Wascana Country Club still basking in glow of 2018 CP Women’s Open
REGINA – It’s been slightly over a year since Brooke Henderson made history at the 2018 CP Women’s Open and Regina’s Wascana Country Club.
It’s a moment Canadian golf fans won’t soon forget when Henderson became the first Canadian to win the event since Jocelyne Bourassa in 1973 on Aug. 26, 2018. Wascana Chief Executive Officer Greg Dukart said the club and city are still beaming about how the event played out.
“The membership at large totally embraced the event when it was here, as did the community,” Dukart said. “That whole sense of pride and ownership has just continued into this year. The efforts all the volunteers made in making the event happen and then in combination with Chad Fawcett (superintendent) and his team getting the course playable, it jived together perfectly. The after effect is still very positive.”
No one knew who was going to win the event, but when Henderson hit her approach shot on hole 18 and got it to within a couple feet of the hole, the gallery knew history was upon them. Dukart said The Wascana has now immortalized the spot on the fairway where she hit from. The staff placed a plague in the turf commemorating the moment In Canadian sports history.
“When members now play it’s a constant reminder that they are part of history with her winning on home soil and being the first in 45 years,” Dukart explained. “Not only history of that but the LPGA coming to Regina and Wascana which arguable may or may not ever happen again. To have a Canadian win, everything around that is pretty unique.”
The many people behind the event have every reason to be proud of the event from the staff to hundreds of volunteers. Dukart said the commitment wasn’t lost on the LPGA brass as well.
“We put a lot of energy in trying to land the event and that’s all good, now you can’t take it away from our members and our club, it’s been held here and successfully. I just received an email from LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan commenting on how great the event was when it was held in Regina,” Dukart beamed.
The Wascana opened in 1911 and has had extraordinary moments in its history. Hosting the Canadian Mid-Amateur Men’s Championship in 2017 was a highlight. Saskatchewan had 37 players in the field including long-time Wascana member Tyler Wright. He placed fifth, the highest ever for a Saskatchewan competitor at the national event. Dukart said speaking with local historians, Henderson’s win might trump everything in their legacy.
“Without exception aside from the monumental task of opening the course in 1911 I think they are putting this at the top of the many significant moments in our history. This has to be pretty close to number one in those moments,” Dukart said.
The Wascana honoured Henderson with a lifetime membership at the club as well.
An estimated 45,000 people passed through gates over the four days on the event.
Jason Day beats Tiger in Japan Skins
INZAI CITY, Japan – Not only did Jason Day win the inaugural “The Challenge: Japan Skins” game on Monday, beating Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Hideki Matsuyama, he also won the needling contest.
Turning to Woods after receiving the trophy, Day asked how many similar events Woods had played in.
“Tiger, this is what – your fifth of sixth?”
Before Woods could reply, Day supplied the rejoinder.
“He hasn’t won one yet. I found that out today when he told me.”
Woods and everyone else laughed, which captured the lighthearted day at the Narashino Country Club, where the made-for-TV skins game finished under floodlights on the 17th and 18th holes.
“First time I’ve ever finished under lights, so that was exciting,” Day said, surprised the sun goes down about 5 p.m. in the fall in the Tokyo area.
Day won eight skins and $210,000. Woods had five skins and $60,000 with McIlroy taking four and winning $60,000. Matsuyama won only one skin and $20,000.
Final results from #TheChallengeJapanSkins@JDayGolf: $210K (8 skins)@TigerWoods: $60K (5 skins)@McIlroyRory: $60K (4 skins)
Hideki Matsuyama: $20K (1 skin) pic.twitter.com/hyOHhzZZmV— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) October 21, 2019
“I’m disappointed I had only one,” Matsuyama said, speaking through an interpreter and also getting a laugh.
It was Woods’ first event after surgery two months ago, the fifth on his left knee. He’ll get a stiffer test at the Zozo Championship that opens Thursday – the first-ever full PGA Tour event in Japan.
Wood said it was great “just being able to compete again. I haven’t done this in a little bit now.”
By his own assessment, he started very slowly.
“I did not play well at the beginning,” he said. “I hit a lot of bad shots and did not putt well. Once I got into the flow of competing and feeling the round, it just got exciting. We were competitive, the banter was great, the back and forth.”
Woods, who had a hand in organizing the event, said he hoped “we were entertaining everyone and everyone who’s watching had a good time.”
They probably did.
On No. 4, Woods seemed to try to take advantage of the fact the Narashino Country Club has two greens on every hole. It’s a tradition at some courses in Japan, alternating greens to keep them both in good shape.
Woods hit a shot between two greens and Day got on him.
“I asked him (Tiger) to let me know which green he was going for,” Day said. “But he was in between so I still don’t know which one he was going for.”
Woods agreed.
