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Rory McIlroy went birdie-bogey-bogey to win a three-hole playoff over J.J. Spaun at the weather-delayed The Players Championship on Monday. It is his 28th tour victory and the first time in his career that he has won twice before April. It was the first time since 2015 that a playoff was needed to decide the winner and the first Monday finish at the event since 2022. McIlroy took all the drama out of the event with a long drive off the opening hole that set up a birdie on the par-5 16th, giving him a one stroke advantage. The notorious par-3 17th island green proved to be the decider as Spaun appeared to be confused by McIlroy’s club choice – a 9 iron – that found the green while his shot sailed over the green and into the water. That proved critical as McIlroy ended up making bogey while Spaun struggled to a double-bogey and a three stroke deficit with one hole to play. McIlroy is the first multiple winner on the tour this year while Spaun notched his third top-3 finish in nine starts… Corey Conners collected his second top-10 finish in as many weeks while posting his best career result in seven starts at The Players Championship. His third round 66 equalled his lowest-career round at TPC Sawgrass. He shot that same score in 2021 on his way to a T7 finish, which was his best career result until this past weekend.

POS SCORESTOTAL
T6Corey Conners71-71-66-71-9
T38Taylor Pendrith69-70-73-75-1
MCMackenzie Hughes73-72
MCAdam Hadwin69-77
MCNick Taylor74-72
MCAdam Svensson75-76
MCBen Silverman78-74

NEXT EVENT: Valspar Championship (Mar 20)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Corey Conners, Adam Hadwin, Mackenzie Hughes, Ben Silverman, Adam Svensson

EPSON TOUR

Gina Kim made back-to-back birdies over the final four holes for a one-stroke victory over Minji Kang at the IOA Golf Classic. It is the second career tour win for Kim and the first since 2022. Kang made six birdies and two bogeys but finished with back-to-back pars for her second top-10 result and best finish of the season. …Josee Doyon had four birdies and a pair of bogeys for her first top-10 finish in her 19th career tour start. …Golf Canada Team Canada member Monet Chun, who is in her rookie season, picked up her first top-15 finish in just her third career start.

POSSCORESTOTAL
T5Josee Doyon66-72-69-5
T12Monet Chun68-72-69-4
T34Maddie Szeryk72-70-70-1
T39Yeji Kwon71-73-69E
MCLeah John75-72
MCBrooke Rivers 72-75

NEXT EVENT: Hoag Classic (Mar. 21)
CANADIANS ENTERED:

EPSON TOUR

Laetitia Beck made three birdies over her first seven holes on the way to a three-shot win at the Atlantic Beach Classic. It was the first career win for the 11-year pro who has spent time on the LPGA Tour. Sophia Schubert carded a bogey-free final round 63 and tied the 18-hole scoring record to finish runner-up. It’s her 10th top-10 tour result. Bi Shin was third for her best career result on the development tour. They were the only three golfers to finish under par. …Maddie Szeryk notched her eighth career top-10 tour result and best finish since September 2024.

POSSCORESTOTAL
T6Maddie Szeryk73-73-68+1
58Yeji Kwon73-78-75+13
60Brooke Rivers75-74-79+15
MCLeah John77-76
MCMonet Chun85-71
MCJosee Doyon78-81

NEXT EVENT: IOA Golf Classic (Mar. 14)
CANADIANS ENTERED: Leah John, Maddie Szeryk, Monet Chun, Yeji Kwon, Josee Doyon, Brooke Rivers (reserve), Mary Parsons (reserve), Brigitte Thibault (reserve), Ashley Chow (reserve)

Amateur

9 Storylines for the 2025 Championships Season

2025_Champs_Season

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.

Amateur

Dialling in your mindset for the start of golf season

The approach_Mindset

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? ⛳

Amateur black history month

Built from passion, sustained by community: The making of “The Black Masters”

Apex

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.”

