Woodstock, P.E.I. – The 51st playing of the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship wrapped up with a battle to the very end, with Mary-Ann Hayward securing the title at Mill River Golf Resort presented BDO.
Heading into play on Friday, Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont., shared the lead with Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. The final round saw a back-and-forth battle with both golfers tied through 11 holes. Hayward and Kyrinis both held the solo lead during the final seven holes. Hayward’s birdie on 17, combined with Kyrinis’ bogey put Hayward ahead by one heading to the final hole and that would be what separated them, giving Hayward her fourth Canadian Women’s Senior Championship.
“I’ve never seen so many two shot swings; we had three in four holes on the back nine over a five-hole stretch. It’s a difficult golf course, the pins are difficult and you can’t beat yourself up over those three putts out there. I made a couple key birdies on hole-14 and 17, you have to remember the good and the shots you take under pressure. The competition is very tough, you have some of the best senior golfers in the world here in Canada, its not easy to win so you cherish each one,” said Hayward.
Hayward shot a final round of 4-over 76 to finish the tournament at 11-over. Two-time champion, Kyrinis shot a final round of 5-over 77 to finish second.
This marks Hayward’s fourth Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, having previously won in 2010, 2011 and 2013. In addition to today’s win, Hayward has earned exemptions into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship, 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, 2024 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2024 U.S. Women’s Senior Open.
Hayward also won the Super Senior Championship, which ran concurrently throughout the tournament.
Two-time champion, Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont., placed third overall in the Senior Championship after shooting a final round 3-over 75 on Friday. Samuel also placed second in the Super Senior and Marie-Thérése Torti of Candiac, Que., shot a 3-over 75 to place third.
Team Ontario won the Inter-Provincial Team Championship on Thursday with an impressive 14-stroke victory over runner-up Team British Columbia. Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont., Mary-Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont., and Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., shot a collective 13-over for Team Ontario to earn the team championship.
For the full leaderboard, please click here.
GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.