Trio will become the 87^th, 88^th and 89^th inductees to receive the highest honour in Canadian golf as part of RBC Hall of Fame Day
during the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open

Oakville, ON – The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame announced today that accomplished amateur golfer Richard Scott, former professional golfer Jerry Anderson and renowned course architect Charles Blair Macdonald have been selected for 2025 induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Scott, 41, of Kingsville, Ont. and Anderson (posthumous) will be inducted into the players category, while Macdonald (posthumous) will be inducted into the builder category. The trio become the 87th, 88th and 89th honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

“The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce the selection of Richard Scott, Jerry Anderson and Charles Blair Macdonald for election to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame,” said Harry Brotchie, Chair, Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee. “Each of these individuals received substantial support in their nominations and full endorsement of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Each of them is unique in the contributions they have made to golf and are very deserving of this honour.”

Scott won the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship three times during his career, the first in 2003 and then back-to-back in 2005 and 2006. A graduate of Golf Canada’s National Team Program (2006), Scott is tied with Brent Franklin with three Canadian Men’s Amateur titles trailing only Doug Roxburgh and Nick Weslock with four, C.Ross (Sandy) Somerville with six and George S. Lyon with eight.

“It is a tremendous honour to be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. Being included with the best of the best that Canadian golf has to offer is truly remarkable,” said Richard Scott. “I couldn’t have accomplished this without the love and support of my parents, Rick and Colleen Scott. I look forward to being part of the ceremony in August.”

Anderson was an accomplished professional golfer having won numerous tournaments across Canada and internationally on the European Tour (now DP World Tour). Born in Montreal, Que., Anderson became the first Canadian to win on the European Tour when he won the 1984 Ebel European Masters – Swiss Open. Anderson shot a record 27-under that stood for 19 years. Following his playing career, Anderson spent time as a teaching professional for close to 20 years, until he passed away on March 9, 2018, at the age of 62.

“On behalf of myself, my family and Jerry’s brothers, we are over the moon, happy and very proud Jerry has been selected for this special honour. Jerry was respected by and had close relationships with golfers at home and around the world on various global tours. He opened the door for Canadian golfers to play on tours in countries other than the United States and he was Canada’s Ambassador to golf, in a humble and unassuming manner,” said Barbara Anderson, wife of the late Jerry Anderson. “Thank you so much to the selection committee for bestowing this great honour to Jerry. To be selected and inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame is an elite honour and we are so grateful and proud.”

Born in Niagara Falls, Ont., Macdonald was an accomplished builder who is known for creating the term “golf course architect.” Macdonald designed the first 18-hole golf course in the United States, the Chicago Golf Club. He also helped found the United States Golf Association and won the inaugural U.S. Men’s Amateur Championship in 1895. Macdonald passed away April 21, 1939, at the age of 83.

“Our family is deeply grateful to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame for recognizing CB Macdonald’s pivotal role in bringing the great game of golf to North America and his impact on course design and golf history,” said Cathy Hartley, great-great-granddaughter of CB Macdonald. “His vision and artistry continue to inspire golfers today through the beauty and challenge of his courses. Seeing our great-great-grandfather honoured in this way is profoundly meaningful and we look forward to celebrating his legacy on August 26.”

Scott, Anderson and Macdonald will officially join the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony taking place during the RBC Hall of Fame Day as part of the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open which runs August 20-24 at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont.

RICHARD SCOTT

Richard Scott enjoyed a successful amateur career with several championships provincially, nationally and at the collegiate level. He was born in Kingsville, Ont. on October 2, 1983, and was a member of Golf Canada’s National Team Program for two years (2005-2006).

Scott’s early days in golf began at his local course, the Kingsville Golf and Country Club. He began his amateur career playing and winning several provincial tournaments with Golf Ontario. Wins included: Golf Ontario’s Club Link Tour (1998), Juvenile Division Championship (1999), Peterborough Tournament of Champions (1999), Junior Masters Championship (2000) and the Junior Tournament of Champions (2002).

