PGA TOUR

Justin Thomas sank a 20-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to defeat Andrew Novak and win the RBC Heritage. It is his 16th career win, but his first in more than 1,000 days since winning the 2022 PGA Championship. He’s the 58th player in PGA history to reach the 16-win mark and the first since Mark O’Meara in 1988. It was the fifth time this season that a playoff was needed to decide a winner, and Thomas became the first player to win this season after holding the lead after the first round. Thomas previously equalled the tournament 18-hole scoring record with an opening round 61. Novak, who had an eight-foot putt to win in regulation, picked up his second career runner-up finish. Daniel Berger made four birdies over his first six holes on the way to a bogey-free final round and a four-way tie for third with Brian Harman, Maverick McNealy and Mackenzie Hughes, who collected his second top-10 result in as many starts. It’s his first top-5 finish since last November. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler finished tied for eighth, his eighth top-25 finish in as many starts this season. …Corey Conners finished outside the top-25 for the first time in seven starts.

NEXT EVENT: Zurich Classic of New Orleans (Apr 24)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Adam Hadwin, Ben Silverman, Adam Svensson, Nick Taylor

Joel Dahmen closed with three straight bogeys, opening the door for Garrick Higgo to win the Corales Puntacana Championship by one shot. It is Higgo’s second career PGA Tour win and first since 2021. The 25-year-old South African becomes the youngest winner of this event. Dahmen led after each of the first three rounds, posting 18-hole and 36-hole scoring records while equalling the 54-hole tournament record in building the largest lead after three rounds in tournament history. However, the 2021 champion missed a 1-foot par putt on 17 and failed to convert an 8-foot par putt on the final hole to finish in a four-way tie for second.…Adam Svensson notched his first top-25 finish of the season, his best showing since last October. …Cougar Collins played his way into the field as one of four Monday qualifiers. It’s his second career PGA start, both coming at this tournament.

LPGA TOUR

Tour rookie Akie Iwai bogeyed the final hole to give Ingrid Lindblad a one-shot victory at the JM Eagle LA Championship. The Swede wins her first career tournament in only her third start as an LPGA member. Lindblad, who was playing one group ahead of Iwai, made six birdies over her first 11 holes before making pars the rest of the way. Iwai missed a 75-foot eagle putt on No. 16 by inches to move into a tie for the lead, and after making par on the next hole, she ran her downhill chip from off the green past the hole on No. 18 and missed the comebacker that would have forced a playoff. Lauren Coughlin, Esther Henseleit, and Miyu Yamashita all tied for third. Iwai’s twin sister, Chrisato, finished in a tie for 11th. Top-ranked Nelly Korda finished tied for 16th. After posting back-to-back top-10 results to start the year, she has yet to post a top-15 result in her last three starts. …Savannah Grewal’s opening round 68 equals her lowest of the season to date. …Past champion Brooke Henderson missed the cut for only the second time this season and just the fourth time in his last 31 starts.

NEXT EVENT: The Chevron Championship (Apr. 24)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Brooke Henderson, Savannah Grewal, Alena Sharp, Maude-Aimee Leblanc (Reserve #32)

KORN FERRY TOUR

Neal Shipley made a 25-foot birdie putt on the fifth extra hole to defeat Seungtaek Lee and win the Lecom Suncoast Classic. It is his first career win, and the 24-year-old becomes the fifth winner this season under the age of 30. Shipley, who was the low amateur at last year’s Masters and U.S. Open, started the year with conditional status and had made just two cuts in seven starts. The win moves him up to No. 3 on the points list. Lee picks up his first career runner-up finish and second top-10 result in just his sixth career tour start. Points leader Hank Lebioda notched his tour-leading fifth top-10 finish of the season. …Myles Creighton equalled his best result of the season. …Roger Sloan picked up his best result of the year in his sixth start of the season.

