Sherbrooke, Qué.  – Canada’s top senior women are readying to compete in the 43^rd playing of the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, hosted by Club de golf Milby in Sherbrooke, Qué. from August 18 – 24, 2014. A practice round will be staged on Monday August 18, 2014.

The 54-hole stroke play competition is open to female amateur players over the age of 50. In the past, the tournament has seen the talent of Canadian Golf Hall of Famers Marilyn Palmer O’Connor, Gayle Hitchens Borthwick (four-time Canadian Women’s Senior Champion), Marlene Stewart-Streit (four-time Canadian Women’s Senior Champion), and defending champion Mary Ann Hayward. This year, the champion will receive an exemption into the 2014 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur hosted in Deal, N.J.

“The Canadian Women’s Senior is an excellent showcase of the strong golf talent fostered here in Canada,” said Tournament Director Justine Decock. “The skills and dedication demonstrated by the ladies in this tournament is both admirable and inspiring.”

Club de golf Milby, located in Sherbrooke, Qué. is set to host the three-day tournament. The Howard Watson designed course is well-versed in hosting championships, having most recently played host to the Canada Games in 2013 and the Québec Women’s Amateur in 2007.

“We are excited to be hosting this year’s Canadian Women’s Senior Championship,” said Host Club Tournament Chair Guy Faucher. “The course is in great shape and we are looking forward to seeing some great talent here in Sherbrooke.”

Leading the field this year is three-time champion Mary Ann Hayward, 54, of Aurora, Ont., who will look to defend her 2013 title. Before a fourth place finish in 2012, Hayward also captured the champion title in 2010 and 2011. Hayward has not only achieved a strong standing in the Senior Women’s Championship, but has also had an illustrious career as an amateur that’s seen her inducted into both the Ontario and Québec Golf Hall of Fames and also the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2007. Highlighting her remarkable career are four wins at the Canadian Women’s Amateur, six wins at the Québec Women’s Amateur, five titles at the Ontario Women’s Amateur and 12 wins at the Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship (the most wins ever recorded by an individual at a provincial championship). Hayward has also made history as the first Canadian to win the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur title.

Also highlighting this year’s field is Hall of Famer and four-time Canadian Women’s Senior Champion Alison Murdoch, 64, of Victoria, B.C. and two-time champion Jackie Little, 56, of Port Alberni, B.C. Murdoch has had a successful international golf career, claiming British and Irish Senior events, as well as senior titles in British Columbia, Alberta, and Washington State. Little has had a stellar 2014 season, taking home her fourth British Columbia Women’s Senior title, as well as the Mid-Master Champion title.

Starting times, post-round results, full field list, and live scoring are available here.

As part of Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting in London, Ont., the association’s Rules & Amateur Status Committee has approved the use of Distance Measuring Devices (DMD’s) for all amateur championships beginning in 2014.

This Local Rule will be introduced at CN Future Links junior championships as well as Canada’s national amateur competitions. Competitors will not be allowed to use DMD’s at Golf Canada’s professional championships including Canadian Women’s Tour events, the TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial, the RBC Canadian Open and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, including their respective qualifiers.

This Local Rule allows competitors to use Distance Measuring Devices that measure distance only – not those devices that can measure other conditions such as wind speed or direction, temperature or elevation.

“With recent technological advances designed to enhance the golfer experience, our Rules Committee felt that this decision to allow DMD’s was a step in the right direction without jeopardizing the spirit and challenge of the game,” said Dale Jackson, Chair of Golf Canada’s Rules & Amateur Status Committee. “We have received a tremendous amount of feedback from golfers and this decision allows us to align with all of our provincial and international partners that have moved to allow DMD’s at their respective amateur competitions.”

Since 2006, committees have had the option of adopting a Local Rule under the Rules of Golf to allow players to use Distance Measuring Devices that measure or gauge distance only. See note to Rule 14-3 of the Rules of Golf.

Recently, the R&A and the USGA Championship Committee’s decided it will allow the use of distance measuring devices (DMDs) in R&A amateur events in 2014.

For more information on the Rules of Golf, please click here.

To ask a Rules of Golf question, please click here.

For more information on how to proceed in various Rules of Golf situations, guidance on the Golf Canada Handicap System and more, please consult our Rules of Golf publications – for purchase in Golf Canada’s eStore, or at your local book retailer.

Registration opens today for Golf Canada’s Amateur Championships, CN Future Links and Canadian Women’s Tour events.

Competitors looking to play in one of Golf Canada’s eight national amateur championships, six CN Future Links stops or three Canadian Women’s Tour events can view the championship schedule and register online by clicking here.

Canadian Women’s Tour returns for its 13^th season

Golf Canada is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour – Canada’s only women’s professional golf tour.

This season’s scheduled stops include May 12-14 at Morningstar Golf Club in Parksville, B.C., June 23-25 at Legends on the Niagara in Niagara Falls, Ont. and the Tour’s final stop set for early July in Alberta to be announced in the coming days.

New for 2014, 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.

In addition, the champion of each Canadian Women’s Tour stop will receive an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. As well, following the conclusion of play at the final Canadian Women’s Tour event, two (2) additional exemptions will be awarded to the top competitors, not otherwise exempt, on the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

Groove Specifications for 2014 Golf Canada Championships

Golf Canada has determined our plans to implement the new groove specifications for our championships starting in 2014. The Rules Committee recently approved the following:

• Introduce the groove condition of competition for the 2014 Canadian Men’s Amateur and the 2014 Canadian Women’s Amateur.  Note: this does not automatically include the qualifying events for these championships.  Please refer to the conditions of competitions at your respective provincial amateur championships.

• Introduce the groove condition of competition at all other championships (national amateur championships, CN Future Links, and Canadian Women’s Tour events) beginning in 2016.

For more information on the groove specification: Groove FAQ for Golf Canada Championships

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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