On the national stage, Scott won the Juvenile Division to claim the Jack Bailey Trophy at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship in 2000 and finished runner-up at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship two years later. In 2003, Scott won his first of three Canadian Men’s Amateur Championships, winning two more back-to-back in 2005 and 2006. Scott is tied with Canadian Golf Hall of Famer member Brent Franklin with three Canadian Men’s Amateur titles. Only fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famers, Doug Roxburgh and Nick Weslock (four), C.Ross Somerville (six) and George S. Lyon (eight) have won more.

Scott later attended the University of Georgia, where he helped the Bulldogs win two SEC Team Championships and the 2005 NCAA National Championship. Following his collegiate career, Scott turned professional and competed on the Canadian Tour (now PGA TOUR Americas) over four seasons, earning 10 top-10 finishes. He competed on the Web.com Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) for two seasons and earned five top-10 finishes. Scott also competed in six RBC Canadian Opens during his career including 2006 where he finished T68 as the low amateur.

Scott retired from professional golf in 2013 at the age of 31. He was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in 2019.

JERRY ANDERSON

Born in Montreal, Que., Jerry Anderson was one of Canada’s most successful touring professional golfers. His journey in golf began as a caddie in his home city before attending the University of Texas and later turned professional.

Anderson started his professional journey on the Canadian Tour (now PGA TOUR Americas) where he won several titles, including the Players Cup (1979), Manitoba Open (1979), Ontario Open (1979), back-to-back Saskatchewan Opens (1979, 1980) and Quebec Opens (1982, 1983). He also won the PGA of Canada Championship in 1987 and the Canadian Tour Players Championship in 1989. Anderson won the Canadian Tour Order of Merit three times in 1980, 1982 and 1989.

Anderson became the first Canadian to win on the European Tour (now DP World Tour), when he won the 1984 Ebel European – Swiss Masters. Anderson’s 27-under par score was a record on the European Tour that stood for 19 years until Ernie Els shot 29-under at the 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic.

Anderson competed in 66 PGA TOUR events during his career and spent two full seasons on Tour in 1990 and 1992. He made 18 cuts and earned three top 25 finishes on the PGA TOUR. He competed in the RBC Canadian Open 12 times, making the cut in three tournaments, including a T15 finish in 1982. That same year, Anderson claimed the Rivermead Cup, finishing as the low Canadian, and he would earn that honour again in 1992 in his final RBC Canadian Open. He also won once on the Ben Hogan Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour), winning the 1991 Ben Hogan Texarkana Open. He finished fourth on the money list that year re-earning his PGA TOUR card for 1992.

Anderson also represented Canada on four occasions, in 1985 at the Alfred Dunhill Cup and at the World Cup in 1983, 1987 and 1989.

Following his playing career, Anderson moved to Cambridge, Ont. and became a PGA of Canada Class A Professional. He worked at Cambridge Golf Club, Ingersoll Golf and Country Club and finally with Credit Valley Golf and Country Club.

Anderson passed away on March 9, 2018, at the age of 62. He was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in 2002. He was later inducted into the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame in 2016 and posthumously into the PGA of Ontario Hall of Fame in 2020.

CHARLES BLAIR MACDONALD

Charles Blair Macdonald often referred to as the “Father of American Golf Course Architecture” was born in Niagara Falls, Ont. before moving with his family to Chicago. He later attended school in Scotland at the University of St. Andrews where he studied the game under the guidance of Old Tom Morris.

Macdonald later returned to North America and is credited with designing the first 18-hole golf course in the United States, the Chicago Golf Club following the addition of nine holes in 1893. Macdonald is also credited with designing the Old White Course at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, Mid-Ocean Club in Bermuda, the National Golf Links and Sleepy Hollow both in New York and the Yale University Golf Club amongst others.

