The four recipients will be celebrated later this summer for their outstanding contributions to Canadian golf.

Four accomplished contributors to Canadian golf will be acknowledged for their dedicated efforts in and around the game as the 2024 recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award. 

Long-time Golf Canada volunteer Duncan Mills of Edmonton, Alta., industry leaders Tiffany Gordon of Calgary, Alta. And the late Denzil Palmer of Montréal, Que. along with former golf publisher Kim Locke of Toronto, Ont. will be acknowledged for their tremendous contributions to Canadian golf.

“Golf Canada is proud to honour the long-time contributions of Duncan Mills, Tiffany Gordon, the late Denzil Palmer and Kim Locke, as our 2024 Distinguished Service Award recipients,” said Golf Canada President David McCarthy. “The effort and collective dedication of this year’s honourees has been influential and impactful to the game in their communities as well as the provincial and national level. We are proud to recognize and honour each for the indelible mark they have had on golf in Canada.”

Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually since 1993 to recognize individuals who have had an outstanding impact on Canadian golf either nationally or within their community.

The announcement of the 2024 Distinguished Service Award honourees coincides with Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting, conducted virtually on Thursday, March 7 at 1:00 p.m. EST.

The presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to this year’s honourees as well as the Palmer family will be celebrated later this season at event locations to be determined. 

Golf Canada 2024 Distinguished Service Award Honourees:

Duncan (Dunc) Mills (Volunteer) – Edmonton, Alta.

Dunc Mills’ contributions to the growth of golf in Alberta have been exceptional as a volunteer and administrator, and in the media space as the creator and lead contributor for the Alberta Golfer Magazine. Dunc began volunteering at Alberta Golf events in 1991 and for more than 25 years, has been the driving force behind the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour where he began serving as the Tour’s Executive Director in 1996. Over the years, he has spent time on the Alberta Golf Executive Committee, volunteered at many Alberta Golf and Golf Canada events as well as other professional tours when they visited Alberta. His impact on junior golf in the province through the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour has been incredible, having been a part of more than 600 events through its history. Dunc Mills’ outstanding contributions to the sport earned him nomination to the Alberta Golf Hall of Fame in 2023.

Denzil Palmer (Industry / Posthumous) – Montréal, Que.

The late Denzil Palmer is synonymous with excellence in Canadian golf club management. He spent more than 40 years as a leading figure in Canadian golf club management including nearly 30 years as General Manager and Secretary of The Royal Montreal Golf Club. He was a great supporter of Golf Canada as well as the RBC Canadian Open during his tenure when the club hosted Canada’s National Open Championship. Denzil also played a major role in the success of the 2007 President’s Cup at Royal Montreal, helping to solidify Royal Montreal’s historic standing as a signature hosting venue in Canada. Prior to his passing in 2022, Denzil was long-renowned as one of the premier club managers in Canada, having earned the highest honours of the Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC) including the President’s Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Excellence in Club Management Award Program. He was named an honorary member of both Royal Montreal and CMAC prior to his passing.

Tiffany Gordon (Industry) – Calgary, Alta.

Tiffany Gordon is a 30+ year member of the PGA of Canada and has contributed greatly to the advancement of the game as a Head Professional, General Manager, Director of Clubhouse Operations, and ambassador for golf in Alberta and at a national level. A past president and board member with the PGA of Alberta, Tiffany has also supported the game as a past member of both the NGCOA Canada and the Canadian Golf Superintendent’s Association. Tiffany has also been recognized as a past winner of the Alberta PGA Club Professional of the Year and the PGA of Canada Professional of the Year. A great support of Golf Canada championships including junior events and the (former) Canadian Women’s Tour, Tiffany has also served on the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Now working as Director of Clubhouse Operations and Membership Ambassador with Carnmoney Golf Club, Tiffany also serves as Secretary and Incoming Vice-President on the PGA of Canada National Board.

Kim Locke (Media) – Toronto, Ont.

