Fresh off the RBC Canadian Open, the third-oldest continually held tournament on the PGA TOUR, Canadian golf fans are presented this week with the Canadian Men’s Amateur, the third-oldest national amateur championship in the world.

The British Amateur, first held in 1885, is the granddaddy, followed by the Australian Amateur in 1894. While both the Canadian and U.S. Amateurs were born the following year, the Canadian version arrived first by a matter of months.

In contrast to the first Canadian Amateur where about 30 golfers competed at Royal Ottawa Golf Club, the 113th Canadian Amateur which runs Monday through Thursday will feature 264 of the top players from nine countries. Toronto Golf Club will play host for all four rounds (for a record ninth time) while Islington Golf Club will co-host for the first two rounds prior to the 36-hole cut.

A lot has transpired since 1895. Three years in, Toronto’s George Lyon whipped his opponent (whose name we will not mention out of respect) 12&11. (The Amateur has vacillated between match play and stroke play over its long history and currently is a stroke-play tournament.) Lyon, perhaps best known for his gold medal in the 1904 Olympics, would win a total of eight times between then and 1914.

His record would be challenged by Ross (Sandy) Sommerville who won six times between 1926 and 1937 and was four times the runner-up. Nick Weslock and Doug Roxburgh each won four times. Brent Franklin won three in a row from 1985 to 1987. Jim Nelford won back to back in 1975 and 1976 and finished second in 1977. Richard Scott won three out of four from 2003 to 2006 and Cam Burke won two straight in 2008 and 2009. (Burke is in the field this week.)

While most winners retained their lifelong amateur status, some chose to turn pro, with varied success. Nelford, for example, was on a promising path on the PGA TOUR when an accident ended his career. Thus far, 11 Canadian Amateur champions have won on TOUR, including Canadians Ken Black, Richard Zokol, Nick Taylor and Mackenzie Hughes. Rod Spittle, who defeated Nelford in the 1977 Amateur and won again in 1978, won the PGA TOUR Champions AT&T Championship in 2010.

This year’s field is packed with talent, as usual. Defending champion Hugo Bernard of Mont St-Hilaire, Que., is coming off medallist honours at the U.S. Amateur qualifier in Maine. Florida’s Andy Zhang, 19, finished second to Bernard last year and is ranked 37th in the world. Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont., winner of three straight Canadian Mid-Amateur Championships, recently set a course record at Ontario’s Granite Golf Club on his way to medallist honours at the U.S. Amateur qualifier held there. Austin James of Bath, Ont., a member of Team Canada’s national amateur squad, won the NCAA’s Big South Men’s Championship in 2016. A sentimental favourite would be Jimmy Jones of Tampa, Fla., son of the late Dawn Coe-Jones, an LPGA standout who is an honoured member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. A junior at the University of South Florida, he posted six top-25 finishes in 2016-2017 to lead the team.

There’s more on the line for the winner this week than the title and the Earl Grey Trophy. He will earn exemptions into this year’s U.S. Amateur at the Riviera Country Club in California and next year’s RBC Canadian Open. If applicable, the champion will also be eligible for an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur.

For more information on the Canadian Amateur including field, starting times and love scoring, click here. Spectators are welcome and there is no admission fee.

Sean O’Hara, Maxwell Ferrari, Riley Goss and nine others earned exemptions into the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship weather-delayed qualifying event at The Toronto Golf Club on Saturday.
O’Hara shot the low round of the event with a 3-under-par 67 after he went bogey-free on the back nine with three birdies, largely due to a red-hot putter.

“I putted really well today,” he said, next to the 18th green. “I had 13 putts on the back nine which really came as a relief because I’ve putted poorly all year.”

Most impressively, the 20-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., booked his ticket into 113th playing of the event just two months removed from a six-month recovery period for a broken shin.

“I was injured from December to June,” he said. “I didn’t even touch a golf club. I started making little half swings two months ago but I was just really weak because I hadn’t move my leg in six months. I still don’t have my power back, I’m still down about 10 mph in clubhead speed, but I can’t complain much shooting 67.”

Maxwell Ferrari, from Farmingham, Mass., and Riley Goss from Toronto, Ont., shot matching 2-under-par 68s, both limiting themselves to just one bogey.

Ferrari, who started on the back nine, got off to a rough start after he put his opening tee shot into the trees on the right side of the 10th hole but managed to head to No. 11 unscathed.

