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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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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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.

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VICTORIA, Australia – Team Canada’s Joey Savoie fired a 7-under 64 to momentarily break the course record at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club on Thursday at the Australian Master of the Amateurs.

Savoie, a La Prairie, Que., product, marched up the leaderboard on the heels of a bogey-free, seven-birdie effort to leap 26 spots in the final standings. The Middle Tennessee University grad finished T10 at 4 over par with fellow Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.

Savoie was one of four competitors to set a course record at Royal Melbourne, including champion David Micheluzzi of host nation Australia. Micheluzzi won by a comfortable five-stroke margin with a final score of 14 under par.

EXCITING NEWS!!! Joey Savoie from Golf Canada​ ?? has broken the Royal Melbourne Golf Club East course record ⛳️? shooting 64! Congratulations Joey! ?? #recordbreaker #AMOTA2018 pic.twitter.com/VTkSEA69Nl

— AMOTA (@AusMotA) January 12, 2018

The final-standing course record was set by American Shintaro Ban, one of two runner-ups. Ban fired two eagles alongside five birdies to finish with a 63 (-8). In 2017, Ban finished runner-up at the Canadian Men’s Amateur at Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club.

Canadian Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont., finished T32 at 11 over par (77-75-73-70).

On the women’s side, Japan’s Yuka Yasuda cruised to a five-stroke victory in the first-ever edition of the women’s competition.

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Fifty-nine regional golf associations have entered into a new relationship with the United States Golf Association to enhance the golfer experience at the state and local levels in the United States. These Allied Golf Associations (AGAs), supported by the USGA’s five existing regional affairs offices, will administer the USGA Handicap and Course Rating Systems within defined geographic areas across the country. In addition, they will serve as the community’s primary resource for USGA services such as championship qualifiers, governance, golf facility support and programs that help grow and improve the long-term health of the game.

“Regional golf associations are a vital part of the golf community and the USGA,” said Mike Davis, USGA CEO. “As the game moves forward into the future, we feel this formalized new alliance of working together on grassroots programs will improve how we serve golfers and providing a healthy foundation from which the entire golf community can grow.”

Newly recognized AGAs were identified through a nearly year-long discovery process that encouraged collaboration among existing golf organizations within each state and region, sharing best practices and leveraging programs that have made a positive impact.

The resulting relationship will enable AGAs to provide a variety of competitive playing opportunities that engage more golfers of all levels within their region. The AGAs will also serve as local experts for education on topics such as modernizing golf’s rules, the new World Handicap System and related governance functions.

Each AGA will also have direct access to USGA research, funding for programs such as USGA P.J. Boatwright Internships, data and technology, additional expertise to better serve the health of golf facilities and support of national grow-the-game initiatives including PLAY9.

One of the alliance’s most significant benefits to golfers will be the centralized computation of USGA Handicap Indexes in the United States to improve efficiency, consistency and governance oversight. The move to a more modernized, digital platform will also empower Allied Golf Associations to more deeply engage golfers within their community through rich, real-time player data.

An AGA Council has been formed to share information, help ongoing service delivery and provide continuous feedback directly to the USGA to better serve golfers and golf clubs. The 12-member council consists of AGA executive directors who will represent regions and markets throughout the United States.

The alliance marks the latest step by the USGA to more deeply engage the local and regional golf community. It complements the USGA’s existing presence in all five major golf regions in the United States – Northeast, Great Lakes, Southeast, Central and West – where dedicated Regional Affairs directors currently serve in residence.

In addition to its five Regional Affairs directors, the USGA also supports golf clubs and facilities through the USGA Green Section, providing agronomic expertise through 13 regional offices.

Adam Hadwin had a career year in 2017, and as the calendar changes, he added two more honours.

The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) is proud to announce Hadwin, Josh Whalen, Judith Kyrinis, and Brooke Henderson are the 2017 Players of the Year as voted by GJAC members across the country. Hadwin’s magical season where he notched his first PGA Tour victory, shot 59, and played on the Presidents Cup team was also named the Canadian Golf Story of the Year.