NEXT EVENT: Veritex Bank Championship (Apr 24)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Matthew Anderson, Myles Creighton, Stuart Macdonald, Étienne Papineau, Roger Sloan, Sudarshan Yellamaraju

EUROPEAN TOUR

Wu Ashun overcame a four-shot deficit with five birdies on the back nine to win the Volvo China Open by one stroke. It is his fifth career European Tour title and the second time he has won this event, six days shy of exactly his first win in 2015. The win not only earned him full status on the tour but also moved him past Haotong Li as the winningest player from China on tour. Wu also joins Li as the second Chinese player to win on tour this season. Jordan Smith birdied the final hole to finish solo second while Yannik Paul finished third. Final round co-leaders Li and Eugenio Chacarra were in a three-way tie for third with Zecheng Dou. Chacarra, who was three shots clear of Wu at the turn, made three bogeys over a five-hole stretch on the back nine to tumble down the leaderboard.

NEXT EVENT: Hainan Classic (Apr 24)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Aaron Cockerill

Houston, Texas – Golf Canada and the United States Golf Association (USGA) wrapped up their two-day international friendly match play event over the weekend at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas. The U.S. National Junior Team emerged victorious by a 16-8 point total.

Team Canada – NextGen was led by Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont., Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. and Alex Zhang of Richmond, B.C. who all earned three points for the team from their three matches. Antoine Jasmin of Blainville, Que. also earned two points from three matches and Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta. won her individual match on Sunday to also earn a point for Team Canada – NextGen.

“We are very proud of our team from their performances on the course and representing Golf Canada off the course as well,” said Darcy Dhillon, Coach, Team Canada – NextGen Boys. “We are very appreciative of our friends at the USGA for hosting us and providing our team the opportunity to play in more competitive events early in the season. This was a great experience for everyone involved and we look forward to more collaborative opportunities in the future.”

The two-day event featured 12 players (six girls and six boys) representing each team in a mixed competition that was World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) sanctioned. The match play format consisted of mixed Foursome team matches and mixed Four-Ball team matches on Saturday with individual single matches to close the event on Sunday.

The Team Canada – NextGen squad featured 10 current members of the High-Performance program. Two additional U17 players were selected on the boys’ side to round out the team. The roster for the event included:

BOYS

Charlie Gillespie – 18, Calgary, Alta.

Antoine Jasmin – 19, Blainville, Que.

Austin Krahn – 17, Christina Lake, B.C.

*Dawson Lew – 15, Toronto, Ont.

Jager Pain – 16, Woodbridge, Ont.

*Alex Zhang – 16, Richmond, B.C.

Coaches: Darcy Dhillon – Calgary, Alta., Dr. Charles Fitsimmons (Mental Performance Coach) – King City, Ont.

*- denotes selected player

GIRLS

Aphrodite Deng – 15, Calgary, Alta.

Clara Ding – 14, White Rock, B.C.

Shauna Liu – 16, Maple, Ont.

Eileen Park – 15, Red Deer, Alta.

Nobelle Park – 15, Oakville, Ont.

Michelle Xing – 16, Richmond Hill, Ont.

Coaches: Jeff MacDonald – Halifax, N.S., Jennifer Ha – Calgary, Alta.

For more information on Team Canada, please click here.

In addition to the match play competition, there was joint team dinner following practice rounds on Friday and a closing awards ceremony following play on Sunday.

For the full results from the international friendly, please click here.

Oakville, ON – Golf Canada and the United States Golf Association (USGA) announced today that the Team Canada – NextGen program and the U.S. National Junior Team will compete in a two-day international friendly match play event, April 12-13 at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas.

The event will feature 12 players (six girls and six boys) representing each team in a mixed competition that will be World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) sanctioned. The match play format will be as follows:

Saturday, April 12: Foursome Team matches (a.m.) and Four-Ball Team matches (p.m.)

Sunday, April 13: Individual Single matches

“We are excited for our young Canadian athletes to participate in this match play event and give these talented aspiring players another opportunity to compete internationally. We have seen great success with our NextGen players over the past couple years, especially at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and these matches provide great experience to continue to learn and grow,” said Jeff MacDonald, head coach of the Team Canada – NextGen Girls team. “We also want to extend our thanks to the USGA, as these unique matches help to strengthen an already strong relationship between our two national golf federations.”

The Team Canada – NextGen squad will feature 10 current members of the High-Performance program. Two additional U17 players were selected on the boys’ side to round out the team. The roster for the event will include:

BOYS

Charlie Gillespie – 18, Calgary, Alta.

Antoine Jasmin – 19, Blainville, Que.