“After my ball was in the trees, I hit a really nice wedge shot to within four feet and made that for par,” Ferrari said. “That kind of settled me down and put the round in the right direction.
From there I just stuck to my process and tried to stay calm the whole round and take it shot-by-shot.”

Goss got off to a hot start with birdies on holes four, seven and eight on Friday, but he, like most of the afternoon draw, was forced to put his round on hold due to dangerous weather conditions. Knowing that he was in a good spot at the resumption of play on Saturday, the 22-year-old played steady golf and finished up with one bogey and nine pars.

“After the rain delay went off I knew that I needed to par-in today and I’ll be fine,” he said. “I was playing well and I lost my momentum after the delay, but I played well enough to finish so I’m happy about that.”

The remaining players earning exemptions are: Sameer Kalia (Campbellville, Ont.), Mac Carter (Coburg, Ont.), John Burghardt (Oakville, Ont.), Austin Ryan (Waterloo, Ont.), Joshua Montgomery (Ancaster, Ont.), Conner Watt (Mississauga, Ont.), Andy Butler (Oakmont, Pa.), William Gallacher (Calgary, Alta.) and David Greenaway (Barrie, Ont.).

The first, second and third alternates are Brandon Mihalo (Windsor, Ont.), Dominic Schnepf (Ankeny, Iowa) and Chad Watts Denyes (Hamilton, Ont.), respectively.

The Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship takes place from Aug. 7-10 at The Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club in Toronto, Ont., with a field of 264 players competing from nine different countries.

The field will be reduced to the low 70 and ties for the final two rounds contested at The Toronto Golf Club.

In addition to claiming the title of 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2017 U.S. Amateur at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., and the 2018 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

Click here for full qualifier results.

Many of the world’s best amateur golfers are set to gather in Canada for the 113th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at both The Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club from Aug. 7-10.

The championship returns to The Toronto Golf Club for the ninth time – the most in championship history. Islington Golf Club will co-host the competition for the first two rounds while the field of 264 players from nine different countries take on two of Canada’s most renowned golf courses.

“We are beyond excited to be conducting the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at two of the finest golf courses in Toronto,” said Tournament Director Adam Helmer. “Every year, this competition challenges players with the opportunity to add their names to one of the most storied championships in the world—we are looking forward to writing the next chapter of Canadian golf history.”

The Toronto Golf Club was established in 1876 and is the third oldest golf club in Canada. It has also hosted the RBC Canadian Open five times. Islington Golf Club was designed by famed Canadian golf architect Stanley Thompson in 1923 and features tree-lined, parkland-style golf holes, rolling terrain, and the meandering Mimico Creek.

“We are incredibly excited to be welcoming back the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to The Toronto Golf Club for a record ninth time,” said John Gravett, General Manager and COO for The Toronto Golf Club. “Alongside our co-host Islington Golf Club, we are looking forward to challenging the deep international field on two of the country’s most memorable golf courses.”

“Islington Golf Club and its membership are very proud to be co-hosting this prestigious event,” said Dave Fox, General Manager at Islington Golf Club. “The Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is deeply rooted in Canadian golf history, and we are thrilled to be a part of its 113th playing.”

In 2016, Team Canada’s Hugo Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.) shot a final-round, 5-under-par 65 to claim a two-stroke victory at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club. It was his third win of the season after walking  away with champion honours at both the Alexander of Tunis and the NCAA Division II Championship.

Current PGA TOUR Canadians Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.) and Nick Taylor (Abbotsford, B.C.) are recent winners of the event. Taylor won it in 2007 while Hughes won back-to-back titles from 2011-2012 – the last player to win in consecutive years.

A full field of competitors will compete for the Earl Grey Trophy and the title of Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, including Team Canada National Amateur Squad members Bernard and Austin James (Bath, Ont.) who both competed in last week’s RBC Canadian Open. Also in the draw are Team Canada Development Squad members Max Sekulic (Rycroft, Alta.), Chandler McDowell (Springbrook, Alta.), Peyton Callens (Langton, Ont.) and A.J. Ewart (Coquitlam, B.C.).

An inter-provincial team championship will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the competition with three-member teams vying for the Willingdon Cup. Team Newfoundland and Labrador comprised of Blair Bursey, Chuck Conley and Nathan Peters claimed the province’s first ever victory with a two-stroke win in 2016.

The Canadian Men’s Amateur Qualifier will be played at The Toronto Golf Club on Aug. 4 – a minimum of five spots into the tournament will be awarded. Additional information can be found here.

