the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship in June at Idylwylde Golf and Country Club in Sudbury, Ont. The invitational marked the first NCAA Division I men’s golf event played in Canada.

The championship was contested over 54 holes in two days, with 36 holes played on Monday and 18 holes on Tuesday. All three rounds were played in a shotgun format. The team component featured five members per team with the top four scores for the day counting to the overall team score.

For the final leaderboard following the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, click here. For the final leaderboard following the Team Canada NextGen selection camp, click here.