Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the addition of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational women’s tournament that will take place at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ont. from September 21 – 23, 2025.
The tournament will be conducted by Golf Canada and co-hosted by Kent State University and the University of Michigan. The tournament will feature NCAA Division I women’s golf teams along with the winners of the 2025 Canadian University/College Championship.
The inaugural Canadian Collegiate Invitational men’s tournament was conducted this past September at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. and was co-hosted by Kent State and Penn State University.
Kent State is led by head coach Casey VanDamme, who is currently in his fourth season with the Golden Flashes. In his first three seasons at Kent State, the team has won three Mid-American Conference titles, extending the program’s streak to 25 consecutive conference titles.
Michigan is led by head coach Jan Dowling of Bradford, Ont. Dowling is currently in her 12th season as head coach and during her tenure, the Wolverines have won six tournaments and have had 13 medalists. The team won the 2022 Big Ten Conference Championship for the first time in program history and has earned four trips to the NCAA Finals under Dowling’s direction. Dowling won the 2000 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and had a Hall of Fame career playing at Kent State (1998-2002).
Joining the co-hosts from Kent State and Michigan will be Auburn University, Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Purdue University, Rutgers University, Texas A&M University, University of Tennessee and the University of Virginia. The 2025 Canadian University/College Women’s Team champions – who will be crowned this spring – will also compete in the inaugural event.
In addition, the selection camp tournament for the Team Canada – NextGen Girls squad will be contested concurrently with the Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Beacon Hall Golf Club as Canada’s top junior girls look to qualify for the 2025 Team Canada – NextGen Girls squad. Invitation criteria for the selection camp will be made available in the coming weeks.
“We are thrilled to add a women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational to our Amateur Championship schedule for this season. This tournament will bring together some of the best collegiate women’s golfers and coaches from top programs to compete alongside our national champions,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We extend our thanks to the membership and staff of Beacon Hall for hosting the inaugural women’s tournament as well as a special thanks to Jan Dowling at Michigan and Casey VanDamme at Kent State for their efforts as event co-hosts.”
Beacon Hall was the inspiration of Bryan Leggett and Bill Carruthers, and its mission is to deliver a premier standard of excellence across all aspects of its membership experience. The Bob Cupp designed course opened on July 1, 1988, and since 1990 has ranked as one of the top 10 courses in Canada by SCOREGolf Magazine. In addition, Beacon Hall is consistently ranked as one of the top 100 courses outside the US.
Beacon Hall is known for its distinctively different front and back nine. The front nine features strands of pine trees giving a similar feel to courses in the Carolinas and Georgia. The back nine features fescue and waste bunkers, giving a feel of traditional Scottish links style courses.
“We are thrilled to showcase Beacon Hall during the inaugural Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational, celebrating the future of amateur golf. This event provides an incredible opportunity to support some of the finest young female golf athletes from Canada, the U.S., and around the world,” said Sean DeSilva, General Manager, Beacon Hall Golf Club. “We are proud to offer these talented players the chance to experience our wonderful golf course and enjoy the same exceptional environment our members do every day. It’s a privilege to give back to the game we love and help foster the growth of amateur and Canadian golf.”
The inaugural championship will be contested over 54 holes in two days, with 36 holes played in the opening round and 18 holes in the final round. The team component will feature five members per team with the top four scores for the round counting towards the overall team score. The individual competition will be stroke-play with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open and the top five receiving exemptions into the 2026 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
The full 2025 Amateur Championship schedule will be announced at a later date.
ABOUT THE TEAMS…
Kent State Golden Flashes (Co-Host)
The Golden Flashes have earned three top-four finishes in five tournaments during the fall season, including a pair of third-place finishes at the Boilermaker Classic and the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational. Sophomore Veronika Kedronova from Czechia won two individual titles during the fall season at the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational and the Red Raider Invitational. Kent State currently has two Canadians on the roster, senior Jennifer Gu of West Vancouver, B.C. and freshman Aryn Matthews of Little Britain, Ont.
Fall Ranking – 57
“Kent State is very proud of its connection and many players from Canada. We are excited to co-host the first women’s college event at Beacon Hall. Golf Canada has produced many incredible golfers, and we are excited to be a part of showcasing a first-class collegiate event!” – Casey VanDamme, Head Coach, Kent State Golden Flashes Women’s Golf Team
Michigan Wolverines (Co-Host)
The Wolverines earned four top-10 finishes during the fall season, including a sixth-place finish at the Mary Fossum Invitational. The Wolverines feature a younger team this season with four freshman, two sophomores and two juniors. Team Canada member, Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.) recently graduated from Michigan having won four individual titles during her collegiate career including the Big Ten Championship Conference title in 2022 and was co-medalist in her Senior year in 2024.