“I hit in between the greens, so it looked kind of like I kind of didn’t know what I was doing,” he said.
Both greens at No. 4 will be used this week at the tournament. A hole will be cut in each and players will choose which to play to.
The Narashino club is located about 50 kilometres (30 miles) northeast of Tokyo in Chiba prefecture. The course for next year’s Tokyo Olympics will be at Kasumigaseki Country Club in neighbouring Saitama prefecture.
Four famous rugby players really got the match moving at No. 7 when they paired up with the pros for one hole.
Matsuyama dropped a 35-foot putt for birdie, and then was embraced by his teammate – former South African rugby player Bryan Habana. The 100-kilogram (220-pound) Habana almost crushed Mastuyama as he screamed: “That’s my partner.”
Seconds later, former Ireland rugby player Brian O’Driscoll holed another long putt, matching Matsuyama’s birdie. Jason Day then holed another shorter birdie putt.
Walking one fairway, McIlroy was asked by a TV interviewer about comments by Brooks Koepka about the Irishman’s game.
Koepka said last week: “Rory hasn’t won a major since I’ve been on tour, so I don’t view it as a rivalry.”
McIlroy last won a major in 2014 at the PGA Championship.
McIlroy said Koepka “wasn’t wrong. He’s been the best player in the world for the last couple of years. Four majors. I don’t think he needed to remind me I haven’t won in a while. And I love Brooks. He’s a great guy; obviously super-competitive like we all are. I can see where he’s coming from.”
McIlroy then paused and also added: “I think that’s good for the game, and I think if you take what Brooks said out of context – then it can become this big thing it’s become. Brooks and I are good. We’re good friends.”
Russell Budd finishes T4 at Peru Open
Russell Budd of Toronto, carded a 1-under 71 in the final round of the Diners Club Peru Open in Lima to tie for fourth at 16-under. Budd finished three shots back of champion Leandro Marelli (-19).
The result is Budd’s second T4 in 2019. His best result on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica came in 2018 at the TOUR’s qualifying event in Colombia.
Fellow Torontonian Sebastian Szirmak tied for 15th at 13 under.
Kang wins LPGA Shanghai with Henderson earning top-10
SHANGHAI – Danielle Kang shot a bogey-free 2 under 70 to win the Buick LPGA Shanghai for the second consecutive year on Sunday with a tournament record 16-under par 272.
The 27-year-old American began the day one stroke behind compatriot Jessica Korda, who shot a final-round 72 to finish second at 15 under.
“It was a really stressful day. I definitely played well out there. It was really tough because you’re definitely watching what Jessica is shooting and scoring, and always just try to keep in my own game,” said Kang.
Kang birdied the 15th to pull two strokes ahead, but Korda responded with a birdie of her own on 17. Kang then holed a 3-foot par putt on the 18th to win her third career title.
“There were a lot of birdie opportunities. I made some really great up and downs. I’ve never been more nervous than the last putt for some reason, but I made it,” Kang said.
Korda had three birdies and three bogeys for even par on the day.
“You know, just couldn’t get anything going today. It was just one of those days where it just wasn’t meant to be, I guess,” said Korda.
Liu Yu of China shot a 7-under 65 to surge into a three-way tie for third with Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and LPGA rookie Kristen Gillman at 13 under and the best finish of Gillman’s career.
“I definitely knew I would be able to do it, but also being a rookie and being in Asia – or at least in China for my first time _ you don’t really expect to have this good of a finish and your best finish so far this year out of the country,” said Gillman.
American Megan Khang tied the 18-hole scoring record with an 8-under 64, including a hole-in-one on the par-3 11th to finish tied for seventh.
Brooke Henderson of Canada shot a 1-over 73 to drop from third place into a tie for ninth with top-ranked Jin Young Ko and Nelly Korda at 9 under.
The Buick LPGA Shanghai was the first of four straight events in Asia. The tour moves to Busan, South Korea next week for the BMW Ladies Championship.
Henderson trails Korda heading into final round of LPGA Shanghai
SHANGHAI – Jessica Korda shot a 6-under 66 in the third round, with eight birdies and two bogeys, to take a one-shot lead at the Buick LPGA Shanghai on Saturday.
“I’ve been struggling a little bit with my swing, so I’ve been working on it every day. It’s slowly starting to kind of take its groove,” the 26-year-old American said. “And then just making some putts.”
Korda, who has a 15-under total of 201, is making her first start since the Solheim Cup, where she went 3-0-1 last month in Scotland in the United States’ loss to Europe. She has three LPGA Tour victories in Asia.
Defending champion Danielle Kang is in second place after a 66 at Qizhong Garden in the first of four straight events in Asia. The American had bogeys on her first two holes to fall behind by four strokes, but played bogey-free the rest of the way, including six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 17th.