Austin Krahn – 17, Christina Lake, B.C.

*Dawson Lew – 15, Toronto, Ont.

Jager Pain – 16, Woodbridge, Ont.

*Alex Zhang – 16, Richmond, B.C.

Coaches: Darcy Dhillon – Calgary, Alta., Dr. Charles Fitsimmons (Mental Performance Coach) – King City, Ont.

*- denotes selected player

GIRLS

Aphrodite Deng – 15, Calgary, Alta.

Clara Ding – 14, White Rock, B.C.

Shauna Liu – 16, Maple, Ont.

Eileen Park – 15, Red Deer, Alta.

Nobelle Park – 15, Oakville, Ont.

Michelle Xing – 16, Richmond Hill, Ont.

Coaches: Jeff MacDonald – Halifax, N.S., Jennifer Ha – Calgary, Alta.

For more information on Team Canada, please click here.

Team USA will be comprised of:

BOYS
Ronin Banerjee – 16, Irvine, Calif.

Luke Colton – 17, Frisco, Texas

Phillip Dunham – 17, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Trevor Gutschewski – 17, Omaha, Neb.

Will Hartman – 18, Marvin, N.C.

Tyler Mawhinney – 17, Fleming Island, Fla. (2024 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion)

GIRLS

Shyla Brown – 16, McKinney, Texas

Ryleigh Knaub – 18, DeBary, Fla.

Jude Lee – 17, Walnut, Calif.

Nikki Oh – 17, Torrance, Calif.

Scarlett Schremmer – 18, Birmingham, Ala.

Amelie Zalsman – 16, St. Petersburg, Fla.

For more information of the U.S. roster, please click here.

“Team match play has long been an important part of international competition and introducing our nation’s top junior talent to these formats, competitive situations and championship level courses early in their development is crucial to building confidence and preparing them for success on the game’s biggest stages,” said Chris Zambri, head coach of the U.S. National Teams. “We’re thankful to partner with Golf Canada on this initiative in support of friendly competition and development for all of our athletes.”

Champions Golf Club was founded in 1957 by World Golf Hall of Fame members and past Masters champions, Jack Burke Jr. and Jimmy Demaret. The Cypress Creek course opened in 1959 and five years later the Jackrabbit course was built. Champions Golf Club has hosted numerous events including the Ryder Cup (1967), U.S. Open (1969), U.S. Amateur (1993), The TOUR Championship (1990, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003) and the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open.

In addition to the match play competition, there will be a joint team dinner following practice rounds on Friday, April 11 and a closing awards ceremony following play on Sunday, April 13.

Canada well represented at Masters Tournament, Augusta National Women’s Amateur and
Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals

As the calendar turns to April, golf fans worldwide focus their attention on Augusta, Ga. to celebrate a tradition unlike any other and watch in anticipation as to who will be next to don the iconic green jacket.

Canada will be well represented at the 89th Masters Tournament with four Canadians currently set to compete including past Masters champion, Mike Weir (Bright’s Grove, Ont.), Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.), Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and 2023 RBC Canadian Open winner, Nick Taylor (Abbotsford, B.C.).

Weir will be competing in his 26th Masters Tournament. His iconic win in 2003 was secured on the first playoff hole at Augusta National Golf Club to beat Len Mattiace and become the first Canadian Masters champion and the first Canadian male golfer to win a major.

Conners, who will be competing in his eighth Masters Tournament including 2015 as an amateur, had three consecutive top 10 finishes between 2020 and 2022, with his best finish, T6 coming in 2022. Taylor will be making his third appearance at the Masters, his best finish was T29 in 2020, while Pendrith will be making his Masters debut.

Also returning to Augusta National Golf Club (Augusta National) is Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club’s superintendent, Eric Ruhs, who has been volunteering with the Augusta National Agronomy department since 2014. Ruhs has been the superintendent at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club since 1987 and was honoured as the 2023 Superintendent of the Year by the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association.

Lauren Kim set to compete in second consecutive Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Before the Masters Tournament kicks off, Augusta National will host the sixth annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA), from April 2-5.