“GJAC is happy to honour these golfers and their accomplishments in 2017,” said Robert Thompson, GJAC president. “The accomplishments of the winners – and each of the nominees – show how strong Canadian golf is right now. GJAC wishes the best of luck to in the year ahead.”

Hadwin’s first PGA Tour victory came in March after a thrilling Sunday at the Valspar Championship, where he won by one over Patrick Cantlay. In January, Hadwin became the eighth golfer in PGA Tour history to shoot a sub-60 round.

Just weeks after his win, Hadwin got married and closed on his first home to cap a whirlwind start to 2017. He ascended to inside the Top 50 in the world (becoming Canada’s highest-ranked male golfer in the process), played all four majors, and participated in the Presidents Cup in September.

Henderson continued her impressive start to her LPGA Tour career, winning twice – at the Meijer LPGA Classic and the McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open – and nearly defending her title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She finished sixth on the LPGA Tour’s 2017 money list, earning just over $1.5 million in 30 events (the most on Tour).

She was the only unanimous choice out of the four winners.

Kyrinis had a stellar 2017 campaign capped off with a victory in an all-Canadian final at the U.S. Senior Amateur. She also won the Ontario Women’s Senior Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships, along with finishing runner-up at the prestigious North and South Senior Women’s Amateur, and fifth at the Canadian Women’s Senior Amateur.

Whalen finished No. 1 on the Golf Canada Amateur Order of Merit for his fine campaign in 2017. He finished third at the Canadian Men’s Amateur and notched six top-20 finishes during his senior year at Kent State University.

VICTORIA, Australia – National Squad members Hugo Bernard, Joey Savoie and Josh Whalen will be among the 78 elite amateur golfers competing in the 21st Australian Master of the Amateurs from Jan. 9-12 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

The Canadian trio will look to make their mark in their first competitive action of 2018 when the 72-hole stroke play event gets underway Tuesday. Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) will lead the contingent at 8:10 a.m. local time, followed by Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.) 8:40 a.m. and Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) at 12:20 p.m.

Defending champion and local native Charlie Dann will tee off at 11:50 a.m.

The 2018 Men’s Australian Master of the Amateurs champion receives exemptions into the 2018 Amateur Championship (UK), Porter Cup (USA), The Players Amateur (USA), and The Dogwood Invitational (USA).

For the first time in its 20-year history, the event will feature a female division with 21 athletes. The 2018 Women’s Australian Master of the Amateurs Champion will receive exemptions into the 2018 Women’s Western Amateur Championship (USA) and the 2018 Women’s Porter Cup Championship (USA).

The event marks the beginning of a popular two-tournament swing down under, which also includes the Australian Amateur in the week following.

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The British Columbia golf community is mourning the passing of Harry White, a tireless promoter of junior golf who influenced the lives of countless youngsters and made an enormous contribution to the game.

White died Tuesday in Vancouver following a lengthy illness. He was 72. White was a longtime member of Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver and ran the Junior Linkster Golf Tour where kids as young as five years old learned the game.

“Nobody has given more to junior golf in Vancouver than Harry White,” said Tim Tait, the head professional at Marine Drive, where White had been a member since 1957.

“Harry is responsible for introducing thousands of kids to the game of golf in B.C.,” added fellow Marine Drive member Doug Roxburgh, the 13-time B.C. Amateur champion. “He put forward non-member kids for membership at the club that he came across and felt could benefit from being there.”

One of those kids was Richmond’s Chris Crisologo, who is now a member of Golf Canada’s national amateur team. Crisologo, a senior on the Simon Fraser University golf team, said White had a profound influence on his life that extends far beyond golf.

“I will always remember the passion he had for the game and the way he gave back to the community and kids,” Crisologo said in an interview. “He spoke a lot to us about the integrity of the game. That kind of passion and integrity has carried on through my golf and how I view the game.

“And it was more than just golf. He helped me get into Marine Drive as a junior and from there you learn respect and everything. He graduated from Vancouver College and he wrote me a nice little letter to help me get into the high school. There were just so many small things he did for me over the years that have touched and influenced my life.”

White was a huge supporter and organizer of the annual Junior America’s Cup competition that features 18 teams from 12 western U.S. states, two Canadian provinces and Mexico.
Crisologo played on two America’s Cup teams captained by White — in 2011 in Colorado and again in 2013 in Hawaii. Crisologo visited with White just days before his passing.

White, along with his late brother Dick and Michael Riste were founding members of the B.C. Golf Museum, which opened its doors on the grounds of University Golf Club in Vancouver in May of 1989.

Riste, whose tireless efforts have helped keep the golf museum afloat, said White’s support was crucial in getting the museum up and running. “When we built the golf museum, all I’d have to do was tell Harry, we need some insulation or I need drywall, and the next thing I knew it would arrive,” Riste said.

But Riste said White’s legacy will definitely be his contribution to junior golf. In addition to the Junior Linksters Tour, White and his late business partner Fred Wellsby started a Junior Zone tour in the Vancouver area that helped produce many top players.

“I wouldn’t even want to guess how many guys at Marine Drive played the junior tour, were good players and Harry got them into Marine Drive as junior members,” Riste said. “If there were 100 down there it wouldn’t shock me. . .Junior golf will definitely miss Harry White.”

While best known for his work supporting junior golf, White was also a fine player in his day. He played alongside Roxburgh on two Willingdon Cup teams for British Columbia. The team of White, Roxburgh, Johnny Russell and Dave Mick won the Willingdon Cup in 1972 at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary.

White was the stroke-play medallist at the 1969 B.C. Amateur Championship at Richmond Golf Club, but fell to Roxburgh in the match play semi-finals. Roxburgh, who visited with White just days before his passing, remembers winning that match on the 20th hole. He chuckled while reminiscing about the match.

“I think on the second hole I hit a wedge six inches from the hole and Harry turns to me and says, ‘I never give birdie putts.’ He made me putt it. I also remember he got it up and down on 18 to take it to extra holes and I beat him on the 20th.

“He was a very good player. He kind of had a funny swing. He had a dip in his backswing, he dipped his head down and his left knee down. But he was a strong guy and could hit the ball pretty solid. Back in his heyday he was a very good putter.”

White was also a past Vancouver City Amateur champion. Later in life, he turned pro and made an unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the Senior Tour. “Harry was a fine player and in his prime always a contender,” said Kris Jonasson, longtime executive director of British Columbia Golf. “As a builder, Harry was an unequalled champion. Golfers will miss his passion, his mentorship, but will always remember the legacy he leaves behind.”

Riste said a celebration of White’s life will be held later this month at Marine Drive Golf Club. Riste also hopes to set up a junior golf scholarship in White’s name.

The Golf Coaches Association of Canada, in partnership with Golf Canada, have announced the mid-season poll rankings for both the men’s and women’s University/College golf teams.

WOMEN

The defending Canadian University/College champion University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and RSEQ’s Laval Rouge et Or women’s golf teams (57 points) were chosen as the No. 1 University/College golf teams in Canada at the mid-season point of the 2017-18 golf season.

The T-Birds and Rouge et Or both earned three of six 1st place votes based on results from various conference championships and fall team scoring averages. The OUA Champion Toronto Varsity Blues (48 points) came in third, followed by the UFV Cascades Thunderbirds (40 points) who slot in 4th place. The Victoria Vikes (35 points) round out the top 5.

MEN

The Canada West Golf Champion University Victoria Vikes Golf Team (59 points) were chosen as the top University/College golf team in Canada at the mid-season point of the 2017-18 golf season. The Vikes earned five of six 1st place votes based on results from various conference championships and fall team scoring averages.

The RSEQ Champion and reigning Canadian University/College champions Laval Rouge et Or (54 points) came in second, followed by the UBC Thunderbirds (45 points). The UFV Cascasdes (42 points), and Western Mustangs (37) round out the top 5.

The Golf Canada University/College Golf Championship will run May 28 – June 1, in Chilliwack, B.C. at the Chilliwack Golf Club.