“I’m very proud to congratulate the 2019 PGA of Canada National Award winners and finalists,” said PGA of Canada president Mark Patterson. Our winners and finalists come from coast-to-coast and have an impressive list of achievements, from growing the game of golf to raising money for charities, supporting local communities, successfully managing facilities and retail operations, all while continuing to learn and improve themselves.”

This was the first time in the association’s history that the National Awards were live-streamed on Facebook and finalists were posted online. “This is a continued step to highlighting and recognizing the outstanding achievements of our members,” said PGA of Canada CEO Kevin Thistle. “We have so many great professionals across the country who live and breathe the PGA of Canada every day. We encourage you to learn more about the outstanding achievements of both our winners and finalists below.”

Murray Tucker Golf Professional of the Year – Jonathan Garron

Abercrombie Country Club is on pace for another exceptional fiscal year. Jonathan started a new social ladies golf program after applying and receiving funding through a Sport Nova Scotia grant. This program brought in 57 new women to learn the game and experience the club. Jonathan has also been able to tap into many different grant opportunities available to not-for-profits, bringing in approximately $20,000 to help the club in 2019 and nearly $75,000 over the last five years. Jonathan has an unparalleled commitment to the PGA of Canada and Atlantic Zone.

To read more about Jonathan and the rest of the winners, click HERE.

Dick Munn Executive Professional of the Year – Brian Schaal

Brian recognizes how important it is to be in the PGA of BC’s Top 100 PDP. To date, Brian and his team of four are all inside the Top 100. Brian takes enormous pride in knowing that he is setting the stage and standard for golf professionals to become ELITE golf professionals and outstanding members of the community. Brian’s role at Copper Point is not only to lead, mentor, guide, inspire and manage staff, but to make sure he understands each job that his team is required to perform.

To read more about Brian and the rest of the winners, click HERE.

George Knudson Teacher of the Year – Scott Cowx

Here is a quote from his student and PGA TOUR player Mackenzie Hughes: “Scott has been instrumental in my success as a professional golfer. We have been working together for over 14 years and he has played an integral part in me becoming a winner on the PGA TOUR. Scott has helped me build a swing that can challenge the best golfers in the world on a weekly basis. His insightfulness and attention to detail are world-class.”

“There is no one more suitable for my game than Scott. I can confidently state that there are not many other instructors in the world with his knowledge, experience and dedication to the game and his students. Scott is a true gentleman of the game and ambassador of the sport. A role model on and off the course, he would be an asset to anyone who has the privilege to work with him.”

To read more about Scott and the rest of the winners, click HERE.

Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year – Paul Schatz

In 2019, Paul accepted the role of Associate Professional at the Tor Hill Golf Course. In this time, he started a non-profit business, Regina Junior Golf Inc. (RJG). The goal of RJG is to grow the game of golf at a grassroots level. This includes partnerships with the Regina School Boards, as well as the City of Regina. The company hires local golf professionals to help with Golf in Schools Nights, managing the junior leagues at Joanne Goulet and setting up field trips for local school children to take clinics and tour golf facilities. Paul is responsible for overseeing the junior programs at Tor Hill, Joanne Goulet Golf Course and Lakeview Par 3.

To read more about Paul and the rest of the winners, click HERE.

Ben Kern Coach of the Year – Carla Munch-Miranda

As Class “A” Head Professional and co-owner of Cambridge Golf Club, Carla has been instrumental in implementing developmental golf programs at Cambridge Golf Club for players of all abilities. She is certified at the PGA of Canada Coaching of Developing Competitors level, is the Head Coach of the NJGDC at Cambridge Golf Club and has created the Cambridge Cobras Junior Golf Team.

To read more about Carla and the rest of the winners, click HERE.

Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year – Steve Bryant

Steve focuses on knowing his customers and members to the best of his abilities. “We know our customers, but it is the responsibility of all retailers to know their customers, as well.” He knows what they wear, their size, what ball they play and what equipment they gravitate towards. Steve listens to his customers through annual surveys, paying attention every day and talking to the members. This information is crucial to buying products and sizes appropriately. Steve is always open to introducing new products and exposing our customers to new brands. Members like to try new things and Steve provides that opportunity each year.

To read more about Steve and the rest of the winners, click HERE.

Moe Norman Apprentice Professional of the Year – Chris Cooke

In his short time within our association, Chris has established himself as an involved PGA of Canada member by serving on the PGA of Alberta Consumer Show Committee, volunteering at the Calgary Consumer Show in many different capacities, playing in zone events and attending educational seminars.

