Following an extensive search of accomplished business and marketing leaders, the PGA of Canada has selected one of its own to lead the association to a new level of sustainable growth and success, its President announced Tuesday.

“Considering the large number of highly accomplished business leaders who entered this competition, I am excited to announce that our Board of Directors has selected Kevin Thistle to lead the PGA of Canada into an exciting new era of success,” Steve Wood, President of the Board of Directors of the PGA of Canada announced Tuesday.

Mr. Thistle, former President of Golf Operations for the Windmill Group in Calgary, has held leadership positions at some of Canada’s most recognized golf clubs including Angus Glen.

“I want to emphasize that while he was, until Wednesday of last week, an active member of our Board of Directors, he was chosen because of his track record in business, his demonstrated leadership skills, his proven marketing acumen and his ideas about sustaining growth and profitability in our business through innovation,“ Mr. Wood said.

“Kevin is extremely well-known and respected in our business across Canada, not only because of his extensive professional accomplishments but because of his ethics, his energy, his ideas and his ability to work with others to achieve common goals. The number of high calibre leaders who expressed interest in this challenge should have made a difficult choice. In the end, Kevin’s knowledge of our industry and experience as a marketing innovator made him a clear and unanimous choice of our Board,” Mr. Wood said.

“Thanks to the work of Gary Bernard, our former Chief Executive Officer, we are in a strong position, with the means to identify and pursue exciting new directions. The transition process towards those new directions will require vision, leadership and strong people skills.  We are confident Kevin has those skills. “

“To me, this is a dream come true,” Mr. Thistle said. “I have been part of the PGA of Canada throughout my career. I have been active in both Ontario and Alberta zones of the PGA of Canada and I have close friends across the country.  Our members value the PGA of Canada and the brand credibility it offers. I think they realize change is inevitable. I look forward to working closely with our Board and our members across Canada to help our association and its members enjoy a robust and exciting future.”

Founded in 1911 the Professional Golfers Association of Canada is the oldest professional golf association in North America and the second oldest PGA in the world. The PGA of Canada is a non-profit association comprising 3,700 golf professionals across the country and has evolved to become one of the most innovative and respected in the world.

Read Thistle’s full biography at the PGA of Canada’s website.

Golfers from across the country will be treated to a legendary golf trip next week at Cabot Links for the National Final of the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company.

Taking place Oct. 12-14 at the world-famous Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs in Inverness, N.S., this once-in-a-lifetime national final features 22 teams—comprised of four amateurs and one PGA of Canada professional—playing in a 54-hole Ambrose-style format.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be heading to Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs for the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company National Final,” said PGA of Canada President Steve Wood. “It’s widely known the golf at both Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs is world-class, however, the entire Cabot Links resort experience—lodging, dining, east coast charm—is also a second-to-none experience.”

Located in Inverness, N.S., Cabot Links is Canada’s first and only authentic links golf resort. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the picturesque town of Inverness, the Cabot Links course represents a dramatic departure from the typical golf excursion. With six holes playing directly alongside the water and every hole offers an ocean view, Cabot Links is where traditional links-land golf comes to life against the spectacular Nova Scotia landscape.

The Cabot Cliffs course, designed by the decorated team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is the newest addition to Cabot. Exquisitely carved out of the breathtaking Cape Breton landscape, with postcard-worthy panoramas vying for your attention and every hole calling out to the sea, it is links-land golf at its best.

“There’s no place more fitting for the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company to finish than the distinguished Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs,” said Matt McGlynn, Vice President of Brand Marketing for RBC. “With the special guests attending, top-notch east coast hospitality being provided and two first-rate golf courses on hand, the national final promises to be the perfect finale.”

Cabot Cliffs ranked No. 1, while Cabot Links ranked No. 4 on SCOREGolf’s 2016 Best Golf Courses in Canada list. Cabot Cliffs also debuted 19th on the World’s Top 100 Courses list by Golf Digest.

“We here at Cabot are thrilled to host the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company National Final,” said Cabot Links’ General Manager Andrew Alkenbrack. “We plan on putting on a fantastic show for the winning amateurs and their PGA professionals from around the country.”

The RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company National Final promises to be a golf trip of a lifetime and will include a festival of special events, prizing, meals, activations and much more.

Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and golf media personality Bob Weeks will be on site during championship week to handle emcee duties at the opening ceremonies. Weeks will also moderate a special Q&A on the opening night and act as the honorary starter during the second round at Cabot Cliffs.

