Kevin Carrigan successfully defended his Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title after carding a final round 5-under 66 at Blackhawk Golf Club on Friday.

The defending champion never relinquished the lead over 72 holes and set a new tournament scoring record finishing at 20-under 264 for the tournament, 11 strokes ahead of Garrett Rank and Michael Rutgers.

“It feels fantastic, little bit of a different feeling from last year, it was a little more of a grind last year but this year I brought my A-game,” Carrigan said. “There wasn’t a flaw at all as far as I could see, I missed couple of shots like everyone does but mentally I was tough and grinded the heck out of it.”

Carrigan opened the tournament on Tuesday by setting a new course record after firing a 8-under 63 and never backed down posting three straight round in the 60’s. His final round 5-under 66 was highlighted by a 5-under 31 closing nine and a birdie on the par-4 18th hole.

“I played great, the big thing for me and the one thing I’m the most proud of is that I never took my foot off the pedal,” he said. “It’s easy to get complacent and make mistakes coming down the stretch with a big lead.”

With the victory, the Victoria, B.C., native earns an exemption into the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at Royal Montreal Golf Club.

“It’s pretty exciting, it’s second to winning a national championship and I appreciate this more than anything in the world, what an unbelievable experience,” he continued.

Team Canada’s Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., and Michael Rutgers of Windsor, Ont., finished in a tie for second a 9-under 275. Rutgers carded a final round 4-under 67, while Rank stumbled on Friday, carding a 3-over 74.

David Bartman of Los Angeles, Calif., finished in solo fourth at 1-under 283 after a 6-over 77 final round. The California native also captured the Mid-Master (40+) title by three strokes over Rob Cowan of Waterloo, Ont.

Final results from the 2013 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship can be found here.

Kevin Carrigan has the chance to repeat as the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur champion after carding a 4-under 67 at Blackhawk Golf Club on Thursday.

Carrigan currently sits at 15-under 198 for the championship after firing his third straight round in the 60’s. His third round was highlighted by a closing nine 4-under 32, after making a five-footer for eagle on the par-5 15th.

“I didn’t have my best day today but I managed to keep it in play and continued to hit good shots,” Carrigan said “I took advantage of the opportunities I did have and again rolled a lot of good putts just over the edge.”

On Thursday, the Victoria, B.C., native held off a valiant charge by Team Canada’s Garrett Rank, who was 8-under-par on the day through sixteen holes after two eagles on the back-nine.

“He makes a lot of birdies, he’s an explosive player,” Carrigan said. “Six birdies and two eagles today that’s unreal and he had a couple of mistakes.”

As the defending champion, Carrigan’s 198 total is a new personal best and leaves him in a good position to pick up back-to-back titles and earn the exemption into the 2014 RBC Canadian Open at Royal Montreal Golf Club.

“It’s a personal feat and I’m very proud of myself for accomplishing that,” Carrigan stated about breaking 200.

“I’ve had enough close calls to know that if I start putting pressure on winning it’ll probably affect the way I play,” he continued. “My objective tomorrow is to play my game and not let the circumstances affect how I play.”

Rank currently sits three strokes behind Carrigan in solo second at 12-under 201, after bogeying his final two holes on Thursday to card a 6-under 65. The Elmira, Ont., native has played his last 36 holes in 13-under par after making four eagles and 12 birdies.

Calgary’s Dustin Yeager and California’s David Bartman sit at 7-under for the championship in a tie for third. Yeager’s third round 69 earned him a spot in the final pairing tomorrow and was one of only five under-par rounds at Blackhawk on Thursday. Michael Rutgers of Windsor, Ont., rounds out the top-five in solo fifth at 5-under 208 after an even-par 71 third round.

In the Mid-Master division (40+) Bartman’s third round 71 leaves him seven strokes clear of Rob Cowan of Waterloo, Ont., and Raymond Oh of Richmond Hill, Ont., heading into Friday’s final round.

Kevin Carrigan continued his solid play at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, carding a 3-under 68 on Wednesday at Blackhawk Golf Club.