Team Canada member, Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. will be competing at her second consecutive ANWA, looking to build on last year’s T14 finish. Kim is currently a sophomore at the University of Texas where she has enjoyed a great deal of success throughout her season. She claimed her second collegiate title at the Betsy Rawls Invitational in March and has three additional third place finishes along with a top-five and a top-six.

The ANWA features a field of 72 amateurs competing over 54 holes of stroke play with a cut following 36 holes. The opening rounds will be contested at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. on Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3. The top 30 players and ties will advance to the final round at Augusta National on Saturday, April 5. The entire field will play a practice round there one day prior on Friday.

The first two rounds of the ANWA will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET. NBC will air the final round on April 5 from Noon – 3:00 p.m. ET.

For more information on the ANWA including the full field, click here.

Three Canadians set to compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals in Augusta

Following the ANWA, the 11th annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals will be contested on Sunday, April 6 at Augusta National.

Three Canadians will be among the 80 qualified junior golfers that have earned invitations to compete in Augusta. They are:

Allen Kong from Vancouver, B.C. who will be competing in the Boys 7-9 division. Kong earned his spot through a regional qualifying event at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wa., where he gained 133 points, fourth highest in his division among other national final competitors.

Jenny Guo of Langley, B.C. will be competing in the Girls 12-13 division. Guo recorded 143 points at her regional qualifying event at Chambers Bay, where her total was the second highest among other national finalists in the division. Guo also finished second at the inaugural Canadian U15 Championship last August at the Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont.

Riviera Lindholm of Toronto, Ont. will also be competing in the Girls 12-13 Division. Lindholm earned her qualification at a regional event at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa. where she totaled 150 points, the highest total among national finalists in her division. Last season, Lindholm earned a T4 finish at the Canadian U15 Championship and placed second at the 2024 Junior Skills Challenge National Event in the Girls 12-13 division.

Canadians have enjoyed past success at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, with three current Team Canada members having previously won their respective divisions. LPGA Tour member Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont. won the Girls 14-15 division in 2017. Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. won the Girls 10-11 division in 2018 and Nicole Gal of Oakville, Ont. won the Girls 14-15 division in 2019. Fellow Canadian Alexis Card of Cambridge, Ont. won the Girls 7-9 division in 2021.

Drive, Chip and Putt is conducted in partnership with the USGA, the Masters Tournament and the PGA of America and is a free youth golf development program. The competition tests the skills of the game, measuring accuracy in driving, chipping and putting. Each competitor is scored on a 30-point system – the player with the best drive is awarded 10 points, the closest cumulative chips, 10 points and the player with nearest cumulative putts, another 10 points. The player with the highest total combined score will be named the winner from each age and gender division.

For more information on the 2025 national finalists and regional qualifying results, please click here. For more information on Drive, Chip and Putt, please click here

One of the most exciting parts of Golf Canada’s calendar is when national championships pop up from coast to coast through the golf season. 

Winners get to hold everything from bragging rights to history – like Nick Taylor and Brooke Henderson.

The Golf Canada championship schedule will see 37 professional and amateur championships, and qualifiers, held across eight provinces at 36 different golf courses. 

In 2025, Golf Canada’s championships calendar is chalk full of exciting events at some of the most iconic courses in the country.

Plus, a few new additions as well.

“We look forward to hosting our tournaments at some incredible golf clubs across the country,” said Mary Beth McKenna, the director of amateur championships and rules at Golf Canada. “We could not be more appreciative of the support from each club’s membership and their continued interest and commitment in giving back to the amateur game.”

Here’s nine things to know about the 2025 Championships Schedule!

RBC CANADIAN OPEN DEBUTS AT TPC TORONTO

Set to be contested June 5-8, the RBC Canadian Open will be played for the first time at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s renovated North Course. The course will become the 38th layout in the event’s 121-year history to host Canada’s national open. The club underwent a major golf-course renovation project under the guidance of renowned architect Ian Andrew with consultation from the PGA Tour for the venue to host large-scale, global championship level competition.

“We have long envisioned that Osprey Valley would become one of Canada’s greatest golf destinations, and becoming the host venue for our country’s national championship is a tremendous component of that vision becoming a reality,” said Osprey Valley President Chris Humeniuk.