The field will be reduced to the low 70 and ties for the final two rounds contested at The Toronto Golf Club.

In addition to claiming the title of 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2017 U.S. Amateur at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., and the 2018 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

For more information on the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship including the full field, starting times and live scoring, click here.

NOTABLES

Hugo Bernard of Mont-Saint-Hilarie, Que.
The 22-year-old member of Canada’s National Amateur Squad is the event’s defending champion. He is fresh off winning medallist honours at the U.S. Amateur Qualifier in Maine and recently competed in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open. In 2016, he also won the Alexander of Tunis Championship and the Division II Championship (NCAA).

Andy Zhang of Winter Garden, Fla.
The 19-year-old is the highest ranked competitor in the field at No. 37 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). He finished runner up to Bernard last year and made history at the age of 14 when he became the youngest to compete at the U.S. Open in 2012.

Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont.
In 2016 he earned his third straight championship win at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur and is the highest ranked Canadian golfer in the field at No. 65 on the WAGR. He recently earned medallist at the U.S. Amateur Qualifier at Granite Golf Club while setting a course record and also competed in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open.

Chandler Phillips of Huntsville, Texas
The 20-year-old just completed his sophomore year at Texas A&M during which he was honoured as a Second Team PING All-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America. His most recent win came at the John Burns Intercollegiate last February, and he is currently ranked 42^nd in the world.

Austin James of Bath, Ont.
The member of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad won the Big South Men’s Golf Championship (NCAA) in 2016. James, 21, recently competed in the 2017 RBC Canadian Open and finished fourth at the 2016’s Ontario Men’s Amateur.

Lawren Rowe of Victoria, B.C.
The 21-year-old finished T2 at the 2017 U.S. Amateur Qualifying in Pullman, Wash., and fourth at the Canadian University/College Championship. During his past season playing for the Victoria Vikes, he was victorious in four of his eight regular season tournaments in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Zach Bauchou of Forest, Va.
The 21-year-old finished T11 at the 2016 U.S. Amateur Championship and is currently ranked 49^th in the world. In 2016, he won the Faldo Series Grand Final at The Greenbrier and was the runner up at the 2016 Southern Amateur Championship.

Shintaro Ban of San Jose, Calif.
In 2016, Ban captured the California State Amateur Championship and the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate. The 21-year-old is currently ranked 69^th in the world.

Jimmy Jones of Tampa, Fla.
The son of late Canadian Golf Hall-of-Fame honoured member Dawn Coe-Jones. A junior at University of South Florida, Jones posted six top-25 finishes in 2016-17 to lead his team. He was a semi-finalist for the 2016 NCAA Division II Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year Award. A dual citizen, Jones and will be competing in the event as a Canadian in honour of his late mother.

FAST FACTS

• This year marks the 113^th playing of the championship which was first contested in 1895 at the Ottawa Golf Club.
• The third oldest amateur championship in the world after the British Amateur Championship and Australian Amateur Championship.
• T.M. Harley was the inaugural champion.
• Hall of Famer George S. Lyon has won the championship a record eight times, all between 1898 and 1914.
• Originally began as a match play tournament until it changed to stroke play in 1969. Between 1995 and 2007 it briefly returned to match play in celebration of event’s centennial anniversary.
• The winner will be presented with the Earl Grey Cup.
• The tournament has been held every year since 1895 except between 1915-1918 and 1940-1945 due to World War I and World War II.
• There is an inter-provincial competition held in conjunction with the first two rounds of play. The winning team receives the Willingdon Cup.
• Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members who have won the title: Moe Norman, Gary Cowan, Doug Roxburgh, Ross Somerville, Jim Nelford, and Brent Franklin.
• Four players have won both the U.S. Amateur and Canadian Amateur Championship: Ross Somerville, Dick Chapman, Harvie Ward and Gary Cowan.
• Current PGA TOUR players who have won the event include Mackenzie Hughes (2011, 2012) and Nick Taylor (2007).
• The defending champion is Canadian Hugo Bernard.
• The Toronto Golf Club will be hosting event for the ninth time, the most in the championship’s history.
• Mackenzie Hughes was the last player to win the competition in back-to-back years (2011-2012). Fellow Canadian Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont. accomplished the feat in 2008-2009 – he will look for his third title after regaining amateur status in 2017.
• Eleven of the last 15 championships were won by a Canadian, including in 10 straight years from 2003-2012.

