Amateur

2018 Ontario Golf Hall of Fame inductees announced

Dave Bunker (2006 Canadian Men's Amateur)
Dave Bunker (Golf Canada)

UXBRIDGE, Ont. — Golf Ontario is pleased to announce this year’s Class of the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. Terrill Samuel, Dave Bunker and Warren Crosbie, will become the newest members of the Hall at the official induction ceremony on May 2, 2018 at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge. In addition, Wayne Redshaw will be receiving the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award, presented annually to accredited members of the Ontario media for “major contributions to golf.” In addition there will be a first for the Hall of Fame this year, a group of individuals will be recognized representing the early history of golf in Ontario.

Terrill Samuel

Toronto resident Terrill Samuel, 57, enters the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the Amateur Golfer category. Samuel has captured many titles both provincially and nationally throughout her career. Provincially she has won the Ontario Women’s Amateur twice, Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur three times and the Ontario Senior Women’s. In addition, she has claimed the Ontario Women’s Match Play and Mixed 4-ball championships. On the national level, she has won the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur, the Canadian Women’s Mid Master, and the Canadian Women’s Senior twice. She also finished second in the 2004 C.P.G.A. Ladies Open.

Samuel also represented Canada on the international stage multiple times. Highlights include winning the Mellsop Stroke Play at the 1990 New Zealand Ladies Golf Championship and defeating Annika Sorenstam in a match play event in the 1992 Ladies British Open Amateur Championship.

Samuel has been a member of Weston Golf and Country Club since 1983.

Dave Bunker

Entering the Hall in the Amateur Golfer category is Woodbridge’s Dave Bunker. Bunker, 53, has amassed an almost immeasurable amount of championships and accolades. Just some highlights of his career include capturing 15 provincial titles including three Ontario Mid-Master titles, countless course Championships and 8 Canadian titles including The Canadian Mid-Master and Mid-Amateur for three straight seasons.

Bunker has also achieved international success playing in the U.S. Senior Open twice, the Canadian Open twice and has been a part of Team Ontario playing international events around the world.

In 2010, Bunker was named Fairways Magazine’s Amateur Player of the Year and 2010 GJAC Canadian Male Amateur Player of the Year.

He has also topped the Ontario Mid-Amateur ranking an incredible eight times. Bunker also holds the club record at six different courses. He is a member of Brampton Golf Club and is a middle school teacher.

Warren Crosbie

Niagara-on-the-Lake resident Warren Crosbie is well known as one of Canada’s most respected golf developers and maintains significant involvement in the associations guiding his profession. He enters the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the Builder category.

Crosbie has been a Golf Professional for 44 years including 32 years at Bayview Golf and Country Club. One of the remarkable aspects of Warren’s career is the number of golf professionals who he’s trained and mentored. Further Warren supports the junior program at Bayview and continues to teach young aspiring golf professionals.

His credentials include PGA of Canada President present 2006-08, Member of Professional Golfers’ Association since 1976 including honorary status in 2008, Honorary Director of PGA of America 2006-08, and board member of Golf Management Institute of Canada 2010-present (current chair). Crosbie is also currently the chair for the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame.

Wayne Redshaw – Lorne Rubenstein Media Award

Wayne Redshaw is a veteran sports writer and sports editor whose career began as a sports beat writer in 1962. His history in sports writing includes an extensive background including covering the Buffalo Sabres. Redshaw has covered the team since its inception in 1970, on many game nights doing triple duty by filing separate stories to the Canadian Press and the Associated Press.

Besides covering 30 Canadian Opens on the golf scene, he also covered the World Series in 1968 and again in 1992-93, when the Toronto Blue Jays won back-to-back titles, as well as Grey Cup games played in Hamilton and Toronto.

Redshaw left the newspaper world in 1995 but not the industry. FORE! Golfers Only was launched a year later and for the next eight years he wrote stories that his late wife Dianne proof read, compiled columns of stats and sold ads for what at the time was Canada’s only weekly golf publication. As boss of DWR Sports Publications Redshaw would deliver as many as 20,000 magazines to golf courses and Avondale stores across the Niagara peninsula.