CPKC WOMEN’S OPEN RETURNS TO MISSISSAUGUA

The 51st playing of Canada’s National Open Championship returns to the Greater Toronto Area for just the third time since 2001, and in hosting the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, Mississaugua Golf & Country Club becomes only the eighth club in history to host Golf Canada’s four premier events: the CPKC Women’s Open, RBC Canadian Open, Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, and the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS TO OTTAWA FOR A RECORD TIME

The Royal Ottawa Golf Club will make history in 2025 when the club becomes the first in history to host 10 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championships.

With support from co-host, Club de golf Rivermead, the 264-player field will be put to the test to earn the national championship title and an exemption into the 2026 RBC Canadian Open.  

Royal Ottawa also hosted the 2000 CPKC Women’s Open.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP WILL TAKE PLACE IN NEW BRUNSWICK

The 111th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship presented by BDO heads to Riverside Country Club in New Brunswick. Established all the way back in 1897, Riverside is a design from the iconic Donald Ross and hosted the 1929 Canadian Open.

10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS

This year marks the 10th playing of the World Junior Girls Championship, set to be contested in 2025 at St. Catherines Golf & Country Club. The Republic of Korea will return to defend their title after beating Team Canada 1 via a tiebreaker last year. Emerging talent from around the world will once again compete for the team championship and, individually, for a spot in the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open.

Designed by the legendary Stanley Thompson, the club celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2024.

WOMEN’S CANADIAN COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL ADDED

Added to the calendar for 2025 is the new Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

“The excitement is palpable this season with the addition of the new Canadian Collegiate Invitational women’s event,” McKenna said. “The invitational is being held at Beacon Hall Golf Club and will bring together 11 NCAA Division I teams and our 2025 Canadian University/College champions, as they compete for the team title and one 2026 CPKC Women’s Open exemption spot.” 

This unique event merges the top collegiate talent, with several Canadians in the field and our NextGen Junior Girls Selection camp running concurrently.

The Women’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational will be the final event on the championships calendar for 2025.

The Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational will return to Öviinbyrd Golf Club.

JUNIOR BOYS HEAD TO NEW BRUNSWICK

Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club will host its sixth national championship with the Canadian Junior Boys Championship presented by BDO heading to New Brunswick in August. It last hosted a Golf Canada event in 2018 – the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship. The course, opened initially as just a nine-hole club in 1958 but quickly expanded to 18 holes in 1962 by legendary Canadian architect Robbie Robinson, has long been ranked as one of the best in Eastern Canada

JUNIOR GIRLS TEE IT UP IN QUEBEC

The Canadian Junior Girls Championship presented by BDO heads to the Club de golf Sainte-Marie in mid-August. The club, which opened in 1962, is just outside of Quebec City. The club hosted the Canadian Junior Boys Championship all the way back in 1982. 

EASTERN CANADA WITH A BIG SPOTLIGHT IN 2025

Quebec and the Maritimes have prominent hosting duties for Golf Canada National Championships in 2025 with six of the events this year (Women’s Amateur, Men’s Amateur, Women’s Mid-Amateur, Junior Boys, Junior Girls, and Canadian Men’s Senior) being hosted at clubs in the eastern part of the country.

1. Accept That Rust is Normal

Your swing might feel off, and that’s okay! Even the pros take time to get back into rhythm.

Expect some bad shots and inconsistent rounds early on. Focus on shaking off the rust instead of chasing perfect shots.

2. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Set small, realistic goals (e.g., “Hit more fairways” instead of “Shoot my lowest score”).

Track personal improvements rather than comparing yourself to others.

Find one key area to work on each round (e.g., driving accuracy, short game, or course management).

3. Start with Simple Practice Goals

Spend more time on short game (chipping & putting)—it’s the fastest way to lower scores.

Ease into full rounds by playing 9 holes before jumping into 18.

Play fun formats like best ball or scramble to remove pressure.

4. Enjoy the Game & The Outdoors

Appreciate being back on the course after winter. Fresh air, good company, and fun shots matter more than score.

Play with friends or family who help keep the game lighthearted.

Celebrate small wins—a great drive, solid chip, or long putt—even if your score isn’t perfect.

5. Don’t Let One Bad Shot Ruin Your Round

Every golfer, even pros, hits bad shots. Let them go quickly and focus on the next shot.