As a player, Macdonald won the inaugural U.S. Amateur in 1895 at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island by a score of 12&11. Alongside Charles Hunter, Macdonald is credited with organizing the first Canada vs. United States tournament held at Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club in 1895. In addition, he authored the book, Scotland’s Gift: Golf, discussing golf in America, course designs and more.

Macdonald passed away April 21, 1939, at the age of 83. He has been inducted posthumously into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame (1989), the World Golf Hall of Fame (2007) and the Metropolitan Golf Association Hall of Fame (2020).

Last year, Canadian golf fans were treated to a truly momentous year in Canadian golf.

Highlighted by Nick Taylor cementing his place in Canadian sports history with his unforgettable 72-foot winning putt to become the first Canadian to win the RBC Canadian Open in 69 years. The silhouette of Taylor’s iconic putter toss now finds it’s permanent place as the tournament’s official logo.

While there is much to celebrate from this year’s on-course performances, milestones off the course deserve as much attention.

Year end is often time for pause and reflection on moments and experiences that helped to shape our past season. 2024 is no different, with much to reflect upon and celebrate that was simply, good for the game.

Golf, It’s Good For You – Ahead of World Health Day, Golf Canada launched a season-long campaign that highlights the many health benefits that the sport can provide. The campaign – Golf, It’s Good for You – focused on golf’s positive physical, mental and social benefits to significantly improve one’s quality of life.

All of the World Health Organization’s key criteria for health enhancing physical activity can be achieved through golf. It is an activity that incorporates strength, balance, endurance and cognitive challenges, and has also been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness, enhance mental agility and foster social connections. In recent studies, it’s even been found to combat over 40+ chronic diseases.

Along with the launch of the campaign a golf and health website along with enhancements to Golf Canada’s Mobile App were introduced. For more information on the many health benefits the game can provide, please click here.

Expansion of She Plays Golf Festivals and introduction of new Championship Series – She Plays Golf was first piloted in Calgary in 2023 and expanded to the Greater Vancouver Area and Greater Toronto Area in 2024 providing more programming and opportunities for women to try golf. She Plays Golf festivals feature inclusive programming for women and girls, addressing gaps in the participation pathway and introducing new women and girls to the game in a safe, fun and judgement-free environment.

Three week-long festivals featured 23 events at 18 golf facilities with over 800 women and girls engaged in She Plays Golf programming. Over 580 festival participants who were new to golf experienced activities led by close to 90 women coaches and volunteers.

In addition to the festivals, a new championship series was introduced featuring three enhanced 54-hole tournaments. The Peloton Glencoe Invitational, GOLFBC Group BC Women’s Open and the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada were part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series in 2024. In addition to prize money, the top two finishers at each event earned direct exemptions into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. Team Canada members Lauren Kim and Anna Huang (Peloton Glencoe Invitational), Ellie Szeryk and Brooke Rivers (GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open) and Michelle Xing and Katie Cranston (ORORO PGA Women’s Championship) earned exemptions.

Plans for She Plays Golf in 2025 will be announced in the new year, for more information, please click here.

First Tee – Canada fully operational coast-to-coast – 2024 officially marked First Tee – Canada programming being available in every province across the country. In addition to this significant advancement, First Tee – Canada achieved another milestone by surpassing 100,000 participants since its inception in 2021. This year alone, First Tee – Canada provided programming to over 84,500 participants at 386 facilities (golf facilities, schools and community centres) led by 239 coaches across Canada. Seventy per cent of programming was offered at no cost to participants and 74 per cent of partnered schools and community centres serve equity-deserving communities with 45 per cent of participants identifying as BIPOC and 41 per cent identifying as female.

The continued growth of First Tee – Canada reflects the sustained impact of corporate and champion donors driving the philanthropic excellence of the Golf Canada Foundation which experienced another banner year with more than $11.2 million in funds raised in support of the game of which $5.487 million was for First Tee – Canada.