As the former longtime owner and publisher of SCOREGolf, Kim Locke was a major driving force for the growth of SCOREGolf media properties into a trusted voice for Canadian golf. Prior to selling the SCOREGolf brand to a partnership between Torstar Inc. and Golf Town, Kim was a strong supporter for the game of golf and created a path for numerous writers, editors, and contributors to chronicle Canadian golf, both through SCOREGolf Magazine and other print properties including Golf Canada magazine. Those editorial contributions also impacted Golf Canada’s National Open Championships along with other professional golf properties through souvenir programs and other partner storytelling engagements across SCOREGolf print, digital and broadcast channels. The annual SCOREGolf Awards became an annual recognition of Canadian golf excellence among amateur players, professionals, and industry contributors nationwide. The argument can be made that without Kim Locke as the financial and editorial driving force for SCOREGolf, there would not have been a platform for respected voices such as Bob Weeks, Jason Logan, John Gordon, Lorne Rubenstein, Rick Young, and others to become such trusted voices in Canadian golf. SCOREGolf was honoured by the PGA of Canada as the 2019 recipient of the George Cumming Distinguished Service Award and Kim’s contributions to Canadian golf were also recognized by the Canadian Golf Journalists Association as a past recipient of their Dick Grimm Award.

The duo from Vancouver played a key role in the success of the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, Lee and Naylor will be recognized during Golf Canada’s 2024 Annual General Meeting

Golf Canada is pleased to announce that Cheryl Lee and Carolyn Naylor of Vancouver have been named the co-recipients of the 2023 Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year award.

“Golf Canada could not operate its tournaments, events, or initiatives without volunteers, and we are very proud to recognize both Cheryl Lee and Carolyn Naylor for their contributions to the success of the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open,” said Golf Canada President David McCarthy. “Cheryl and Carolyn were instrumental in overseeing the Player Services Committee at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club and went above and beyond to ensure the players felt welcome, comfortable and were treated to an exceptional experience in Vancouver.” 

The Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award is named in recognition of Toronto native Bruce Mitchell who, in 2017-18, was the first Canadian to serve as captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A). Born in Victoria and raised in Edmonton, the former President of the Toronto Golf Club and R&A member since 1988 was just the ninth internationally appointed captain of the R&A, one of the most prestigious volunteer positions in the world of golf. Duties as captain included representing the R&A as a global ambassador and aiding in the R&A’s effort to develop golf around the world.

Now in its 18th year, candidates for the Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award are put forth to Golf Canada for consideration by the respective provincial golf associations in acknowledgment of significant contributions to the game of golf in their community.

CHERYL LEE AND CAROLYN NAYLOR

Cheryl Lee and Carolyn Naylor served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Player Services Committee for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club and played an instrumental role in the success of the championship.

The duo was responsible for pairing 74 LPGA players and seven caddies with billet families in the host community. They were successful in recruiting 54 billet families to fulfill the requests during tournament week.

The lengthy process included canvassing the club for interest, reviewing every application, and eventually connecting the billet families with the player or caddie.

A significant amount of time was required to ensure that the billet families met and completed all necessary screening requirements, and a considerable amount of time and effort went into communication with the players and families.

Carol and Cheryl were also responsible for recruitment and oversaw a strong group of volunteers during the tournament.

During their recruitment they made a concerted inclusive effort to have volunteers on their committee that spoke different languages such as Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese. This was a very considerate and thoughtful touch that made the players feel welcome and comfortable.

The duo kept the care and comfort of the players top of mind. Gestures like ensuring players had access to snacks in the locker room, having extra stashes of bug spray and sunscreen, managing all requests for items to be signed, and ensuring that extra ticket requests were actioned quickly were just some of the things that ensured a positive impact for those competing in Vancouver.

Cheryl and Carolyn were outstanding volunteers who represented Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, Golf Canada, and the Vancouver community exceptionally well.

Golf Canada will host its 2024 Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 7 utilizing a virtual format as the National Sport Federation looks ahead to the 2024 season.

The Annual Meeting brings together Golf Canada’s Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers as well as representatives from Canada’s provincial golf associations and other industry stakeholders.

The virtual meeting begins at 1:00 p.m. EST and will include the release of the Association’s 2023 Annual Report & Financial Statements.

During the Annual Meeting, Golf Canada will introduce its 2024 Board of Directors including David McCarthy of Toronto serving a second term as the Association’s 117^th President.

Golf Canada will also celebrate outstanding contributions to the game of golf including a presentation of the 2023 Bruce Mitchell Volunteer of the Year Award and the appointment of a new Honorary Life Governor. Golf Canada will also announce the 2024 recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award

To watch a live stream of Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting, click here.

Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer Kevin Blue will be leaving the organization as he has accepted the role of General Secretary and CEO of Canada Soccer.