ABOUT THE COURSES

The Toronto Golf Club

• Established in 1876.
• Third oldest golf course in North America.
• Designed by English architect H.S. Colt.
• Has hosted the RBC Canadian Open five times.
• Has hosted the Men’s Canadian Amateur Championship more than any other club (nine times).
• The Toronto Golf Club will play as a par 70 with a maximum yardage of 6,836.

Islington Golf Club

• Established in 1923.
• Designed by famed Canadian golf course architect Stanley Thompson.
• Features tree-lined, parkland-style golf holes across rolling terrain with Mimico Creek running through the heart of it.
• Islington Golf Club will play as a par 70 with a maximum yardage of 6,458

Not many clubs are proud of creaky wooden floors, wire-mesh lockers and wood-burning fireplaces. Of floral furniture and cozy dining rooms. Of narrow, winding hallways lined with black and white photos. But ask members of The Toronto Golf Club, which has a history tracing back to 1876 and a stately clubhouse largely untouched for more than 100 years, and they’ll say the old-fashioned feel is just perfect.

The thousands of spike marks imprinted in the wooden benches of the men’s locker room will undoubtedly endure a few more gashes once the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship arrives at the club this summer. The tournament will transport a crop of talented teens and 20-somethings back in time, when the ambiance of playing and competing was the primary thrill of the game.

“Golfers that come and play here really understand it,” said John Gravett, chief operating officer and general manager at Toronto Golf Club. “It doesn’t take long to get a feel for the club once you’re here. And it’s a difficult culture and feel to describe unless you’ve been here and experienced it. I think (the young players) will really appreciate the history.”

The third oldest golf club in the country, Toronto is also one of the founding members of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada). Its prestigious property and decorated past make it one of the pre-eminent clubs in the nation and an ideal choice for the governing body to contest this national event at, which it first did in 1898.

“This will be Toronto’s ninth time hosting the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, more than any other club in the event’s history,” explained Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s director of rules, competitions and amateur status. “It has consistently proven to be an exceptional venue, which made it an easy decision for us to return the tournament there.”

The vintage vibe resonating throughout Toronto is especially noticeable on the golf course. It’s a heathlands style track full of rolling terrain and wispy fescue, originally conceived by Harry Colt. The legendary English architect laid out an exquisite 18 holes for the club in the fall of 1912, following its relocation across the city from the east end to west end. It draws on Colt’s body of work in the United Kingdom that emphasizes creative strategy and shot-making to combat the natural rugged land.

Though it has always been highly rated within our borders, the Colt course at Toronto — there’s also a nine-hole Howard Watson layout and a fantastic practice facility — had evolved away from his initial vision in the decades since. Overgrown trees covered up vistas, some bunkers had become too large and green surrounds had lost some undulation. So the club sought the help of Martin Hawtree, a Colt expert familiar with the designer’s techniques. Beginning in 2009, Hawtree spent two years reviving Colt’s essence and restoring Toronto’s great features. His work made the club eager to present its freshly polished gem in a national championship.

“Certainly the club felt that with the improvements to the Colt course and with its steep history in golf and amateur golf, that it wanted an opportunity to showcase the event again,” Gravett added.

With the reputation of the city and club, the event should draw another world-class field. This year’s festivities at Toronto (the tournament is being co-hosted with nearby Islington Golf Club) will feature four rounds of stroke play, the first time a champion will be determined at Toronto in that fashion. The previous eight editions concluded with a 36-hole match play final, including the tournament’s most recent visit in 1995 won by American Garrett Willis, a future PGA Tour winner.

Longtime head professional Doug Rankin expects Toronto to be a taxing test, both mentally and physically. Meanwhile, the relatively open nature of the 6,800-yard layout, with its collection areas and run-offs surrounding the greens, will give strong short iron and wedge players the upper hand.

“They have to get off to a good start,” said Rankin. “The front nine is a par 34, but it can play like a par 36 at times because of the length and difficulty of some of those par-4 holes. I know that’s how I feel and that’s how some of the better playing members feel on how to post a good score.”

“Guys will need good iron play for second-shot holes and a really good short game.”

There are only two par 5s on the Colt course at Toronto, both of which reside on the back nine and are among a string of scoring holes down the stretch that can create some jostling on the leaderboard. However, any momentum typically dies at The Graveyard, the nickname for the challenging 17th hole, before one final push coming in.

“It can play 225 (yards), par 3, sometimes into the wind,” Rankin described. “So the rule of thumb is whatever you hit on 17 is typically the club you might want to tee it up on 18 with. (Hole) 18 is a short par 4 but it’s a fun finishing hole because you can make birdie to win a match or force a playoff.”

