RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico – The Canadian trio held their ground in Saturday’s final round at the World Amateur, posting a 1-under score to finish inside the Top-10 in 9^th place, climbing back from a T23 standing after the first round.

The Canucks were once again led by the red-hot Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., who closed with a 2-under 70. The reigning Canadian Junior Girls Champion finished the event with a share of 6^th place at 6-under par (75-66-71-70).

Teammate Maddie Szeryk of Allen, Tex., added the day’s second-counting score with a 73 (+1), leaving her in a tie for 44^th. Josée Doyon of St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., continued to struggle in the final round, carding a 6-over 78. Collectively, the Canadians finished at 5-over par (149-144-145-143).

“I’m very proud of our girls and the way they continued to battle each round,” said Tristan Mullally, Team Canada’s Head Coach. “We were a bit behind after the first round but it says a lot about this team that we climbed back to a strong finish inside the Top-10.”

Korea’s Hye-jin Choi saved her best golf for the final round, firing a 5-under 67 to earn medalist honours at 14-under. Choi, the defending Canadian Amateur champion, earned a two-stroke victory over runner-up Puk Lyng Thompsen of Denmark. Canada’s Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., captured the individual title in 2014 by three strokes.

The Republic of Korea won its fourth Espirito Santo Trophy by a record-equalling margin with a 72-hole total of 29-under-par 547 at the 27th Women’s World Amateur Team Championships at Mayakoka El Camaleon Golf Club.

“The key is the team play,” said Korean captain Sang-Won Ko. “We have been interviewed over the last few days and the players have been so focused on team play. That makes everyone tight and makes for good results.”

The other medals were won by Switzerland, in second, at 8-under 568 and Ireland, in third, at 7-under 569.

In 14 WWATCs, the Koreans have taken seven medals in total: four gold (1996, 2010, 2012 and 2016), two silvers and one bronze.

Teenagers Hye Jin Choi, 17, and Min Ji Park, 16, each shot 5-under-par 67 to post a final-round 134, which is second-best to Australia’s 131 in 2014. The Korean duo and Japan’s Nasa Hatoaka shared the day’s low round.

“I travel a lot and the first question is always ‘Why is your women’s game so strong?’ And my first answer is we have a greater number of players and they are trying really hard,” said Ko. “Their target is to turn professional. We may be a small country in terms of the land and the population but we have more than 3,000 junior players and they are willing to turn professional, which is really a huge number compared to the U.S. and Europe so that’s why I believe our women’s golf is strong.”

Korea’s 21-stroke margin of victory over second-place Switzerland tied the championship record set by the USA in Chile in 1998. The 72-hole total (547) is also tied for second-lowest score by a champion. The lowest winning score was 546 by the Republic of Korea in 2010, when they won by 17 strokes.

The nation has finished in the top 10 in 12 of its 14 appearances. The Koreans are tied for fourth in most overall WWATC medals with Sweden and Great Britain and Ireland. Only the USA, with 13, has won more gold medals than the Koreans.

After three rounds, the Koreans held a 14-stroke cushion over Switzerland but, in the fourth round, they kept their low-scoring pace as Choi, the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open low amateur, and Park, the 2016 Australian Women’s Amateur champion, shot 6-under 30 and 4-under 32, respectively, at the par 72, 6,295-yard/5,752-meter Mayakoba El Camaleon Golf Club.

The other course used for the championship was the par 72, 6,167-yard/5,637-meter Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club

“We did really well last time (third in 2014), but we couldn’t do as well as we hoped,” said Choi. “But this time we really did our best and we performed really well, so I am very happy now.”

Although there is no official recognition, Choi led the individual scoring with a 14-under-par total of 274.

Sisters Kim and Morgane Metraux, shot 69 and 72, respectively, for the Swiss, who won their first medal in 23 appearances, with a best finish of tied for fourth in 1988. This marks their fifth top 10 finish.