Fall Ranking – 67
“As a proud Canadian, this is truly an honour for us to bring the University of Michigan Women’s Golf Team across the 49th parallel to compete in the first female collegiate event hosted in Canada! Additionally, to have Beacon Hall as the host golf course will be a tremendous experience for all the players and coaches. Golf Canada has been a proud partner to countless collegiate golfers and coaches, and it’s very exciting to partner up for a prestigious women’s collegiate tournament.” – Jan Dowling, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines Women’s Golf Team
Auburn Tigers
The Tigers had a successful fall season earning one championship, along with three consecutive top-five finishes to close the fall season. Auburn won their first tournament of the year at the Cougar Classic. They followed up with a second-place finish at the Schooner Fall Classic, then a third-place finish at the Illini Women’s Invitational at Medinah and fourth at The Ally. Team Canada member Katie Cranston of Oakville, Ont. is in her junior year at Auburn and earned a T6 finish at the Cougar Classic followed by a top-20 at the Schooner Fall Classic and a top-25 at The Ally. Cranston was also a member of the 2023-24 Tigers team that was a national quarterfinalist. Teammate Anna Davis of Spring Valley, Calif. is in her sophomore year and earned one individual title (Illini Women’s Invitational at Medinah), two second-place finishes and a third-place finish in four tournaments during the fall season.
Fall Ranking – 20
Central Michigan Chippewas
The Chippewas earned three top-fives during the fall season. They opened the season with a third-place finish at the A-Ga-Ming Invitational, where freshman Ella Zanatta of Hamilton, Ont. finished tied for first individually before losing in a playoff in her first collegiate tournament. Zanatta also added a second-place finish, T9 and 22nd in four tournaments. Two other Canadians are on the roster including graduate student, Hailey Katona of Tilbury, Ont. During the fall season, Katona earned three top five finishes. Alexis McMurray of Oakville, Ont. is in her junior year with the Chippewas.
Fall Ranking – 206
Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans earned three top-fives and a top-10 finish during the fall season. Michigan State opened with a T4 at the Folds of Honor Collegiate along with a pair of second-place finishes at the Mary Fossum Invitational and the Tar Heel Invitational. The Spartans have two Canadians on their roster, Taylor Kehoe from Strathroy, Ont. and sophomore Ella Weber from Burlington, Ont. Kehoe is in her junior year and has earned a top-10, two top-20’s and a top-25 individually this season.
Fall Ranking – 22
Ole Miss Rebels
The Rebels won twice during the fall season including back-to-back tournaments at the Mary Fossum Invitational and the Illini Women’s Invitational. The team also added a fourth-place finish at the Landfall Invitational to close the fall campaign. Senior Caitlyn Macnab won individual honours at the Mary Fossum Invitational. Team Canada member, Nicole Gal of Oakville, Ont. is currently in her Junior year at Ole Miss. Gal has earned one top-five, one top-10 and two top-20 finishes so far this season.
Fall Ranking – 19
Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers opened the fall season with a successful title defence of the Boilermaker Classic on home soil. They added a T6 finish at the Mary Fossum Invitational and closed the fall season with a second-place finish at the White Sands Bahamas Invitational. Senior Natasha Kiel opened and closed her fall season with individual titles, winning the Boilermaker Classic and finishing as co-medalist at the White Sands Bahamas Invitational. Current Canadian LPGA Tour member Maude-Aimee LeBlanc is an alumna of Purdue.
Fall Ranking – 33
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Scarlet Knights opened the fall season with three consecutive top-10 finishes including a tie for fourth at the Cardinal Cup. Rutgers features two Canadians on its roster, sophomore Krystal Li of Richmond Hill, Ont. and freshman Joline Truong of Mississauga, Ont. Truong has enjoyed a successful debut season earning one top-five and a pair of top-10 and top-20 finishes in five tournaments played.
Fall Ranking – 112
Tennessee Volunteers
The Lady Vols finished the fall season with three consecutive top-five finishes. They earned a third-place finish at the Cavalier Regional Preview followed by a fifth-place finish at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational and a T2 finish at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship.
Fall Ranking – 40
Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies earned three top-five finishes and closed the fall season with a runner-up finish at the Charles Schwab Women’s Collegiate Challenge. At the same tournament, Aggie sophomore Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio won her first collegiate tournament and Team Canada member, Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. finished tied for second. Borovilos is in her freshman year with the Aggies and also earned a T12 finish in her first collegiate tournament in August 2024 at Pebble Beach.
Fall Ranking – 17
Virginia Cavaliers
The Cavaliers won the Pan-Pacific UGSL Tournament to open their fall season in Mishima, Japan. They also added a second-place finish as the host team at the Cavalier Regional Preview, and a fourth-place finish to close the fall season at the Stanford Intercollegiate. Senior Amanda Sambach won the fifth individual title of her collegiate career at the Pan-Pacific and finished second at the Cavalier Regional Preview.
Fall Ranking – 11