Try the “10-yard rule”—after 10 yards of walking, forget about the bad shot and move on.

6. Keep Your Expectations Realistic

If you didn’t play all winter, don’t expect mid-season form right away.

Improvement comes from consistent play and practice over time.

Remind yourself: The first few rounds are about getting comfortable, not setting records.

7. Play for Fun, Not Just Score

Try different game formats like match play, skins, or playing against your own past performance.

Use a positive mindset: Instead of thinking, “I have to play well,” think, “I get to play golf today!”

Would you like a printable checklist to help manage expectations and track your early-season progress? ⛳

Filmmakers Brittney Gavin and Amy Mielke’s documentary, “Apex: The Black Masters” features interviews with 44 people. But Gavin says the main character of the film does not have a speaking role.

It’s the community itself.

The Apex Invitational Golf Tournament was the first Black golf tournament in Nova Scotia and began as a small affair in Truro. It’s grown considerably, having celebrated its 50th anniversary last summer after starting with just 10 participants.

Gavin and Mielke and a camera crew were along for the ride.

“I’m happy it came through that we wanted to make the community the main character. So many people have added their little piece, and that’s the reason why (the tournament) has been able to exist for 50 years,” Gavin says.

In Truro, there are three Black communities that are geographically different but socially intertwined – the Island, the Hill, and the Marsh. The film focuses on the Island, as the golf course is in the backyard of the people who live there. The district got its nickname, the Island (not to be confused with Prince Edward Island, as was affirmed and re-affirmed in the film) because it was often isolated by flooding during periods of heavy rain. 

“Golf is intertwined into their lives and the community and in the film there are shots that will show (that). The film is about that relationship between the golf course and the community that has evolved quite a bit over time,” Gavin says.

Gavin has a personal connection to the two-day event, having known about it for her entire life. Her birthday is Aug. 9, and says her mother was, at nine months pregnant, at the golf tournament the weekend before Gavin’s birth – since it’s always the first weekend of August. Filming the documentary Gavin was eight months pregnant herself, she said in a recent interview with the CBC, so it was a full circle moment for her.

Gavin, a Halifax-based filmmaker, doesn’t golf. And while the documentary’s main thread is about the golf tournament itself – and it even weaves in results from the 50th playing of the event – the focus is really on the people involved.

With a laugh, Gavin says she “for sure” thought there would be plenty of conversations with golf enthusiasts. But one of the first people she spoke with, Jude Clyke (who is one of the tournament committee members) said – and it is repeated on camera – that he doesn’t “give a damn” about golf.

“That had to make the film, of course,” Gavin says, smiling. “There are people who go to the tournament who have never played golf, don’t care about golf. But for them, and the folks that attend year after year, it really is about that community homecoming.”

Over five decades the tournament itself has evolved, of course, and now includes a very important scholarship portion to the weekend’s festivities. Local community members have raised $113,000 for students in the area to help with post-secondary education. More than 140 scholarships have been given out.

“If nothing else, knowing that your community backs you in your future endeavors is just so important. The committee is very proud of the scholarship fund. It’s very much a priority of the tournament now and has become a piece (that has made it) more than about golf.”

The film intertwines stories of the past with a lookahead to the future. But, perhaps, the most poignant of all is a full-circle moment when the club – founded in 1905 – holds a reconciliation ceremony with the community and makes Darrell Maxwell, the founder of the tournament and who is now 74, just the 16th honorary member in its history.

The Black community was originally barred from playing the course. That could have held them back, but Maxwell – and so many others – would, for example, just go to the course and play as many holes as they could starting at 5 a.m. before it opened officially. Even now, Gavin says, some of the older-generation golfers drive right-handed but putt left-handed – because a left-handed putter was all that was available to them to use.

“I can’t even imagine how long overdue that must have felt. Just from my perspective as a filmmaker we weren’t sure if the golf course would be interested in telling the story as it happened. It was obviously unflattering. The president had to take accountability for policies he obviously wasn’t a part of. I was just happy that the golf course wanted to tell the same story as us, and the golf course wanted to tell the history as it happened,” Gavin says. “With the Black community, we’re often used to those topics being skirted around. For someone to affirm it, that was incredibly positive.

“For a lot of folks from the Island, it felt long overdue.”