Second round leader Brooke Henderson (73) dropped back to third place. The 22-year-old Canadian, a two-time winner this season, fell behind early but recovered with an eagle on the par-4 10th. Henderson had a double bogey on the 18th to finish five strokes back.
Hit it ?️♀️
Spin it ?
Drain it ?What an eagle from @BrookeHenderson‼️@GolfChannel | @BuickLpga #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/Ik1a3JWiWB
— LPGA (@LPGA) October 19, 2019
Nasa Hataoka and Kristen Gillman are tied for fourth at 9 under, followed by Sei Young Kim and Angel Yin at 8 under.
Henderson cards an ace, leads LPGA Shanghai thru 36 holes
SHANGHAI – Brooke Henderson had a hole-in-one and shot a tournament record 8-under 64 to take the lead in the second round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai on Friday.
The Canadian hit her ace on the 144-yard second hole. She followed that with a bogey, but then birdied four more holes on the front nine, finishing her round at 11-under 133 total.
“I didn’t see it at all, and then Olly (Brett), one of the caddies in our group (for Danielle Kang), turned and said, ‘That went in,”’ said Henderson, who added it was her seventh career hole-in-one. “We were like ‘What? Really?’ That was pretty cool. It definitely got my day started in the right direction.”
Jessica Korda (67) was two strokes behind in second, followed by defending champion Danielle Kang (67) in third.
Kang holed a 30-yard eagle on the ninth.
“I definitely know that birdies are out there and it’s a pretty tough golf course. It’s not easy to shoot low,” Kang said. “There were a lot of good scores out there today and I know how well these girls can play, so I just got to keep chipping away and keep on trying to make those birdies and see what happens at the end.”
Henderson has won twice this year, at the Meijer LPGA Classic in June and the LOTTE Championship in April.
Nasa Hataoka and Amy Yang, who shared the lead after the first round, dropped back. Yang (71) is tied for fourth alongside Marina Alex (67), while Hataoka (73) is tied for ninth.
Top-ranked Jin Young Ko, who is coming off a victory on the Korean LPGA Tour last week, shot a 70 to finish tied for 21st.
Henderson sits T5 after opening-round of Buick LPGA Shanghai
SHANGHAI – Amy Yang and Nasa Hataoka shared the lead at 5-under 67 after the first round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai on Thursday.
Both players had six birdies and a bogey for a one-stroke lead.
“I’m happy how I played today,” Yang said. “My swing felt very stable … lot of solid shots out there and making some good putts, so it’s been a good round.”
Americans Jessica Korda and Angel Yin are tied for third, while Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and defending champion Danielle Kang are among seven players tied for fifth at 3-under 69.
Alena Sharp of Hamilton is T24th at even-par 72,
Anne Catherine Tanguay to take year off from LPGA Tour
QUÉBEC – Quebec golfer Anne-Catherine Tanguay has announced she will take a year off of golf to prioritize “personal projects”, according to a statement issued Thursday.
The 28-year-old Quebec City native will have to play on the Symetra Tour or go to the Qualifying Series to regain full LPGA status as she is 130th on the money list this year. Only the top 100 keep their cards for the following year.
Tanguay citied injuries (specifically a back injury) that have hindered her game and she’ll use the time to take rest in order to “recharge her batteries”.
“It’s clear that my body is sending me signals, and over the last few weeks I’ve been digging into my reserves to find the energy to continue training and competing at a high level,” said Tanguay. “I need a break. ”
Tanguay, who entered the LPGA Tour in 2016, had her best-ever LPGA Tour result in June at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, where she tied for 11th.
She stressed that she will “continue to be involved in some golf activities, give some conferences and invest in family businesses” during her time off.
“I’m going home, I need to get closer to my family and take some time to re-evaluate my priorities,” she said.
This news comes just days after another Quebecer, Maude-Aimée Leblanc of Sherbrooke, announced her retirement from professional golf.
Fall Golf: Canadian Fan Photos
Happy Thanksgiving Canadian golf fans!
This past week, through Golf Canada’s social accounts, we asked fans to submit fall golf images. They did not disappoint! We were absolutely overwhelmed with the response…
You can find some of our favourites below. Thanks again to everyone who shared their images/videos.