“We are extremely appreciative of what Kevin has achieved for Golf Canada in advancing the sport and our mission during his tenure as Chief Sport Officer and we wish him incredibly well,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Kevin has been a transformational leader for Golf Canada and made fundamental progress to many of our sport priorities, most notably with the High-Performance program and across junior grassroots initiatives, championships, safe sport, and fundraising. His energy and contributions to Canadian golf have been exceptional and he is well positioned as a dynamic sports executive to be successful in this new chapter leading Canada Soccer.”

Since returning to Canada in January of 2021, Blue was a driving force to Golf Canada’s vision and impact on Canadian golf. He was instrumental in many of the areas of Golf Canada’s strategic priorities and helped drive several initiatives including First Tee – Canada, National Golf League (NGL), She Plays Golf, Junior Golf Facility Awards, and the evolution of Golf Canada’s Amateur Championships. 

A strong proponent of municipal and accessible golf, Blue played a key role in Golf Canada’s attention to diversity, equity, inclusion, and safe sport. He also had a significant impact with the Golf Canada Foundation, helping to recruit, build and collaborate with critical program donors.

Three-time Canadian Women’s Amateur champion will be the 86^th inductee into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame

Meldrum to receive the highest honour in Canadian golf as part of RBC Hall of Fame Day in May during the 2024 RBC Canadian Open

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame announced today that accomplished amateur and professional player and current PGA of Canada member Lisa Meldrum has been selected for 2024 induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Meldrum, 41, from Montréal, Que. will be inducted into the player category, and becomes the 86^th honoured member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

“Lisa Meldrum’s competitive playing record dating back to junior, amateur golf, and then into professional ranks was outstanding,” said Ted Fletcher, Chair of the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee. “Winning the 2000 Canadian Junior then three consecutive Women’s Amateur titles from 2001 to 2003 – a feat not accomplished since the legendary Marlene Streit in 1956 – brought Lisa early renown as one of Canada’s top female amateur golfers and that success continued as a young professional. The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee unanimously endorsed Lisa’s nomination for induction into The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame!”

Meldrum, a Class A member of the PGA of Canada, got her start in golf as a 10-year-old at The Royal Montreal Golf Club where she now works as its Head Teaching Professional.

“I am extremely honoured to be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and join the esteemed legends of golf in this country,” said Meldrum. “In the pursuit of excellence in the game of golf, to have my achievements recognized, is truly a humbling experience. I am so grateful for the unwavering support of my family, friends, and supporters. The future of golf in this country is bright and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the sport through player development and high-performance coaching.”

Meldrum will officially join the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony taking place on Tuesday, May 28 during the RBC Hall of Fame Day as part of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club. To purchase tickets to the event, please click here.

LISA MELDRUM
Lisa 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.

Provincially, the Montréal native enjoyed great success winning eight provincial championships including the Quebec Junior Girls Championship, three consecutive years from 1997 to 1999, the Quebec Women’s Amateur Championship in 2000 and 2002, as well as three Quebec Match Play Championships (Junior 2000, Amateur 1998 & 2001). She also won honours as ladies club champion (The Royal Montreal Golf Club), Montréal Region Champion and was a member of both the Quebec Junior Team and the Quebec Elite Team.

Meldrum attended the University of Oklahoma where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in business. A member of the women’s golf team from 2000-2004, Meldrum was named Big 12 Freshman Golfer of the Year for 2000-2001, won three collegiate tournaments, earned All-American honours and 25 top-ten finishes in four seasons with the Sooners.

She turned professional in 2004 and won the 2006 Canadian Tour Championship and was named the Canadian Tour Player of the Year. She competed on the Duramed Futures Tour (now Epson Tour) between 2006 and 2009, went on to compete on the LPGA Tour for two seasons (2010-2011) and later the Symetra Tour (now Epson Tour) from 2012-2015. She has competed in the AIG Women’s Open, LPGA Championship, as well as multiple CPKC Women’s Open’s.

Meldrum works as the Head Teaching Professional at Lisa Meldrum Golf Performance and The Royal Montreal Golf Club. She plays an instrumental role in the club’s adult and junior development programs for golfers of all skill levels and teaches year-round in Montréal. She is a “Class A” member of the PGA of Canada and specializes in teaching and coaching, which she has done since 2016. In addition, Meldrum is TPI certified and a Level 2 ELDOA practitioner.

