Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mary Ann Hayward of Aurora, Ont., has captured the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship title at Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club in Vernon, B.C.

The victory marks Hayward’s third Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior title in four years, as she previously won the championship in 2010 and 2011.

“It feels great, it’s always a tough field so a win is never a sure thing.” said Hayward. “You prepare hard and you put a lot of work into getting your game to a level to be in contention to win so it feels very satisfying.”

Hayward’s even par 213 (75-67-71) 54-hole score gave her a five-stroke victory over runner-up Alison Murdoch of Victoria, B.C. Hayward carded a final round even par 71 on Thursday that was highlighted by three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 11th hole.

“I putted a little more conservatively today because I wasn’t worried about making a charge,” she continued. “I just struck the ball well enough to win.”

Hayward played her final round alongside two fellow former Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Champions in Murdoch and Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C. The pairing had won a combined eight Royale Cup Canadian Senior titles with Hayward winning the ninth on Thursday.

“They are both great champions and we had a lot of fun out there,” Hayward said about her pairing.

Hayward was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2007. Earlier this year she captured her third Investors Group Ontario Senior Women’s Amateur title. With the national win, Hayward earns an exemption into the 2013 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship contested September 21-26 at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.

Murdoch, who earlier this year was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, finished in second place at 5-over 218 (74-72-72) after firing a second consecutive 1-over 72. She also took home the Super Senior division title (60+) after Wednesday’s second round.

Diane Dolan of Gatineau, Que., and Marie-Therese Torti of Candiac, Que., finished in a tie for third at 7-over 220. Dolan (73-75-72) posted a 1-over 72 final round, while Torti (77-72-71) recorded an even par 71 on Thursday. Holly Horwood of Vancouver, B.C., rounded out the top five at 8-over 221 (71-76-74) after carding a 3-over 74 final round.

Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mary Ann Hayward of Aurora, Ont., leads the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship after the second round of action on Wednesday at Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club in Vernon, B.C.

Hayward, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2007, soared into the lead after firing a 4-under 67 second round, the best round of the tournament. She now has a four-stroke lead heading into Thursday’s final round at even par 142.

“I hit the ball and putted the ball way better than I did yesterday,” said Hayward following her round. “Throughout the round I made a lot of 10 to 15 footers for birdie.”

Hayward has won the Royale Cup Canadian Senior Women’s Championship twice in her career (2010 and 2011) and earlier this year captured her third Investors Group Ontario Senior Women’s Amateur title.

“It’s a good field, there are a lot of good senior golfers in Canada so it’s never easy to win,” she continued. “We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Tied for second are two former Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Champions – Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C., and Alison Murdoch of Victoria, B.C., both sit at 4-over 146 after shooting 1-over 72 second rounds. Little previously won this event in 2008 and 2009, while 2013 Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee Murdoch captured the title in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007.

In fourth place is Holly Horwood of Vancouver, who came into the second round with a two-stroke lead. Horwood carded a 5-over 76  on Wednesday to sit at 5-over 147 after 36 holes of play. Rounding out the top five is Diane Dolan of Gatineau, Que., who sits at 6-over 148 after recording a 4-over 75.

In the Inter-Provincial Team Competition, Team British Columbia came out victorious on Wednesday, winning the title by three-strokes over Team Quebec. The British Columbia contingent of Little, Lynda Palahniuk of Kelowna, B.C., and Karen Pultz of Surrey, B.C., finished at 10-over 294 after carding a combined 5-over 147 final round. Team Quebec finished in second place at 13-over 297 while Team Ontario rounds out the top three at 17-over 301.

Claiming the Super Senior title (60+) was Murdoch who bested Horwood by a single stroke. Palahniuk rounded out the top three at 8-over 15 after shooting 6-over 77 in her second round.

The winner of the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Senior Women’s Championship earns an exemption into the 2013 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship being played September 21-26 at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.

Holly Horwood of Vancouver, B.C., leads the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship after the first round of action on Tuesday at Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club in Vernon, B.C.

“I’m very happy with how I played today,” said Horwood following her round. “I only missed one putt that I should have made and hit a lot of greens.”

Horwood carded an opening round even-par 71 on Tuesday to take a two-stroke lead heading into the second round.

“Tomorrow I just need to keep it straight and I should be fine,” she continued.

Diane Dolan of Gatineau, Que., Lynda Palahniuk of Kelowna, B.C., and Lisa Smego of Olympia, Wash., are tied for second after firing 2-over 73 in their first rounds.

Two former Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Champions are tied for fifth, as 2013 Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee Alison Murdoch of Victoria, B.C., and Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C., both posted 3-over 74’s in the opening round.

In the Inter-provincial Team competition, Team British Columbia has a 3-stroke lead over Team Quebec heading into the final round of play with a team score of 5-over 147. Team British Columbia consists of Lynda Palahniuk of Kelowna, B.C., Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C., and Karen Pultz of Surrey, B.C. Team Quebec follows in second place at 8-over 150 while Team Ontario rounds out the top three at 12-over 154.

Horwood also leads the Super Senior competition (60+) by two strokes over Palahniuk, with Murdoch following in third. Ginny Marshall of Waterloo, Ont., is in fourth place at 5-over 76, while Jewell Malick of Rockwall, Tex., Joey Bush of Aurora, Ont., and Diane Williams of Calgary, Alta., are tied for fifth at 9-over 80.

The winner of the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Senior Women’s Championship earns an exemption into the 2013 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship being played September 21-26 at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.

Many of North America’s elite senior women amateurs are ready to compete for the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship which takes place Aug. 20-22 at Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club, in Vernon, B.C.

The field of 107 players competes for the Ada Mackenzie Trophy over three rounds of stroke play. Simultaneously, the first two rounds of the championship feature an inter-provincial team competition and a Super-Senior championship, which is open to players 60 years of age and older.

“We are thrilled that Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club will have the opportunity to host this national championship,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada Tournament Director. “The strong field that we have in attendance this year is sure to be treated to a beautiful golf course and a wonderful championship. We could not ask for a better conclusion to the 2013 Royale Cup events.”

Headlining the field will be 2013 Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee Alison Murdoch of Victoria, B.C. Murdoch will attempt to take home a record fifth Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship title in her home province. Murdoch has also had success in international competition winning both the British and Irish Senior events.

This year’s field also consists of Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member and two-time Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Champion Mary Ann Hayward of Aurora, Ont. Hayward, who was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2007, won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. Her illustrious career includes four Canadian Amateur Championships, five Ontario Amateur Championships, six Quebec Amateur Championships and an extraordinary 12 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur titles.

Also in the field is two-time Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Champion Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C. who won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009. Previously this season, Little won her second Alberta Senior Ladies Championship title.

In addition to competing for the Ada Mackenzie Trophy, competitors vie for the Royale Cup Champions Trophy. This commemorative trophy honours each of the three women’s Canadian amateur champions (junior, amateur and senior) crowned each season by Golf Canada. The Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion, Team Canada National Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and the Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Champion, Maddie Szeryk of Allen, Texas, had their names etched on the trophy earlier this season.

The winner of the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship also earns an exemption into the 2013 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship being played September 21-26 at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.

The inter-provincial team championship features three-member teams competing in conjunction with the first two rounds of stroke play. Each day, the best two of three scores will count towards the two day team total. This year, Team Ontario looks to defend their title as provincial champions with Hayward, Andrea Blackwell of Kingston, Ont., and Ivy Steinberg of Stouffville, Ont.

Conducted since 1971, the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship has featured many of the country’s top senior golfers. Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Murdoch, Hayward, Marlene Streit, Gayle Borthwick, Marilyn O’Connor and Margaret Todd all own senior titles.

The Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship is contested over three rounds of stroke play (54-holes). The field is open to players who have reached the age of 50 by the date of the first round, Aug. 20, 2013.

Practice rounds will be held Monday, Aug. 19. Championship play will be conducted Tuesday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 22 with 18 holes of stroke play each day. Any tie after 54 holes will result in a hole-by-hole playoff.

A complete list of competitors, starting times and full post-round results for the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Championship can be found here.

No one could stop Maddie Szeryk of Allen, Texas, this week at the Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girl Championship at Cherry Downs Golf and Country Club in Pickering, Ont.

The 17-year-old soared past the field to capture her first Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship by 14 strokes, after a final round 2-under 70.

“It feels pretty awesome, I know this is a really big tournament,” Szeryk said. “It was great to be able to play well and win.”

Szeryk, a dual-citizen of the United States and Canada, led from start to finish in her national championship debut in Canada. Over the course of the 72-hole championship she carded four eagles and 12 birdies to finish at 5-under 283 (71-69-73-70) for the tournament.

“I was just trying to come in, do my thing, play well and see where it led,” she continued. “I drove the ball pretty well this week and I made a couple of putts so that really helped.”

With her victory she earns an exemption into the 2014 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and exemptions into the three CN Canadian Women’s Tour stops contested across the country.

Finishing in solo second and earning the Juvenile title for the second straight year, was defending champion and Team Canada’s, Brooke Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont. Henderson carded a final round even-par 72 to finish at 9-over 297 (76-77-72-72) for the championship.

Team Canada Development Squad member, Taylor Kim, 18, of Surrey, B.C., finished in solo third at 13-over 301 after a final round 1-under 71, while Muni He, 14, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., finished in fourth at 15-over 303 for the tournament after a 2-over 74 on Friday.

Rounding out the top-five were, Alyssa Getty, 16, of Leamington, Ont., and Sabrine Garrison, 17, of Calgary, who both finished at 17-over 305 for the championship.

In the Inter-Provincial Team competition that concluded on Wednesday, the Team Alberta contingent of Jaclyn Lee, Sabrine Garrison and Brianna Carrels carded a second round 7-over 151 to capture their first Inter-Provincial title since 2004. The squad finished at 19-over 307 for the championship, 14 strokes ahead of Team Quebec.

Maddie Szeryk, 17, of Allen, Texas, accomplished quite a feat today at the Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

The overnight leader recorded three eagles in her second round to vault to 4-under 140 for the championship after a 3-under 69 on Wednesday. She currently sits 11-strokes clear of her nearest competitor heading into the third round at Cherry Downs Golf and Country Club in Pickering, Ont.

Szeryk, a dual-citizen of the United States and Canada, rolled in her first two eagles on the par-5 16th and 5th holes, while her third eagle of the day came from a hole-out from the greenside bunker on the par-5 7th hole.

“I’ve never made three eagles in a round, I think I’ve only ever made one before,” Szeryk said. “Making two was pretty neat and then I made the third and I didn’t even see it go in, I only heard it hit the pin from the bunker.”

A trio of players currently sit in a tie for second including, Sabrine Garrison, 17, of Calgary, Team Canada Development Squad member, Taylor Kim, 18, of Surrey, B.C., and Muni He, 14, of Pitt Meadows, B.C. He’s 1-over 73 was the second lowest round of the day and leaves her at 7-over 151 for the tournament alongside Garrison and Kim.

Defending champion, Brooke Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont., rounds out the top five in solo fifth after posting a 5-over 77 on Wednesday. The Team Canada member currently sits at 9-over for the championship and trails He by two strokes in Juvenile division title race.

In the Inter-Provincial Team competition, the Team Alberta contingent of Jaclyn Lee, Sabrine Garrison and Brianna Carrels carded a second round 7-over 151 to capture their first Inter-Provincial title since 2004. The squad finished at 19-over 307 for the championship, 14 strokes ahead of Team Quebec.

Maddie Szeryk, 17, of Allen, Texas, fired an opening round 1-under 71 to lead the Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Cherry Downs Golf and Country Club on Tuesday.

Szeryk, a dual-citizen of the United States and Canada, heads into the second round with a five stroke lead, after carding five birdies on extremely tricky greens in her first round.

“I started off chipping in for birdie, so that was nice,” Szeryk said following her round. “I just kind of played solid and tried to focus on hitting fairways and greens and leaving it in the right spot, because if you’re above the hole it’s really tough to putt.”

Trailing Szeryk is defending champion and Team Canada member, Brooke Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont. Henderson carded a 4-over 76 to open the tournament after an early triple bogey on the par-4 3rd hole. Tied for second alongside Henderson is Team Canada Development Squad Member, Taylor Kim, 18, of Surrey, B.C.

Calgary native, Sabrine Garrison, 17, sits in solo fourth at 5-over after an opening 77, while four players sit in a tie for fifth at 6-over par including, Alyssa Getty, 16, of Leamington, Ont., Muni He, 14, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., Avril Li, 16, of Port Moody, B.C., and Casey MacNeil, 18, of Massey, Ont.

In the 36-hole Inter-Provincial Team competition, the Team Alberta contingent of Jaclyn Lee, Sabrine Garrison and Brianna Carrels leads by three strokes over Team Quebec and Team Ontario after opening with a 12-over 156. In the Juvenile division, Henderson currently leads by two strokes over Getty, He and Li.

The 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship resumes tomorrow, Wednesday, July 31, with second-round play beginning at 7:30 a.m. (EDT).

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., has won the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Club de golf Beloeil in Beloeil, Que.

After a four-day back and forth battle with Anne-Catherine Tanguay, 22, of Quebec City, Henderson,15, carded the best round of the championship after firing a 5-under 66 on Friday. As the 15th ranked amateur in the world, Henderson finished at 9-under (69-70-70-66), six strokes ahead of Tanguay who stumbled on the back nine with three straight bogeys.

“It was just a fun day overall,” said Henderson. “I have a lot of high expectations for myself and I played up to them today.”

The wins marks the Team Canada National Squad member’s third win this season and second victory at Club de Golf Beloeil – she also won the CN Canadian Women’s Tour Quebec title at Club de Golf Beloeil in 2012.

Overnight leader, Tanguay finished in second place at 3-under 281 after a final round 2-over 73. Henderson and Tanguay have known each for quite some time, as Tanguay used to golf with Brooke’s older sister Brittany and is a former member of Team Canada.

“It’s amazing to see how far she has come,” said Tanguay. “She used to be a little kid running around on the course and now she is just a young prodigy. Amazing.”

Gabriela Lopez, 19, of Mexico, finished in third place at 1-under 283 (69-75-71-68) after carding a 3-68 under in her final round.
Casey Danielson, 18, of Osceola, Wis., Kelly Shon, 21, of Flushing, N.Y., and Vivian Tsui, 19, of Markham, Ont., finished tied for fourth at 5-over 289.

In the Mid-Amateur division (25+ years), Christina Proteau, 30, of Port Alberni, B.C., successfully defended her title winning her third consecutive Mid-Amateur division title. Proteau carded a 4-over-75 in her final round to finish at 16-over 300 for the tournament, seven strokes ahead of runner-up Stefi Markovich, 38, of Welland, Ont. Helene Chartrand, 56, of Pincourt, Que., took home the Mid-Master division title (40+) with a final score of 27-over 311, three strokes ahead of Leanne Richardson, 49, of Indian Mountain, N.B.

With the win, Henderson receives an exemption into the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open at the Royal Mayfair Club in Edmonton, Alta. from August 19-25. In addition, Henderson will receive an exemption into the 2013 USGA Women’s Amateur Championship, the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links and the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.

Anne-Catherine Tanguay, 22, of Quebec City, Que., leads the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship after the third round of competition at Club de golf Beloeil in Beloeil, Que.

Tanguay, a former member of Team Canada, leads by a single stroke over Team Canada’s, Brooke Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont. Tanguay’s 2-under 69 round tied for best of the day – she currently sits at 5-under 208 for the tournament (71-68-69).

“I played conservative because that’s what I had to do,” said Tanguay. “Tomorrow I will just have to stay calm and stick to my game plan.”

After a triple bogey on the 12th hole, Tanguay birdied four of the next five holes for a total of five birdies on the day.

“I wasn’t happy [about the 12th hole], but I wasn’t mad either,” she remarked. “I just forgot about it quickly and moved on to the next hole.”

Henderson, who shared the lead with Tanguay coming into the third round, shot 1-under 70 on Thursday and now has a total score of 4-under 209 (71-68-69).

Vivian Tsui, 19, of Markham, Ont., sits in third place at even-par 213 (76-68-69). Tsui’s 2-under 69 tied Tanguay for best of the day. Gabriela Lopez, 19, of Mexico is in fourth place at 2-over 215 (69-75-71) after carding an even-par 71 in her third round.

Casey Danielson, 18, of Osceola, Wis., and Elisabeth Bernabe, 17, of Anaheim Hills, Calif., sit in a tie for fifth at 3-over 216. Danielson (72-71-73) shot 2-over 73 for the day, while Bernabe (74-71-71) carded an even-par 71.

In the Mid-Amateur division (25+ years), defending champion, Christina Proteau, 30, of Port Alberni, B.C., holds a six-stroke lead over Helene Chartrand, 56, of Pincourt, Que after shooting 5-over 76 in her third round for a tournament total of 12-over 225 (76-72-76). Chartrand and Leanne Richardson, 49, of Indian Mountain, N.B. are tied for the lead in the Mid-Master division (40+ years) at 18-over 231. Chartrand shot 8-over 79 (77-75-79) on Thursday, while Richardson was 7-over 78 (79-74-78).

The 2013 Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee Alison Murdoch, 63, of Victoria B.C., sits in fourth place in the Mid-Master division and sixth place in the Mid-Amateur division at 9-over 242 (79-83-80).

The winner of the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship will receive an exemption into the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open at the Royal Mayfair Club in Edmonton, Alta. from August 19-25. In addition, the champion will receive an exemption into the 2013 USGA Women’s Amateur Championship and, if applicable, the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links, U.S. Girls’ Junior, U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championships.