Youth On Course will be fully national in 2025 – In 2024, over 32,900 rounds of golf at $5 or less were played with 5,382 unique participants marking significant increases for both. Youth On Course programming was available across nine provinces and 105 golf courses participated in the program that saw expansion to Manitoba and Saskatchewan. 2025 will see planned expansion into Quebec, making the program fully national.

Inaugural BDO National Golf League champions crowned – The BDO National Golf League was launched ahead of the 2023 season as a nationwide, season-long competition to enhance weekly recreational league experiences for men, women and junior golfers. The inaugural season saw 10,000 participants from 107 leagues from coast-to-coast. Scoring followed a 9-hole net stableford format that took place during a six-week period of a club’s league season. Within those six weeks, the best four scores were used to determine the individuals that would advance to the provincial championships for a chance to be one of 52 pairings that would compete for the league championship at Hamilton Golf and Country Club the weekend before the RBC Canadian Open.

Storyline twists occurred during the championship round thanks to inclement weather that halted play on two occasions, resulting in a re-formatting of play. To complete the championship, pairings played their respective nine holes, with the top teams from the back and front nine then meeting in a playoff for the championship.

Tim Charles and Peter Morse were crowned the inaugural champions of the BDO National Golf League following a playoff win over Reid Middleton and Brian Thorne. Morse drained a lengthy putt to claim the championship for the Nova Scotia duo.

Along with becoming the inaugural champions, Charles and Morse travelled to Royal Troon in Troon, Scotland to represent Canada in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge one-week prior to the 152nd Open Championship as part of winning the national championship. For more information on the league and how to get involved, click here.

Golf – the number one participation sport in Canada – This past year saw an increase in public playing members with a Golf Canada membership. This year also marks back-to-back years of 10 million+ scores being posted by Golf Canada members. Last year marked the first time that the 10 million milestone had been reached and Golf Canada members surpassed that number in 2024 with 10.6 million scores posted to the Golf Canada Score Centre! For more information on a Golf Canada membership, click here. For more information or to download Golf Canada’s Mobile App, click here.

Canadians competing with the world’s best – Canadians continued to find themselves on the world’s biggest stage as Nick Taylor, Corey Conners, Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp wore the Maple Leaf at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Henderson and Sharp were competing in their third consecutive Olympic Games since golf was re-introduced at Rio 2016. In three games, Henderson has earned finishes of 7, T29 and T13. Conners earned the best men’s finish since golf returned with a T9 finish in Paris.

Canadian Golf Hall of Famer, Mike Weir was named Captain of the International Team for the 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Que. Joining Weir were Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith who were Captain’s picks for the International Team. After a difficult opening day, the International Team responded by winning all five foursome matches on Friday to sit tied heading into the weekend. In the end, Team U.S.A. retained the title, winning 18.5 – 11.5 over Team International. Conners and Pendrith both earned two full points for their team during the biennial event. The 2026 Presidents Cup will take place at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Ill.

Canadian golf fans set new records in Hamilton and Calgary – Canadian golf fans took in both National Open Championships in record numbers this past year. Over 209,000 fans combined attended the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open setting new attendance records for both tournaments.

The success of Canada’s National Open Championships was recognized by both the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour in their season-ending tournament recognition awards. The RBC Canadian Open took home the PGA TOUR’s Best Marketing Initiative award for the logo and branding of the tournament changing to Nick Taylor’s iconic putter toss silhouette. Originally designed to be a one-year tribute, the change will now be permanent.

The CPKC Women’s Open was awarded the Gold Driver Award for Best Volunteer Appreciation. Volunteerism was a critical part of the success of the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta. The tournament was conducted for the first time at Earl Grey and saw 1,300 dedicated volunteers, whose positions were filled ahead of schedule, help to deliver an exceptional experience in Calgary. To recognize the work of its volunteers, the tournament hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Day which included a complimentary breakfast, happy hour and gifts that were given to all volunteers to celebrate the 50th playing of Canada’s National Women’s Open.

Offering more tournaments and pathways for Canadian amateur golfers – This season saw the introduction of a new championship added to the amateur championship calendar with the debut of the Canadian U15 Championship. The tournament provided young players the opportunity to compete for a national championship while receiving information about the high-performance journey through an educational summit following play.

Golf Canada also introduced the inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational, bringing some of the best NCAA Division I Men’s teams north of the border. The event will expand to include a women’s competition in 2025.

In total, 12 national amateur championships, 16 qualifiers, six NextGen tournaments and two Team Canada NextGen selection camps provided Canadians with opportunities to compete coast-to-coast from the junior level all the way to the senior ranks. The season concluded with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship which showcased some of the brightest upcoming golfers from around the world.

Lisa Meldrum becomes the 86th inductee into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame – In keeping with the importance of celebrating Canadian golf excellence, Lisa Meldrum of Montreal, Que. was named the 86th member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in February.

Meldrum enjoyed an accomplished junior and amateur career, having won 12 championships between 1997 and 2003.

Her successful competitive run was highlighted by winning the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship three consecutive years in a row from 2001 to 2003. During that time SCOREGolf recognized her as the Best Female Amateur Golfer in Canada all three years. Prior to the Canadian Women’s Amateur three-peat, Meldrum won the 1998 Canadian Juvenile Girls Championship and the 2000 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, later earning SCOREGolf’s Best Female Junior Golfer recognition in 2000.

For more on Meldrum’s incredible career, please click here.

A new home for Canadian Golf – Phase one of construction on a new home for Canadian golf is well underway at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. Originally announced in July 2022, the 26,000 sq. ft. facility will be the national headquarters of Golf Canada along with the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum. Elements of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame can already be found in the main clubhouse and locker rooms at TPC Toronto. Lockers and memorabilia highlighting Canadian golf legends and significant moments in both the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open history are now part of the fabric at TPC Toronto. The new facility will also be the national headquarters for First Tee – Canada and will include an 18-hole publicly accessible community putting green. To follow the progress and for more information on the new home for Canadian golf, please click here.

From the season’s opening drive to the final putt and the many volunteers, partners and stakeholders who support Canadian golf, there is much to celebrate and reflect upon that was simply, good for the game in 2024.

Golf Canada joins the Canadian golf community in extending our deepest respect and condolences to the family and friends of Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member Bob Panasik of Windsor, Ont. on the news of his unexpected passing December 27 following complications from heart surgery in late November. 

Panasik was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2005 following an outstanding career across amateur, professional, and international golf. He was also inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in 2005, the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame in 2014 and was a charter class inductee into the PGA of Ontario Hall of Fame in 2020. 

Born October 20, 1941 (82), Panasik’s celebrated competitive career spanned more than 50 years, with bookend victories at the 1955 Ontario Bantam Championship through to the PGA of Canada Super Senior title in 2003. Among his many accomplishments are wins at the 1958 Canadian Junior, 1958 and 1960 Ontario Junior, 1959 Ontario Amateur, two PGA of Canada Championships, two PGA of Canada Club Professional Championships, and three PGA of Canada Senior Championships along with 12 provincial titles.  

Panasik played his way (through qualifying) into nine US Opens, played on three Canadian World Cup Teams, and competed in 14 Canadian Open Championships including 1958 where he finished T64 and became the youngest player to make the cut in a regular PGA TOUR event (15 years, 8 months), a record that stood for 56 years.  

Fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Lorne Rubenstein celebrated ‘Panny’ with a fitting tribute to one of Canadian golf’s great competitors and storytellers.  

Panasik is survived by his daughter Melissa and brother Nick along with nephews, nieces, and countless friends across the Canadian and international golf community. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 1pm to 4pm at the Beach Grove Golf and Country Club in Tecumseh, Ont. Those wishing to make a donation in Bob’s memory, are asked to consider the Heart and Stroke Foundation.