Redshaw is also a member of the Sabres Hall of Fame and life member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Amateur

CJGA National Order of Merit Winners announced

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RICHMOND HILL, Ont. – The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 CJGA National Order of Merit, presented by TaylorMade. The CJGA National Order of Merit, presented by TaylorMade is a ranking system that awards points based on a player’s position at each CJGA event. Events are tiered based on the size and strength of the field.

Additionally, the CJGA would like to congratulate Sarah Gallagher of Burlington, Ontario this year’s recipient of the Helena Harbridge Award.The award is named after Helena Harbridge, an outstanding junior golfer and CJGA alum that passed away in 2006 during her freshman year at West Georgia University.

“I am honored to have been named this year’s recipient of the Helena Harbridge Award. This past year I have worked very hard on my game with my coach Bradlee Ryall” said Gallagher. “I was very pleased with my seasons results and enjoyed playing in many CJGA events. One of the highlights of my season was being chosen to play for Team East in the DeLaet Cup held in Saskatoon” Gallagher added. “Helena was an amazing young golfer, an exceptional student, and a role model for all junior golfers. It is great that the CJGA helps her legacy continue through this award. I would like to thank my parents, grandparents, and coach for all their help and support.”

Winners of the Helena Harbridge Sportsmanship Award receive a gorgeous custom trophy courtesy of Lorry Moffatt at Classic Awards as well as a complimentary life time membership to the CJGA.

2006 – Lauren Bowerman-Ritchie (Ontario)
2007 – Juanita Rico (Alberta)
2008 – Jocelyn Alford (Alberta)
2009 – Thea Hedemann (Saskatchewan)
2010 – Shannon Lee Greenshields (Quebec)
2011 – Marlies Klekner-Alt (Ontario)
2012 – Molly Molyneaux (Prince Edward Island)
2013 – Genevieve Stelmacovich (Ontario)
2014 – Bria Jansen (Alberta)
2015 – Michelle Kim (British Columbia)
2016 – Emily Romancew (Quebec)
2017 – Sarah Gallagher (Ontario)

“We are excited to announce the 2017 award winners and recognize them for their achievement” said Reegan Price, CJGA Director of Tour Operations. “Our Helena Harbridge Award embodies the characteristics of Helena in sportsmanship, dedication, and contribution to the game. The CJGA National Order of Merit adds depth to our competitions and allows juniors to challenge their abilities and strive for success.”

CJGA JUNIOR TOUR

Bantam Boys U15
The winner of the Bantam Boys (U15) division Peter Blazevic from Mississauga, ON played a full season with the CJGA with wins at the David Hearn Junior Championship, presented by KIA, the Larry Ungerman Cup, the DeLaet Cup Team East Qualifier and CJGA Junior at Heron Point.

Bantam Girls U15
Sarah Gallagher from Burlington, ON finished the season on top of the Order of Merit with wins at the David Hearn Junior Championship, presented by KIA, the Larry Ungerman Cup & the CJGA Mizuno National Junior Golf Championship.

Junior Boys U19
Romi Dilawri from Ottawa, ON worked his way up on the Order of Merit with a pair of runner up finishes at the David Hearn Junior Championship, presented by KIA and the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy Series. Romi also won one of the David Hearn Junior Series, presented by KIA events.

Junior Girls U19
Tiana Cruz from Richmond Hill, ON finished atop the Junior Girls Order of Merit with wins at the Golfweek Canadian Junior Invitational, the Larry Ungerman Cup, the David Hearn Junior Championship, presented by KIA and the CJGA Mizuno National Junior Golf Championship.

CJGA LINKSTER TOUR

Novice Boys U9
Eddie Gu from Aurora, ON claims the Novice Boys Order of Merit title with first place finishes at the following events CJGA ClubLink Linkster Series at Rattlesnake, CJGA ClubLink Linkster Series at Wyndance & the CJGA Linkster Mid-Season Championship.

Novice Girls U9
Tierra Elchuk from Kelowna, BC has won the Novice Girls Order of Merit with wins at the CJGA BC Linkster Fall Series at Pitt Meadows, IMG Academy Junior World Championships Qualifier & CJGA BC Linkster Series at Greenacres.

Atom Boys U11
Jager Pain from Toronto, ON closes out the 2017 season on top of the Atom Boys Order of Merit. Jager had first place finishes at the US Kids Golf World Golf Championship Qualifier, the CJGA Linkster Mid-Season Championship & the CJGA Linkster Tour National Championship.