In addition to the opening ceremonies, participants in the national final will be treated to two RBC dinners at the Panorama restaurant, as well as two receptions by The Lincoln Motor Company and a closing ceremonies event.

Those not playing in the RBC PGA Scramble of Canada presented by the Lincoln Motor Company National Final can still take part in all the action throughout the week at Cabot Links through social media. Watch on Facebook Live with multiple live streams—which include player interviews, behind-the-scene looks, drone flyovers, opening and closing ceremonies, and more. Follow along on Twitter and Instagram as well for great social content.

The RBC PGA Scramble presented by the Lincoln Motor Company saw thousands of golfers from across the country participate in the series of events this summer. The 22 teams participating at Cabot Links made it through local and regional qualifying events.

For more information about the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company, visit the website by clicking here.

The Angus Glen team of amateurs Patrick O’Leary, Dan Mesley, Mike Asselin, David Fotheringham and PGA of Canada professional Terry Kim won by a mere 0.2 shots last year over the team from Lookout Point to capture the inaugural edition in 2016.

RICHMOND, B.C. — Marc-Etienne Bussieres parlayed an incredible final nine holes at Richmond Country Club into a win at the PGA Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.

Bussieres closed with a final-round 6-under-par 66 Thursday, making an eagle and three birdies over the final nine holes to chase down and eventually pass his good friend Sonny Michaud.

Heading into the final round, Michaud held a commanding five-shot lead over the PGA of Canada’s No. 1-ranked player. Bussieres knew, however, a solid round of Wednesday could give him the opportunity to hoist the championship trophy at day’s end.

“With conditions being a little windier and firmer today, I knew it wouldn’t be easy out there, so if I put together a really good round I could still catch Sonny,” said Bussieres. “I made that eagle on No. 10 and that gave me a little fire and after the birdie on 15 I just had a feeling I had it because I was just hitting it so well.”

For what seemed like miles and miles worth of made putts over the first two days for Michaud, his wand went cold Wednesday in Richmond en route to a final round even par 72.

“It’s tough trying to win wire-to-wire because if you’re behind there’s no pressure, you just play golf,” admitted Michaud. “I don’t feel like I lost this championship, rather Marc actually won it. But I do wish I was holding the trophy right now and there’s a sour taste in my mouth.”

Playing in his first career PGA of Canada national championship, Cory Renfrew finished alone in the third spot, three shots back at -12. Also playing in his first national championship as a PGA of Canada member, Dillon Bastel locked up the fourth spot at -11.

Pierre-Alexandre Bedard, Nate Ollis and two-time PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada winner Mike Belbin rounded out the top five at 10-under-par.

For the full-time PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf leaderboard, click here.

With the win in Richmond, Bussieres solidified his place atop the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC.

“I’ve been calculating the rankings points and I knew that if I played well this week it would pretty much secure my spot for next year’s RBC Canadian Open,” said Bussieres. “Now with this win, it’s going to be hard for anyone to catch me at the top, so I can start preparing now. I definitely want to put on a good show and represent the PGA of Canada well.”

Originally launched in 2011, the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC and has received much praise over the past six years.

Players ranked inside the top 64 earn invites to the PGA Championship of Canada. The player who is ranked No. 1 at the conclusion of the championship earns an exemption into the RBC Canadian Open.

The Mike Weir Player of the Year Award is also based on points earned throughout the calendar year. Players gain these points based on performance at national and zone tournaments.

Bussieres earned the Mike Weir Player of the Year Award honours in 2016 after capturing the PGA Championship of Canada at Victoria Golf Club.

The Quebec squad (Bussieres, Bedard, Michaud and Jean-Philip Cornellier) won the 36-hole Inter-Zone competition Tuesday (which is compiled of four players on each team representing their respective PGA Zone and is contested over the first two rounds) by an astounding 28 shots.

The next PGA of Canada national championship takes place Oct. 12-14 at Cabot Links for the RBC PGA Scramble of Canada.

Even though Sonny Michaud had to work a little harder Tuesday at Richmond Country Club than he did the day the before, his second-round result at the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf was more of the same.

The 28-year-old from Club de Golf La Tempete in Quebec shot a second-round 5-under-par 67, bringing his two-day total to -14. He has opened up a three-shot lead over his good friend and fellow Quebecer, Pierre-Alexandre Bedard.

“It was a bit of a roller coaster today,” Michaud said about his second-round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys. “I right away started with two birdies and then immediately made two bogeys right after that. But during the middle of the round, I had a nice little birdie stretch and that helped me out.”

Michaud and Bedard will be joined in Thursday’s final threesome by their Quebec teammate Marc-Etienne Bussieres, the PGA of Canada’s No. 1-ranked player, who sits at 9-under for the championship.

Two-time PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada winner Mike Belbin is six shots back at 8-under-par, with Victoria’s Eric Wang seven-shots back at 7-under-par. Cory Renfrew, Dillon Bastel and last year’s champion Dustin Risdon are at 6-under-par, T6.

For the full leaderboard and Wednesday’s third round tee times, click here

The Quebec squad (Bussieres, Bedard, Michaud and Jean-Philip Cornellier) won the 36-hole Inter-Zone competition Tuesday (which is compiled of four players on each team representing their respective PGA Zone and is contested over the first two rounds) by an astounding 28 shots.

Both Michaud and Bedard said they were looking forward to playing together in the final group Thursday in Richmond.

“It’s going to be our first final pairing tomorrow and I can’t wait for it,” Michaud said. “Of course I’m going to try and win, and he’ll try and beat me as well, but in the end I just want one of us to win.”

Not only are Michaud and Bedard roommates this week in Richmond, they’re also full-time roomies back in Quebec City.

“We’ll both want to win that’s for sure,” Bedard admitted. “But whoever makes the most birdies tomorrow will end up winning.”

The 54-hole national championship takes place through Wednesday at the A.V. Macan-designed Richmond Country Club. Set within the greenbelt of the agricultural land reserve, the venue is known for its tree-lined fairways, well-positioned bunkers, and raised, undulating greens.

RICHMOND, B.C. — Club de Golf La Tempete’s Sonny Michaud a 9-under-par 63 on Monday at Richmond Country Club to take the first-round lead at the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.

The 29-year-old from Quebec City made eight birdies, an eagle and a bogey on the day to lead by three shots over fellow Quebecers Pierre-Alexander Bedard of Club de Golf Cap Rouge and the PGA of Canada’s No. 1-ranked player Marc-Etienne Bussieres of Club de Golf Longchamp.

“I actually didn’t think 63 was out there when I teed off this morning, but that’s golf isn’t it?” admitted Michaud. “My putter was pretty good and I probably made more than 120-feet worth of putts out there.”

Michaud, who finished fifth at last year’s PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada, said he was feeling the good vibes mid-way through his round.

“I was 7-under after 10 holes and that’s where I really started to think about it. But maybe I thought about it too much because I immediately made a bogey on No. 11,” said Michaud. “But I made a little comeback at the end there because I knew Bedard was playing well up ahead of me and I really just wanted to finish better than he did.”

Michaud made three birdies over his final four holes, while Bedard made just one on No. 17.

Two-time PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada winner Mike Belbin of the Royal Mayfair Golf Club sits alone in fourth after an opening 5-under-par 67. Fellow Albertans Dillon Batsel and Scott Stiles are T5 at 4-under.

The 54-hole national championship takes place through Wednesday at the A.V. Macan-designed Richmond Country Club. Set within the greenbelt of the agricultural land reserve, the venue is known for its tree lined fairways, well-positioned bunkers, and raised, undulating greens.

Thirty-two players in total are currently at even-par or better with two-rounds remaining.

For the full leaderboard and Tuesday’s second round times, click here.

The Quebec squad leads the 36-hole Inter-Zone competition (which is compiled of four players on each team representing their respective PGA Zone and is contested over the first two rounds) at 21 under, 20 shots better than Team Alberta.

Admittance to the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf is free and spectators are encouraged to attend during championship play.

RICHMOND, B.C. —British Columbia’s fourth-largest city is set to host the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.

The 54-hole national championship takes place Sept. 18-20 at the Richmond Country Club and features a field stacked with talent.

“The PGA of Canada is excited about visiting the beautiful province of British Columbia and the highly-regarded Richmond Country Club,” says PGA of Canada president Steve Wood. “The PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf annually features some of the best players in our association and this year is no different.”

This year’s field at Richmond Country Club features such standouts as:

• The PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC Nos. 1 and 2-ranked players Marc-Etienne Bussieres (Club de Golf Longchamp) and Bryn Parry (Point Grey Golf & Country Club)
• This year’s PGA Championship of Canada winner Jean-Philip Cornellier (Club de Golf Knowlton)
• Past PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada past winners Dustin Risdon (National Academy Golf Dome), Brad Kerfoot (Maple Downs Golf Club), Brian McCann (Brampton Golf Club), Mike Belbin (Royal Mayfair Golf Club) and Eddward Boudreau (Gorge Vale Golf Club).

Other players to keep a keen eye out for during the week include Christine Wong (Pacific Golf Academy); Nick Kenney (The National Golf Club of Canada); Oliver Tubb (University Golf Club); Pierre-Alexandre Bedard (Club de Golf Cap Rouge); Ed Maunder (Deerfield Golf & Recreation Centre); Sonny Michaud (Club de Golf La Tempete); Thomas Keddy (Oslerbrook Golf Club); Kevin Stinson (Valley Golf Centre); Wes Heffernan (Golf Canada Calgary Centre); Adam Bruce (Glendale Golf & Country Club); Douglas Morgan (Richmond Country Club); Cory Renfrew (Cordova Bay Golf Club); and John Shin (Northview Golf Academy).

For the full field and first round tee times, click here.

Designed by famed golf course architect A.V. Macan, Richmond Country Club has become known as one of British Columbia’s premiere golf venues. Set within the greenbelt of the agricultural land reserve, the venue is known for its tree lined fairways, well-positioned bunkers, and its signature raised, undulating greens.

There will also be a 36-hole Inter-Zone competition compiled of four players on each team representing their respective PGA Zone and is contested over the first two rounds.

Admittance to the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada is free and spectators are encouraged to attend during championship play.

As if it were scripted, two best friends were part of a three-person playoff Wednesday afternoon at Scarboro Golf & Country Club to decide the winner of the 2017 DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.

In the end, it was Brittany Marchand of Mono, Ont., outlasting her old pal Augusta James of Bath, Ont., rolling in a 25-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole.

“For me, I was glad to be in a playoff with my best friend,” Marchand admitted shortly after the win. “If someone was going to beat me, I’d want it to be her.”

Marchand and James grew up playing junior golf together in Ontario; both attended NC State University; were an integral part of Team Canada’s National Team; and are travel mates in their early professional golf career.

“Brittany and I have a pretty special relationship,” James said after the playoff defeat. “We can complete with and against each other and then hop in the car and drive in the next event,” she said, adding, “so we have a balanced friendship and that’s really hard to come by.”

Marchand echoed James’ sentiments.

“We play like two-to-three times a week together, we room together, we pretty much do everything together,” Marchand said of the pair.

Marchand, James and Samantha Troyanovich all finished the championship at 5-under-par, leading to the playoff. On the first extra hole, Troyanovich missed a birdie convert from five-feet for the win, allowing Marchand and James to stay alive with a pair of pars. The second playoff hole saw James and Marchand both make par, while Troyanovich made bogey after a three-putt. On the third playoff, Marchand rolled in a 25-foot birdie for the win.

“The putt was actually pretty straight,” Marchand admitted. “It was down hill and I had to do was just get it started.”

With the win, Marchand joins the likes of Lorie Kane, Brooke Henderson, Alena Sharp, Cathy Sherk, Gail Graham and Nancy Harvey as champions of the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.

“Some of the best Canadian golfers ever have won this championship before and it’s cool to have my name right there along with them too,” Marchand said.

Fellow Canadian Anne-Catherine Tanguay finished fourth at 4-under-par, with American Jenny Lee rounding out the top-five at 3 under.

Rebecca Lee-Bentham captures the club professional division, bettering Hannah Hellyer by a pair of shots.

Marchand’s win at the DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada is her second major title of late, winning. the Symetra Tour’s PHC Classic earlier this month.

The 25-year-old will tee it up next week on the LPGA Tour for the CP Canadian Women’s Open and then will back on the Symetra Tour at month’s end looking to continue her journey of earning full-time LPGA Tour playing privileges for 2018. She’ll also play in next months Evian Championship—an LPGA Tour major—in France.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence heading into the next couple weeks, but at the same time I don’t want to think about it too much and put a lot of pressure on myself,” Marchand said.

The next PGA of Canada national championship takes place Sept. 17-20 at Richmond Country Club for the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.

Click here to view the full leaderboard.

With laser-like precision off the tee at Scarboro Golf & Country Club, Augusta James found herself atop a crowded leaderboard at the DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.

The Bath, Ont., native and LPGA Tour rookie posted an opening-round 4-under-par 68 Tuesday to lead an impressive group of players that includes LPGA and Symetra Tour winners.

“Other than the eighth hole, I hit every fairway out there,” James said. “Hitting a lot of fairways and my accuracy with longer clubs are definitely the strengths of my game.”

Apparently, making birdies is another strength of James’. Her day included seven birdies and three bogeys.

Remarkably, James wasn’t the only one who made seven birdies Tuesday at Scarboro. Lindsey McPherson of Flushing, Mich., also made seven—however, she made all seven of hers in succession.

“I can honestly say I’ve never made seven birdies in a row, so that was pretty cool,” McPherson said. “It was kind of funny though because I didn’t feel like I was playing that great. But then I looked at the card and saw that I had made seven in a row.”

McPherson, along with former three-time Symetra Tour winner and LPGA Tour player Mina Harigae of Mesa, Ariz., are T2 at 3-under-par.

A trio of Canadian standouts—Anna Kim, Anne-Catherine Tanguay and Brittany Marchand (who is the most recent winner on the Symetra Tour)—along with Americans Madeleine Sheils and Samantha Troyanovich are all at 2-under-par, T4.

The DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada’s most decorated champion, Lorie Kane (a five-time winner) and Jenny Lee of California lurk just three back of James at 1-under-par.

Hannah Hellyer of St. Georges Golf & Country Club leads the Club Professional Division by a pair of shots over Rebecca Lee-Bentham.

The winner of this year’s championship will earn an exemption into the CP Canadian Women’s Open at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, Aug. 21-27.

Scarboro Golf and Country Club, with a history dating back to 1912, has been the site of four Canadian Opens, the Canadian Tour Championship and several amateur championships. The course was originally designed by noted professional and Canadian golf course architect George Cumming, but underwent extensive changes in 1924 under the direction of Albert Warren Tillinghast. Tillinghast was one of North America’s premier golf course designers, who was at the peak of his career when hired to redesign Scarboro.

Scarboro is in great company among such renowned Tillinghast courses as Winged Foot, Ridgewood, Five Farms East, the redesign of Baltusrol and the fearsome Bethpage Black at Farmingdale, Long Island, N.Y. The latter literally consumed the games greatest golfers at the 2002 U.S. Open.

Scarboro remains the only course outside the U.S. designed by Tillinghast.
He masterfully used Highland Creek, which comes into play as many as 11 times in 18 holes, and the hilly terrain, gullies and trees as natural hazards, making artificial hazards almost unnecessary at Scarboro.

The PGA Women’s Championship of Canada was first played in 1987 and past champions include five-time winner Lorie Kane, Brooke Henderson, Alena Sharp, Cathy Sherk, Gail Graham, Nancy Harvey, and Jessica Shepley.

Admittance to the DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada is free and spectators are encouraged to attend during the 36-hole championship play.

To follow the DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada online throughout tournament week, visit www.pgaofcanada.com.

Click here for the full leaderboard.

The best in Canadian women’s golf are set to compete for the DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada gets underway today in Scarborough, Ont.

A field featuring a mix of past LPGA Tour winners and rising Canadian stars had a practice round yesterday and will play 36 holes at Scarboro Golf & Country Club from Aug. 15-16, all with the same goal of winning the DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.

“The field for this year’s Data PGA Women’s Championship of Canada is tremendous,” said PGA of Canada president Steve Wood. “There’s a solid mix of past LPGA Tour winners and up-and-coming Canadian talent that will surely produce a riveting championship.”

This year’s field includes:

• Four-time LPGA Tour winner, five-time PGA Women’s Championship of Canada winner, Canadian and PGA of Canada Golf Hall of Fame member Lorie Kane
• Symetra Tour winner and Orangeville, Ont., native Brittany Marchand
• Symetra Tour’s No. 8-ranked player Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec
• LPGA Tour player and past Canadian Women’s Amateur champion Augusta James of Bath, Ont.
• LPGA Tour player Jennifer Ha of Calgary
• Symetra Tour player Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont.
• Past LPGA Tour winner Kris Tamulis
• Past Symetra Tour winner Sue Kim of Langley, B.C.
• Past PGA Women’s Championship of Canada winners Vivian Tsui, Salimah Mussani
• LPGA Tour player Mina Harigae of California
• PGA of Canada members Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Kylie Barros and Sylvie Schetagne

The winner of this year’s championship will earn an exemption into the CP Canadian Women’s Open at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, Aug. 21-27.