“It feels great,” said Kim, who plays at Florida State University with her sibling and teammate. “We never thought we would win a medal before coming here. We came with no expectations, just to play as well as we could. It’s incredible that we have won a medal.”

“It’s a great historic moment for Switzerland,” said Swiss captain Annette Weber. “The players performed great in very hot conditions and I am very proud of this team for winning the silver medal.”

In a dual that lasted most of the afternoon, Ireland, on the stellar play of Olivia Mehaffey (4-under 68) and World Amateur Golf Ranking No. 1 Leona Maguire (3-under 67), claimed third at 569, edging past Denmark in fourth at 570 and Thailand in fifth at 571.

Ireland also won its first medal in its seventh appearance but it did compete as a part of Great Britain and Ireland from 1966 through 2004. Its best finish previous finish was T-11th in 2010.

“I’m just so proud of them,” said Irish captain David Kearney. “We have got three amazing girls there, just incredible girls. They are all very serious about their golf and they work incredibly hard all year round when they are not at tournaments. I’m just delighted for them. It’s just brilliant.”

With Switzerland’s and Ireland’s respective second- and third-place finishes, 20 different countries are in the official medal count.

The USA, with a pair of 69s from Andrea Lee and Katelyn Dambaugh, finished in sixth at 574, followed by Spain in seventh at 575, Japan in eighth at 576, Canada in ninth at 581 and host Mexico in tenth at 582.

Conducted every two years, the World Women’s Amateur Team Championship has been staged since 1964, with the winner earning the Espirito Santo Trophy. In 2014, Australia claimed the title by two strokes over the Canadian team of Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.), Augusta James (Bath, Ont.), and Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.).

In 25 appearances at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has earned runner-up honours four times.

The World Amateur Team titles are contested over four days of stroke play. A country may field a team of two or three players. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day total is the team’s score for the championship.

Click here for full scoring.

—

The men’s World Amateur Team Championship will follow the women’s event, running from Sept. 21-24. Canada will send Jared du Toit, 21, of Kimberley, B.C., Garrett Rank, 28, of Elmira, Ont., and Hugo Bernard, 21, of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., to compete for the Eisenhower trophy.

RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico – The Canadian contingent continued to ascend up the leaderboard on Friday at the World Amateur Team Championship, jumping two spots to sit in a tie for eighth through 54 holes.

On the strength of Naomi Ko’s performance, the Canadians have moved 15 spots since Wednesday’s opening round. Ko, a 19-year-old Victoria, B.C., native, carded her second-straight round under-par on moving day with a 71 (-1) and currently holds a share of fourth place individually at 4-under par, just two shots back of the leading Hye jin Choi of Korea.

Teammate Maddie Szeryk of Allen, Tex., contributed the second-counting score on the day for the Canadian trio, posting a 74 (+2) to leave the Canadians sitting at 6-over for the tournament, well back of the leading Koreans.

The Republic of Korea is on the verge of its fourth Women’s World Amateur Team Championship (WWATC) title as it built a 14-stroke lead over Switzerland with a 19-under-par total of 413 after Friday’s third round.

The Koreans posted a third-round team score of 138, with 2016 U.S. Women’s Open low amateur Hye Jin Choi shooting a 4-under-par 68, that included five birdies in her first nine holes, and Min Ji Park, the 2016 Australian Women’s Amateur champion, firing a 2-under 70 on the par 72, 6,167-yard/5,637-meter Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club.

“Some of my players are not really satisfied with their games but I am 100 percent satisfied with their games,” said Korean captain Sang-Won Ko. “Of course, everyone makes mistakes but I’m OK with that and, as I said yesterday, I just want them to enjoy the game and enjoy playing with the other players.”

The Koreans are seeking their fourth victory in the 27th staging of the championship. They won in 1996, 2010 and 2012 and, in capturing the Espirito Santo Trophy in 2010, set the mark for lowest score in the event’s history with a total of 546, which eclipsed the field by 17 strokes.

“At the moment I am happy to be leading the team and the individual leaderboards but this championship is more important for the team event so I am trying not to think about being individual leader and am focused on winning the team event,” said Choi, a 17-year-old high school student. “Although there is a big gap I will try to think this is the first round tomorrow and focus more on my game and then maybe a better result will come.”

Choi was joined by Leslie Cloots of Belgium in carding the day’s best round of 68.

All three Koreans broke par and did not count the 1-under 71 posted by Hyun Kyung Park.

Switzerland kept its position in second with a third-round 145 that included a 3-under-par 69 from Kim Metraux and a 76 from her older sister Morgane.

“I didn’t have real expectations,” said Metraux, whose is a Florida State University teammate with her sibling. “I wanted to enjoy the tournament and play as well as I could. I didn’t focus on the results or a spot that I wanted to finish.”

As for gaining ground on the Republic of Korea, Metraux preferred to focus on her final round.

“I don’t think about it,” Kim said. “I will play my best and then see what happens. I can’t control what they are doing and it’s better if I don’t look at what they are doing and focus on my game.”

Third-place Thailand, however, believes the chase is over and that the only open places are second and third.

“We’ve got to try to finish in the top three. We should just let Korea be the winner,” said Thailand captain Kanes Nitiwanakul. “We will try to be second. Our goals are a little higher now. Korea is so good, they have such talented players.”

Thailand, which has not been in the medal race since finishing second in 2002, posted a third-round score of 143 on a 70 from Kanyalak Preedasuttijit and a 73 from Parajee Anannarukarn.

In the day’s top 10 of the leaderboard: Denmark and Ireland are tied for fourth at 432, followed by Spain in sixth at 435, based on two sub-par scores from Maria Parra (70) and Luna Sobron (71);  the USA is seventh at 436 with host nation Mexico and Canada tied for eighth at 438 and Japan is tenth at 439.

Conducted every two years, the World Women’s Amateur Team Championship has been staged since 1964, with the winner earning the Espirito Santo Trophy. In 2014, Australia claimed the title by two strokes over the Canadian team of Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.), Augusta James (Bath, Ont.), and Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.).

In 25 appearances at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has earned runner-up honours four times.

The World Amateur Team titles are contested over four days of stroke play. A country may field a team of two or three players. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day total is the team’s score for the championship.

Click here for full scoring.

ORILLIA— Golf Ontario and Golf Barrie unveiled a new concept on September 11 with the first Golf Jam, hosted by Hawk Ridge Golf & Country Club in Orillia. The day, geared at junior golfers under 14 years of age, was a huge success as 64 players comprised 16 teams to take part in the day’s events.

“Golf Jam is a program that we’ve partner with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport to create and provide to kids across the province. It aims to engage local golf clubs and promote fun family, friends and fitness all in a team environment,” said Mike Kelly, Golf Ontario Executive Director.

The day broke down into two components: a CN Future Links Skills Challenge and a nine-hole alternate shot team golf competition. Half of the teams took to the course, while the other half competed in the skills challenge, before swapping after lunch.

“I believe we continue to create and inspire new ways for kids and families to get into golf but this just blew my mind,” added Kelly. “Based on the reaction from coaches, kids and parents, I see this as a home run! I see it going to different communities across Ontario in future years because it is a great way to bring the province together.”

Kelly’s optimism was echoed by coaches and parents who attended the day. “Golf Jam is a great introduction for players who have participated in our camps, clinics and leagues to be involved in potentially their first tournament,” said Ryan Star, Coach at Geared to Golf. “There are a lot of players who haven’t crossed paths with one another so we hope that there are a lot of new friendships by the end of the day.”

“The day has been fantastic!” Remarked Kevin Potter, a parent attending the event. “What Golf Ontario is doing for the kids is awesome! It is great to see the team sprit and everyone has a smile on their face today! The team competition was a lot of fun. It was well put together and we had a great time playing the alternate-shot format.”

Those sentiments also trickled down to the young golfers themselves who not only enjoyed the golf and skills challenge, but also the fun and games that made up the rest of the day.

“Today has been great especially since we just started school and have been really busy,” said Abigail Dove, 11-years-old from Brooklin. “To have all of these fun things to do like golf with friends, bouncy castles, and play games has been great to enjoy!”

“My favorite part of the day was golfing on the course. I played awesome and so did the rest of my team. Golf Jam has been good and lots of fun. I like it!” Added Aiden Hodgkinson, 8-years-old from Brooklin.

While the emphasis on the day was squarely around fun the teams did want bragging rights as the inaugural Golf Jam champs. When all of the scores were tallied there was a three-way tie between Whistle Bear GC (Peyton Costabile, Andreas Diogenous, Owen Lipskie and Aiden Shan), Barrie CC (David Simon, Andrew Laurin, Olivia Stoggart and Matthew Simon), and TTGA (Alissa Xu, Sopia Xu, Arthur Wang and Joline Truong) who all finished with a score of 21 Stableford points to share the gold medal.

RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico – Team Canada’s Naomi Ko was the lone bright spot on the day for the Canadian trio, carding a tournament-low 66 (-6) on the Iberoster Playa Paraiso Golf Course to lift the team into sole possession of 10^th place through 36 holes at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship.

Following her second round, the 19-year-old Victoria, B.C., native owns a share of third place individually at 3-under par (75-66), just two strokes off the pace. Ko’s round was a much-needed boost for the Canadian contingent, who otherwise struggled with a 78 (+6) from Maddie Szeryk and an 80 (+8) from Josée Doyon.

Szeryk, a 20-year-old Allen, Tex., native, sits at 8-over for the tournament to share 60^th place, while Doyon, 23, of St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., sits T106 at 14-over par.

The Republic of Korea posted a second-round 137 with a 68 from Min Ji Park and a 69 from Hye Jin Choi for a 36-hole total of 275 to overtake first-round leader Switzerland and gain a seven-stroke advantage at the 27th Women’s World Amateur Team Championship (WWATC).

The Koreans are seeking their fourth victory in the event having first claimed the Espirito Santo Trophy in 1996. In 2012 in Turkey, Korea made a similar surge in the second round, moving from eighth-position into a five-stroke lead, and in 2010 in Argentina, they shot a record 128 to move from a tie for 13th into first place.

“I’m very happy that we are leading at the moment and I’m very proud of the players,” said Korean captain Sang-Won Ko. “It was a little different from yesterday. We struggled in the front nine yesterday but today everyone seemed very calm. I feel that they really enjoyed playing and that’s why the score is very good.”

Park, the 16-year-old Australian Amateur champion, posted six birdies and two bogeys for a 4-under-par 68 and Choi, 16, the low amateur at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open, tallied four birdies and one bogey for her 3-under 69. The team, which began the day one-stroke behind Switzerland, played on the par 72, 6,295-yard/5,752-meter Mayakoba El Camaleon Golf Club.

“I will give them the same encouragement and advice for the next two days but my players are doing really well so I will give them the freedom to play their own game and enjoy the championships,” Ko said.

“This is a team event though, so we focus on playing as a team, practicing together and keeping a good team spirit,” Choi added. “We trust each other very much and that is good for our performance.”

First-round leader Switzerland, playing on the 6,167-yard/5,637-meter Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club, registered a second-round 145 on the scores of the Metraux sisters, Kim (72) and Morgane (73) to hold second place at 6-under 282.

“I’m really pleased but a little frustrated right now because I finished with two bogeys,” said Kim Metraux, who is a Florida State University teammate with sibling Morgane. “But I couldn’t have wished for anything better, we are in contention and that’s all that is important. We still have two rounds to go so anything can happen.”

Ireland, which was tied seventh after the first round, moved into third position at 287, on a combined 3-under 141 from Leona Maguire (70) and Olivia Mehaffey (71). Maguire is one of two 2016 Olympic participants in the field and the Mark H. McCormack medal winner in 2015 and 2016 as the world’s top-ranked amateur.

“The goal today was to try to be under par as a team,” said Maguire, who is a junior at Duke University in the USA. “I had a lot of chances out there that just edged the hole so going into the last two days I will be trying to hole a few more of them and anything can happen really.

“Two good under par rounds from two of us is all it really needs to jump us up there. We will just be trying to keep giving ourselves chances and hopefully a few more will drop in the next two days.”

Denmark, on the strength of a 5-under 67 from Puk Lyng Thomsen, and a 2-under 70 from Malene Kroelboell Hansen, registered a 7-under 137 (matching Korea for the day’s low team total) to move into a tie for fourth with Thailand at 288.

The rest of the top 10 includes the People’s Republic of China is sixth at 290 with the Austria and the USA tied for seventh at 291. Host Mexico is ninth at 292.

Conducted every two years, the World Women’s Amateur Team Championship has been staged since 1964, with the winner earning the Espirito Santo Trophy. In 2014, Australia claimed the title by two strokes over the Canadian team of Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.), Augusta James (Bath, Ont.), and Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.).

In 25 appearances at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has earned runner-up honours four times.

The World Amateur Team titles are contested over four days of stroke play. A country may field a team of two or three players. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day total is the team’s score for the championship.

Click here for full scoring.

SOUTHPORT, England – Team Canada Development Squad member Chloe Currie made history Thursday at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club, shooting up the leaderboard at the Duke of York to leapfrog the competition on her way to becoming the first Canadian to capture the Young Champions Trophy.

The Mississauga, Ont., product saved her best for last, carding a tournament-low 68 (-4) to finish atop both the boys’ and girls’ divisions with a 54-hole total of 214 (-2). The 16-year-old held a share of fourth place heading into Thursday’s final, eventually going to jump ahead of runner-up Markus Braadlie of Norway for the come-from-behind one-stroke victory.

With the win, Currie adds to a string of impressive results this past summer including defending her Ontario Junior Girls title and finishing runner-up at the Canadian Junior Girls. Currie’s next challenge will be flying the flag on home soil at her home club—Mississaugua Golf & Country Club—as a member of Canada’s first team at the third annual World Junior Girls Championship.

“I didn’t know what to expect as I have never played Links golf or even played in Europe but I played very well,” Currie said after winning the trophy. “This Tournament is great as you get to play with other juniors from different countries. It makes it a memorable experience.”

On the boys’ side, Canada’s Peyton Callens of Langton, Ont., finished with a share of 25^th. The reigning Ontario Junior Boys’ Champion started out a strong with a 73 (+1) to sit inside the Top-10 through 18 holes but couldn’t maintain his spot, slipping with a 78-79 to close out the tournament.

The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy, founded in 2001, is a highly rated international event. All of the competitors are either the current holders of their Under 18 National Championship or have won another major golfing event in the previous year. The event boasts an impressive array of former competitors, including four-time major winner Rory McIlroy.

Click here for full scoring.

Sisters Morgane and Kim Metraux, shot 68 and 69, respectively, for a 7-under-par total of 137 to propel Switzerland to a one-stroke lead over the Republic of Korea after the first round of the 27th Women’s World Amateur Team Championships (WWATC).

The team’s score of 137 on the par 72, 6,295-yard/5,752-meter Mayakoba El Camaleon Golf Club ties for the third-lowest first-round score in championship history.

Starting on the 10th hole, Morgan, 19, finished her round on the outward nine at 5-under-par 31, which included a three-hole stretch in which she recorded two consecutive birdies followed by an eagle. She ended her round with a birdie on the ninth for a 4-under 68.

“I actually had a bad nine to start with a double bogey but I made a 90-foot putt for an eagle on the fifth hole, my 14th,” Metraux said. “I just focused and the score just came. It is always better to just try to enjoy the day. I think I only missed one or two fairways, which is the key here.”

Her older sister Kim, 21, posted four birdies and a bogey for her 3-under 69 and was visibly proud of the team’s accomplishment.

“It’s always good to see your country’s name,” Kim said. “It’s always good at the top of the leaderboard.”

Teammate Azelia Meichtry shot a non-counting 1-over 73 and said: “It’s nice and kind of an unexpected first day but it is well deserved. We all get along together very well.”

The siblings, playing in their second consecutive WWATC, are members of the Florida State University women’s golf team.

The Republic of Korea, which won the Espirito Santo Trophy in 2010 and 2012 and previously in 1996, posted a 6-under 138 on 68 from Hyun Kyung Park and a 70 from Hye Jin Choi, who was the low amateur at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open, as both players shot 3-under 33 on their inward nine holes.

“I didn’t expect to be tied for the lead on the individual leaderboard, but I am very happy,” said the 16-year-old Park. “I am really willing to make history and win the championship as Korea did in 2010 and 2012 because those players have had great success on the LPGA Tour and I want to follow in their footsteps so that other juniors can look up to me the same way I look up to them.”

“On the front nine all of us were struggling and I really didn’t expect to be in this position but on the back nine all of them got back to their routine,” added Republic of Korea captain Sang-Won Ko. “I’m really proud of them to be one off the lead today.”

The Koreans played on the par 72, 6,167-yard/5,637-meter Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club.

In third position at 142, five strokes behind Switzerland was Japan. Nasa Hatoaka and Hina Arakaki both shot 1-under 71.

“We had a three-day camp in Houston (Texas in the USA) before we got here and we practiced putting and chipping and short game drills,” said Japanese captain Tomoko Sakamoto.  “We had a great camp and they are ready to score well but we have to avoid the hazards so we can score better than today.”

The Canadian trio struggled out of the gate, posting a first round score of 5-over par to sit in a tie for 23^rd, 12 strokes back of the lead. Maddie Szeryk, 20, of Allen, Tex., led the Canucks with a 2-over 74 for a share of 30^th individually. Teammate Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., finished one-stroke higher at 75 (+3) and sits tied for 50^th. The third and non-counting score was registered by St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., product Josée Doyon, who posted a 6-over 78.

In the top 10 team scoring list, The People’s Republic of China was fourth at 1-under 143, followed by Mexico, the host country in fifth at even-par 144. Thailand was sixth at 145. Tied for seventh at 146 were Austria, Chinese Taipei, Ireland and USA.  Australia, Ecuador, England, Italy, New Zealand, Norway and Puerto Rico were tied for 11th at 148.

Conducted every two years, the World Women’s Amateur Team Championship has been staged since 1964, with the winner earning the Espirito Santo Trophy. In 2014, Australia claimed the title by two strokes over the Canadian team of Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.), Augusta James (Bath, Ont.), and Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.).

In 25 appearances at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has earned runner-up honours four times.

The World Amateur Team titles are contested over four days of stroke play. A country may field a team of two or three players. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day total is the team’s score for the championship.

Click here for full results.

MEXICO – The trio of Canadian women are set to make their first appearance at the World Amateur Team Championship when action gets underway tomorrow at the Mayakoba El Cameleon Golf Club and Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club.

Representing Canada will be Maddie Szeryk, 20, of Allen, Texas, Josée Doyon, 23, of St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., and Naomi Ko, 19, of Victoria. The Canadians will be paired with China and Spain for Wednesday’s first round, with Szeryk starting things off at 8:15 a.m. EST followed by Doyon at 8:25 a.m. EST and Ko at 8:35 a.m. EST.

The Canadian contingent will be under the direction and guidance of Team Canada Head Coach Tristan Mullally—who returns for his third event—alongside non-playing team captain Liz Hoffman.

Conducted every two years, the World Women’s Amateur Team Championship has been staged since 1964, with the winner earning the Espirito Santo Trophy. In 2014, Australia claimed the title by two strokes over the Canadian team of Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.), Augusta James (Bath, Ont.), and Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.).

In 25 appearances at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has earned runner-up honours four times.

The World Amateur Team titles are contested over four days of stroke play. A country may field a team of two or three players. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day total is the team’s score for the championship.

The men’s World Amateur Team Championship will follow the women’s event, running from Sept. 21-24.

Click here for pairings.
Click here for live scoring.

BURLINGTON, Ont. – Laughter and cheer could be heard for miles across Lake Ontario on Monday at the annual Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru National Event at the Burlington Golf & Country Club.

Over 100 ladies were greeted with sunny skies at one of Canada’s many stunning golf courses to celebrate raising more than $270,000 for breast cancer research through individual Golf Fore the Cure events run coast to coast in 2016.

The National Event, running for the thirteenth consecutive year, featured 18-holes of golf packed with raffles, prizing, and games, followed by an awards dinner to thank the many fundraising efforts put forth by Golf Fore the Cure participants across Canada.

“We are very proud of the continued growth of Golf Fore the Cure and what it has accomplished for both women’s golf and breast cancer research,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “The marked success of this program would not be possible without the collective efforts of our many volunteers, our corporate partners, and our presenting partner Subaru—we are thrilled to have such a great team behind Golf Fore the Cure.”

Through 140 events in 2016 and upwards of 10,000 women, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru raised its fundraising total to-date to over $5.7 million—with all proceeds donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Québec Breast Cancer Foundation. As the Canadian Cancer Society’s highest fundraising corporate partner, Golf Canada was honoured with the Golden Corporate Achievement Award on Monday night—the society’s highest accolade.

(Susan Drodge and Jeff Thompson)

The awards dinner gave special attention to foursomes from this year’s top-three fundraising teams, listed below:

1. Golf New Brunswick—$27, 795 (top provincial event) (interview with Evanka Osmak)
2. RedTail Landing Golf Club from Nisku, Alta.—$20,427 (interview with Evanka Osmak)
3. Elk Ridge Resort from Waskesiu, Sask.—$17,765 (interview with Evanka Osmak)

Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru was created in 2003 by Golf Canada to drive women’s participation in the game of golf through the use of fun, non-intimidating activities. Through a unique partnership structure with the Canadian Cancer Society (and Québec Breast Cancer Foundation), the program has women across the country participating in golf activities and raising money and awareness for a cause close to Canadian hearts—the fight against breast cancer.

Subaru Canada has been a proud partner of Golf Fore the Cure since 2007. The company’s extended commitment reaffirms their dedication to making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

To learn how to get involved with Golf Fore the Cure, visit golfcanada.ca/golfforethecure

Photos from Monday’s National Event can be viewed here.

CALGARY – Many golfers will be heading back to school with a scholarship this year, after Alberta Golf announced the 2016 scholarship recipients.

The successful applicants include past Team Alberta members, past Interprovincial Team members, Alberta Junior Champions, Alberta Amateur Champions, as well as students who simply enjoy the sport.

Alberta Golf’s scholarship program is open to all applicants pursuing their academic interests such that golfing ability is not a requirement. More than 20 of the recipients are past junior players who have competed in Alberta Golf’s provincial championships and several continue to play at a post-secondary level.

Scholarship applications are evaluated by a committee of volunteers based on the criteria of financial need, grade point average and volunteer experience. The funds for the scholarships are generated through a yearly casino, the generosity of patrons and from various donors and foundations.

The 2016 scholarship recipients are:
Lindsay Almberg, Barrett Belland, Katie Benoit, Quinn Ceplis, Andrew Chelack, Celine Copeland, Courtney Dickson, Claire Emery, Jolene Freerksen, Kevin Gfrerer, Heather Gisi, Patrick Gobran, Andrew Harrison, Bria Jansen, Conaire Kehoe, Peter Keith, Kat Kennedy, Alissa Kuhn, Julie Kuhn, Brendan Kuny, Carolyn Lee, Daria Leidenius, Shaye Leidenius, Erin Martens, Kate Martens, Scott McNichol, Melanie Murchison, Brandon Murphy, Hamzah Naeem, Nathan Nobert, Jack Pengelly, Allan Pruss, Michael Pruss, Dalton Ronan, Elliot Saive, Tyler Saunders, Luke Scanlon, Amanda Sha, Tyler Vandermeer, Mackenzie Walker, Sydney Weber, Rachel Wiebe and Jack Wood.

The application process for the 2017 academic year starts January 1, with a deadline of July 15, 2017. For more information on the application process, click here.

Individual and corporate donations are greatly appreciated. Each donation is eligible to receive a tax receipt. To donate online at any time, click here.

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – Brilliant sunshine and high temperatures welcomed Michael Mercier to the final round of the 2016 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Grand Niagara Golf Club. The Juno Beach, Fla., native fought through the intense heat to claim Canada’s national senior title.

Mercier began the day with a share of first alongside Dave Schultz of Calgary, but a five-birdie, 2-under 70 propelled him to victory.

“Today, I didn’t quite strike the ball as well as I was striking it the first three days. The first three days, I hit the ball very well, only missed a few greens over a total of three days, but I struggled a little bit putting. Today, I didn’t hit it that well, but I kind of figured out my putter last night on the practice green. I got the stroke and it freed up a little today. I putted much better today and I hit it good enough to get by.”

The 58-year-old is the tournament’s 54^th champion. With frequent visits to Canada and a number of ties to the country, Mercier spoke fondly of being its newest senior champion.

“It means a lot because Canada is somewhat dear to my heart since my great-grandfather came from here,” reflected the winner. “And apparently, I still have many cousins out there named Mercier up in the Montreal area that I’m related to. Because of that and the great spirit of the Canadian people, [my wife] Andrea and I, when we come up here every summer, it’s a real pleasure to come here. Because of that, Canada is more than just a stop for me to play golf in a great national championship, it’s like a second home to me.”

In addition to claiming the national senior title, Mercier has earned entry into the 2016 U.S. Senior Amateur championship to be contested from September 17-22 at Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis, Mo. Despite only learning of the exemption moments after his final putt, Mercier was buoyed by the victory and looks forward to the challenge ahead.

“When I’ve won in the past, I’ve gained some confidence,” explained Mercier. “I played okay earlier in the year, but in July and August, I hadn’t really played very well, so I started to lose some confidence. And then I could tell, my confidence started coming back during the second round because I started hitting some good shots and I was able to get up on some of the tougher holes and drive the ball a little more precise with confidence. I’m sure – I won’t know until next week when I go down to the U.S. Senior Amateur – but I know I’ll have more confidence than I came here with which will be a big help.”

Finishing in second-place was James Gallagher of Yorktown, Va. The 58-year-old collected four birdies, but fell shy of his goal by two strokes. Claiming shares of third at 2-under were Brady Exber of Las Vegas and Camrose, Alta., native Frank Van Dornick.

Van Dornick, Schultz and Brian Brown of Nanton, Alta., captured the inter-provincial team championship which was contested concurrently over the tournament’s two opening rounds. The trio claimed a nine-stroke victory over Team Manitoba.

Also played alongside the championship’s first 36-holes was the Super Senior division. John Gallacher of Burnaby, B.C., posted back-to-back 72s to secure a six-stroke victory in the 65-and-over competition.

The 2017 edition of the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship will be hosted at Kanawaki Golf Club in Montréal from September 11-14.

Additional information regarding the 2016 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship is available here.