To read more about Chris and the rest of the winners, click HERE.

Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year – Samuel Kirkness

Samuel has won numerous awards with the PGA of Alberta, including Assistant Professional of the Year as an Apprentice in 2016 and as a Class “A” Professional in 2019, in addition to winning the Professional Development Award in 2018. Samuel is one of the top players in the PGA of Alberta, teaches over 300 hours on his own time, volunteers within the Alberta zone and manages his extensive list of responsibilities at the club. Samuel’s dedication and passion towards our profession and his growth as a golf professional are second-to-none.

To read more about Samuel and the rest of the winners, click HERE.

Mike Weir Player of the Year – Wes Heffernan

Wes won the 2019 PGA of Canada Assistants’ Championship and Alberta Zone Championship. He also finished 2nd at the 2019 Alberta Assistants’ Championship and 4th at the 2019 PGA Championship of Canada.

To read more about Wes and the rest of the winners, click HERE.

Tex Noble Professional Development Award – Cory Kartusch

Cory has won several National and Zone Awards, including the 2014 Murray Tucker Club Professional of the Year Award and the 2004 Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year Award. He is very involved at the zone level, participating and attending all zone-level seminars while serving as the Education Chair for the past three years, Past President (2015-2016) and sitting on the Manitoba Zone Board for eight years.

To read more about Cory and the rest of the winners, click HERE.

Inverness, N.S. – A year removed from finishing dead last in a local qualifying event in Manitoba, the team from The Carman Golf and Curling Club is now tops in the country, winning the 2019 RBC PGA Scramble National Final at Cabot Links.

“Honestly, we’re probably about as surprised as anyone,” said the team from Carman about the win Tuesday at Cabot Links. “We came here this week with literally zero expectations. Our goal was to embrace the Cabot Links experience and we just happened to play really well, too.

At 59.4-under-par through three rounds (two at Cabot Links and one at Cabot Cliffs), they certainly played well. The four amateurs—Jared Aubin, Josh McCharles, Brett Maloney and Bobby McNair—and PGA of Canada professional Dean North dominated the championship from start to finish, winning by an astounding 6.9 shots over the second place team from The Landings of Kingston, Ont.

Ottawa’s Rideau View Golf and Country Club rounded out the top three with a cumulative net-score of -51.4.

FULL LEADERBOARD

Taking place Oct 6-8 at the world-renowned Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, the RBC PGA Scramble National Final sees 21 teams—comprised of four amateur golfers and one PGA of Canada professional—playing in a 54-hole national championship.

“Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs are without a doubt the most amazing two-golf course experience in Canada, if not the entire world,” Carman said about the week’s host venues. “And it’s not just the golf courses that are amazing this week, either,” they admitted, adding, “we’ve been treated like tour players from the second we got here.”

Cabot Cliffs ranked No. 1, while Cabot Links ranked No. 4 on SCOREGolf’s 2018 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 were thrilled to host the RBC PGA Scramble,” said Cabot Links’ General Manager Andrew Alkenbrack. “I feel our team put on a fantastic show over the past number of days for all of the amateurs and PGA of Canada professionals from around the country. I know our team will have incredible memories of this experience and I do hope that our guests for this very special event will feel the same.”

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.

The RBC PGA Scramble National Final promises to be a golf trip of a lifetime and includes numerous receptions, an authentic east coast kitchen party, hole-in-one shootout, glow-in-dark golf, unique scotch tastings, 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 as an honorary starter for the final round at Cabot Links, as well as host emcee for the championship’s closing ceremonies. PGA TOUR player Ben Silverman will also be on hand at Cabot, adding to the overall atmosphere and experience of the event.

To learn more about the RBC PGA Scramble , click here.

Wes Heffernan elevated his game to the next level Thursday at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, capturing the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf in impressive fashion.

The 42-year-old from the Dynamic Motion Golf Performance Centre in Calgary capped off his first PGA of Canada national championship with a final-round 8-under-par 64, bringing his three-day total to -19.

Heffernan’s championship run featured 19 birdies and more incredibly, not a single bogey for the week.

“Today I played pretty much like I had all week,” Heffernan said. “I drove the ball really well, but hit my irons great—especially on the back nine when I needed it most.”