Highlands Links, Cape Breton. pic.twitter.com/21rjDWQQE7
— MCneil?? (@IanMcNeil) October 13, 2019
Grandview Golf Club @GVGolfClub Huntsville, ON #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/60X4D9vzgI
— Deb M.??♀️⛳️ (@debs217) October 13, 2019
Grandview Golf Club @GVGolfClub Huntsville, ON #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/60X4D9vzgI
— Deb M.??♀️⛳️ (@debs217) October 13, 2019
My favorite course, @CopperPointGolf in Invermere, BC pic.twitter.com/xRBsfySrzN
— Rob Thomas (@ctradingbureau) October 14, 2019
#7 @Meadowbrook_GCC pic.twitter.com/jlguqnrTrc
— John Gallinger (@John_Gallinger) October 14, 2019
Thanksgiving weekend @CamelotGolf #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/tXy9V0INi0
— Radar Boomer (@RadarBoomer) October 13, 2019
#GolfCanada Pitt meadows Golf Club. A hidden gem in the lower Fraser Valley, BC pic.twitter.com/MfKf6EVhJZ
— Gary Kroeker (@GaryKroeker) October 14, 2019
Berthier Golf Club #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/1QirZfT7pC
— Martin genest (@iborngenest) October 13, 2019
Beautiful fall colours at Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club today! #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/CRqQodgUVk
— Ms Staples (@mstracystaples) October 14, 2019
Fall Golf is the best! #golfcanada pic.twitter.com/cYtYZQyHs9
— Owen Rigg (@OwenRigg) October 11, 2019
@CamelotGolf #2 #golfcanada thanksgiving pic.twitter.com/eBzwDowWBp
— Janelle Sadler (@janelle_sadler) October 14, 2019
Last year's fall photo at Pembroke Golf Club. Great corner of the course. Also happens to be hole I got my 1st and only Hole in 1 this summer :). Pin position was just a bit left right behind the bunker 🙂 pic.twitter.com/o6FZvL5JwR
— Kris B (@oiler3535) October 10, 2019
Beauty from the 13th @idygolf right along the shores of Nepahwin Lake in Sudbury, ON! #GolfCanada pic.twitter.com/r6e5XDQsYQ
— Chris Montgomery (@ChrisJamesMonty) October 11, 2019
CGSA names James Beebe 2019 CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year
MISSISSAUGA, ON – The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and Bayer Environmental Science (Bayer) have announced James Beebe from Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club in Priddis, Alta. as the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year for 2019.
The annual award recognizes a member of the CGSA who has held the position of golf course superintendent for a minimum of five years and who has distinguished her or himself through dedication to the profession, performance as a golf course superintendent and contributions to their profession and their community.
“The CGSA is incredibly proud to bestow this recognition to James; he epitomizes leadership and professionalism in his role as Golf Course Manager,” said Greg Austin, CGSA President. I’m one of dozens of golf industry people that have worked with James at Priddis Greens, and all will tell you of his great mentorship and humble leadership. I’m extremely lucky to call James not only a colleague but a friend. Congratulations on this well-deserved award, James.”
“It is truly a great honour to be recognized as the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the year,” said Beebe. I feel very thankful to have been surrounded by incredibly supportive people throughout my career without whom this award would not have been possible. Receiving this prestigious award from the CGSA & Bayer is made special because of my long standing relationship and friendships with the wonderful people in these two organizations.”
As the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year winner, James receives the following:
- Attendance at and participation in the 2019 Fall Field Day from October 9-11 including golfing both days at Cabot Resort. This includes registration fee, travel costs, car rental, if necessary, and hotel accommodation for up to three nights;
- James and his wife Janet will receive an “All-Access” registration to The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference, 4 nights’ accommodation at the Westin Ottawa Hotel and transportation to the conference from March 2-5, 2020;
- A site visit with a written agronomic report from a Bayer Green Solution Specialist;
- Including a $5,000 Bayer plant protection package for the golf course; and
- A trip for two to attend a Bayer educational opportunity that would include golf.
James has been a CGSA member since 1992. He served as the CGSA President in 2016 and was the Alberta Golf Superintendents Association (AGSA) President in 2004. James has received several awards and recognitions including the CGSA Environmental Achievement Award in 2005, the AGSA Walt Gooder Distinguished Award in 2017, GCSAA/Golf Industry Environmental Leader Award in 2006, as well as making Priddis Greens the first Alberta golf course to be a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 1998. He has sat on numerous committees for both the CGSA and the AGSA.
James graduated from Seneca College in 1989 with a diploma in Golf Course Technology. His early work experience took him from Riverside Golf Club in Saskatoon, to East Essex Golf Club in England from 1989-1991. In 1991 James moved to Alberta where he worked at Woodside Golf Course for two years. He then honed his skills in a role at D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club before moving to Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club. Still into his young career, James elected to return to school and attended Penn State University where in 1995 graduated as valedictorian with an Associates Degree in Golf Course Turfgrass Management. In 1996 James was promoted to Golf Course Superintendent at Priddis Greens.
Over the last 25 plus years James has been known for providing elite playing conditions for his membership and has hosted three LPGA Tour events, including the CP Women’s Open in 1999, 2009 and 2016.
Beebe will receive the CGSA/Bayer Superintendent of the Year award on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 during the Awards Lunch at the Westin Ottawa Hotel as part of The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference.