Nick Taylor’s putter flip after winning the RBC Canadian Open was the exclamation point on arguably the best year in Canadian golf history.

Taylor drained a 72-foot eagle putt to end a four-hole playoff with England’s Tommy Fleetwood at the Canadian national men’s championship on June 11, the first time a Canadian had won the title in 69 years. But Canada’s success on the course went beyond that, with Canadians winning at every level of the professional game including four wins on the PGA Tour and one on the LPGA Tour.

“I think the state of Canadian pro golf, especially on the PGA Tour, has never been better,” said Taylor, the first Canadian to win the RBC Canadian Open since Pat Fletcher did it in 1954. “Our goal, as players, with Golf Canada is to keep that number growing of Tour members.

“The more players that we can get out here, obviously, it gives us a greater chance of winning more and more.”

Taylor, from Abbotsford, B.C., joined Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., as winners on the PGA Tour in the 2022-23 season. It was the most wins by Canadians in a single PGA Tour campaign to date.

“The camaraderie is great,” said Taylor, whose victory at Toronto’s Oakdale Golf and Country Club was the fourth win by a Canadian in the season. “I feel like we play a lot of practice rounds together, houses often have dinners together, so we all rally together.

“I think we push each other to be better and I think that’s why we’ve continued to get better and reach new heights.”

Conners, who won the Valero Texas Open for a second time on April 2, said that winning is the best feeling you can have in professional golf.

“That was definitely a highlight for me,” said Conners. “I think another highlight, and something that I’m always very proud of, was making it to Eastlake — the Tour Championship — and being in the top 30 of the FedEx Cup rankings and having a chance to win the FedEx Cup. 

“Looking back on the year as a whole I would have liked to improve on some things, but making it there is a nice bonus because it means you had a great year.”

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., won the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions on Jan. 22 for her 13th victory on the LPGA Tour, the most of any professional player in Canadian golf history regardless of gender.

“It was a little bit up and down year for me,” said Henderson, assessing her 2023. “But it was nice to try to defend my title at the Evian Championship with a runner-up finish this year, it was really fun to be back in contention. 

“Then same kind of thing to be in our Tour Championship in November, it’s always a big goal when you start the season is to be in contention to try to win that, that big money and the race, the CME Globe in November.”

Canadian success wasn’t limited to the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, however.
Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., both won on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour to earn full-time PGA Tour status in 2024. That means there will be eight Canadians on tour with Silverman and Sloan joining Taylor, Conners, Hughes, Svensson, Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford.

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp won an Epson Tour event and had five top-10 results on the second-tier tour, not missing a cut in 14 tournaments played. She also won Canada’s second-ever golf medal at the Pan American Games, winning bronze in Santiago, Chile. 

Sharp once again earned LPGA Tour status through final qualifying, as did Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., and Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont. They’ll join Henderson and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., on the LPGA Tour in the new year.

Two more Canadians won on the PGA Tour Canada, a feeder circuit for the Korn Ferry Tour, with Etienne Papineau of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que., and Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald each claiming a victory. Papineau finished fourth on the season-long points list to earn conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., won on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, another third-tier circuit in the PGA Tour system. Calgary’s Stephen Ames won a remarkable four times on the Champions Tour.

On the amateur side, Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. earned the 109th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. won the 118th Canadian Men’s Amateur, marking only the third time both tournaments were won by Canadians in the same year since 2011. Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont., became the first Canadian to make the cut at the Augusta Women’s National Amateur.

With the Paris Olympics coming in July and the Presidents Cup returning to Royal Montreal Golf Club in September, Taylor expects 2024 to be an even bigger year for Canadian golf.

“Those two are at the top of the list of things I want to be involved in, participate in, this coming year,” he said.

The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) and the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) have announced an important new program which will extend further support and recognition to facilities for sustainability and climate action.

This long-term project is being delivered by the two Canadian associations in collaboration with the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, which is the international not-for-profit entirely dedicated to establishing golf as a leader in this field.

Core components of the initiative include:

• Free provision of GEO’s OnCourse Program for sustainable golf facilities and course management
• Access to annual Sustainable Golf Scorecards and Carbon Footprints
• Communications strategies that spotlight golf’s positive environmental stewardship
• Creation of a valuable industry data bank to support golf’s positive story
• Annual awards and internationally accredited certification
• Aligned strategies, goals and member support from both NGCOA Canada and CGSA 

“The rapid movement in sustainability is fundamentally critical to the future of golf, and in particular the ability to successfully operate golf courses”, stated Jeff Calderwood, CEO of the NGCOA Canada. “This initiative delivers new solutions supporting management efficiency, the popularity of our game throughout Canada, golf’s positive brand, and the long-term profitability of our golf businesses.”

“Climate change and loss of biodiversity are concerns across society and, as land managers, we have an important role to play,” added Dustin Zdan, President of the CGSA. “This program provides recognition for the stewardship work that our superintendents deliver, while our industry demonstrates to society and governments that golf is an effective environmental leader.” 

The GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation has been supporting golf in more and more countries around the world each year. Jonathan Smith, executive director of GEO, was very supportive of expanding their support in Canada. 

“Congratulations to the NGCOA Canada and CGSA for stepping forward and demonstrating this sustainability commitment,” said Smith. “The programs, tools and recognition are purely designed to help facility and association leaders to better review and quantify what they are already doing; to identify areas for further focus; to build more effective communication plans; and to accelerate their profile as a climate conscious community of golf businesses.”

In parallel to this golf course operations initiative, it should be noted that Golf Canada is also demonstrating leadership by working with partners such as GEO for sustainability programs at the RBC Canadian Open and the CPKC Women’s Open, as well as their own Amateur events. Collectively, the Canadian golf industry is positioning the sport and industry very effectively for the future of sustainability.

Golf course operators and superintendents are advised to watch for further details and participation opportunities being released by both the NGCOA Canada and CGSA.

Canada’s Ellie Szeryk had the golden touch over the weekend, winning four different ways at the Jim West Challenge. Szeryk won her first individual NCAA title on Monday, which in turn helped Southern Methodist University win its first team championship of the fall, just days after the Mustangs also won the tournament’s pro-am. 

Things were going so well for Szeryk and her teammates that they even won the tournament’s karaoke contest.

“It was pretty special. I honestly wasn’t really expecting it this week, so it was a nice surprise,” said Szeryk of her victories on the course. “It was really special that I got to win with my team as well. On our drive back to campus we were all super excited. “It was just really amazing.”

Szeryk, from London, Ont., won by a stroke, finishing at 16-under overall. She played bogey free in her final round including an eagle on No. 5 to finish the day at 9 under. That tied her for the second lowest round in Mustangs history and gave her eight top-10 finishes since she started at SMU in the fall of 2022.

“I think the biggest thing is my putting,” said Szeryk on how she finally came out on top. “This past year I did really well and I had been close a lot of times, but my putting just didn’t really come through.”

“It wasn’t really connecting at the right times or I would have it for the first couple rounds and then that final round, when I really needed it, I was just missing some crucial putts”

The Mustangs went into Monday’s final round tied for first with Houston and Texas State at 15 under. SMU quickly opened up a 10-stroke lead on the day, and eventually finished at 23-under par. The 18-hole score shattered the previous SMU record of -14 set back at The American Championship in April.

Szeryk and her SMU teammates started the Friday-through-Monday event on a winning note when their Shrek-themed routine set to Smash Mouth’s “All-Star,” complete with costumes, won the tournament’s karaoke challenge.

“You have to create this like dance routine, everything and so our team did Shrek and our team ended up winning,” said Szeryk, who dressed as the Gingerbread Man, laughing about the performance. “They have judges and the teams that win get more money toward their programs so we went all out for that.”

Szeryk gained professional experience competing as an amateur at the CPKC Women’s Open at Vancouver’s Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in August. She was paired with her older sister Maddie Szeryk, an LPGA Tour regular, at the event.

The younger Szeryk, who also played in the 2018 Canadian Open in Regina, said the exposure to the LPGA Tour helped set up the victory at the Jim West Challenge.

“I took a lot from the Canadian Open and what I’ve learned golf-wise was putting was the biggest thing that hurt me on that golf course,” said Szeryk, who is a political science major. “So just a lot of managing my time and a lot of time sacrifices. 

“Rather than going out with my friends, or staying up late, it’s a lot of like, ‘hey, I need to work on my putting, so I’m going to stay and practice a bit longer.”

LPGA TOUR — Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., is the lone Canadian in the field at the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur. She’s 14th on the Race to CME Globe standings heading into the event at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

PRESIDENTS CUP — Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., the captain for the International Team at the 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club, has elected to have six captain’s picks as opposed to the traditional four. The 12-on-12 event sees the best male golfers from the United States take on the top players from around the world, minus Europe. Six captain’s selections may mean that Weir loads up on Canadian talent. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., and Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., were on last year’s International team, the most Canadians to ever play in a Presidents Cup.

Caddies are as essential to the fabric of club culture today at Hamilton G&CC as they were more than a century ago when the program began.

Today’s Caddie Program is open to youngsters from 12 to 17 years of age and has been on the upswing after not operating in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and extensive golf course renovations.

In 2023, a pool of about 60 youngsters caddied in excess of 1,000 rounds at the club.

There are four levels of caddies C, B, A and AA with promotion based on performance and member input after each round with a caddie evaluation card that is filled out.

Caddie training is provided by the club and several members each spring with additional input from staff throughout the season.

Caddies make between $28 and $40 a round based on their skill level, plus optional member/guest tips.

Caddies are available at the club on weekends in May and June, daily throughout July and August, on weekends in September and October and upon special request from members.

The $8 Caddie Special is paid for by the member for each round including a Halfway House hotdog or sandwich with chips or chocolate bar and a drink.

Learn to golf lessons with Golfer Services Manager and Caddie Master Gary Hay, an Associate Professional and PGA class A professional for 24 years.

Annual Caddie Banquet at the end of each season for caddies who reach a minimum of 40 rounds with an added bonus of $10 per round plus donation from members including sporting tickets, gift cards and Professional Shop credit.

As they mature, top caddies are regularly promoted to the Golfer Services Team including the Back Shop and Practice Tee staff.

Caddies are able to play the Short Course and after successfully completing a playing ability they are able to play the championship courses.

“I believe the Caddie program is best in class due to the members and their continued support for the program. We are fortunate that members are providing caddies the opportunity to learn the game and the strong traditions here at HGCC. Having heard many members tell stories of their caddy days, they speak with a passion and pride that they are now helping these caddie understand and grow into,” says Gary Hay. “We are also fortunate for the young men and women who come out to caddie. With all that is available to them, to choose to caddie and to be with new friends and members has become a primary choice for them. They are very keen young people who are having fun working a caddie.”

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Hamilton Golf and Country Club will host the 2024 RBC Candian Open May 28-June 2. For more information, visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.

Portland, Ore. – Judith Kyrinis continues to enjoy a very successful season. This past weekend, Kyrinis was the lowest amateur in the 2023 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, finishing T6 at 2-over. 

This marks the best amateur finish since Martha Leach’s T-10 record finish. Kyrinis’ ball striking was consistent; she hit 46 out of 52 fairways, leading her to be T2 for fairways hit amongst the field. She shot 74-73-72-71 and was one of five players to shoot under par in the final round. Not far behind her, fellow Canadian Terrill Samuel finished T9 at 5-over.

This year’s 2023 U.S Senior Women’s Open took place at Waverley Country Club, a course familiar to Kyrinis, as she won the 2017 Women’s Senior Amateur on the same course.

She finds the course to be a pretty special place, “I have always said that. I obviously have very good memories here, and they flooded back once I got on the property. I just love it here.”

Her season has been going tremendously well, with two wins under her belt at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the Golf Ontario Women’s Senior Championship. She also achieved Top 5 finishes at the Golf Ontario Women’s Match Play and the Doherty Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.

This week, Kyrinis will be competing in the 2023 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship at the Mill River Golf Resort in Woodstock, P.E.I. She is a two-time winner of the national championship having won in 2019 and 2016.

Shelly Stouffer has prioritized her fitness to stay atop North America’s amateur golf world.

Stouffer, from Nanoose Bay, B.C., won five amateur golf championships in 2022, including the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship and the Canadian Women’s Mid-Master Championship.

She hopes to defend her crown at all five and add some more laurels, too. To do that, she’s worked hard at the gym in the off-season.

“I worked out a lot, like did a lot of golf exercises, and I worked hard to exercise, fitness wise,” said Stouffer, who also won the Inter-Provincial Team Championship with Team BC and was named the Pacific Northwest Golf Association’s 2022 Women’s Player of the Year. “I hit practice too, but mostly it was working more on my body.

“I wanted to have the endurance and the ability to swing.”

Stouffer shot a 5-over 77 on Tuesday in the first round of the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Mad River Golf Club in Creemore, Ont., to sit in a tie for fifth at the event. Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., was the leader at 3-under 69, five shots ahead of the pack.

Although that eight-shot difference is large, Stouffer believes she can close the distance.

“If I can get somewhere around par the next couple of days and maybe go under one of the days, we’ll see what happens,” said Stouffer before going back out to practice. “You never know. Anything can happen out here on this course.

“It can sneak up you and you can get some big numbers here.”

Successfully defending her Canadian Mid-Am crown is just one of her many goals this year. On top of that, she wants to get into the match play of the U.S. Women’s Amateur, reach the Round of 64 at U.S. Mid-Am, and repeat as champion at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and Canadian Senior Women’s Amateur.

That frenetic schedule is partly why fitness was her focus in the off-season, especially with the U.S. and Canadian senior events on opposite sides of the continent.

“We’re going to go from Portland, Oregon to Prince Edward Island, so it’s going to be a tough transition,” said Stouffer, who is a kinesiologist that does the Titleist Performance Institute golf fitness program. “I’m playing a lot of golf. It might be too much, but you only live once.

“I just want to do as well as I can in all my events and see where it goes. Hopefully I don’t get too tired and burnt out.”

St. Catharines, Ont. – After a competitive 18-holes, Jillian Friyia, Krystal Li, and Michelle Xing have earned direct exemptions into the 2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship by finishing atop the leaderboard at the U.S. Junior Girls qualifier at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines, Ont.

Jordan Hwang, Carl-Hanns Arndt and James McNair have also earned direct exemptions into the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship after finishing atop of their respective division at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines, Ont.

While the U.S. Girls’ Junior qualifier went into a playoff to determine the third spot, Friyia and Li tied for first Medalist honours after shooting an even par score of 72 to earn their spots. Michelle Xing emerged from a five-player playoff to secure the final spot in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship to earn her place in the 2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship

Jordan Hwang finished atop the leaderboard to secure Medalist honours in the U.S. Junior Championship Qualifier. He shot an even par score of 70 to earn his sport in the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur tournament.

After a playoff, Carl-Hanns Arndt has secured second place and James McNair has placed third to also earn their sports in the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur tournament.

The 2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior will be taking place at Eisenhower Golf Club, which will be the first-ever USGA championship played on a military base, as the course resides on the property of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. The tournament will take place from July 15-22 and feature a field of 156 competitors.

The 75th U.S. Junior Amateur will be held at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, South Carolina from July 24-29. The tournament will have a starting field of 264 players competing. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Open and a spot in the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Amateur Championships.

For the full leaderboard click here.

Sundre, Alta. – Kelli Ann Strand secured top spot while Lauren Kim emerged from a playoff to both earn direct exemptions into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship through the U.S. Women’s Amateur Qualifier held at The Sundre Golf Club in Sundre, Alta. on Monday.

Strand, of Challis, Idaho shot a 3-under 69 to earn Medalist honours. Strand recorded three birdies on the front nine to get off to a strong start and held on to take the top spot in Monday’s qualifier. Strand, a member of the Nebraska Cornhuskers Women’s Golf team, earned second-team All-Big Ten honours and won the Green Wave Classic in her freshman year this past season.

Kim, of Surrey, B.C. outlasted Leah John in a six-hole playoff to secure the second exemption after shooting a 2-under 70. She recorded three straight birdies on 14 through 16 and closed off her round with a pair of pars to get into the playoff. Kim is a member of Golf Canada’s National Team Program and attends the University of Texas. This past weekend, she placed T3 at the 2023 Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational in Calgary.

John will be the first alternate and Tiffany Kong of Vancouver is the second alternate. Monday’s field at The Sundre Golf Club featured 23 golfers from Canada and the United States competing for two direct exemptions. The 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship runs from August 7-13 at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles with a field of 156 competitors.

For the full leaderboard from today’s qualifier click here.

Coming from a hockey background, Ashton McCulloch found the sport of golf a little bit too slow for his liking when he was first introduced to it. But after picking it back up in his teenage years, the Kingston, Ontario native has since developed a passion for the game and has emerged as one of the most promising amateurs in the country.

“My dad was an avid golfer and he wanted me to get started in the sport at a young age. I was seven when I first started but coming from a hockey background, I found the game a little slow. I stopped playing and didn’t pick it back up until I was 13,” recalls the now 20-year-old.

As a former goaltender, he appreciates how playing that position may be beneficial to his overall approach on the golf course.

“I guess being a goalie you have the mentality of being by yourself and you learn how to bounce back; and that carries over to golf,” McCulloch reasoned.

The second year member of Golf Canada’s National Team Program says his dad, John McCulloch, gave him some great advice which he implements to this day.

“The best advice my dad gave me was the importance of practicing with a purpose. It comes down to how diligent you are when you practice because practice makes permanent.”

Taking his dad’s advice and McCulloch got his first golf membership at the age of 14. After putting in the work in practice to improve his skills, he would enter his first tournament at the club’s annual championship later that year.

“I shot a 79 which was my first time breaking 80. And to do that in my first tournament was pretty awesome,” he pointed out.

After that eye opening result in his first tournament, McCulloch would work even harder to improve all areas of his game. And his disciplined efforts would lead to multiple rewards.

In 2021, he won the Glencoe Invitational and followed that up by winning the British Columbia Men’s Amateur Championship.

National Team men’s head coach, Derek Ingram, speaks highly of McCulloch’s work ethic and dedication to the sport.

“Ashton has a work ethic similar to Corey (Conners) and Mac (Hughes). He works hard on all areas of her game and is smart and committed. Also, similar to those guys, he’s going to a northern school and a school that plays a good schedule,” said Ingram about McCulloch who is currently in his second year at Michigan State University.

The talented 20-year-old is grateful that his involvement in the National Team Program has provided him with the opportunity to compete in high profile tournaments that he would not otherwise gain entry into.

“I’m not from British Columbia but being part of Golf Canada’s junior boys program gave me the opportunity to spend a winter training there and gave me the chance to compete the B.C. AM,” he noted.

“My aunt and uncle and cousins live out in B.C. and it was the first time they got to see me playing golf and see me doing what I love. It was a great feeling to win it with them there.”

McCulloch says consistency has been a key to his success on the golf course.

“I don’t do anything spectacular but I also don’t do anything to get myself in trouble. I would say I’m very steady and consistent out there and just try to do what I’m supposed to,” he noted when asked to describe his game.

McCulloch is studying engineering at Michigan State University on a full golf scholarship. The talented Canadian had a stellar rookie season and earned Big 10 Freshman of the Year honours. Currently, in his sophomore year, McCulloch has the goal of playing on the PGA Tour one day.

Ingram sees a lot of potential in the highly touted amateur, and in understanding his tremendous work ethic, the National Team men’s head coach outlines some key areas that McCulloch will have to focus on and work on in order to have the best chance to make his dream a reality.

“Ashton has to get longer and stronger – not unlike just about anyone based on the way the game is going. And he has to tidy up his short game,” Ingram pointed out.

“Then Ashton has to play against the best amateurs in the world and be able to learn, grow and refine his game from those experiences,” he added.

Ingram notes that by being part of the National Team Program, McCulloch will have the resources and support to help him reach his full potential on the golf course.

“Ashton now has a group of team members and alumni to support, lead and push him to see how good he can be,” said Ingram.

“We know the average Canadian playing on the PGA Tour takes over five years to make it onto the Tour. It’s a long process and journey so every player with the ability needs to be in it for the long haul.”

For his part, McCulloch is grateful for all the support he gets through the National Team Program. And he’s prepared to make a commitment to doing everything within his control to be successful.

“The depth of support we get in terms of coaching and resources is just a huge advantage. I have had so much success since being part of Golf Canada and I see so much more to come,” said McCulloch.

“We get so many opportunities that we wouldn’t otherwise get like playing in big tournaments in Canada and around the world. I’m just grateful to be part of the Program and to be able to learn from the experiences, the coaches, and those who have been through the program before,” he continued.

“By being part of the Program, I feel like I’m on the right track. Still, I know there’s a lot of work that is required to reach my goals but I’m committed to putting in the work to reach them.”

When Jason John and Lynn Furlotte told their only child that she could accomplish anything she puts her mind and heart into, they truly meant it – and just as important, she truly believed them. Today their daughter, Leah John, is 22 years old and is among a select group of elite athletes to be part of Golf Canada’s National Team Program.

Besides being regarded as one of the most promising amateur golfers in Canada, John is also an All-American Scholar at the University of Nevada where she is playing for the women’s golf team on a full scholarship.

That unique combination of high intellect, elite athleticism and talent is fully utilized by the five foot eight inch Canadian as she’s enjoyed notable recent success on the golf course.

John’s recent success on the links includes back to back British Columbia Women’s Amateur titles to go along with her maiden NCAA victory in February of 2022.

Growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia, young Leah spent time playing a number of sports. She was the type of gifted athlete that would excel at any sport she put her time and energy into. In high school, besides excelling on the golf course, she was also a star on the volleyball courts and the basketball courts.

Then at the age of 15, she made the decision to focus solely on golf.

“I chose golf because I personally felt it was the hardest sport out of all of them. I just found golf to be the most mentally and physically challenging; and I love challenges and being outdoors,” John pointed out.

After dedicating herself fully to the sport of golf, John soon started seeing breakthrough results. In 2018, just after graduating from high school, the then 18-year-old recorded a runner up finish at the B.C. Junior Girls’ Championship.

“I had shot four under the first day and led most of the tournament and ended up coming in second. It gave me a lot of confidence to do that against the best juniors in the province who had a lot more experience than me,’” she recalled.

After taking a gap year to hone her game, the Vancouver native earned a scholarship to the University of Nevada.

“It was a smaller school which was great because I felt that sense of community. They had the coaches, mentors, the resources, and the facilities to help me to develop as a player and a person. The school had all the things I was looking for,” she said.

John’s passion for golf grew during her time at the University of Nevada and that passion comes through in her positive and confident approach on the course.

“I like to have fun. You might see me laughing out there in between shots; but I’m always ready to grind also,” she noted.

That positive and confident mindset has served her well. In the summer of 2021, John recorded the most notable win of her young career when she captured the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship.

Building on the momentum of that big triumph, John would record her first NCAA victory by capturing The Show at Spanish Trail in February of 2022.

“On the third day, the conditions were very windy and I was trying my best to hold on to the lead. I hit some good shots and some not so good shots but found a way to win; and learned a lot about myself during that tournament,” said John of her maiden NCAA victory.

In the summer of 2022, she would defend her title at the British Columbia Women’s Amateur.

While winning in her province in two consecutive years is great, John said it was extra special to be able to share it with her family.

“My dad caddied for me in those two events and they were special wins for us. It brings me a lot of joy to think about that. My parents have always been my biggest supporters and it’s hands down the best time we spent together,” she said.

“Getting those wins in front of family and friends was just amazing and something I will always remember.”

The recent success on the golf course has John eager for more. And she believes her selection into Golf Canada’s National Team Program will give her the opportunity to reach her full potential as a golfer.

“I want to play this sport professionally and I want to be the best player I can be and the objective of the Program is to help us achieve that goal. I’m grateful Golf Canada sees the potential in me,” said John.

National Team women’s head coach, Salimah Mussani, speaks highly about John’s potential and her dedication to being the best version of herself.

“Leah is super powerful. She has the fastest club head speed on our team. She’s also very eager to learn and is very receptive and open to hearing feedback and exploring different things,” Mussani pointed out about the first year National Team member.

“She’s got all the talent and is also very dedicated; has a great work ethic and a great attitude. These are the type of things that could push her to that next level.”

Currently in her fifth year at the University of Nevada, the 22-year-old Canadian has her mind and heart set on playing the sport professionally at the highest level after she graduates.

As she prepares for that exciting journey ahead, she is motivated and inspired to see the success of other Canadians who have been through the National Team Program such as Brooke Henderson, Corey Conners, and Mackenzie, Hughes, just to name a few.

“Everyone has their own paths but if they did it and this is what it looks like then it gives me confidence to know that I’m following in their footsteps by being in this Program,” said John.

“It gives me a lot of trust that I’m doing the right things and gives me motivation to work even harder to achieve my goals.”