Heffernan’s five birdies on the final nine saw him put some space between himself his two playing competitors, Yohann Benson of Quebec and B.C.’s Oliver Tubb. All three were jostling for the lead throughout the front nine of the North Course at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, but the back is when Heffernan took his play up a couple of notches.

“I made a great birdie on No. 13 and that was big because both Oliver and Yohann made par and that opened up a little gap between us,” Heffernan admitted after the round. “But I think the biggest birdie of the day for me was at No. 15 when they both it in there really tight and I was forced to make a good putt to keep my momentum going.”

In addition to birdies on Nos. 13 and 15, Heffernan birdied the 12th, 16th and 17th en route to his three-shot victory over Benson. Tubb finished alone in third at -15, while Bryn Parry wound up at -14 in solo fourth. Pierre-Alexandre Bedard rounded out the top-five at -11.

Heffernan’s win this week at the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf caps off an impressive playing season for the association’s fourth-ranked player. He finished fourth in June at the PGA Championship of Canada, second at the PGA of Alberta Assistants’ Championship and won the PGA of Alberta Zone Championship. He also finished T14 at this year’s ATB Financial Classic on the Mackenzie Tour, where he’s a past four-time winner.

“It’s pretty cool to finally have won this championship,” Heffernan said. “The last couple years I’ve maybe tried too hard and as a result have spun my tires a little bit, but this week I just came in with the mindset to have some fun,” he said, adding, “and it feels really awesome.”

With the win at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Heffernan is expected to move into the top three of the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC when they’re released next week.

Originally launched in 2011, the PGA of Canada Player Rankings presented by RBC has received much praise over the past eight years. Players ranked inside the top 64 earn invites to the PGA Championship of Canada. 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.

The PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf host venue TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is the first TPC property in Canada featuring three golf courses all ranked in SCOREGolf’s Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada list.

Designed by famed Canadian golf course architect Doug Carrick, the venue features a parkland-style layout that welcomes players with generous landing areas and naturally rolling fairways. While its width off the tee may be benevolent, deep greenside bunkers and undulating putting surfaces put a premium on approaching pins from the right angles, providing a challenge that rewards good shots but tests those who get out of position.

The next PGA of Canada national championship takes place Oct. 6-9 at Cabot Links for the RBC PGA Scramble of Canada presented by The Lincoln Motor Company.

Click here for full scores.

Golf Canada joins the entire golf industry in mourning the passing of golf industry veteran Ian Webb. After a brave battle with cancer, Webb passed away Saturday, September 7th, 2019 at the age of 54. He is survived by his wife Helen as well as his daughters Gillian and Allison.

Webb, a respected member of the PGA of Canada and the Canadian Society of Club Managers, was Chief Operating Officer of the Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. Before that, he spent eight years as Credit Valley’s Director of Golf. He had also spent time working as a golf professional at St. George’s Golf and Country Club, Peterborough Golf and Country Club and Bridgewater Country Club in Fort Erie over the course of his distinguished career.

In March of 2019, Webb was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the same aggressive form of brain cancer that took famed Canadian rocker Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip in October of 2017.

His impact on the game of golf in Canada and his industry peers has been significant. He has mentored several golf professionals who now hold Head Professional and Director of Golf positions in Western Canada, the United States and as far away as Thailand. Since his diagnosis, his fellow professionals and countless colleagues in the industry rallied around Webb with the hashtag #WebbyStrong on T-shirts and across social media as a tribute to their close friend.

The impact of Ian Webb has continued in force across a number of initiatives. The PGA of Canada renamed their national education program the Ian Webb Scholarship Fund in April 2019. The #WebbyStrong initiative online and through various activities has raised over $60,000 for the scholarship fund and for the Trillium Health Partners Foundation in Mississauga. As well, the members and staff of Credit Valley have donated over $75,000 to honour Webb with a memorial Verdin clock tower to be added to the practice area at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club.

Prior to his passing, Webb was also a driving force behind Credit Valley’s decision to host the 2019 Golf Fore the Cure National Event on September 23rd. The 144-player scramble tournament will welcome female golfers of all abilities from across the country in a fun golf event that raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

On Wednesday, September 18th from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm Credit Valley Golf and Country Club will welcome its members, PGA of Canada Professionals and CSCM General Managers to share a story about Ian and toast to his impact, his legacy and love of the game.

If interested, donations to the Trillium Health Partners would be appreciated by the family.

One of Canada’s top championship-tested venues is ready to host the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf.

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s North Course plays host to nearly 100 PGA of Canada’s members and apprentice professionals Sept. 17-19. Located north of Toronto in Alton, Ont., the North Course has been the site of a PGA TOUR Canada-Mackenzie Tour for the past two years, as well as host qualifiers for the RBC Canadian Open and the U.S. Open.

“It’s going to be so very exciting taking our PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf to such a tried and tested venue like the North Course at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley,” said PGA of Canada President Mark Patterson. “This championship annually features some of the finest players in our association and this year is most certainly no different.”

Club de Golf Longchamp’s Marc-Etienne Bussieres looks to become the first player in the association’s history to win three-straight PGA Assistants’ Championships. He, however, will face one of the strongest fields this championship has ever seen with the entire top-five and 10 of the top 20 ranked players in the field at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

In addition to Bussieres, the stacked field includes:

• The PGA of Canada’s No. 1-ranked player Bryn Parry
• This year’s PGA Championship of Canada winner Dustin Risdon
• Last year’s PGA Championship of Canada winner Pierre-Alexandre Bedard
• Past PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada winners Billy Walsh and Brad Kerfoot
• Notable names such as Lee Curry, Dennis Hendershott, Oliver Tubb, John Shin, Wes Heffernan, Riley Fleming, Thomas Keddy, Kent Fukushima, Victor Ciesielski, Alf Callowhill and Yohann Benson

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is the first TPC property in Canada features three golf courses all ranked in SCOREGolf’s Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada list.

Designed by famed Canadian golf course architect Doug Carrick, the venue features a parkland-style layout that welcomes players with generous landing areas and naturally rolling fairways. While its width off the tee may be benevolent, deep greenside bunkers and undulating putting surfaces put a premium on approaching pins from the right angles, providing a challenge that rewards good shots but tests those who get out of position.

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

It wasn’t the stroll to the finish line Jim Rutledge had hoped for, but in the end, the 59-year-old from Victoria captured the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada.

When the final round began, Rutledge held a three-shot lead over Ken Tarling and a four-shot cushion over Danny King, however, as the day wore on Rutledge’s lead dwindled away.

“I’m sure glad we ran out of holes out there this afternoon,” Rutledge joked after his final round 1-under-par 70. “Going into the back-nine I hit some wayward shots, some miscues off the tee and the next thing you know I only end up winning by a shot.”

Ontario’s King—a past winner of both the PGA Head Professional Championship and PGA Championship—came charging at Rutledge on the back nine at Carleton with four birdies over the last six holes. Unfortunately for King, his three-day total of 11-under-par was one short of Rutledge at -12.

“I knew a good charge was in me, but I just ran of out holes,” King admitted after his final round 67. “It was a lot of fun though out there today and I definitely learned a lot from being in that position.”

Ken Tarling of Ontario finished alone in third with a score of 7-under-par. He also took home Super Senior (60-years and older) honours. Quebec’s Martin Plante was fourth at -6, while Phil Jonas of B.C. rounded out the top-five at 5-under-par.

For the full leaderboard, CLICK HERE.

With his win this week in Ottawa, Rutledge now has six PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada wins. Only the iconic Moe Norman has more, with eight. Asked if he’s thought about the possibility of catching Norman, Rutledge just smiles and gives his honest take.

“I’ve obviously thought about it and as long as I’m healthy and able, I’ll keep trying to win more,” he says. “I think if Moe were still around he’d tell me to go out there and keep winning.”

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 stayed that way since.

Among the Canadian golf legends to win the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada are Stan Leonard, 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—Jim Rutledge, Ray Stewart, Dave Barr, Bob Panasik, Murray Tucker, Bill Kozak, Gar Hamilton and Remi Bouchard.

The next PGA of Canada national championship takes place Sept. 16-19 at TPC Toronto Osprey Valley for the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf Canada.

Jim Rutledge knows a thing or two about what it takes to close out big time golf events.

“The game plan for the final round is to fire at all pins and try and go really low,” Rutledge said after his second round at Carleton Golf and Yacht Club in Ottawa. “I’m really just going to try and take it to the guys chasing me and see if any of them can catch me.”

Thru two rounds of the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada, Rutledge sits atop the leaderboard at -11; three shots clear of his nearest competitor Ken Tarling of Ontario. The 59-year-old from Victoria is in search of his sixth PGA Seniors’ Championship title.

“The key to scoring well around here is keep hitting greens,” Rutledge said about Carleton Golf and Yacht Club. “The greens are so tiny around here that when you hit a green you’re going to have a good chance for birdie.”

Rutledge’s second-round 5-under-par 66 included six birdies and a bogey (which came at the last).

Rutledge’s past PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada wins came in 2017 at Burlington Golf and Country Club; 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. The 59-year-old is also a former winner on the Korn Ferry Tour; has six Mackenzie-PGA TOUR Canada titles and is a former PGA Championship of Canada winner.

The PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada was first played in 1938 as a division of the Canadian PGA Championship and features the historic Albert H. Murray Trophy. In 1973, the championship became an independent event and has stayed that way since.

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, Rutledge, Ray Stewart, Dave Barr, Bob Panasik, Murray Tucker, Bill Kozak, Gar Hamilton and Remi Bouchard.

Tarling is a past PGA Seniors’ Championship winner as well; and after rounds of 68-66 he finds himself alone in second place, within striking distance of Rutledge. Don’t expect the 61-year-old from Sanford, Ont., to be too consumed with what his playing competitor is doing on the course Friday, however.

“I’m not really going to worry about what Jim does out there tomorrow,” Tarling says. “I’m just going to do my own thing and at the end of the day you add it up and see how it unfolds.”

Danny King—a three time PGA Head Professional Championship and 2015 PGA Championship of Canada winner—lurks four shots off the pace in third place. Recent BC Golf Hall of Fame inductee Philip Jonas is in fourth at -6, while Ben Boudreau rounds out the top five at -4. Scott Allred, Marc Hurtbuise, Martin Plante and Bradley Rollinson are T6 at -3. The group at -2, T10 includes Marc Girouard, Graham Gunn and Dennis Hendershott.

For the full leaderboard and final round tee times can be found here.

Admittance to the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada is free and spectators are encouraged to attend the 54-hole championship.

Benjamin Franklin once wrote that in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

He obviously never saw a sunrise or witnessed Jim Rutledge play golf.

As certain as the sun rising in the east, the 59-year-old from Victoria began his campaign for a sixth PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada title with a bogey-free opening-round 6-under-par 65 at Carleton Golf and Yacht Club in Ottawa.

“With as little as I’ve been playing, I’m really happy with my score,” Rutledge modestly said about his effort in round one. “I hit some shots fairly close and made a couple putts, so that usually works out to a decent number.”

In pursuit of his sixth PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada, Rutledge’s past PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada wins came in 2017 at Burlington Golf and Country Club; 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. The 59-year-old is also a former winner on the Korn Ferry Tour; has six Mackenzie-PGA TOUR Canada titles and is a former PGA Championship of Canada winner.

A bevy of accomplished players are chasing Rutledge, looking to dash his dreams of another PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada win. Two-time PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada winner and recent BC Golf Hall of Fame inductee Phil Jonas is one-back of his long-time friend Rutledge after a first-round 66. Perennial favourites Scott Allred of Alberta and Ontario’s Danny King lurk two-back of the lead after opening with 67 at Carleton Golf and Yacht Club. Past PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada winner Ken Tarling and Martin Plante of Quebec round out the top five at 3-under-par.

For the full leaderboard and second-round tee times, click here.

“Jim (Rutledge) is such a good player and he’s been playing well for a long time,” Jonas admitted Wednesday afternoon. “We’ve played together more than 100 times and I’ve never seen him play badly, he’s that good.”

The PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada was first played in 1938 as a division of the Canadian PGA Championship and features the historic Albert H. Murray Trophy. In 1973, the championship became an independent event and has stayed that way since.

The host of both the 1998 and 2002 PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada, Carleton is considered a true shot-maker’s venue, requiring timely strategy and rewarding accuracy.

“This is the first time I’ve been here and I’m impressed at how good this golf course is,” King said. “It’s pretty tricky and you’ve got to navigate yourself around those quick, small greens.”

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, Rutledge, Ray Stewart, Dave Barr, Bob Panasik, Murray Tucker, Bill Kozak, Gar Hamilton and Remi Bouchard.

Admittance to the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada is free and spectators are encouraged to attend the 54-hole championship.

A number of notable Canadian golf legends will tee it up in our nation’s capital region next week for the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada.

The Carleton Golf and Yacht Club—which sits on the banks of the Rideau River, just south of Ottawa—hosts the likes of Jim Rutledge, Graham Gunn, Phil Jonas, Danny King, Ken Tarling, Serge Thivierge and many more Aug. 6-9.

“The PGA of Canada is absolutely thrilled to be returning to the Ottawa region and the Carleton Golf and Yacht Club for this year’s PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada,” said PGA of Canada President Mark Patterson. “There’s so many fine past PGA of Canada national champions in the field, it will most definitely be a riveting event.”

Rutledge looks to secure his sixth PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada title, however past winners such as Thivierge (2018), Hocan Olsson (2005), Gunn (2006), Tarling (2011) and Claude Grenier (2016) should have something to say about the Victoria native’s run at Moe Norman’s record eight wins.

Rutledge’s past PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada wins came in 2017 at Burlington Golf and Country Club; 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. The 59-year-old is 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.

Additionally, past PGA of Canada national championship winners Marc Girouard, Ian Doig, Benoit Boudreau, King, Jonas and John Cochrane undoubtedly will want to add their to names to the list of champions of this historic event.

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 stayed that way since.

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—Rutledge, Ray Stewart, Dave Barr, Bob Panasik, Murray Tucker, Bill Kozak, Gar Hamilton and Remi Bouchard.

The host of both the 1998 and 2002 PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada, Carleton is considered a true shot-maker’s venue, requiring timely strategy and rewarding accuracy.

Admittance to the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada is free and spectators are encouraged to attend the 54-hole championship.

Click here for the full field.

It wasn’t long ago that Rebecca Lee-Bentham walked away from chasing the dream of playing competitive professional golf at the game’s highest level.

Somewhere along the line the former Canadian National Amateur Team standout and LPGA Tour player lost her passion for competitive golf. She wasn’t the first golfer this has happened to and she certainly won’t be the last. But, as golf has a way of doing, pulled her back.

And today, the 27-year-old from Markham, Ont., can officially say she’s back on track to the long and winding road of competitive professional golf after winning the DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada in thrilling fashion Thursday at the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto.

Lee-Bentham posted a final round 9-under-par 63—both a new course record at Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto and personal best—to come from behind and claim the title by four-shots over last year’s winner Jessica Porvasnik.

“I really leaned on my past experiences today,” Lee-Bentham admitted after her round. “All day I was thinking about all the little moments in my golf journey out and tried to use them as a guide throughout today’s round.”

Starting the day two shots off the lead—held by 15-year-old Emily Chu, Elizabeth Tong, Selena Costabile, Liv Cheng and Tiana Cruz—Lee-Bentham made 11 birdies and two bogeys on the day, setting a new course record (that was set just hours earlier with Porvasnik’s 64.)

“To be honest, I got a lot of good bounces out there today,” Lee-Bentham said. “A lot of times when you get a bad bounce or two your mood gets down, but when you get a good bounce, your spirit stays up and allows you to keep playing good golf.”

With the win, she joins the likes of Brooke Henderson, Lorie Kane, Alena Sharp, Cathy Sherk, Gail Graham and Nancy Harvey as a winner of this historic event.

“There are so many great names on this trophy and it’s so nice to add my name to it,” she said.

Lee-Bentham also earns an exemption into this year’s CP Canadian Women’s Open at Magna Golf Club later this summer.

Porvasnik finished alone in second at -6, while Zhu rounded out the top three at -5. Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto member Costabile was at -4 in fourth with Valerie Tanguay and Cheng rounding out the top five at -3.

The Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto hosted the inaugural DCM PGA Women’s Championship in 1987, which was won by PGA of Canada Hall of Fame member Cathy Sherk. The club also hosted the event in 1999 (won by Lorie Kane), in 2007 (won by Salimah Mussani).

The PGA of Canada’s Women’s PGA Cup spot were handed out Thursday.

Taking place Oct. 22-26 at the Omni Barton Creek Resort  & Spa in Austin, Texas, PGA members from across the world come together in a team competition for this landmark event.

The five members representing the PGA of Canada at the event are determined by their performance at the DCM PGA Women’s Championship in 2018 and 2019. Furthermore, the low club professional at the championship in ’18 and ’19 receives an automatic spot on the team.

The team consists of:

• Emma De Groot, Hamilton Golf and Country Club;
• Meghan Allum, Magna Golf Club;
• Casey Ward, Credit Valley Golf and Country Club;
• Rebecca Lee-Bentham, RLB Golf;
• Christine Wong, Langara College

The next PGA national championship takes place this August at Carleton Golf and Yacht Club for the PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada.