Creemore, Ont. – Judith Kyrinis took the lead on Tuesday and never looked back on her way to winning the 2023 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO on Thursday at The Mad River Golf Club.
Kyrinis finished the tournament at 6-over with rounds of 69, 73 and 80 for a three-day total of 222, ten shots clear in the Mid-Amateur division. The win gives Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. her third Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master Championships, having previously won both in 2019 and 2016.
“It’s awesome. To have it as a stand-alone, the inaugural, it’s very special…to win any national championship three times it’s humbling. I am very proud of that,” said Kyrinis after signing her scorecard following play on Thursday.
As difficult as it is to win any tournament, leading from start to finish is a special feat. For Kyrinis the golf course would not allow her to let up all week, “you just can’t take a shot off right, so it was my motivation right there and try to do the best I can every shot. Little bit of a struggle out there today but probably was for everybody, tough conditions.”
The players were thrown a little bit of everything weather wise this week at Mad River. Pleasant conditions for the opening round were forgotten with heat playing a factor during play on Wednesday. Thursday began with light showers before the skies turned blue but brought a challenging wind for players to contend with.
“Absolutely, all those conditions factored for sure. The heat when you’re going up the back, that’s hard, luckily, I walk a lot so I’m good with that, but the wind’s today, it was really hard pulling clubs and trusting them, and I just got off to a bit of a nervous start. Even with that lead, it’s still nervous,” Kyrinis said with a laugh.
Kyrinis sits second all-time in tournament history with three championships trailing only Christina Proteau of Port Alberni, B.C. who has won the Mid-Amateur title six times. In addition, Kyrinis will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, taking place from September 9-14 at Stonewall (North Course) in Elverson, Pa. and an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
In both the Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master divisions, Dawn Woodard of Greer, S.C. received silver medalist honours, finishing the tournament at 16-over. There was a four-way tie for third place with Augusta James (Marysville, Ont.), defending champion Shelly Stouffer (Nanoose Bay, B.C.), Julie Streng (Greensboro, N.C.) and Samantha Perrotta (Bordentown, N.J.) all finishing at 18-over in the Mid-Amateur division. Stouffer and Streng also finished tied for bronze medalist honours in the Mid-Master division.
On Wednesday the Margaret Todd Trophy was awarded to Team Quebec, who won the Mid-Amateur Inter-Provincial Team Championship. Quebec finished the team competition at 25-over to hold off the defending champions, Team British Columbia by three strokes with Team Ontario finishing third. Team Quebec consists of Natacha Brossard and Suzanne Ricard from Montreal and Marie-Thérèse Torti of Candiac, Que.
For the full results of the 2023 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship click here.
GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.
Kyrinis maintains lead in both the Women’s Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master divisions
Creemore, Ont. – The Margaret Todd Trophy is headed to La Belle Province. Team Quebec was crowned as the Mid-Amateur Inter-Provincial Team champions on Wednesday at the 2023 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
Quebec finished the team competition at 25-over to hold off the defending champions, Team British Columbia by three strokes. Team Quebec consists of Natacha Brossard and Suzanne Ricard from Montreal and Marie-Thérèse Torti of Candiac, Que.
For Torti winning the first team championship in the first year as a stand-alone tournament was special and their team spirit helped them this week, “we encourage each other, we’ve played our mid-am long ago together, I’ve played with Natacha and Suzanne and we’re really good representatives of Quebec. I’m happy we’re here, it’s a tough course and I’m glad we prevailed,” she said.
Ricard and Torti’s scores counted in the second round, with Ricard shooting a 3-over, 75 and Torti an 11-over, 83. The two lowest scores from the team are counted towards the team score for the day.
Ricard credited her putting for a solid round on Wednesday, “I was not tentative, but I was not aggressive either on the putting side, so I was just trying to be on the greens in regulation and get away with two putts and if the putt falls that’s great and if not, I don’t want to be left with a six-footer,” said Ricard.
“For my first Canadian Championship playing with Marie-Thérèse and Suzanne was a blessing, it was amazing. My first experience and we won it, proud to be from Quebec, proud to be Canadian as well,” added a jubilant Brossard.
Soaring temperatures made for tougher conditions during Wednesday’s second round at The Mad River Golf Club.
In the Women’s Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master divisions, two-time champion, Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. holds the lead heading into Thursday’s final round. Kyrinis shot a 1-over, 73 on Wednesday to now sit a 2-under for the tournament and hold a 11-shot lead in the Mid-Amateur division and a 12-shot lead in the Mid-Master division.
Kyrinis had another strong finish with birdies on holes 14 and 18 but said the weather definitely played a factor today, “yeah, you know swirly winds out there, you’re walking up to you your ball and the wind’s into you and you pull a club then it turns around and its behind you and these greens are really hard right, so you really have to have the right club going in and be confident with it. It was a tough golf course out there for sure.”
For the second straight day, Kyrinis finished her round with a birdie on 18 after dropping a long putt from the back of the green, “missed a way shorter one on 17, very makable so you know sometimes it all just evens out when you make a long one,” Kyrinis said with a chuckle.
Those in attendance were treated to an appearance by Canadian Golf Hall of Famer and member of the Order of Canada, Sandra Post who visited The Mad River Golf Club during second round action.
Post is excited that the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship is now its own stand-alone event, “it’s a great beginning and a great golf course and I know you’re going to have a great champion.
“What a great kickoff, this is like history to me. I am witnessing history and that’s what I feel about this tournament. It will only go on and be bigger and better in the future,” added Post.
The individual winner of the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, taking place from September 9-14 at Stonewall (North Course) in Elverson, Pa. In addition, the champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
For the full leaderboard click here.
GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.
Defending Champion Shelly Stouffer among five past winners in the field for new stand-alone national competition for Mid-Amateur aged competitors
Creemore, Ont. – The 2023 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO kicks off on Monday, July 24 at the Mad River Golf Club in Creemore, Ont.
Defending champion Shelly Stouffer is among five past champions in the field of 68 golfers competing at Mad River. The Nanoose Bay, B.C. resident is looking to become the first player to claim back-to-back titles since Christina Proteau won four consecutive championships from 2011-14.
Last year, Stouffer shot an even-par 72 in the final round to win by one-stroke over 2015 champion Terrill Samuel, and two clear of six-time champion Proteau at Breezy Bend Country Club in Headingly, Man.
In addition to winning the mid-amateur title, Stouffer also took home the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and the Mid-Master division titles and was part of Team B.C. winning both inter-provincial team titles. The victories capped a successful summer for Stouffer who also won the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur last August. In doing so, Stouffer became only the second Canadian to win the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship and the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship in the same year. She joined elite company as World Golf Hall of Famer Marlene Streit won both titles in 1995.
Four past champions will be joining Stouffer at Mad River including, two-time winner (2016, 2019) Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., 2010 champion Marie-Thérèse Torti of Candiac, Que., 2015 winner and 2022 British Women’s Senior Amateur champion, Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont. and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer and 2008 champion, Mary Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont. A four-time winner of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, Hayward is also a member of both the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame (2006) and the Quebec Golf Hall of Fame (2011).
This year’s championship marks the first time that the women’s mid-amateur division will be held as a stand-alone competition. The 54-hole stroke play championship was previously held in conjunction with the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, as well as the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
“The Mad River Golf Club will be an incredible host for the first ever Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship,” said Golf Canada Tournament Director Adam Cinel. “The staff and volunteers at Mad River have been tremendous to work with in the lead up to the tournament and we are excited to make this national championship a special event for the players.”
The Mad River Golf Club is a member owned, Bob Cupp-designed, championship golf club that offers golfers a variety of strategic choices and shot variations. The course features small and unique green complexes that require precision iron play to hit and hold the greens, and a creative short game to overcome the variety of challenges the golfer will face when missing a green.
“The competitors are going to love Mad River, the sheer beauty, challenge and condition of the golf course coupled with the tranquil country environment is a rare combination on one property,” said Gary Ward, General Manager, The Mad River Golf Club. “Mad River feels strongly about supporting and growing this important demographic of golfer, so were thrilled to host the event in its first year as a “stand alone’ tournament. As importantly the Legacy program we’ve initiated will leave a lasting impact on the community. The program entails creating a junior women’s golf development program involving selected participants from some local high schools (Stayner Collegiate, Our Lady of the Bay, Collingwood Collegiate).”
The championship will also feature two additional competitions running concurrently at Mad River. The Women’s Mid-Master Championship (players aged 40-and-over as of July 25, 2023) will be contested over three championship rounds and the Women’s Mid-Amateur Inter-Provincial Team Championship will take place over the first 36-holes of the tournament. Seven provinces will have 3-player teams represented in the competition.
Female golfers (aged 25-and-over as of July 25, 2023), with a handicap index of 12.0 or less are eligible to compete in the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The individual winner of the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, taking place from September 9-14 at Stonewall (North Course) in Elverson, Pa. In addition, the champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.