Amateur

Apex: The Black Masters – A film highlighting the Apex Invitational

Apex: The Black Masters
A still handout image from a new documentary film titled "Apex: The Black Masters" is shown. The film streaming on CBC Gem examines the relationship between a Nova Scotia Black community and a neighbouring golf course. In a scene from the film, golfers tee off at the 50th anniversary edition of the Apex Invitational Golf Tournament held Aug. 3-4, 2024, in Truro, N.S

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. 

19th Hole Amateur LPGA Tour PGA TOUR Team Canada

Top 10 articles for 2024 from golfcanada.ca

Nick Taylor Win

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!

Amateur GJAC Presidents Cup Team Canada

GJAC announces 2024 Golf Story and Players of the Year

Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners
Taylor Pendrith of Canada and the International Team and Corey Conners of Canada and the International Team look on from the fourth tee during Friday four-ball matches on day two of the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Country Club on September 23, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

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.

Amateur

Canadians play 100 holes of golf to help subsidize green fees for junior golfers

100 Hole

This summer, nearly 50 golfers raised over $80,000 to provide 10,000 subsidized golf rounds to youth across the country.

The 100 Hole Hike is a challenging opportunity where participants play 100 holes of golf on foot in one day, raising funds for Youth on Course, a program that offers green fees of five dollars or less to Canadians 18 and under.

Golf Canada partnered with Youth on Course in 2019 and has since offered nearly 70,000 subsidized rounds to junior golfers.

Youth On Course 100 Hole Hike

Golf Canada members 18 and under receive complimentary Youth on Course memberships to play affordable rounds of golf at participating golf courses across Canada.

“The 100 Hole Hikes are instrumental fundraising events for us,” said Golf Canada’s Manager, Grow the Game, Justin McKenzie. “The support we received was amazing. Through people’s willingness to take on the 100-hole challenge and help fundraise, we can provide more affordable access to the game for juniors across the country.”

Out east, the Atlantic’s 100 Hole Hike had a special participant. Canadian U15 Boys Champion, Carter Lavigne, of Moncton, New Brunswick, helped fundraise and led the group of hikers alongside his father. Lavigne has been an active Youth on Course participant since the program expanded to the Atlantic provinces in 2023.

Carter LaVigne

“It was cool to give back to a program and the game that has done so much for me,” said Lavigne. “I was fortunate to grow up playing golf, so to help give more kids the chance to play and contribute to the growth of the sport across Canada is awesome. I look forward to helping Youth on Course make a positive impact in 2025.”

Golf Canada and Youth on Course also hosted the first Canadian Premier 100 Hole Hike, where individuals who raised a minimum of $10,000 experienced an all-inclusive stay and play at the world-renowned Cabot Cape Breton. The hikers tackled 100 holes on the Nest par-3 course and played a bonus round at the top-ranked Cabot Cliffs 18-hole course.

There are over 100 participating golf courses offering Youth on Course in Canada and plans to grow that number next year with the expansion into Quebec, making the program operational in every province.

“Together, we are helping break down financial barriers to accessing the sport,” said McKenzie. “Thanks to the individuals and communities who support this great cause, Youth on Course will provide deserving youth with opportunities to learn more about golf and build their confidence in the sport. We are excited for the exponential growth of Youth on Course across the country in 2025.”

To learn more about Youth on Course in Canada, how to participate in a 100 Hole Hike, or how to donate, please visit https://www.golfcanada.ca/youthoncourse/ or email yoc@golfcanada.ca.

Amateur

Team from Larters at St. Andrews wins RBC PGA Scramble National Final at Cabot Cape Breton

2024 PGA Scramble winners
Credit: PGA of Canada

The full leaderboard is available here.

The team comprised of PGA of Canada professional Devon Schade and amateurs Ethan Hunter, Kayle Tosh, William Middleton and Tanner Chamberlin, who originally qualified from Larters at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in Manitoba, were dominant the past three days at Cabot Cape Breton, firing net -64.1 (gross rounds of 58-55-56) to win by 4.1 strokes over the team from Niagara National Golf Club at the RBC PGA Scramble National Final.