You can bet plenty of hardware in Toronto’s storied trophy room has been won and lost on that final duo. Perhaps even for George S. Lyon, who won three of his record eight Men’s Amateur titles at Toronto.

In Lyon’s day, players and dignitaries use to arrive by train and on horses. When the millennials arrive in August, they’ll surely appreciate the trip back in time, both on the course and off.

Co-hosting the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is Islington Golf Club, a private club founded in 1923, during the “Golden Age” of golf course construction and designed by renowned architect, Stanley Thompson. The course features tree-lined, parkland-style golf holes, rolling terrain, and the meandering Mimico Creek.

Click here for more information on the Canadian Men’s Amateur.

This article was originally published in the Family Issue edition of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine

GATINEAU, Que. – The 112^th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship concluded under beaming sunshine and stifling heat. Hugo Bernard battled through the sweltering conditions to shoot 5-under 65 for a come-from-behind victory at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

Bernard – a member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team – began the day knotted in third, three shots behind leader Blair Bursey. Bernard carded a 65 – one short of the tournament’s low round that he posted on the second day – to secure the win.

“I played pretty solid,” said the 21-year-old. “My driver was pretty long and pretty straight, too. I made some great putts out there and it was a very solid round for me.”

He becomes the first Canadian to win the National Men’s Amateur title since Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Mackenzie Hughes won back-to-back championships in 2011-12. He is the first Quebec native to win the competition since Craig Matthew of Montréal accomplished the feat in 1998.

The victory adds to a season in which Bernard claimed medallist honours at the 2016 NCAA Division II Championship before capturing this year’s Alexander of Tunis and playing in the 2016 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

The winner of the prestigious Earl Grey Trophy as Canadian Men’s Amateur champion was happy for the win, but seemed focused on the prized exemption into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open which accompanies it.

“It means a lot,” said Bernard of the title. “I’m so happy to get my spot for the [RBC] Canadian Open next year. I hope I’m going to do better than this year, so I’m pretty excited about it.”

The native of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., tallied six birdies and held off the advances of several players, including Bursey. The product of Gander, N.L., held the lead for three consecutive days in a bid to become his province’s first Canadian Men’s Amateur champion.

“Blair Bursey from Newfoundland played amazing for the week,” said the winner, when asked about his competitors. “He shot 64 the first round; I was 10 shots back after one round, so it was my goal to chase him and I did it, so I’m pretty proud.”

China’s Andy Zhang, who resides in Winter Garden, Fla., shot 1-under on the day to maintain his hold on second. Bernard’s national teammate Stuart Macdonald began the day in sixth, but a 3-under showing vaulted the Vancouver native into third. Bernard reflected positively on his and Macdonald’s season as members of Golf Canada’s national team program.

“It was amazing this year. I learned so much with them. I played good golf since…[for] almost seven months. I learned so many things on the course and outside the course.”

Bursey would finish with a share of 5^th at 6-under alongside Kristoffer Ventura of Norway. Despite the setback in the individual standings, Bursey led Team Newfoundland and Labrador to its first Willingdon Cup in the 89-year history of the team competition played concurrently over this championship’s two opening rounds. The historic win was also the Atlantic province’s first team title at any amateur level on either the men’s or women’s sides.

In addition to claiming an exemption into the 2017 RBC Canadian Open to be hosted at Glen Abbey Golf Club from July 24-30, Bernard has earned entry into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

The 2017 edition of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will be hosted at The Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club in Toronto from August 7-10.

Additional information regarding the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship can be found here.

GATINEAU, Que. – Despite a heatwave blanketing the 112^th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club, Blair Bursey remained cool and collected, shooting even-par 70 to remain atop the leaderboard. The Gander, N.L., native is now 18 holes away from becoming his home province’s first winner of this competition.

“I got off to a pretty nice and smooth start,” said Bursey. “I really got into the round with some good putts early. I hit a little bit of a shaky patch – one bad decision and a couple of shots that were just a lack of execution. Aside from that, I handled my nerves well. Even though I had those errors, I’m pleased to still be leading the tournament. But the reality is that I have a one-shot lead and that’s not very much at all. I know that it’s going to take a really solid score from me to keep that wire-to-wire [win] going.”