The defending champion fired a 4-under 31 to open his second round but stumbled with two late bogeys on over his final three holes to finish at 11-under 131 for the championship.

“I left several out there on the front,” Carrigan said. “I think the only two greens I missed today were No. 16 and No. 18 where I made bogey.”

The Victoria, B.C., native set a new competitive course record yesterday at Blackhawk with a 8-under 63 and currently leads by four strokes over David Bartman of Los Angeles, Calif. Despite not making as many putts as he’d like, Carrigan said he has a ton of confidence in his swing this week.

“I’m not making much and it’s frustrating because every shot I hit is on my line,” he continued. “I’m just not getting the putts to go, I burned probably six or seven edges today but my swing feels great.”

Team Canada’s Garrett Rank carded the round of the day at Blackhawk after a 7-under 64. The Elmira, Ont., native fired a 5-under 30 on the front-nine after an eagle on the par-5 4th hole and added a second after pitching in from 30 yards on the par-4 9th.

“I should have been way lower,” Rank said. “I three-putted No. 18 and missed a short three-footer on five.”

Playing alongside Carrigan, Rank was gunning for the new course record after getting it to 8-under through 14 holes but lost momentum after a bogey on the par-5 15th.

“I was playing so good that on No. 15 I hit it a little left off the tee and instead of laying up and hitting a wedge close like I was all day I tried to hit the green,” he said. “I turned it into a bogey and I shouldn’t be making bogeys on that hole.”

California’s David Bartman carded a 3-under 68 to grab solo second at 7-under 135, while Rank sits in third at 6-under 136. Dave Bunker of Woodbridge, Ont., Michael Rutgers of Windsor, Ont., and Calgary’s Dustin Yeager sit in a tie for fourth at 5-under.

Bartman currently holds a two-stroke lead in the Mid Master (40+) division over Bunker who fired a 6-under 65 on Wednesday.

In the Inter-Provincial team competition, Team Ontario’s Tyler McDannold of Brooklin, Ont., Michael Rutgers of Windsor, Ont., and Darren Shaw of Stoney Creek, Ont., captured the R. Bruce Forbes trophy after a firing a 3-under 139 second round. The squad finished at 3-under 281 for the championship, eight strokes ahead of Nova Scotia’s Trevor Chow of Hammonds Plains, N.S., Glenn Robinson of Middle Sackville, N.S., and Greg Black of Halifax, N.S.

Kevin Carrigan opened up his title defence at the Canadian Mid-Amateur Championship by firing a 8-under 63 on Tuesday at Blackhawk Golf Club.

The Victoria native carded three eagles and a closing nine 29 to set a new competitive course record at Blackhawk, after opening the day with an unplayable on the par-4 10th. Carrigan quickly rebounded with a birdie on the par-5 11th and rolled in his first eagle of the day on the par-5 15th hole.

“I took an unplayable on my first hole, didn’t seem like much of a round until I guess I made the second eagle, 3-under to 5-under I was hitting it well,” Carrigan said.

As the reigning Canadian Mid-Amateur champion, Carrigan lit up Blackhawk’s par-5’s playing them in 7-under par with three eagles on a windy afternoon.

“If you’re hitting it good, it doesn’t feel windy,” he continued. “I mis-clubbed a couple of times but never got myself into trouble, I didn’t really miss many shots.”

California’s David Bartman, trails Carrigan by four strokes after an opening round 4-under 67. Bartman’s round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 4th hole and leaves him three strokes ahead of Raymond Oh of Richmond, Ont., in the race for the Mid-Master (40+) title.

“I just kept it in play and took advantage of the par-5’s,” Bartman said. “If I did miss a green, my short game was solid.”

Michael Rutgers of Windsor, Ont., sits in solo third after a 3-under 68, while Calgary’s Dustin Yeager opened with a 2-under 69 to grab a share of fourth place. Chris Moore of Vancouver and Oh currently sit in a tie for fifth at 1-under.

Saskatchewan’s Kris Carley recorded the shot of the day after holing a 255-yard hybrid on the par-5 7th hole for an albatross. The albatross was his second of the season and third double-eagle of his career.

In the Inter-Provincial team competition, Team Ontario’s Tyler McDannold of Brooklin, Ont., Michael Rutgers of Windsor, Ont., and Darren Shaw of Stoney Creek, Ont., combined to card a even-par 142 opening round. The squad currently leads by four strokes over Nova Scotia’s Trevor Chow of Hammonds Plains, N.S., Glenn Robinson of Middle Sackville, N.S., and Greg Black of Halifax, N.S., heading into the final round of Inter-Provincial competition.

David Schultz won his first Canadian Men’s Senior title in style, sinking a crucial birdie putt on the final hole at The Briars Golf Club.

As the overnight co-leader, Schultz had been in contention from the opening day of the championship. Needing a birdie on the last to win, Schultz stuck what he called ‘the best 9-iron of his career’ from the middle of the 18th fairway to four feet.

“It was right at the limit of a 9-iron, 143 yards and was as good as I could have hit it,” Schultz said.

Schultz converted the birdie putt in front of a large gallery to finish at 6-under 278 and claimed his first Canadian Men’s Senior title after a 2-under 69 on Friday.

“I was unbelievably nervous over that putt, to have a chance I thought I’d have to birdie to tie,” he said after walking off the 18th green. “I didn’t expect Chip to bogey the last hole, he’s such a good player and to come out on top is something else.”

The 1999 Canadian Mid-Amateur champion withstood a final day charge from defending champion Chip Lutz, who carded a 3-under 68 on Friday. Lutz held the outright-lead walking down the 18th fairway but failed to get up and down for par after pushing his approach shot into the deep greenside rough. The two-time champion finished at 5-under 279 for the championship.

With the victory, Schultz also earned an exemption into the USGA’s Senior Amateur Championship at Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers, N.C., September 21-26.

“That’ll be fun to go and represent Canada there,” he continued. “I’ve thought about qualifying a few times but this is the best way to qualify for it, so I’m pretty happy.”

South Carolina’s Duke Delcher finished in solo third at 4-under 280 after a final round 2-under 69, while Pemberton B.C., native Lance Lundy, finished in fourth at 2-under after a final round 68. Frank MacKenzie of Edmonton, Alta., rounded out the top-five finishing at 1-under par 283 for the championship.

Meghan McLean’s summer has been far busier than the average 14 year old’s. McLean, who is a member at Ken-Wo Golf and Country Club and will attend Horton High School in the fall, recently returned from a trip to the CN Canadian Women’s Open at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton.

McLean earned the chance to attend the LPGA Tour event which is conducted by Golf Canada when she won the skills competition at the CN Future Links Atlantic Championship at Antigonish in July.

“There were a variety of different things we did for the skills competition which happened during the practice round day, we were tested for shots off the tee, chipping, putting stuff like that” explained McLean.

The top four players in the skills competition earned the right to be able to caddie for one hole and make a putt during the Championship Pro-Am at the CN Canadian Open, along with tickets to watch the tournament.

“I actually finished fifth overall, but one of the girls wasn’t able to make it so that’s how I got the spot” said McLean on how she ended up in Edmonton.

When McLean arrived in Edmonton she was paired with professional Jessica Korda. Korda, a 10 year old American professional from Florida, has become infamously known as the golfer who fired her caddie mid-way through a round at the US Women’s Open earlier this summer. Fortunately for McLean she was up to snuff not only in caddying for Korda, but also helped her by putting on the 11th green. McLean was then invited to walk with Jessica Shepley and once again with Korda this time on the 18th hole. The next day, Mclean and her father Angus took in first round action at Royal Mayfair before flying home because of Meghan’s golf commitments.

McLean’s was due to represent Nova Scotia during the Atlantic Junior Match Play Championship at Amherst Golf Club. McLean is one of three girls representing the province with the other two being familiar faces in Sister Heather, and fellow Ken-Wo member Darcy Fuller.

When asked what her thoughts were on her summer golf season thus far McLean said she didn’t expect to see success to happen so soon.

“I honestly didn’t expect all of this so soon, I was hoping I could do everything I have this summer when I was 16 or 17, so to do it at 14 is pretty awesome,” she explained.

McLean said her future plans for golf include improving her consistency, while continuing to pursue future goals including competing at the 2017 Canada Games.

This summer wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her family, both at home and at the golf club.

“I have been so fortunate to have my family support me they have been great, and also everyone at Ken-Wo have been very supportive so I am very thankful for that”. With the experiences she has had already enjoyed as a 14 year old, watch for the Port Williams native to develop into one of the province’s top female golfers in the coming years.

To learn more about CN Future Links, visit: cnfuturelinks.com

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Kody Blois is a former goaltender with the Amherst Ramblers, now attending Saint Mary’s University. Blois is the Tournament and Communications Coordinator for the Nova Scotia Golf Association. You can follow him on twitter @kodyblois or check out his blog here.

David Schultz and Jay Blumenfeld share the lead heading into the final round of the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at The Briars Golf Club.

Overnight leader Chip Lutz opened the door for the new leaders after posting a 4-over 75 on Thursday that included a double and a triple-bogey. Playing alongside Lutz, Schultz capitalized by rolling in three-straight birdies on No. 7, 8 and 9 to reach 7-under for the championship but carded three straight bogeys on his closing nine to card a 1-over 72 and finish at 4-under 209.

“I made three in a row and then I made three in a row the wrong way on the back-nine,” Schultz said. “A few sloppy shots, nothing awful just not a very good back-nine.”

Playing in the group behind the leaders, Blumenfeld of Parsippany, N.J., fired a 2-under 69 and said he kept control of his game but was surprised to see Lutz stumble on day three.

“Just kept it in control and in play, I didn’t do anything great or terrible,” Blumenfeld said. “I took advantage of a couple of good shots and made a couple of nice putts.”

“I’m shocked that Chip is only at 2-under, he’s a good buddy of mine and a great player,” he continued.

Calgary native, Howard Broun, sits in third at 3-under 210 after an even-par 71 on Thursday.  He will play in the final group alongside fellow Calgarian Schultz, who stated they’ve played many different tournaments together over the past 30 years.

“It’s nice to play with someone from where you’re from,” Broun said. “Today I was a bit shaky to start with a bogey but then made eight pars in a row and a couple of birdies coming in but bogeyed the last but I’m happy with it.”

Neither Schultz or Broun currently have an exemption into USGA’s Senior Amateur Championship at Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers, N.C., September 21-26 and both golfers said they are very keen to earn the winner’s exemption into the prestigious event.

As the two-time defending champion Lutz, heads into the final round two strokes back of the leaders in solo fourth at 2-under for the championship alongside Duke Delcher of Bluffton, S.C., who carded a third round even-par 71.

Chip Lutz continued his solid play on Canadian soil, posting a 2-under 69 at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at The Briars Golf Club.

Lutz, the defending champion, got off to a good start on Wednesday carding two birdies over his first seven holes but said a few three-putts got in the way of a round that should have been better.

“I three-putted No. 17, which was disappointing but turned and birdied No. 3 to get back to 2-under,” Lutz said. “It looked like I might get some momentum going but I failed to birdie No. 4 like yesterday and three-putted again on No. 7.”

Despite a few hiccups with his putter, the Reading, Pa., native rolled in a crucial birdie on the par-5 9th after a nice approach from the greenside bunker to break free of a tie with Calgary’s David Schultz.

“That really helped to have a little more of a positive feel after finishing an average day that felt like it was going to be better but never materialized,” the two-time defending champion said.

With 36-holes remaining, the No. 6 ranked player in Golfweek’s Senior Amateur rankings sits at 6-under 136 and has a chance at becoming only the third player to capture the Canadian Senior Men’s Amateur Championship three years in a row.

“I’m just happy to play my game and see where it falls,” he said. “I only hope to be close at the end and that I’ll have a chance coming down the stretch.”

Schultz trails Lutz by a single stroke after posting a 2-under 69 on Wednesday. The Calgary native carded five birdies during his second round and will be paired with Lutz in the last group tomorrow.

“I’m going to go have fun, chase him and see what happens,” Schultz said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Howard Broun of Calgary carded the round of the day at The Briars after a 4-under 67. Broun currently sits three strokes off the lead in third, while Americans Duke Delcher of Bluffton, S.C., and Jay Blumenfeld of Parsippany, N.J., sit in a tie for fourth at 2-under par.

In the Inter-Provincial Team Championship, the Team Alberta contingent of Howard Broun of Calgary, Floyd Kilgore of Grimshaw, Alta., and Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta., fired a 4-under 138 to capture their second straight Phil Farley trophy with a 2-under 282 total.  The squad finished seven strokes ahead of overnight leader Team British Columbia who carded a final round 6-over 148.

In the battle for the Super Senior title (70+), Robert Fugere of Gatineau, Que., defeated Walt Martin of Oakton, Va., on the third sudden-death playoff hole after they finished the day tied at 6-over for the championship. Fugere, the Canadian Senior Men’s Champion in 2005, sank a short birdie putt on the par-4 10th hole to earn his first Super Senior title.

With the CN Future Links National Event taking place last week in Edmonton, we thought it best to share a fun video touching on junior golf, and CN’s heavy involvement with helping to grow it.

Canada’s junior golf program, CN Future Links, strives to provide Canadian junior golfers with a positive, reinforced learning experience through a suite of different programs. In partnership with the PGA of Canada, this program is delivered through qualified professionals at hundreds of golf clubs across Canada.

CN Future Links comes at no charge to the club and is designed to adapt to the busy schedules of golf professionals in order to maximize time while providing the tools to run a best-in-class program. The online database, drill library, and reward system are only a few of the many benefits to the program.

To learn how to have CN Future Links at your course, visit the CN Future Links website.

In partnership with CN, this past Tuesday featured Golf Canada’s 5th annual Future Links National Event that was conducted on-site at the CN Canadian Women’s Open at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton.

The event consisted of 23 juniors from across Canada that qualified for the finals amongst a field larger than 3,200 golfers. These lucky juniors qualified for the event based on their elite status on the CN Future Links National Leaderboard, which compiles all the results that were submitted from clubs throughout the year.

The top scoring juniors as of July 23rd at 12pm EST were categorized into the age groups below:

• Girls 11 and under (5 players)
• Boys 11 and under (5 players)
• Girls 12 to 14 (4 players)
• Boys 12 to 14 (4 players)
• Girls 15 to 18 (3 players)
• Boys 15 to 18 (3 players)

The skills challenge is compiled of four different sections: driving, iron play, chipping and putting. Each junior is graded according to the scoring template, which weighs each of the four categories evenly.

… and the winners are!

• Will Bellamy, Links O’Tay Golf Course (Boys 11 and under)
• Vincent Poirier, Vallee du Richelieu (Boys 12 to 14)
• Cameron Brennan, Copper Creek Academy (Boys 15-18)
• Alexis McMurray, Glen Abbey Golf Club(Girls 11 and under)
• Laura Wong, Seymour Golf Club (Girls 12-14)
• Jaclyn Lee, Glencoe Golf and Country Club (Girls 15-18)

Cameron Brennan and Jaclyn Lee earned exemptions into their regional CN Future Links Championships next season for winning their respective 15-18 age category.

Photos:

Click here for photos from the event.

In addition to the skills challenge, each junior is invited to partake in Wednesday’s Walk With a Pro event. After a random draw, each junior is paired up with an LPGA professional and will essentially be their honourary caddie for the hole. This could mean anything from carrying the bag, advising club choice or even taking the first putt.

More than 1 million junior golfers have successfully participated in Future Links programming since its inception in 1996. For information, visit www.cnfuturelinks.com.