During her career, Meldrum also represented Canada at the 2002 World Amateur Team Championship and was victorious at the 2003 Copas de las Americas Championship. Meldrum has also received awards from the Canadian Tour Order of Merit (2006), Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year (2009) and was inducted into the Quebec Golf Hall of Fame in the player category in 2023.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN GOLF HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame celebrates the outstanding individuals of Canadian golf from players, both amateur and professional, to the builders, architects and others who have been fundamental to the evolution of the game in this country. Operated by Golf Canada, the Hall of Fame, museum, and library are open to visitors to discover more about the game and the inductees. For more information, please visit heritage.golfcanada.ca/hall-of-fame-members/.

CANADIAN GOLF HALL OF FAME NOMINATION & SELECTION PROCESS
Honoured Members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame have been inducted since its inception in 1971. Honoured Members and representatives from the media, the PGA of Canada, as well as the golf industry comprise the ten-member Selection Committee.

The committee is responsible for reviewing all nominations and selecting inductees. To be considered for election to the Hall of Fame, a nominee must have made an extraordinary national or international contribution to the game of golf in Canada. These achievements may include, but are not limited to, golfing accomplishments, illustrious golf-related careers, or other exceptional contributions to the sport. Individuals may not nominate themselves and every nomination submitted to the Selection Committee must be seconded. Inductees to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame must receive a minimum of eight of 10 votes. Individuals who receive a minimum of three votes will be carried forward; ones who fail to do so will be removed from the nomination process. Additional information regarding the nomination and election process is available here. Nominations must be received no later than July 31 to be eligible for selection the following year.

Pompey wins Community Leader Award; Allen wins Future Leader Award following submission of nominations from the Canadian golf community

Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are pleased to announce that Simeon Pompey of Montréal, Que. and Rosie Allen of Corner Brook, Nfld. have been named the 2023 recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards.

Following a national call for nominations to the Canadian golf community, Pompey and Allen were identified by the selection committee as recipients of the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards. The recognition celebrates a pair of individuals who demonstrated excellence in using golf as a platform to positively impact their communities.

“We were pleased to receive so many worthy nominations from across the country recognizing the contributions of individuals who use the game of golf in a way to inspire and contribute to their community,” said Golf Canada President, David McCarthy. “Golf Canada and the Foundation are incredibly proud to celebrate Simeon Pompey and Rosie Allen as our 2023 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Award recipients and I am pleased to congratulate both on this much deserved honour and thank them for their continued contributions to our sport in their communities.”

Pompey earned the 2023 Lorie Kane Community Leader Award for his continuous devotion to helping others in his community through the sport of golf. Pompey has been a long-time supporter of First Tee which led him to be at the heart of the program’s success in Montréal since the launch of First Tee – Premier départ Quebec in 2021.He has also played a key role in the launch of golf programming in the Indigenous community of Kahnawake, on the south shore of Montréal. Pompey has been leading life-skills focused golf classes for over 15 years for children and families coming from underrepresented communities and low-income neighbourhoods in Montréal. Pompey also teaches in the Community, Recreation and Leadership Training at Dawson College, where he serves as a mentor to many of his students.

“I am still shocked to have been selected as the winner of the Lorie Kane Community Leader Award for 2023. Now that it has sunken in a bit, I want to thank you all wholeheartedly for this prestigious recognition. I humbly accept the award on behalf of all the children and their families who have benefitted from the values learned through the great game of golf especially First Tee. Thanks to Golf Canada and First Tee, I have been able to introduce the game of golf to mostly inner-city children whose path in life would not have included the great game of golf and the many life-skills that it teaches,” said Simeon Pompey. “I thank Golf Canada, Golf Quebec and First Tee – Canada for this incredible honour as it validates my life’s mission of helping young people reach their true potential. Thanks to First Tee, the trajectory of a child can be changed positively in a profound way.”

Allen has been named the recipient of the 2023 Lorie Kane Future Leader Award. The 15-year-old has played an instrumental leadership role in helping to develop the First Tee – Canada program at her home course, Blomidon Golf Club in Corner Brook, Nfld. Allen has devoted her time to First Tee programming as well as helping to plan and run events for her club’s junior girls’ program. She has also been a key influence working with the Autism Society in Corner Brook on both developing and running a program for junior golfers between the ages of 5-9 with various forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Allen is an accomplished player having been a member of the provincial development team for four years and winning events in her home province. She has future goals of playing in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, and competing in the 2025 Canada Games.

“It is amazing to win this award and I’m very grateful to win something named in Lorie Kane’s honour. I was lucky enough to meet Lorie at the CPKC Women’s Open in 2019 when I was just 11 years old, and she was so nice. I hope I can inspire children in the game of golf the way she inspired me,” said Allen. “I love teaching kids and really enjoy seeing their development through the different programs that we offer. My favorite group of children are those with ASD. They are amazing kids, and it is so rewarding to watch them enjoy the game of golf and the different games we design for them. To know that I can be a part of their development is an honour.”

Pompey will receive a $5,000 donation from the Golf Canada Foundation to advance a golf program or golf-related initiative of his choice. Allen will receive a $5,000 donation towards her post-secondary education.

Submissions for the Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were evaluated by a selection committee that includes representatives from Golf Canada, the Golf Canada Foundation, Honoured Members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, industry representatives and the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.  

The Lorie Kane Community Leader Award celebrates individuals over the age of 19 with a demonstrated ability to lead community initiatives; who have contributed a measurable impact through volunteerism or charity; or have showcased excellence in their involvement with, or support of youth programs such as First Tee – Canada or other junior golf activities.

The Lorie Kane Future Leader Award honours an individual 19 years of age or younger who embodies community leadership; has a history of sportsmanship or demonstrated activities to make the game more inclusive; or an individual who has used golf to create a meaningful impact in their community.

The Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards were named to honour the Canadian golf icon for a longstanding commitment to advancing the sport, charitable work and giving back to the game that defined her Hall of Fame career. Kane is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Canada Sports Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Order of Canada.

A call for nominations for the 2024 Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards will go out later this year.

Golf Canada joins the Golf Québec community in extending our deepest respect and condolences to the family and friends of former colleague Patrick Rhéaume of Québec City following the news of his recent passing.

Patrick joined Golf Canada in 2019 as Membership Regional Director for Québec and worked with the organization until stepping down in 2023 following his diagnosis of Lou Gherig’s disease. A passionate advocate for golf, Patrick spent 31 years working in the golf industry in Québec.

Below is a message shared from our friends at Golf Québec in celebration of Patrick’s impact on the association and his outstanding contributions to the game.

—-

THANK YOU, PATRICK, | A great friend in the golf industry has left us far too soon. Lou Gehrig’s disease, which Patrick had been suffering from for more than a year, progressed much more quickly than desired and we are left with unforgettable memories of our friend and colleague.

The Golf Québec community extends its most sincere condolences to his wife, his two children and the family.

Hardworking and dedicated. Patrick always brought innovative ideas to advance the sport of golf in Québec. Teacher and coach for more than 22 years at the AGFC with his BFF Fred Colgan, he allowed countless others to discover the joy of golf, several who went on to excel in competition. Patrick was a colleague as Regional Director of Golf Canada for Québec for three years until his retirement. His enthusiasm and expertise brought a major impact in the relationship with golf clubs across the province. His knowledge, rigor, and his desire to always do better earned him the respect of his peers as an agent for change in the golf industry.

Patrick, we will miss you. Your sense of humour and your sense of duty will remain in our memories. Thanks Pat, and rest in peace, dear friend.

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the addition of the Canadian U15 Championship and player development educational summit to its 2024 Amateur Championship schedule. The event will take place August 27-30 at the Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont.

The Canadian U15 Championship, presented by BDO will bring together a field of 78 girls and boys, aged 14 and under from across the country to compete over 36-holes, followed by a player development educational summit.

“We are excited to add the Canadian U15 Championship, presented by BDO and its associated player development educational summit to our amateur tournament schedule this season,” said Golf Canada’s National Head of Talent Identification, Tristan Mullally. “This event is an opportunity for Canada’s top young players to compete for a national championship and also receive important education about the high-performance journey.”

The half-day player development educational summit scheduled for August 30 is required for all participants in the Canadian U15 Championship, presented by BDO. Players, along with their families and coaches, will participate in various interactive clinics to learn about navigating the modern pathway in high-performance golf. Topics will include sport psychology, physical training for young golfers, parenting high-performance athletes, and talent development research. Players will also participate in select Team Canada skills tests and learn about the structure of the national team system.

Elmira Golf Club will play host to the inaugural championship. Founded in 1963, the picturesque 18-hole, par 70 course is situated in a country setting just west of Elmira. The clubhouse, also home to “The Grill on the Green” restaurant, sits perched above the 18^th green and provides panoramic views of the golf course below as it flows through the “Eldale Valley” below. Gently winding through the valley and rolling hills is Larches Creek, offering players interesting shots through the unique mixture of finishing holes. Elmira Golf Club celebrated it’s 60^th anniversary in 2023 and recently underwent renovations that saw the addition of 20 new tee decks along with a complete white sand bunker restoration.

“Elmira Golf Club is thrilled to be hosting the inaugural Canadian U15 Championship. After celebrating our 60^th anniversary this past season at EGC, this special event will certainly create the momentum for the next 60 years in the Club’s history. We are looking forward to welcoming Canada’s best U15’s, their families, and Golf Canada to Elmira this August,” said Jeremy Logel, General Manager and Executive Professional, Elmira Golf Club.

Entry into the Canadian U15 Championship, presented by BDO, can be gained through the following avenues:

1. Top 10 U15-aged players from the 2024 Canadian Junior Boys Championship and Canadian Junior Girls Championship (players must make the cut)

• 2024 Provincial U15 Boys and U15 Girls Champions
• Top 2 U15-aged finishers per gender in the 2024 NextGen Championships
• Host Club exemption(s)                                 
• The remainder of the field will be determined by selection.

The boys and girls individual champions will earn exemptions into their respective 2024 Team Canada NextGen Selection Camp as well as their 2025 Canadian Junior Championship, presented by BDO. The top five finishers in each division will earn spots into two 2025 NextGen Championships.

In addition, the Canadian Junior Financial Assistance Program supported by the Gary Cowan Heritage Fund and the Canadian Seniors Golf Association will extend to this championship. The Canadian Junior Financial Assistance Program provides travel grants to qualifying families to mitigate the costs of participating in Golf Canada national championships. For more information, click here.

The full 2024 Canadian Amateur Championship schedule is expected to be announced next month. Registration for all National Amateur Championships will be open on Wednesday, March 6.

Together with the PGA of Canada, Golf Canada is pleased to announce the continuation of the Women in Coaching program and formally open applications for the 2024 cohort.

Now entering its fourth year, the Women in Coaching program improves the balance of female high-performance coaches to better reflect the Canadian golfing community. To date, the program has supported 25 coaches and aims to increase the number of trained female high-performance coaches through intentional delivery of professional development opportunities.

The year-long program is focused on four main areas: virtual learning sessions, individualized learning plans with monthly check-ins led by coach developer Beth Barz, coach shadowing opportunities, and an in-person technical development session.

The program is financially supported through the Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund (JBLF), a fund created to provide critical educational opportunities for women who are developing their careers as professional coaches, thereby helping to increase the number of Canadian women who are prominent leaders and role models for golf in our country.

“We are excited to partner with the PGA of Canada to continue to deliver professional development opportunities to female coaches as we work collaboratively to address the gender gap in high-performance coaching.” said Emily Phoenix, Golf Canada’s Manager of High-Performance Sport. “We are very grateful to the donors of the Jocelyne Bourassa Legacy Fund who continue to make this program possible through their generous support.”

The Women in Coaching program is led by Phoenix, Jennifer Greggain (Associate Coach, Team Canada – Women), Salimah Mussani (Team Canada Stollery Family Women’s Head Coach), and Beth Barz (Master Coach Developer).

“The Women in Coaching Program has accelerated the development of my coaching skills by providing valuable knowledge and offering high-level coaching experiences,.” said Kat Kennedy, 2023 program participant. “Thanks to the incredible support I received from Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada, Team Canada coaches and the women’s golf professional community, the program has significantly boosted my confidence in coaching.”

The 2024 cohort will kick off with an in-person session February 24-27 in Phoenix, Ariz., where participants will shadow national team coaches during a training camp and engage in two days of technical skill development education.

Coaches interested in the Women in Coaching program can click here to apply and are encouraged to reach out to Emily Phoenix (ephoenix@golfcanada.ca) with any questions.

Applications close on Sunday, January 7 at 11:00 p.m. ET.

Twenty years ago, Mike Weir won The Masters to become the first Canadian male to win a major championship. The Green Jacket came north of the border – to borrow a line from Jim Nantz.

The impact of Weir’s Masters triumph has been long felt. And in 2023, two decades on, there were more Canadians who won on the PGA TOUR than in any other 12-month timeframe. Emphasized, of course, by Nick Taylor’s dramatic playoff victory at the RBC Canadian Open in June.

“I think it’s a tournament that we’ve circled on our calendar since probably junior golf. But ever since I’ve been on the PGA TOUR, this is one that we want to do as well as we can in, and the crowd support was the most unbelievable thing I will probably ever experience in my life,” Taylor said. “To, kind of, break that curse – I’m pretty speechless.”

“I don’t think it’s going to sink in for quite some time what happened today.”

Along with Taylor’s win at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, Mackenzie Hughes captured the Sanderson Farms Championship, Adam Svensson broke through for his first PGA TOUR title at The RSM Classic, and Corey Conners won the Valero Texas Open for the second time. Adam Hadwin also added three runner-up finishes this past season.

Conners and Taylor would advance to the TOUR Championship in August, marking the first time that there has been more than one Canadian in the final-event field on Tour during the FedExCup-era. There were excellent major-championship efforts, in-the-mix weeks at almost every tournament, and plenty of momentum behind the mid-30s group on the top of their games on the biggest stage in men’s golf.

And that’s just what happened on the PGA TOUR over the last 12 months.

Add in Brooke Henderson’s season-opening triumph on the LPGA Tour along with a handful more impressive results on the professional and amateur circuit, it’s been a magical time in Canadian golf – one that could be the pillar for even more big-time inspiration to come.

“Our specific goal is to help heroes grow the game,” says Tristan Mullally, Golf Canada’s Head of National Talent Identification. “There’s a Canadian from a small town and if they can do it, I can too.”

Taylor and Henderson are the only golfers in this country’s history to win the Canadian Junior Championship, Canadian Amateur Championship, and Canadian Open on their respective Tours. Henderson won the Canadian Junior Girls in 2012, the Canadian Women’s Amateur in 2013 and the CPKC Women’s Open in 2018. Taylor won the Canadian Junior Boys in 2006 and the Canadian Men’s Amateur in 2007.

“When (junior golfers) see these guys winning and when they see Brooke doing well… they have to see it to know they can do it,” says Kevin Blue, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “The success the players are having, they have earned over their own hard work and their achievements. It shows up-and-coming players that Canadians can and are doing it on the world stage.”

While the impressive victories – and seasons overall – by those on the PGA and LPGA Tour are the world-beating newsmakers, it doesn’t take long to see how incredible the results have been by so many other Canadians on planet golf.

Alena Sharp earned Canada’s second ever medal in golf at the PanAm Games, winning bronze in Santiago, Chile in early November. Sharp, who once again earned LPGA Tour for 2024 status through final qualifying, also enjoyed success this past season on the Epson Tour, winning one tournament in June and adding five top-10 results while not missing a cut in 14 tournaments played.

Two Canadians, won on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023 – Ben Silverman and Roger Sloan. Both Silverman and Sloan have locked up their PGA TOUR cards for next season.

Another two won on PGA TOUR Canada this season. Long-time Golf Canada National Team members Etienne Papineau (Royal Beach Victoria Open presented by Times Colonist) and Stuart Macdonald (Commissionaires Ottawa Open) each found the winners’ circle in Canada in 2023, with Papineau finishing fourth on the season-long points list to earn conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour. He also, as the top Canadian on PGA TOUR Canada, earned an exemption into the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. Papineau also had an impressive run at the PanAm Games coming up just short of the podium, finishing tied for fourth.

Kudos, too, to Myles Creighton, a winner on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica. And of course, Stephen Ames, who won a remarkable four times on PGA TOUR Champions this season.

Canadian amateurs also gave us impressive moments throughout 2023.

Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. captured the 109th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. won the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur, marking only the third time both tournaments were won by Canadians in the same year since 2011. Even more impressive for Kim, she played in the U.S. Junior Girls, U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Women’s Open in addition to the Canadian Women’s Amateur and CPKC Women’s Open, a checklist that very few players have crossed off in a single season.

A pair of 14-year-olds won their respective Canadian Junior Championships with Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. winning the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, and Alex Zhang of Richmond, B.C. taking home the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. had another great season, highlighted by winning the Canadian Women’s Mid-Am for a third time. Kyrinis also earned the best finish by an amateur at the U.S. Women’s Senior Open, finishing tied for sixth in August. Another Canadian golf icon, Mary-Ann Hayward, won the Canadian Women’s Senior Amateur in a thrilling final round by one over Kyrinis.

Monet Chun, a senior at the University of Michigan, became the first Canadian to make the cut at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. She finished tied for 14th after her final round at Augusta National and made the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach.

Natasha Stasiuk of Oakville, Ont. won her third straight Canadian All Abilities Championship, while Chris Willis of Aurora, Ont. won the men’s championship for his first national title.

The UBC Thunderbirds Women’s team continued their dominance by winning a sixth straight national title at the Canadian University/College Championship. Sonja Tang of Victoria, B.C. not only helped lead her team to victory but also won back-to-back Women’s individual titles and made her first appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open.

Canada added its fourth Tailhade Cup in November as Felix Bouchard of Otterburn Park, Que. and Brady McKinlay of Lacombe, Alta. led Canada to victory by four strokes over Denmark and Switzerland.

The most successful season in Canadian golf history added another exciting chapter in early October as Team Canada won its first-ever team title at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship.

The Canada 1 Team comprised of 14-year-old Anna Huang of Vancouver, Vanessa Borovilos of Toronto and Vanessa Zhang of Vancouver shot a team-total 138 at Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. to finish a single shot clear of the Republic of Korea. Huang’s runner-up finish was the best Canadian individual result since Brooke Henderson’s finished fourth in 2014.

“The excitement level for results we’re seeing is fantastic and it rubs off on the young players,” says Blue. “The younger players will see this and think, ‘why not me?’ and that’s great.”

While there were several milestones that deserved recognition on the golf course, there were many off it as well this year.

Golf Canada celebrated two successful launches this year with the creation of the BDO National Golf League and the She Plays Golf Festival.

The BDO National Golf League is a nationwide, season-long competition that was created to enhance the league experience for men, women, and junior players. In its inaugural season, 11,000 golfers and 107 leagues competed coast-to-coast for a spot in the Regional Playoffs. Through the Regional Playoffs, 51 teams qualified for the BDO National Golf League Championship, which will be taking place during tournament week at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. The 51 teams will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime, all expense paid trip to compete for the championship.

The She Plays Golf Festival was a week-long women’s golf celebration that took place this June in Calgary in partnership with The Glencoe Golf and Country Club. The festival was designed to celebrate women’s golf at all levels and address gaps in the participation pathway for women and girls; the festival ran concurrently with the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational. Events during the week included try-golf clinics for women and girls, a team nine-hole scramble along with a networking event for women in sport and professional development events for women leaders in golf. Following the successful pilot this summer, the She Plays Golf Festival is set to expand to more cities across the country in 2024.

First Tee – Canada welcomed over 57,000 participants at 240 locations with programming delivered at golf courses, schools, and community centres across the country in 2023. This past year saw a 151% increase in participants and a 114% increase in locations offering programming. First Tee – Canada expanded to six chapters with the addition of Alberta, joining British Columbia, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. All chapters provide children life-enhancing experiences through the game of golf.

The growth of First Tee – Canada, and success of our athletes in our high-performance programs reflects the sustained impact of champion donors driving the philanthropic excellence of the Golf Canada Foundation which experienced another banner year, raising over $8 million dollars in support of the game.

Creating a safe and welcoming sport environment continued to be a focus for the National Sport Federation, as Golf Canada became a Program Signatory of Abuse-Free Sport, the new national independent mechanism to prevent and address maltreatment in sport. All high-performance athletes, coaches, employees and athletes support personnel are under the jurisdiction of the new mechanism. As a program signatory, all participants have access to the Abuse-Free Sport Helpline where operators with expertise in counselling, psychology and sport will listen, offer support and refer individuals to appropriate reporting mechanisms..  Golf Canada was proud to launch a new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Safe Sport Resource to support its member clubs in this critical mandate.

The success of 2023 for Golf Canada’s two National Open Championships was rightfully recognized by the LPGA and PGA Tours in their season-ending tournament recognition. The RBC Canadian Open took home “Best Marketing Initiative” and “Best Tournament Sales” while the CPKC Women’s Open was once again awarded the LPGA Tour Tournament of the Year Award (the second consecutive year taking home the Tour’s top honour), in addition to recognition for “Best Sponsor Activation” and “Best Volunteer Appreciation.”

The year ends with another celebrated milestone—the first time ever that Golf Canada members surpassed the 10 million mark for scores posted to the Golf Canada Score Centre for handicap tracking. Let that sink in—10M scores—an increase from the previous record 9.7M scores posted a year prior as the resurgence of golf continues. Be part of the celebration and share your own #MyGolfYear achievements to wrap the year!

From Weir’s win to Henderson’s heroics, Taylor’s triumph and the many milestones celebrated through the season, there’s never been a more exciting time in Canadian golf, and this year has been a shining example.

Be sure to follow our social channels over the coming weeks as we continue to celebrate 2023, a momentous year in Canadian golf.