The 19-year-old strung together three consecutive birdies across holes 4 to 6, but a trio of bogeys over a four-hole stretch from Nos. 11 to 14 have him one stroke ahead of China’s Andy Zhang. A resident of Winter Garden, Fla., Zhang collected four birdies on the day and finished with a 1-under 69.

“Credit to Blair, we had a good run going on the front nine,” reflected the University of Florida Gator. “He’s a really good player and it’s not easy to have to chase him. If I play my game and limit some of my mistakes, I think I’ll have a really good chance.”

Bursey was quick to compliment his playing partners – Zhang and Team Canada National Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard – when asked about the final round.

“Andy is super impressive. The way that he hit it today, I know he’s going to shoot a really low score tomorrow, so I’m going to have to post something good. Hugo is always good – a really good ball-striker and a good putter. He’s an all-around solid guy, so I know that there is going to be a lot required of me tomorrow to keep this championship within my grasp.”

After leading for a third consecutive round and guiding Team Newfoundland and Labrador to the province’s first Willingdon Cup victory as team champions, the pressure to succeed has certainly grown. Bursey, a Utah Valley University junior, continues to show a steadfast resolve.

“My whole playing career, I’ve played much better when I play without expectations. It’s not me trying not to have them, it just kind of happens. I just showed up and before I knew it, I was 5- or 6-under par at Eagle Creek.

“I always felt like it [depended on] whether or not I was mentally in the right state of mind. I’ve managed to have a really good demeanor this week. I haven’t really reacted to bad shots. On the greens, I’ve remained pretty calm and I’ve felt pretty good about where my head is at and I think that’s helped me out a lot.”

Bernard, a native of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., carded a 69 and sits T3 alongside Travis Smyth of Shellharbour, Australia and Chris Crisologo of Richmond, B.C.

In addition to claiming the title of 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

Admission to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is free during tournament week. Additional details regarding the championship are available here.

GATINEAU, Que. – The trio representing Newfoundland and Labrador made history in capturing the Willingdon Cup at the 112^th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que., and Eagle Creek Golf Club in Dunrobin, Ont. Blair Bursey maintained his standing atop the individual leaderboard and led his home province to its first national team title at any level.

“I’m really proud to be from where I’m from and to always represent my province,” said the Gander, N.L., product. “Being a little different and growing up in Newfoundland and trying to play college golf and high-level amateur golf out of Newfoundland has been difficult at times with the weather and the season, but the people back there are so good and so supportive.

“This will be a big deal back there. To win the Willingdon Cup and to do something that hasn’t been done before for Newfoundland is awesome and quite a pleasure for not only myself, but also Chuck, Nathan, our other teammates and everyone who has helped get us here.”

Nathan Peters of St. John’s, N.L., echoed his teammate’s sentiments when reflecting on the victory.

“It’s definitely something really cool. Growing up playing golf in Newfoundland, you only ever really expect to just play in nationals and winning anything is very far-fetched. The golf courses were extremely beautiful and winning the Willingdon Cup is pretty incredible.”

Alongside fellow St. John’s native Chuck Conley – who was forced to withdraw prior to the second round due to injury – the trio finished the competition a combined 3-under 281 to earn the province’s first Willingdon Cup in the team competition’s 89-year history. The victory also gives the Atlantic province its first team title at any amateur level on either the men’s or women’s sides. Bursey was quick to credit his teammates when asked about the historic feat.

“I know Nathan quite well, he’s a super talented kid. I don’t think he knows how talented he is. Chuck is as awesome as ever – a real nice guy and always fun to play with. So they’re really good guys and I’m really happy for them.”

“Hanging out with guys from home is always good,” the Utah Valley University Wolverine added. “I don’t get to be home very often with school and all that kind of stuff, so to be around people that give me that home-sort-of-feeling is always good. I love playing golf with them and it’s always a great time being around them.”

Team Ontario finished two strokes back of the champions, while Teams Alberta and Quebec claimed third at even-par 284.

Bursey continues to lead the individual competition following a 1-under 69 to reach 9-under in the competition. The 19-year-old collected three birdies on the day, including two back-to-back on Nos. 6 and 7. Despite already leading Newfoundland and Labrador to unprecedented success at this championship, he remains confident and focused on the task at hand.

“I’ve been a winner at other levels. Junior golf and college…amateur golf is the next step. I feel like I’m in a good place in my development where my game is starting to be at a place where it’s ready to win some bigger tournaments.

