Championship round altered following two lengthy weather delays at
Hamilton Golf and Country Club

Hamilton, Ont. – Tim Charles and Peter Morse have been crowned the inaugural champions of the BDO National Golf League following a playoff win over Reid Middleton and Brian Thorne at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont. on Saturday.

Play was stopped on two occasions Saturday morning due to inclement weather. In order to complete play, tournament formatting was altered with pairings playing their respective nine holes, with the top teams from the back and front nine then meeting in a playoff for the championship. Play resumed shortly before 1 p.m. local time for all 52 pairings (104 golfers).

Charles of North Kentville, N.S. and Morse of New Minas, N.S. earned 22 stableford points from the front nine to advance to the playoff, Middleton and Thorne of New Brunswick posted a similar score of 22 points to emerge as the top team on the back nine.

Both pairings competed on the 18th hole in-front of an enthusiastic crowd, all with par putts awaiting them. After the duo from New Brunswick narrowly missed their putts, Morse drained a lengthy putt to claim the championship for the Nova Scotia duo.

“Just out of this world, I couldn’t describe it for you. We came here to play and have a good time and if we managed to get in and win this thing, Peter had already planned to go to the British Open and now apparently, I have to go with him and I’m really looking forward,” said an elated Charles following the playoff.

This marked the second of two playoff wins for the duo, having won in a playoff in their provincial championship.

“I wanted to win it again because I was able to the first time around, but I didn’t get a chance because Peter made his putt, now in the long run, really happy he made it,” laughed Charles.

Travel issues played a role as their flights were cancelled late on Thursday night. They were able to secure early morning flights on Friday on very little sleep to get to Hamilton to compete.

“We were excited about the whole experience, playing this golf course, having the opportunity to be here when it’s set up for the RBC Canadian Open, nobody else gets that,” said Charles.

“We just like to have fun, we’re not low handicappers and that’s why this is such a great event in my opinion, anybody can do well at it, the guys we played with today were awesome, we had so much fun and that’s what golf’s all about,” added Morse.

Along with becoming the inaugural champions, Charles and Morse will be heading to Royal Troon in Troon, Scotland to represent Canada in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge one-week prior to the 152nd Open Championship. Morse already had plans to attend as a fan.

“I plan to go and take in the full experience and go there, that’s how much it means to me and to go there and play is even cooler. Thanks to Golf Canada, just unbelievable that they’ve done this for us and given us this opportunity,” said Morse.

“I hope my wife is aware that I’m going to have to spend a week there now. Could be news to her,” added Charles with a laugh.

This championship means a little more for Morse, a vice principal at Horton High School in Wolfville, N.S. In 2015, he was involved in a serious car accident, where he suffered 14 fractures and had to learn to walk again.

“To be concerned I wouldn’t be able to walk and then I started playing golf, shooting 99-100, just slowly working my way back to low 80’s, high 70’s and it means the world to me because I can’t play any other sports now. I can’t run, my legs just don’t do it. As someone who played a lot of sports it’s hard on the head, mental health as everyone knows is a big deal, so for me to be able to go out twice a week and golf with my friends and hack it up has just made all the difference in the world for me to be honest,” Morse said with a smile as he walked off the 18th green a national champion.

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The BDO National Golf League was launched by Golf Canada 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.

The provincial championships were contested in the fall of 2023 over 13 regional tournaments across all 10 provinces between September and October, competing for spots into the league championship in Hamilton. Travel expenses to the BDO National Golf League Championship for all participants were covered by Golf Canada.

“Today’s championship represents the culmination and a celebration of a successful inaugural BDO National Golf League season. The inaugural season included roughly 10,000 participants from over 100 leagues hailing from every province across Canada. Our championship field of 104 golfers collected enough points in their respective league major weeks to qualify for provincial playoffs and successfully advanced to today’s championship,” said Tim McLaughlin, Chief Marketing Officer, Golf Canada. “It has been amazing to see players of all skill levels competing here today. Enhancing league play for all recreational golfers was a key goal of the BDO National Golf League. This friendly competition has also made significant impact on creating a brighter and more inclusive future for golf in our country as 100 per cent of the proceeds will be directed to First Tee – Canada.”