Atom Girls U11
Alexa Oullet from Toronto, ON finished in 1st place in the following events to move her to the top of the Aton Girls Order of Merit. CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Turnberry, CJGA ClubLink Linkster Series at Rattlesnake, CJGA Ontario Linkster Fall Series at Rolling Hills, US Kids Golf World Championship Qualifier & the CJGA Linkster Tour National Championship.

Peewee Boys U13
Jordan Hwang from Richmond Hill, ON wins the Peewee Boys Order of Merit with wins at the FCG Callaway World Championship Qualifier & CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Rolling Hills.

Peewee Girls U13
Mia Wong has won the Peewee Girls Order of Merit, winning the CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Conestoga, CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Bathurst Glen & CJGA Ontario Linkster Fall Series at Rolling Hills.

Bantam Boys U15
Ryan Nelson from Pickering, ON has won the Linksters Bantam Boys Order of Merit after first place finishes at the CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Winchester & CJGA Ontario Linkster Series at Rolling Hills.

Bantam Girls U15
Roycee Southerland from Unionville, ON finishes atop the Linkster Bantam Girls Order after finishing atop the field at the following events: The US Kids Golf World Golf Championship Qualifier, CJGA Ontario Linksters at Maples of Ballantree & CJGA ClubLink Linkster Series at Country Club.

Helena Harbridge Award
The Helena Harbridge Award is an award dedicated to the memory of Helena Harbridge, a CJGA alumna, who passed away in 2006 during her freshman year at West Georgia University. The award exemplifies the traits that Helena exhibited throughout her career, both on and off the course: sportsmanship, dedication, and contribution to the game of golf. Each year, the Canadian Junior Golf Association selects one female junior member for this award. The award recipient will be one that holds the same characteristics that Helena exemplified. The recipient of the award will also receive a lifetime membership with the CJGA.

Amateur

Alberta Golf announces High Performance Squad

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CALGARY, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – Alberta Golf is proud to announce our High Performance Squad for 2018. These players have not only shown an excellent ability to play and compete in the sport of golf, but they are also high quality individuals who proudly represent Alberta Golf nationally and internationally. The High Performance Squad is Tier 4 of our overall High Performance Athlete Development Strategy.

These players all met or exceeded a number of criteria to be invited on to this squad, which included being ranked in the Top 2500 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) and being highly ranked on the Golf Canada Order of Merit, among numerous other benchmarks.

2018 High Performance Squad

Matt Williams, Calgary (2017 Mens Amateur Player of the Year)
Ethan Choi, Pincher Creek (2017 Junior Boys Player of the Year)
Brendan MacDougall, Calgary
Emmett Oh, Calgary
Max Sekulic, Rycroft
Patrick Murphy, Calgary
Andrew Harrison, Camrose
AJ Armstrong, St. Albert
Jack Wood, Banff
Jaxon Lynn, Sylvan Lake
Jaclyn Lee, Calgary (Team Canada & 2017 Ladies Amateur Player of the Year)
Kehler Koss, Calgary (2017 Junior Girls Player of the Year)
Sabrine Garrison, Calgary
Kat Kennedy, Okotoks
Kenna Hughes, Calgary
Devon Spriddle, Lethbridge
Cassidy Laidlaw, Calgary

Alberta Golf is also proud to announce our Team Alberta Boys for 2018. This talented group of players are all under 19 years of age and are striving to take their game to the next level. Under the supervision of Provincial Head Coach Randy Robb, these players meet regularly throughout the year to work on becoming the best, well-rounded athlete they can be. Given that most of these players have their sights set on post-secondary opportunities in golf, their competitive track record made them eligible for the team, once they applied for the program. The Team Alberta program is Tier 3 of our overall High Performance Strategy.

The Team Alberta Provincial program is the marquee component of Alberta Golf’s Player Support Program. 2018 marks the program’s tenth year with a proven track record of success enjoyed by athletes currently on the post-secondary circuit. Virtually all of the High Performance Squad athletes are graduates of the Team Alberta program.