“That’s not to say I’m going to go ahead and win this week, but it’s all a learning experience. I’ve never made the cut at this tournament before, so it’s a new experience at a top-level amateur tournament. I’m not afraid of it at all. That’s why I practice and this is why I play the game. I love the feeling of being near the top and certainly being at the top. I’m definitely looking forward to the next couple of days.”

China’s Andy Zhang, a resident of Winter Garden, Fla., shot 2-under and trails the leader by two strokes. Team Canada National Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard from Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., collected seven birdies, including four across a bogey-free back nine, en route to the day’s low round – a 6-under 64 showing. Bernard, who finished tied for runner-up honours in the 2015 edition of this championship, moved into a share of third at 5-under alongside Chris Crisologo of Richmond, B.C.

Three players sit T5 fifth at 3-under – National Team member Stuart MacDonald of Vancouver, Travis Smyth of Shellharbour, Australia, who is No. 62 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking and Elmira, Ont., native Garrett Rank who claimed a share of second last year.

A total of 77 players who finished 5-over 147-or-better have advanced to the final two rounds of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship to be contested at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

In addition to claiming the title of 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

Admission to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is free during tournament week. Additional details regarding the championship are available here.

GATINEAU, Que. – Blair Bursey conquered hot and windy conditions to claim the early lead in the 112^th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. The Gander, N.L., native managed the feat at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Dunrobin, Ont., and holds a three-stroke advantage heading into his second round to be played at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que.

“It was a good round, but I started off a little shaky,” reflected Bursey. “Once I felt my way into it, things just came fairly easily. Not often does a round like that come around, so it was pretty special. To finish with an eagle was a great way to go out. I hit two of my best shots of the day on that last hole. It was a good way to start the tournament, but that’s all it is right now: a solid start. With three more days to go, hopefully there’s more solid golf coming up.”

The 19-year-old notched a pair of birdies for a 2-under front nine performance. He went on to tally four more birdies on the day before adding an eagle on the par-5 No. 18 for a bogey-free, 8-under 64 showing.

Bursey now heads to The Royal Ottawa Golf Club for his second round – a course which boasts two of the biggest moments in Canadian golf in its storied legacy. The roots of Golf Canada – the sport’s national governing body – were firmly planted at this historic venue in 1895 before it played host to the inaugural Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship later that year.

“I had one practice round there and I absolutely loved the golf course,” said the Utah Valley University junior when asked about the shift to the second co-host. “It’s traditional and I just love it. It’s an honour to be here. I think Golf Canada having the Men’s Amateur here is such a pleasure for all the players. I’m definitely excited to head over there tomorrow.”

Of the 16 players currently within the Top-10, 15 played their opening rounds at Eagle Creek alongside Bursey. Despite the challenge ahead, he remains confident and focused.

“I was just trying to hit good quality golf shots. I wasn’t expecting to shoot a low-60s round, I wasn’t setting a number. I was just going about my business and it just happened to fall in today. I don’t expect it to be like that every day, but if I can put the ball in the right position, keep a good outlook and continue to execute, good things will come my way. My best stuff today showed through, if I can just continue to do the best I can, that’ll be good enough by the end of the week.”

Holding shares of second are Winnipeg’s Marco Trstenjak, Napanee, Ont., native Josh Whalen and Andy Zhang from China, who resides in Winter Garden, Fla. The trio sit three strokes off the lead and will join Bursey at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

Team Newfoundland and Labrador finished with a team total of 4-under 140 to open the two-day inter-provincial team competition for the prestigious Willingdon Cup. The team of Bursey and St. John’s, N.L. natives Chuck Conley and Nathan Peters will look to dethrone Team British Columbia to secure its first team title. Teams Alberta and Ontario trail the Maritime province by two strokes.

Competitors will complete their second rounds having played both host clubs. The field will be reduced to the low-70 and ties for the two final rounds to be contested at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.

In addition to capturing the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

Admission to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is free during tournament week. Additional details regarding the championship are available here.

GATINEAU, Que. – Joshua Goheen battled windy conditions to card a 1-over 71 at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club to claim medallist honours at the qualifying event for the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. A total of seven players, including six Canadians, finished 3-over or better to earn their places at next week’s national championship to be contested at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que., and Eagle Creek Golf Club in Dunrobin, Ont., from August 8-11.

Goheen led the field with a 3-birdie performance. The Campbell University Camel feels ready for the challenge of competing against a strong field.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” said the Greely, Ont., native. “The last week or so, I haven’t played too much, but I’m pretty confident that I’ll be able to do pretty well this week.”

The 21-year-old will be playing in his second Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in as many years, but is especially looking forward to the 2016 edition of the world’s third oldest amateur championship.

“I’m excited and honoured. I’ve also got a couple of teammates coming up to play this week, so I’m happy to be in the field with them. I’m excited to play in front of a home crowd, too.”

Martin Carré of Gatineau, Que., finished runner-up in the competition with a 72 which included a trio of birdies on the back nine. James Colin Davis of Montréal, Ontarians Robert Ellis of St. Catharines and Evan Littlefield from Thunder Bay, as well as Sam Stilwell of Sterling, Va., finished with shares of third at 3-over to earn their places in the championship. Additional information from the qualifying competition can be found here.

Two days of practice rounds are slated for August 6 and 7 before competitors take to both courses on August 8 and 9 for the tournament’s opening 36 holes. The field will be reduced to the low 70 and ties for the two final rounds to be contested at The Royal Ottawa.

An inter-provincial team championship will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the competition with three-member teams vying for the prized Willingdon Cup.

In addition to claiming the title of 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

Admission to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is free during tournament week. Additional details regarding the championship are available here.

GATINEAU, Que. – History abounds at the 112^th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. A number of significant milestones surround this year’s edition of the world’s third oldest amateur golf competition to be co-hosted by The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que., and Eagle Creek Golf Club in Dunrobin, Ont., from August 8-11.

The championship returns to The Royal Ottawa Golf Club – the inaugural tournament’s host venue – in celebration of the club’s 125^th year. Eagle Creek will co-host this historic competition as part of its festivities surrounding its 25^th anniversary. The 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will also mark the first time the event has been staged in two provinces.

“This year’s Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is going to be special,” noted Tournament Director Adam Helmer. “The beginnings of Canadian golf have their roots at The Royal Ottawa – both this prestigious tournament and Golf Canada itself. Every year, this competition offers players the opportunity to add their names to the story of golf in Canada.”

In 2015, Billy Kennerly shot a final-round 2-under 70 to claim a six-stroke victory at Weston Golf & Country Club. The Alpharetta, Ga., native added the victory to an already impressive amateur career before turning professional earlier this year.

A full field of competitors from seven countries will compete for the Earl Grey Trophy and the title of Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, including Travis Smyth of Shellharbour, Australia. The 21-year-old, who is No. 62 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, claimed a runner-up result at the 2016 Australian Amateur Championship and a T4 at the 2016 Players Amateur. Also in the field is No. 76 Kristoffer Ventura of Rygge, Norway, who is coming off a 5^th-place finish at the 2016 European Men’s Team Championship.

Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., native Hugo Bernard and Elmira, Ont., product Garrett Rank earned shares of second last year and translated that result into success in 2016. Bernard was named to Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad, then claimed medallist honours at the 2016 NCAA Division II Championship before capturing this year’s Alexander of Tunis. Rank went on to defend his Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title before competing in the 2016 RBC Canadian Open and then securing medallist honours to earn entry into this year’s U.S. Amateur.

Joining Bernard will be teammate Jared du Toit of Kimberley, B.C., who is hoping to build upon a season which has included a T9 at the RBC Canadian Open to earn the Gary Cowan Medal as low amateur and a T4 at the Porter Cup. Eric Banks of Truro, N.S., Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald and Blair Hamilton from Burlington, Ont., will complete the Amateur Squad contingent.

The five members of the National Team Development Squad will also be in contention. Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont., captured the CN Future Links Pacific title in his final year of eligibility on the junior circuit. He will be joined by teammates Thomas ‘Jack’ Simpson of Aurora, Ont., Québec City’s Charles-Éric Bélanger, A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C., and Calgarian Alexander Smith.

An inter-provincial team championship will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the competition with three-member teams vying for the Willingdon Cup. Team British Columbia comprised of National Team members Macdonald and du Toit, alongside Kevin Kwon of Maple Ridge, B.C., claimed a three-stroke victory in 2015.

The Canadian Men’s Amateur Qualifier will be played at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club on August 5. A minimum of five spots into the tournament will be awarded. Additional information can be found here.

Two days of practice rounds are slated for August 6 and 7 before competitors take to both courses on August 8 and 9 for the championship’s opening 36 holes. The field will be reduced to the low 70 and ties for the two final rounds to be contested at The Royal Ottawa.

In addition to claiming the title of 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and the 2017 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

Admission to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship is free during tournament week. Additional details regarding the championship are available here.