The documentary, which is now streaming on CBC Gem, was both a passion project and an important piece of history for Gavin. And she’s so thrilled that the main character, the community, got its most-deserving spotlight.

“We did those 44 interviews […] I’ve never experienced that in the film world and people who were able to speak so naturally to the camera,” Gavin says. “But when you really care about something and you’re passionate about something it just comes easy.”

This past summer, it was the 50th Anniversary of the Apex Invitational Golf Tournament, founded in 1974 by a young black resident of Truro, Darrell Maxwell. Over the years, this event has grown into a type of homecoming, celebrating the black communities around Truro, and their contributions, and bringing families and friends together from all over.

Darrell Maxwell has fond memories of growing up next to the scenic golf course in the heart of the central Nova Scotia town of Truro, even though he wasn’t allowed to play there because of his race.

The 78-year-old Ottawa resident recalled in a recent interview that some of his earliest memories are linked to the Truro Golf Club, which runs parallel to a small, little-known historical Black community known as “The Island.”

Maxwell’s lifelong love affair with golf began at age five, when he started caddying at the club for a group of white, female golfers, earning 50 cents for nine holes. At the time, being a caddie was the only way for him to access the golf course.

“It was right in our backyard and it was a playground for me, but we were restricted to caddying,” he said. “(Black) people from our community worked at the golf club, but we were forbidden to be members.”

The evolving relationship between residents of The Island and the golf course is the subject of a new documentary by Halifax-based filmmakers Brittney Gavin and Amy Mielke. “Apex: The Black Masters” will begin streaming on CBC Gem on Friday. It describes how the area’s Black community went from being barred from the club to hosting a golf tournament on the greens for the last 50 years.

Directed and produced by Brittney Gavin and Amy Mielke of A+B Roll Films, “Apex: The Black Masters” premiered on CBC Gem on January 31, 2025.

The film is the brainchild of Gavin, who grew up in the Halifax area but spent many summers of her youth visiting her grandmother, who lived in the small community composed of 28 houses along West Prince Street, adjacent to the golf course. The district got its name, The Island, decades ago because it was often isolated by flooding during periods of heavy rain.

As a filmmaker, Gavin said she wants to tell the story of lesser-known Black communities in Nova Scotia after having spent much of her early 20s living in Toronto and Calgary. “I was really shocked at how few people knew that there are Black people in Nova Scotia and that we have these historically Black communities,” she said.

The province has more than 50 historic Black communities established by Loyalists who fled the United States in the decades following the American Revolution.

Gavin said she was looking for a hook to tell the story of The Island and found it during the 50th anniversary of the community golf tournament that Maxwell founded in 1974, and which has become a local institution. Known as the Apex Invitational, the most recent tournament was held in early August 2024.

Gavin said that while golf is the way into the film, it’s not necessarily its main focus. “I don’t know anything about golf, nor am I a golfer, but it (the tournament) is an annual homecoming for the Black communities of Truro.”

The film’s wider focus is made evident by one of the first of several interviews in the 22-minute documentary. Golf tournament committee member Jude Clyke emphatically established that he is not a golfer.

“The first thing he said to me was, ‘I don’t give a damn about golf,’” said Gavin. “He’s like a very community-minded person and so I liked having someone who could represent that social lens.”

In the film, Clyke stresses that in recent years the golf tournament has established a scholarship fund for young Black students from Truro and the wider Colchester County, who want to pursue post-secondary studies. More than 140 scholarships have been given out since 1998 totalling over $113,000.

Maxwell, who was the first to break the golf club’s colour barrier when he became a member in 1961 at the age of 14, said he’s gratified to see how the tournament has evolved since its inception. “We started off pretty humbly and then it proceeded to catch fire and it turned into more than just a golf tournament,” he said. “I’m just thrilled to see the progression and the introduction of the scholarship fund.”

Maxwell said that initially he just wanted to share his love of the sport with younger athletes in the community after a playing career that saw him win the provincial junior championship and Nova Scotia Golfer of the Year in 1965.

“I wanted to encourage the younger ones … to pursue their dreams and let them know that golf was no longer an elitist game or a game that they were forbidden to play,” he said.