With the win, the full team wins special Cabot Cape Breton RBC PGA Scramble headcovers produced by Dormie, as well as a trip to the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto.

The runner-up was the team from Niagara National Golf & Country Club which included PGA of Canada professional Keaton Jones and amateurs Ryan Nagy, Mike Formica, Shane Belanger and Mike Maloney, while the team from Pinegrove Country Club featuring PGA of Canada professional Louis-Alexandre Pitre and amateurs Luc Guevremont, Laurence Guevremont, Amelia Guevremont and Charles Guevremont rounded out the top 3.

For the second-straight day, the roar of a team who made an ace could be heard across the property. Darcy Myers made an ace on the 7th hole of the Links, joining Jason Sikrtanc who aced the 12th hole on the Cliffs on Monday.

In total, the 2024 RBC PGA Scramble featured over 12,000 players from across the country looking to earn a spot at Cabot Cape Breton at over 180 local qualifiers hosted by PGA of Canada professionals. The tournament also set a record with over 1,200 women participants.

If you are a PGA of Canada professional interested in hosting a local qualifier next season, email RBC PGA Scramble Manager Wayne MacPhee at Wayne@PGAofCanada.com.

2025 RBC PGA Scramble qualifying information will be available in the coming months.

Amateur

Stouffer finishes as runner-up at the 2024 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship

Shelly Stouffer
Shelly Stouffer - 2024 U.S. Senior Women's Amateur at Broadmoor Golf Club, Seattle, Wash. Photo Credit: Steven Gibbons/USGA

Seattle, Wash. – Shelly Stouffer finished as the runner-up after falling in the final 3 and 2 to Nadene Gole at the 2024 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle, Wash. on Thursday.

Stouffer, of Nanoose Bay, B.C. finished atop the leaderboard in a field of 132 players at 4-over following rounds of 71 and 73 to grab the top seed heading into the knockout round and earned stroke-play medalist honours.

Stouffer defeated Shelly Haywood of Laguna Woods, Calif. 6 and 5 in the Round of 64. On Tuesday, Stouffer won both rounds, defeating Corey Weworski of Carlsbad, Calif. 5 and 4 in the Round of 32 and then Stephanie Kiefer of Germany, 3 and 2 in the Round of 16.

On Wednesday, Stouffer continued her run defeating Kathy Hartwiger of Pinehurst, N.C. 4 and 3 in the quarterfinals and Ellen Port of St. Louis, Mo. 2 and 1 in the semifinals.

In the final, third ranked Gole of Australia took the lead following the second hole. Stouffer squared the match with a par on the very next hole, before Gole regained her lead on no. 4. She went on to increase the lead to two following a par on no. 7. Stouffer battled back to tie the match through 10 holes after back-to-back birdies on nos. 9 and 10. Gole regained the lead with a birdie on no. 12 and increased it with a par on no. 14 and birdie on no. 15 to go three up. Both Stouffer and Gole recorded par on no. 16, ending the match in favour of Gole.

As a finalist, Stouffer has earned exemptions into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur, August 4-10, at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes) in Bandon, Ore., the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, August 21-24, at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista, Calif., and the 2025 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur at September 13-18, at Troon Country Club and Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Stouffer has enjoyed a successful season, winning the 2024 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur, Mid-Master and Inter-Provincial Team titles in July at Crowne Isle Resort and Golf Community in Courtenay, B.C. She also won the B.C. Women’s Mid-Master Championship and the B.C. Women’s Senior Championship and added a bronze medal from the 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship. Stouffer won the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.

Fellow Canadians Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. and 2024 Canadian Women’s Senior Champion, Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont. finished the stroke-play portion of the tournament inside the top 10, with Kyrinis finishing T4 at 7-over and Samuel in 6th at 8-over. Samuel was eliminated by Dawn Woodward of Greenville, S.C. 3 and 2 in the Round of 16. Kyrinis was eliminated by Ellen Port by one stroke in the Round of 32.