2018 Team Alberta Boys

Carter Graf, Sylvan Lake
Ben Farrington, Fort McMurray
Kai Iguchi, Banff
Ethan De Graaf, Edmonton
Ty Steinbring, Barrhead
Brady McKinlay, Lacombe
Jordan Bean, Canmore

The Regional Development program introduces coaching on a regional basis to individuals registered for selected camps which are offered four times throughout the season. Players in the Regional Development program are invited to participate in provincial team challenges and competitions organized by regional coaches. All players who have qualified for an interprovincial team at any time in their playing career are invited to participate in the Regional Player Development program. This program is ideal for individuals looking for additional coaching without the time commitment of Team Alberta, or those who are over the age of 19.

Amateur Team Canada

Team Canada’s Hugo Bernard eliminated from Australian Amateur

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Hugo Bernard (Justin Naro/ Golf Canada)

PERTH, Australia – National Amateur Squad’s Hugo Bernard was eliminated from the Australian Amateur on Friday after falling to Shae Wools-Cobb on the first extra hole at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club.

Bernard, of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., put up a back-and-forth affair against the Australian, exchanging leads for the duration of the match before draining a six-foot par putt on 18 to force a playoff.

It took one extra hole for the match to be decided, with Wools-Cobb capitalizing on Bernard missing the green with his approach. Bernard gave one last effort to make a breaking 10-foot putt for a chance to extend the match, but left it short by a couple inches.

This marks the end of a two-event Australian swing for the former Canadian Men’s Amateur champion. Bernard will head to Sea Island, Ga., to compete in the Jones Cup from Jan. 26-28 along with Team Canada teammates Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont. and Joey Savoie of La Prairie, Que.

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Amateur Team Canada

Team Canada’s Hugo Bernard advances to match play at Australian Amateur

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Hugo Bernard (Minas Panagiotakis/ Golf Canada)

PERTH, Australia – National Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard posted a 1-under 71 on Wednesday to advance to the match play draw in the Australian Amateur.

Bernard, of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., finished the opening 36 holes of stroke play in a tie for 6th at 5 under par. The 23-year-old will square off against Australia’s Kiran Day in Thursday’s first round of match play.

Co-hosted by the Wanneroo Golf Club and Lake Karrinyup Golf Club, the Australian Amateur features a 264-player field from 15 countries, cut to the top 64 for match play.

Team Canada teammates Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) and Josh Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) fell short of the mark and were eliminated from play. Australia’s Connor McKinney and Darcy Boyd shared medallist honours at 9 under par.

In the women’s division, Korea’s Yean Cho medalled with a score of 9 under par (70-67).

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Amateur Team Canada

Team Canada’s Crisologo captures the South American Amateur

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Chris Crisologo (Argentina Golf Association)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – National Amateur Squad member Chris Crisologo hoisted the South American Amateur trophy on Tuesday following a four-stroke victory at the Martindale Country Club.

The Richmond, B.C., native struggled early in the final round, going 4 over par through his first five holes before recovering on the back nine with four birdies. Crisologo, 23, recorded the tournament’s two lowest rounds (64-66) to hold a lead as large as seven. He went on to close the event at 13 under par, four strokes clear of runner-up Alejandro Tosti of Argentina.

With the win, the Simon Fraser University junior becomes the first Canadian male to capture the event. LPGA star Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., captured the women’s division in 2013. The victory also marks Crisologo’s first win as a member of Team Canada—he joined the National Amateur Squad back in October.

Fellow countryman Matt Williams of Calgary finished the 13th edition of the event with a 3-under-par 69—his best score of the tournament. The University of Houston of Houston junior finished the event at 4 under par in a tie for 12th.

In the women’s division, Team Canada Development Squad member Céleste Dao finished T8 at 1 over par. The Notre-Dame-de-lÎle-Perrot, Que., product carded four birdies in her final round to record her best score of the tournament with a 3-under 69.

Teammate Ellie Szeryk of London, Ont., finished tied for 22nd at 9 over par (72-79-74-72).

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Amateur Team Canada

Hugo Bernard shares 4th place at Australian Amateur

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Hugo Bernard (Golf Canada)

PERTH, Australia – Team Canada’s Hugo Bernard opened the Australian Amateur on Tuesday with a 4-under-par 68 at the Wanneroo Golf Club to hold a share of 4th place.

The Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., product jumped to a hot start, going birdie-eagle-birdie in his first three holes to sit inside the top-five against competitors from 15 countries across the world. Bernard, 24, will tee-it-up Wednesday at co-host Lake Karrinyup Golf Club for the second and final stroke play round.