Gavin said the film captures a “full circle” moment when the golf club, which was founded in 1905, holds a reconciliation ceremony with the community and makes Maxwell the 16th honorary member in its 120-year history, celebrating him for his talent and contributions to the club.

“I’m just really happy that they helped us tell the story, that they saw the importance of that,” Gavin said. 

As 2024 draws to a close, Golf Canada reflects on the stories that captivated our readers throughout the year. Here are the top 10 most-read articles that highlighted significant moments and achievements in Canadian golf:

1. Final Field released for the 2024 RBC Canadian Open

2. Pendrith, Conners, Hughes named to International Team for upcoming Presidents Cup

3. Golf Canada announces professional athletes named to 2024 Team Canada

4. Golf Canada releases 2024 championship schedule

5. Golf Canada announces amateur athletes named to 2025 Team Canada

6. LaunchPad Golf expands across Canada with six new locations

7. Built For This: TPC Toronto to host RBC Canadian Open in 2025

8. Canada’s Nick Taylor wins Phoenix Open on second playoff hole

9. Two women golfers announced to Canadian Olympic Team for Paris 2024

10. Mississaugua Golf and Country Club to host 2025 CPKC Women’s Open

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our readers and the incredible Golf Canada community. Thank you for your passion, engagement, and unwavering support throughout the year. Your love for the game inspires everything we do, and we’re honoured to share these stories with you.

Here’s to another year of unforgettable moments on the course and beyond. Thank you for being an essential part of the Golf Canada family—see you in 2025!

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) has announced its Golf Story of the Year, along with various Player of the Year awards for the 2024 season.

“GJAC is pleased to recognize Canadian professional and amateur golfers again this year with our year-end Player and Canadian Golf Story of the Year awards,” said Mike Johnny, president of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. “The competitive golf landscape in Canada continues to thrive, with successes across multiple tours and levels of competition. At home, participation in the game remains high, and grassroots initiatives to expand engagement in golf are flourishing. From the Presidents Cup to the World Junior Girls Championship, to name just two, Canada is always proud to showcase the best players coming to compete on the world stage.”

Here are the Story of the Year and Players of the Year for the 2024 season:

Presidents Cup Return to Royal Montreal Named GJAC Story of the Year

The Presidents Cup returned to the Royal Montreal Golf Club, the site of Canada’s first time hosting the event in 2007. Under the leadership of International Team captain Mike Weir, two Canadians—Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith—were selected to join Canadian qualifier Corey Conners.

The Americans won the biennial competition 17–10 for their 10th straight victory.

While hosting this event in Canada was significant, it was Weir’s leadership and the numerous storylines of Canadian player participation that created positive energy among Canadian golf fans.

Taylor Pendrith Named Male Professional of the Year

Pendrith’s most successful year on tour was capped with his first PGA Tour victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, along with seven top-10 finishes in 2024. Advancing to the Tour Championship, Pendrith finished tied for 14th in the season-long FedEx Cup standings.

Pendrith was named to his second Presidents Cup team, playing in all five sessions and tying for the International Team lead with two points.

He ended the year ranked 47th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Brooke Henderson Named Female Professional Player of the Year

Canada’s most accomplished professional golfer was named Female Professional Player of the Year for 2024. With nine top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour and her selection to Canada’s Olympic golf team, Henderson continued to lead as Canada’s top female golfer. She ended the season ranked 13th in the CME Race to the Globe standings on the LPGA Tour.

Henderson finished the year ranked 25th in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking.

Ashton McCulloch Named Male Amateur of the Year

McCulloch, a sophomore at Michigan State University and a member of Team Canada, had a standout season. He did not finish lower than tied for seventh in all 2024 competitions, including a victory at The Johnnie-O at Sea Island. He also qualified for the U.S. Amateur and advanced to the round of 16, while finishing second at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

McCulloch competed in the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst, shooting 75-75.

Lauren Kim Named Female Amateur of the Year

Kim, a sophomore at the University of Texas, capped off a successful season with a collegiate victory at the Glencoe Invitational, earning an exemption to compete in the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. She also finished tied for third at the Big 12 Women’s Golf Championship and fifth at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

Kim, a member of Team Canada, is currently ranked 25th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

For more info about GJAC, visit www.gjac.ca.