Scarboro Golf and Country Club, with a history dating back to 1912, has been the site of four Canadian Opens, the Canadian Tour Championship and several amateur championships. The course was origin ally designed by noted professional and Canadian golf course architect George Cumming, but underwent extensive changes in 1924 under the direction of Albert Warren Tillinghast. Tillinghast was one of North America’s premier golf course designers, who was at the peak of his career when hired to redesign Scarboro.

Scarboro is in great company among such renowned Tillinghast courses as Winged Foot, Ridgewood, Five Farms East, the redesign of Baltusrol and the fearsome Bethpage Black at Farmingdale, Long Island, N.Y. The latter literally consumed the games greatest golfers at the 2002 U.S. Open.

Scarboro remains the only course outside the U.S. designed by Tillinghast.

He masterfully used Highland Creek, which comes into play as many as 11 times in 18 holes, and the hilly terrain, gullies and trees as natural hazards, making artificial hazards almost unnecessary at Scarboro.

The PGA Women’s Championship of Canada was first played in 1987 and past champions include five-time winner Lorie Kane, Brooke Henderson, Alena Sharp, Cathy Sherk, Gail Graham, Nancy Harvey, and Jessica Shepley.

Admittance to the DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada is free and spectators are encouraged to attend during the 36-hole championship play.

To follow the DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada online throughout tournament week, visit pgaofcanada.com,

FOR THE FULL FIELD AND FIRST ROUND TEE TIMES, CLICK HERE.

Jim Rutledge won his fifth Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada Friday at the Burlington Golf & Country Club.

The soon-to-be 58-year-old’s three-day total of 12-under-par (65-67-66) lapped the field, clipping his nearest competitors—Gar Hamilton and Mike Burrows—by seven shots.

Making his final round finish even more remarkable, Rutledge admitted he was battling food poisoning all through the previous night and well into Friday morning.

“I had a rough one out there today and I wasn’t feeling all that well when I rolled up this morning, so I was just trying to get as much water and bananas into me as possible,” Rutledge admitted. “I got off to a really good start, which was really surprising, and after that I just kind of cruised.”

Rutledge’s outward nine Friday included four birdies and a lone bogey, while his backside saw a single birdie on the 12th.

“I hit some not-so-great iron shots on the back-nine,” Rutledge said. “But I wasmis-clubbing in the right spots, which is very important out here.”

Rutledge’s past Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada victories came in 2015 at Credit Valley Golf & Country Club; 2013 at Lookout Point Country Club; 2012 at Emerald Hills Golf Club; and 2010 at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club. He’s also a former winner on the Web.com Tour, has six Mackenzie-PGA TOUR Canada titles and is a former PGA Championship of Canada winner.

With his fifth win, he now only trails golf legend Moe Norman for most PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada titles. Norman has eight titles, with seven coming in consecutive years.

“I’d love to win a few more and it excites me to think about it,” Rutledge said about the prospects of winning more titles. “Moe Norman is a legend andI by no means put myself in the same category as him, but I’ll chase him if the opportunity comes along.”

The PGA of Canada’s No. 12th-ranked player Scott Allred finished alone in fourth at 1-under-par, while Phil Jonas and Ken Tarling were T5 at even par.

In addition to finishing T2, Hamilton won the Super Senior division for the second time in three years.

The PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada was first played in 1938 as a division of the Canadian PGA Championship. In 1973, the championship became an independent event and has remained as such.

Among the Canadian golf legends to win the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada are Stan Leonard, Moe Norman—who won a record seven straight years from 1979-1985—Bob Panasik, Al Balding—who wowed the golf world by winning at age 76 in 2000—and Rutledge.

To follow the Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada online throughout tournament week, visit pgaofcanada.com, twitter.com/pgaofcanada, instagram.com/thepgaofcanada and facebook.com/pgaofcanada

The next PGA of Canada national championship takes place Aug. 14-16 at Scarboro Golf & Country Club for the DATA PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.

Click here for the full leaderboard.