Team Canada teammates Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) and Josh Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) sit T20 and T55, respectively.

The top 64 men and 32 women will advance to Thursday’s match play draw.

Japan’s Yuna Nishimura leads the women’s division at 6 under par; there are no Canadians in the field.

The Amateur Championships are Australia’s oldest golfing events, dating back to 1894.

Past winners include Michael Clayton, Michael Campbell, Mat Goggin, Brett Rumford, Kristie Smith and Nikki Campbell, and more recently Cameron Smith, newly crowned Australian Open champion Cameron Davis, former world No.1 Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee and current world No.12 Hye-Jin Choi, who won in 2017.

With both champions receiving exemptions into their respective Australian Opens, they are the most prized titles in Australian amateur golf.

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Amateur Team Canada

Team Canada’s Crisologo extends lead at South American Amateur

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Chris Crisologo (Bryan Outram/ British Columbia Golf)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – National Amateur Squad member Chris Crisologo fired a 6-under 66 on Monday to extend his lead to seven at the South American Amateur.

The 23-year-old Richmond, B.C., native posted the low round for a second consecutive day at Martindale Country Club to sit a 14 under through 54 holes.

The Simon Fraser University junior will look to become the first Canadian male to win the event when he tees off in tomorrow’s final round at 1:30 p.m. local time. LPGA athlete Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., captured the event in 2013 with a wire-to-wire victory in Bogotá, Colombia, to become the first female Canadian to win the event.

Fellow Canadian Matt Williams of Calgary carded a 2-under-par 70 jump inside the top 20 with a share of 17th.

On the women’s side, Team Canada duo of Céleste Dao () and Ellie Szeryk (London, Ont.) sit T14 and T23, respectively. The pair of Team Canada Development Squad members are in chase of Colombia’s Silvia Garces and Maria Serrano who share the lead at 4 under par.

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Amateur Team Canada

Team Canada’s Crisologo fires 64 to lead South American Amateur

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Chris Crisologo (Argentina Golf Association)

BEUNOS AIRES, Argentina – National Amateur Squad member Chris Crisologo climbed into the lead at the South American Amateur following a tournament-low 64 on Sunday at the Martindale Country Club.

Crisologo, a Richmond, B.C. product, sits at 8 under (72-64) to hold a two-stroke advantage through 36 holes. Fellow Canadian Matt Williams of Calgary stands at 1 over par in a tie for 27th.

On the women’s side, Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que. leads all Canadians with a four-way share of 5th place at even par. Fellow Team Canada Development Squad member Ellie Szeryk of London, Ont., sits a 7 over par in a tie for 21st.

The Canadian pair is chasing Peru’s Luisamariana Mesones and Colombia’s Maria Serrano who share the women’s outright lead at 3 under par.

LPGA superstar Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., captured the event in 2013 with a wire-to-wire victory in Bogotá, Colombia, to become the first (and only) Canadian to win the event.

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Amateur Team Canada

Canada to compete in South American Amateur

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Céleste Dao (Golf Canada)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Canada will be among 25 countries competing in the 13th edition of the South American Amateur at Martindale Country Club from Jan. 13-16.

Four elite amateurs will make up the Canadian contingent: Chris Crisologo (Richmond, B.C.), Matt Williams (Calgary), Céleste Dao (Notre-Dame-de-lÎle-Perrot, Que.), Ellie Szeryk (London, Ont.).

Dao and Szeryk are current members of Team Canada’s Women’s Development Squad; Crisologo is a member of the Men’s Amateur Squad and Williams is a program graduate.

Williams will lead the Canadian quartet in Saturday’s opening round, teeing off No. 1 at 8:20 a.m. The University of Houston junior will be paired alongside a familiar face in Colombia’s Camilo Aguado, who held the 54-hole lead at the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur at Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club. Aguado finished the championship tied for 4th, while Williams closed with a share of 8th.

Defending women’s champion, Isabella Fierro, will tee off No. 1 at 1:10 p.m. local time—the Mexican finished T16 at the 2015 World Junior Girls Championship in Ottawa, Ont.

LPGA superstar Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., captured the event in 2013 with a wire-to-wire victory in Bogotá, Colombia, to become the first (and only) Canadian to win the event.

Click here for tee times.
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