Registration is now open for the 2024 BDO National Golf League. To sign-up or for more information, please visit nationalgolfleague.ca.

Inaugural BDO National Golf League champions will gain an exemption into The R&A 9 Hole Challenge at Royal Troon

Imagine walking the historic fairways of Royal Troon Golf Club; the same course where legends and global stars of the game have completed in pursuit of glory.

For one lucky Canadian pairing, that dream will become a reality as The R&A 9 Hole Challenge is set to take place on Friday, July 12, just days before the 152nd playing of The Open in Troon, Scotland.

The R&A 9 Hole Challenge is a 9-hole net Stableford scoring competition that features teams that have qualified in their home country and hold a registered handicap index. Players from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand have previously competed. Canada along with Germany have been added for 2024. The full field competing in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge will be finalized in June.

Kevin Barker, Director – Golf Development: GB&I and Africa at The R&A, said, “Every year we are seeing more people compete in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge with its popularity spreading all over the world. We are pleased to welcome golfers from Canada into the Challenge this year for the first time.

“For people looking for an alternative option to 18-hole golf, it showcases that nine-hole golf can be played competitively by people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

“For all golfers taking part, there is the incredible opportunity to compete on golf’s biggest stage ahead of The Open and I would encourage players to enter a qualifying competition at your local club to give you the chance to play at Royal Troon.”

As part of the BDO National Golf League Championship, the winning team will earn an exemption into The R&A 9 Hole Challenge and with it, become the first pairing from Canada to compete since the Challenge inception in 2016.

Fifty-two teams of two (104 golfers total) are 18-holes away from claiming the inaugural championship and with it a spot in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge. The BDO National Golf League Championship will be taking place on Saturday, May 25, just days before the start of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Last season, over 10,000 participants from 107 leagues from coast-to-cost began their journey of competing for Canada’s first league golf national championship.

“We are excited to have a Canadian team take part in The R&A’s 9 Hole Challenge for the first time and we extend a big thank you to our partners at The R&A for this incredible opportunity,” said Tim McLaughlin, chief marketing officer, Golf Canada. “The inaugural season of the BDO National League has been a success highlighted by the growing numbers of women and men playing, with the goal of competing for not only a national championship but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that The R&A’s 9 Hole Challenge offers.”

The 146-year-old Royal Troon Golf Club will host its tenth Open Championship from July 14-21, 2024, and its first since 2016. The club also hosted the AIG Women’s Open on one occasion in 2020.

For more information on The R&A 9 Hole Challenge, please visit randa.org/en/nine-hole-challenge.

Want a chance to compete in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge? Registration is now open for the 2024 BDO National Golf League, and to sign-up or get more information, please visit nationalgolfleague.ca.

Three women’s pairings among those set to compete for the inaugural
BDO National Golf League Championship as part of the
2024 RBC Canadian Open in Hamilton

The inaugural season of the BDO National Golf League welcomed over 1,500 women competitors in 2023, and three women-only pairings are among the fifty-two teams of two (104 golfers total) who qualified to compete at the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club for the chance to be crowned the first ever BDO National Golf League champions.

The BDO National Golf League Championship takes place on Saturday, May 25, just days before the start of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club layout.

Among those set to compete in the national final are Donna Manning and Deborah Delaney from the GlenDenning Golf Club in St. John’s, Nfld. The pair secured their spot after finishing atop the leaderboard in qualifying from their regional playoff at the Twin Rivers Golf Club at Terra Nova in Port Blandford, Nfld.

“We arrived at the regionals with no expectations, both of us were pretty nervous, and then realizing we were playing against mostly men. We ended up playing some of our best golf and as a result, captured that first spot.

“I feel very honoured to be representing GlenDenning Golf Club and Newfoundland. The staff at GlenDenning are very proud and excited for our accomplishment and wish us good luck in Hamilton. I’m beyond excited and I can’t wait for May. This event will be awesome and one of my proudest moments,” said Donna Manning.

Delaney echoed her teammate that a mix of excitement and nerves came about during qualification. Added incentive for Delaney was competing against her brother, who also advanced to the regional playoffs in Port Blandford, Nfld.

“Donna and I didn’t calculate our course handicaps for Terra Nova so we didn’t keep track of the Stableford points. We decided that we would just play our game as best we could and see how it all played out with no pressure. Fortunately, we played well and won the tournament. We are beyond excited to represent Newfoundland in Hamilton this coming May and hopefully play some fantastic golf.”

Across the country, Karen Cairns and Lynne Godfrey are one of three teams from the Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna, B.C. that qualified in the regional playoff.

“It will be terrific to share the experience and to meet other players from across the country, no matter the outcome,” said Cairns.

“We were stunned. We knew we played good ham and eggs but didn’t think we would tie for first place. We are so excited to attend,” added Godfrey.

La Belle Province will be represented by Martine Dusault and Sylvie Desroches from Le Maître de Mont-Tremblant in Mont-Tremblant, Que. who were among the eight teams to qualify from Quebec.

“Very proud to have qualified for this tournament. We’re the only women in Quebec. We can’t wait to play this magnificent golf course,” said Dusault.

“My teammate and I are very proud of our performance, being the only two women in Quebec to qualify for the final. We didn’t think we’d make it playing the men’s tees, so we played for fun! What a nice surprise! We’re very proud to represent our club, Le Maître de Mont-Tremblant! Thank you NGL!” added Desroches.

In addition to the national finals taking place at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in the leadup to the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, the winning team will receive an expenses-paid trip to represent Canada at The R&A 9 Hole Challenge at Royal Troon in Troon, Scotland, one-week prior to the 152^nd Open Championship. This will mark the first time that Canada will participate in the 9 Hole Challenge. For more information on the R&A 9 Hole Challenge, please visit randa.org/en/nine-hole-challenge.

The BDO National Golf League was launched by Golf Canada ahead of the 2023 season as a nationwide, season-long competition to enhance weekly recreational league experiences for men, women, and junior golfers. Scoring follows a 9-hole net stableford format that takes place during a six-week period of a club’s league season. Within those six weeks, the best four scores are used to determine the individuals that would advance to the next stage of the competition – the provincial championships. The BDO National Golf League points system is designed to level the playing field for players of all skill levels. The competition is about making golf fun as the first priority.

Registration is now open for the 2024 BDO National Golf League, to sign-up or for more information, please visit nationalgolfleague.ca.

Championship schedule to include 11 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship in addition to Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open

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

She Plays Golf Championship Series with stops in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.

Golf Canada is pleased to announce its full 2024 championship schedule, which includes amateur and professional competitions in addition to various qualifiers hosted at golf facilities across Canada.

The 2024 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s two signature National Open Championships — the RBC Canadian Open, returning to the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. May 28 – June 2, and the 50th playing of the CPKC Women’s Open to be held at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, July 23-28.

Golf Canada’s 2024 competition calendar also includes 11 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship. Three new previously announced championships for the 2024 season include the BDO National Golf League Finals, the Canadian U15 Championship, and the Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

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

“We are pleased to announce the full championship schedule for 2024 and the addition of three new tournaments this year. We look forward to welcoming talented amateur athletes from across Canada and around the globe to compete for our national championships,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada Director, Amateur Championships and Rules. “I want to thank our corporate partners, our generous host clubs across the country, and all the volunteers that are vital to making these championships possible. We are looking forward to another great season of championship golf.”

Each of Golf Canada’s championships are set to be contested at Canada’s top clubs including the 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur, hosted by Riverside Country Club and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, both in Saskatoon, Sask., while the 110th Canadian Women’s Amateur will be played at the Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C.

The Canadian Junior Financial Assistance Program supported by Gary Cowan Heritage Fund and the Canadian Senior Golf Association will once again be available for Juniors competing in the NextGen Championships and all National Junior Championships (Juniors and U15) who meet eligibility requirements which can be found here.

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

Other notable qualifiers being conducted for USGA Championships on the 2024 schedule include a U.S. Open Local and Final Qualifier, a U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier in addition to qualifiers for the U.S. Junior Amateur and Girls’ Junior Championships, the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and local qualifier for the U.S. Amateur Championship.  

New to the schedule in 2024 is the She Plays Golf Championship Series, a three-event circuit in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto that marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada. She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs. The enhanced championships comprising the She Plays Golf Championships Series include the Peloton Glencoe Invitational (June 13-15 at the Forest Course at Glencoe Golf and Country Club in Calgary), the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open (June 19-22 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C.), and the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada (July 2-5 at a venue to be announced in the Greater Toronto Area). For 2024, the top two finishers in each event from the She Plays Golf Championship Series will qualify for the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary. In addition, the overall points leader at the conclusion of the She Plays Golf Championship Series will earn a spot in the CPKC Women’s Open, if not already qualified.

Golf Canada’s championship season kicks off April 15 with a U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier at The Vancouver Golf Club and concludes with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from September 30 – October 5, where Team Canada will look to defend its championship.

To view Golf Canada’s 2024 Championship Schedule, including all host venues, registration requirements and volunteer opportunities visit, golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.

2024 Amateur Championship Season at a Glance…

The inaugural BDO National Golf League Finals will be held at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. on May 25 ahead of tournament week of the RBC Canadian Open. Fifty-two two-player teams will compete over 18-holes in a four-ball net stableford format to crown the first ever BDO National Golf League Champions.

The Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO, will be held June 2-6 at Idylwylde Golf and Country Club in Sudbury, Ont. The championship includes both a team and individual component featuring Canada’s top university and college talent. The winning men’s team will qualify for the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

The Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be held July 10-13 at Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay, B.C. The 2023 event marked the first-time the tournament was held as a standalone event for female amateurs aged 25-and-over.

The Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested July 21-25 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver where the winner will earn an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2025 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.

The 110th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, takes place July 29 – August 2 at Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C. with the champion earning an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, as well as an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

The 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested in Saskatoon, Sask., August 3-8 and hosted by the Riverside Country Club and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. A maximum field of 264 players will be cut to the low 70 players and ties after 36 holes, with the final two rounds contested at Riverside Country Club. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, as well as an invitation to the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship. The winner will also receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested August 12-16 at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be held August 19-23 at Carleton Golf and Yacht Club in Manotick, Ont.

The Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, will take place August 26-29 at The Club at North Halton in Georgetown, Ont. The Senior Champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Championship and 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Open.

The newest national championship addition to the schedule, the Canadian U15 Championship  will be played at Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont. from August 27-30. 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.

The Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, a national championship for players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments, will be held September 9-12 at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ont. The championship will expand to 54-holes in 2024 with previous tournaments being contested over 36-holes.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, will be hosted by Saugeen Golf Club in Port Elgin, Ont. from September 11-15, with the champion earning an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Collegiate Invitational will debut at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 15-17. The tournament was announced last November and will be co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University. The intercollegiate tournament will feature nine NCAA Division I men’s teams along with the winning men’s team from the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship. The champion receives an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open.

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

The 2024 NextGen Championship host clubs include: Summerland Golf and Country Club (Summerland, B.C.), FireRock Golf Club (Komoka, Ont.), Leduc Golf Club (Leduc, Alta.), Whitewater Golf Club (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Club de golf Les Boisés de Joly (Joly, Que.) and The Wilds Resort (Holyrood, Nfld.).

The 2024 championship season concludes with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, taking place at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from September 30 to October 5. Team Canada looks to defend the team championship amongst a field of the world’s best junior golfers. Teams compete as 3-member squads while also contesting for an individual title.

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

• NextGen Championships: Wednesday, February 21 at 12:00pm EST
• RBC Canadian Open Qualifying: Wednesday, February 28 at 12:00pm EST
• National Amateur Championships: Wednesday, March 6 at 12:00pm EST

Winning team to gain an exemption into the R&A 9 Hole Challenge
at Royal Troon

The stage is set for the inaugural BDO National Golf League Championship, taking place on Saturday, May 25, just days before the start of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open at the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Last season, over 10,000 participants from 107 leagues from coast-to-cost began their journey of competing for Canada’s first league golf national championship. Fifty-two teams of two (104 golfers total) will be 18-holes away from a shot at glory and being crowned the first ever BDO National Golf League champions.

Travel expenses to the BDO National Golf League Championships for all participants are covered by Golf Canada. An opening reception will be held on the Friday evening prior to the championship round on Saturday, May 25 at the Hamilton Golf and Country.

In addition, the winning team will receive an expenses-paid trip to represent Canada at The R&A 9 Hole Challenge at Royal Troon in Troon, Scotland, one-week prior to the 152^nd Open Championship. This will mark the first time that Canada will participate in the 9 Hole Challenge. For more information on the R&A 9 Hole Challenge, please visit randa.org/en/nine-hole-challenge.

The BDO National Golf League was launched by Golf Canada ahead of the 2023 season as a nationwide, season-long competition to enhance weekly recreational league experiences for men, women and junior golfers. Scoring follows a 9-hole net stableford format that takes place during a six-week period of a club’s league season. Within those six weeks, the best four scores are used to determine the individuals that would advance to the next stage of the competition – the provincial championships.

The provincial championships were contested in the fall of 2023 over 13 regional tournaments across all 10 provinces between September and October, competing for spots into the league championship in Hamilton. For the full list of results from the BDO National Golf League Provincial Championships, click here.

The storied Hamilton Golf and Country Club will play host to the inaugural BDO National Golf League Championship in the days leading up to the start of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. Participants will walk the same fairways and compete on the historic course prior to the stars of the PGA TOUR descending upon Hamilton Golf and Country Club for the seventh time in the National Open Championship’s history.

One pairing that qualified out of the New Brunswick regional playoff, Nora Ringuette and Doreen Vienneau from the Pine Needles Golf and Country Club, found the season-long league both challenging and enjoyable.

“The National Golf League creates a season long, positive, and friendly competition. The stableford scoring makes it fair and more challenging for low handicap players, you really need to bring your A game,” said Ringuette.

Vienneau added, “this is just amazing, never assumed when I joined this new league that we (I) would actually make it to Ontario (national championship). I feel very privileged.”

A mother and son duo will also be competing in Hamilton. Sue Kupper and son Josh were one of the teams to qualify from Alberta, representing the D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club in Okotoks, Alta.

“I feel like this event will be a high point in my golf life. I love golf and am thankful that I get to golf with my son weekly in the mixed league at D’Arcy Ranch. To share this experience with him will be fun for both of us,” said Kupper.

An integral part of the league is the charity aspect, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting First Tee – Canada in each province. First Tee – Canada is a youth development program striving to bring accessible and inclusive pathways to golf participation at schools, community centres, and golf courses across the country. In the first season of the BDO National Golf League, there was strong philanthropic support for First Tee – Canada, with gifts directly impacting youth within the province where the money was raised. To learn more about First Tee programming and ways to get involved visit firstteecanada.ca

“We are incredibly pleased with the successful launch of the BDO National Golf League that culminates in crowning the inaugural champions in May at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club,” said Kevin Blue, chief sport officer, Golf Canada. “The league has seen a great representation of women and men across the country competing within their own leagues, while working towards a goal of competing for a national championship. In addition, a major aspect of this league is the money raised for First Tee that helps grow the game in our country.”

Registration is now open for the 2024 BDO National Golf League, and to sign-up or get more information, please visit nationalgolfleague.ca.