Jack Hall also wins the Super Senior Division title in playoff

Saugeen Shores, Ont. – Playoffs were the name of the game on Sunday for the final round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO. Canadian born Miles McConnell began his day four shots back to come from behind and win the national championship in a playoff at Saugeen Golf Club in Saugeen Shores, Ont.

“I am very honoured and happy to have won,” said McConnell. “I was born in Toronto and lived just north of Toronto for ten years before I moved to the States and I am Canadian, so this means a lot to me.

“It also means a lot to me, just the way I won. I was able to come back and make some good shots down the stretch under pressure and a good putt there in the playoff which really means a lot to me because I’ve not always had great success in playoffs like that so I’m very happy.”

McConnell of Tampa, Fla. started the final round, four back of leader, Stephen Jensen of Milton Keynes, England. Following nine both McConnell and Jensen were 1-under on the day, keeping the Englishman ahead by four.

McConnell posted back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11 to pull within two shots of Jensen. After bogeying no. 12, McConnell birdied again on no. 13 to pull back within two shots, Jensen opened his second nine with four straight pars.

“I was happy to make the birdies on 10 and 11 and I kind of lost track at that point of where I was. I knew I was a couple back, but I wasn’t sure if I was two or three,” said McConnell.

Both exchanged pars on no. 14 and 15 before Jensen gave a shot back with a bogey on 16. After pars on 17, McConnell birdied no. 18 to come all the way back and force a playoff.

“I didn’t know for sure where I stood until the 17th hole, I asked some people behind the green after we putted and I thought I was two back and they said no, you’re only one back so I thought well, if I can get a birdie on 18 I can get in the playoff and fortunately, I did that,” said McConnell.

McConnell admitted that playoffs are always nerve racking, but on the first hole of the playoff he went on to record a birdie and with it he completed the come back to win the national championship.

“I felt better with my swing today than any of the other days so I just stood up on that tee and made one of my better swings, hit a good tee shot and then I couldn’t tell he (Jensen) wasn’t that close to the hole, he had about a 30-foot putt so if I can birdie this again, I’m going to win. I hit a nice shot in there to about ten feet behind the hole and I hit some good putts this week and fortunately that was another one.”

McConnell finished the tournament at 8-under following rounds of 74-68-70-68-280. Jensen finished as runner-up also at 8-under with scores of 75-68-65-72-280.

The Super Senior Division title was also decided by a playoff, with Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. winning on the second playoff hole to defeat the defending Men’s Senior and Super Senior champion, Doug Hanzel also of Savannah, Ga. Hall fired a 2-under 70 on Sunday to finished 4-under for the tournament. Both Hall and Hanzel finished tied for third in the Senior Division standings.

On Friday, Team Alberta came from four back to start the day to win the Inter-Provincial Team Championship for the fourth consecutive time. Alberta was tied for second entering play on Friday but shot a collective 2-under to finish at 1-over to edge the host province by three. Alberta was represented by Brian Laubman of Edmonton, Alta., David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. and Senan Foley of Calgary who shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to help lead his team to the title.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship featured golfers aged 55-and-over and included a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over. The Super Senior Championship was contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship.

In addition to the national championship, McConnell will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Biltmore Forst Country Club in Asheville, N.C., August 23-28.

For the final leaderboard following the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Doug Hanzel leads the Super Senior Division following third round

Saugeen Shores, Ont. – Stephen Jensen followed up a strong second round with a 7-under 65 on Saturday to take a four-shot lead into the final round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Saugeen Golf Club in Saugeen Shores, Ont.

Jensen from Milton Keynes, England carded five birdies on the front nine and an eagle on no. 13 in a bogey free round Saturday. The Englishman is four shots ahead of Miles McConnell who is alone in second at 4-under for the championship.

Jensen said he started with a reasonable range session this morning before a less-than-ideal start on the first tee, “my opening tee shot fell off the tee twice which really unsettled me.

“I managed to nudge it about 150 yards down the fairway, hit a 7-iron to about 30 feet and holed it so that was a nerve settler and then I went on a nice run,” said Jensen.

Following his opening birdie, Jensen added another on the second hole, he then birdied holes four, five and eight for an opening 31 on the scorecard.

“Once I got on a roll, I wouldn’t say protect it but don’t do anything stupid and so I played pretty solidly all the way around, thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Jensen who also added that if you can put the ball in the right place off the tee, scoring is possible due to the perfect greens at Saugeen Golf Club.

Jensen opened with a 3-over 75 on Thursday but fired a 4-under 68 on Friday to pull within two shots of the lead. It has been quite the eventful week for Jensen, having played at the European Senior Men’s Team Championship last week at the BlackSeaRama Golf Resort and Villas in Bulgaria, where England won the team event.

“On Sunday, I got back at 4:30 in the morning and I had to leave early morning Monday to fly to Canada so maybe some fatigue, not quite at the races the first day but once I settled down and got going, but listen, long way to go, another 18 holes,” added Jensen.

Heading into the final round, Jensen will draw on his past experiences to help him through the day as he plays his own game “I’ve done it before in tournaments where you have a reasonable lead with one other person, then it’s match play against that guy and that’s how I get through the day.

“If there are three or four of you in contention you have to play your own ball and then with four or five holes to go if you got to do something special and put your foot on the accelerator then do so and if you got to back off a bit and just be careful and hit four irons rather than drivers then do so. It’s just basically using common sense but at the same time, try and relax, try and enjoy it.”

Jensen added since the players competing at Saugeen Shores don’t do this for a living, everyone is going to feel tense on Sunday, “I know I’ll be very nervous but just go out there and try and embrace it and have a bit of fun and see where it takes me. If I win, I’ll be thrilled and if I don’t, I’ve had three great rounds and a great time over here.”

Defending champion, Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. is alone in third following a second consecutive day under par, with a 2-under 70 to now sit at 3-under for the tournament. Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. is fourth at 2-under with Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. and Steve Wheeler of Whistler, B.C. the top Canadians at 1-under in a four-way tie for fifth.

In the Super Senior Division, Hanzel leads by one over Hall. Luc Guilbault of Drummondville, Que. is third at 3-over and is six shots back of Hanzel.

The lead group of Jensen, McConnell and Hanzel will tee off at 10:00 a.m. ET for Sunday’s final round. For all final round tee times, please click here.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship features golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over. The national championship consists of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut after 36 holes. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship.

In addition to the national championship, the winner will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Biltmore Forst Country Club in Asheville, N.C., August 23-28.

For the leaderboard following the third round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Phil Patterson leads Senior Division and Doug Hanzel leads the
Super Senior Division following second round

Saugeen Shores, Ont. – Team Alberta came from four back to start the day to win the Inter-Provincial Team Championship for the fourth consecutive time at the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Saugeen Golf Club in Saugeen Shores, Ont.

Alberta was tied for second entering play on Friday but shot a collective 2-under to finish at 1-over to edge the host province by three. Alberta was represented by Brian Laubman of Edmonton, Alta., David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. and Senan Foley of Calgary who shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to help lead his team to the title.

“Well, we hopped on Senan’s back and rode him, he played great,” said Laubman.

“He’s the only physically fit guy that could do it,” said Schultz with a laugh. “It means a lot, in Alberta we really take the team seriously and we have a lot of fun out there, we’re good friends, good buddies and it means a lot to us to win the team,” added Schultz.

“No one wants to let the previous year down, we have a tradition of winning in Alberta and we want to keep it going,” said Foley.

Foley’s round was tied for low round of the day and allowed him to climb back up the leaderboard in the race for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy.

“I was able to avoid the big blunders like I did yesterday, hit fairways and greens and made some putts so I was happy with that,” said Foley.

Team Ontario finished second at 4-over while Team British Columbia finished third at 11-over.

In the race for the Senior Division title, Canadian Phil Patterson has taken the 36-hole lead following a 1-under 71. Patterson of Prescott, Ont. was two shots back of the co-leaders heading into the second round and was one of few players to shoot under par on Friday. He holds a one-shot lead over a trio of Americans including, William Mitchell of Dunwoody, Ga. and Miles McConnell of Tampa, Fla. who both shot rounds of 4-under 68. Also tied at 2-under is Bryan Hoops of Tempe, Ariz. following a 74 today. Hoops was the co-leader after the opening round with John Bearrie. Bearrie from Hollsopple, Pa. shot a 3-over 75 to drop to 1-under and is tied for fifth with four others including Foley.

In the Super Senior Division, defending champion Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. has taken the lead following a 3-under 69 on Friday to now sit at 1-under for the tournament. He leads Luc Guilbault of Drummondville, Que. and Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. by three shots. Hanzel is now also two shots back in the Senior Division as well.

The field has now been cut to the low 76 players for the final two rounds of the championship with a score of 10-over setting the cutline.

The 156-player field competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy features five past winners including defending champion Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga., Darren Ritchie of St. John, N.B. (2021), Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Nev. (2018), Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. (2015) and David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. (2013).

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship features golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over. The national championship consists of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut after 36 holes. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship.

In addition to the national championship, the winner will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Biltmore Forst Country Club in Asheville, N.C., August 23-28.

For the leaderboard following the second round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Luc Guilbault leads the super senior division and Team Ontario lead
inter-provincial team competition

Saugeen Shores, Ont. – John Bearrie and Bryan Hoops both got off to strong starts, firing rounds of 4-under 68 to take the opening round co-lead at the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Saugeen Golf Club in Saugeen Shores, Ont.

Bearrie of Hollsopple, Pa. carded an eagle and four birdies during the opening round, finishing each nine strong. On the front he recorded back-to-back birdies on holes eight and nine, then finished his round with an eagle on no. 18.

“Very pleased to have gotten off to such a good start today. There aren’t many 72-hole events at the senior level so for me it’s more of a marathon than a sprint,” said Bearrie following his morning round.

“There is still 75 per cent of the tournament remaining so I won’t get too concerned with the leaderboard anytime soon. I’ll be keeping my head down and focusing on a solid day tomorrow,” he added.

Hoops of Tempe, Ariz. jumped up the leaderboard during his afternoon round, carding seven birdies on his way to grab a piece of the lead at 4-under. Hoops started his round on the back nine and opened with a bogey before adding two birdies. He began his second nine with back-to-back birdies before a bogey on the third. Hoops followed up the bogey with back-to-back birdies again and added one more on his final hole the ninth to grab a share of the lead after Thursday.

“Round was pretty solid, very conservative. I had lots of looks at birdie just not many going in today. I made a couple sloppy mistakes, all in all not a bad day, just a little sloppy on a couple holes, should get better tomorrow,” said Hoops.

Trailing Bearrie and Hoops are Canadians Phil Patterson of Prescott, Ont., Ashley Chinner of Brooklin, Ont. and Doug Brophy of Burling, Ont. who all sit at 2-under following rounds of 70. Christopher Henri of Baie-D’Urfé, Que., Steve Wheeler of Whistler, B.C., Todd Fanning of Winnipeg, Man. and Luc Guilbault of Drummondville, Que. are tied for six at 1-under (71).

In the Super Senior Division, Guilbault leads by one over Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga.

Team Ontario leads the Inter-Provincial Team Championship, following a collective round of 1-under. Ontario takes a four-shot lead into Friday’s final round for the inter-provincial team competition over Team British Columbia and Team Alberta who both are a collective 3-over. PROVINCE is represented by Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont., Adam Creighton of Port Colborne, Ont. and Ashley Chinner. The two lowest scores count towards with team score with Chinner and Bunker’s scores counting on Thursday.

The 156-player field competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy features five past winners including defending champion Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga., Darren Ritchie of St. John, N.B. (2021), Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Nev. (2018), Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. (2015) and David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. (2013).

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship features golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over. The national championship consists of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut after 36 holes. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship. In addition, the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship runs concurrently through the first 36 holes of the tournament.

In addition to the national championship, the winner will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Biltmore Forst Country Club in Asheville, N.C., August 23-28.

For the leaderboard following the opening round of the 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Final national championship of the season features a field of 156 golfers competing for the senior title along with a super senior division and an
inter-provincial team competition

Saugeen Shores, Ont. – The 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO is set for September 12-15 with a field of 156 amateur golfers competing over four rounds at Saugeen Golf Club in Saugeen Shores, Ont.

The field competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy features five past winners including defending champion Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga., Darren Ritchie of St. John, N.B. (2021), Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Nev. (2018), Jack Hall of Savannah, Ga. (2015) and David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. (2013).

Along with the past champions, among those in the field are Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. who won the 2024 Ontario Senior Men’s Championship in July. Miles McConnell, a Canadian who now resides in Tampa, Fla. who has enjoyed a successful season having won the 2024 Gate Senior Invitational back in January and followed it up with three runner-up finishes and a third-place finish in tournaments throughout the season. Accomplished Australian golfer, Ken Brewer of Newcastle, Australia will also be heading to Saugeen Shores.

“We are very excited to welcome an incredible and talented field of golfers set to compete for our Canadian Men’s Senior Championship this week at Saugeen Golf Club,” said Daniel Suppa, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “The staff, volunteers, host committee along with the entire community have really gone to great lengths to ensure that those competing for our national championship are given an experience they won’t soon forget at Saugeen.”

Founded in 1925 by a group of local visionaries, Saugeen Golf Club stands as a testament to their vision and community spirit. Recognizing the growing popularity of golf, they established a premier golfing destination in Port Elgin and Southampton. Hiring renowned golf architect Stanley Thompson, they crafted the initial nine holes now known as Legacy with meticulous attention to detail, setting the stage for a Legacy of excellence.

Expanding their vision over the decades, first with the addition of the Sunset nine in 1956 and the Sunrise nine in 1996 solidified their reputation for exceptional golf and camaraderie for players of all levels. Next year, Saugeen Golf Club will celebrate its centennial anniversary as it celebrates the enduring legacy of their founders and guide their team into the next century with pride and a reverence for the past.

“Saugeen Golf Club is extremely proud to be hosting this prestigious national championship. The process began four long years ago, and we cannot be more exhilarated to display what our golf club and community has to offer,” said Brad Young, General Manager and COO, Saugeen Golf Club. “With playing conditions that rival any in our country, to the 200 plus volunteers that are donating their time, we’re confident that this weeklong event will set the precedence of national championships for years to come”

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship was established in 1962 for golfers aged 55-and-over and includes a Super Senior division for golfers 65-and-over that was introduced in 1995. The national championship consists of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut after 36 holes. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship. In addition, the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship was added in 1977 and runs concurrently through the first 36 holes of the tournament.

A trio of Canadian Golf Hall of Famers lead the way having won the most Canadian Men’s Senior Championships in tournament history including, Bob Wylie of Calgary, Alta. with seven (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995). Nick Weslock of Oakville, Ont. with six (1973, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983) and Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que. with four (2001, 2002, 2008 and 2009).

Prior to the start of the national championship, there will be a one-day qualifier on Tuesday, September 10 at Saugeen Golf Club where a field of 56 golfers will be playing for six spots in the tournament. Practice rounds are scheduled for Wednesday, September 11, and the tournament gets underway on Thursday, September 12.

The champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Biltmore Forest Country Club in Asheville, N.C.

For the full player field competing in the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Championship schedule to include 11 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship in addition to Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open

Golf Canada will also conduct qualifiers for several USGA Championships including Local and Final Qualifying for the U.S. Open as well as the U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Men’s and Women’s Amateurs and U.S. Junior Girls and Boys Championships

She Plays Golf Championship Series with stops in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.

Golf Canada is pleased to announce its full 2024 championship schedule, which includes amateur and professional competitions in addition to various qualifiers hosted at golf facilities across Canada.

The 2024 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s two signature National Open Championships — the RBC Canadian Open, returning to the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. May 28 – June 2, and the 50th playing of the CPKC Women’s Open to be held at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, July 23-28.

Golf Canada’s 2024 competition calendar also includes 11 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship. Three new previously announced championships for the 2024 season include the BDO National Golf League Finals, the Canadian U15 Championship, and the Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

As the National Sport Federation and governing body of golf in Canada, Golf Canada conducts the country’s premier amateur and professional golf championships to support the development of the nation’s top talent through world-class competition.

“We are pleased to announce the full championship schedule for 2024 and the addition of three new tournaments this year. We look forward to welcoming talented amateur athletes from across Canada and around the globe to compete for our national championships,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada Director, Amateur Championships and Rules. “I want to thank our corporate partners, our generous host clubs across the country, and all the volunteers that are vital to making these championships possible. We are looking forward to another great season of championship golf.”

Each of Golf Canada’s championships are set to be contested at Canada’s top clubs including the 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur, hosted by Riverside Country Club and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, both in Saskatoon, Sask., while the 110th Canadian Women’s Amateur will be played at the Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C.

The Canadian Junior Financial Assistance Program supported by Gary Cowan Heritage Fund and the Canadian Senior Golf Association will once again be available for Juniors competing in the NextGen Championships and all National Junior Championships (Juniors and U15) who meet eligibility requirements which can be found here.

Golf Canada will also conduct several professional and amateur championship qualifiers including five regional qualifiers into the RBC Canadian Open as well as final qualifiers for both the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open.

Other notable qualifiers being conducted for USGA Championships on the 2024 schedule include a U.S. Open Local and Final Qualifier, a U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier in addition to qualifiers for the U.S. Junior Amateur and Girls’ Junior Championships, the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and local qualifier for the U.S. Amateur Championship.  

New to the schedule in 2024 is the She Plays Golf Championship Series, a three-event circuit in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto that marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada. She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs. The enhanced championships comprising the She Plays Golf Championships Series include the Peloton Glencoe Invitational (June 13-15 at the Forest Course at Glencoe Golf and Country Club in Calgary), the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open (June 19-22 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C.), and the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada (July 2-5 at a venue to be announced in the Greater Toronto Area). For 2024, the top two finishers in each event from the She Plays Golf Championship Series will qualify for the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary. In addition, the overall points leader at the conclusion of the She Plays Golf Championship Series will earn a spot in the CPKC Women’s Open, if not already qualified.

Golf Canada’s championship season kicks off April 15 with a U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier at The Vancouver Golf Club and concludes with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from September 30 – October 5, where Team Canada will look to defend its championship.

To view Golf Canada’s 2024 Championship Schedule, including all host venues, registration requirements and volunteer opportunities visit, golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.

2024 Amateur Championship Season at a Glance…

The inaugural BDO National Golf League Finals will be held at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. on May 25 ahead of tournament week of the RBC Canadian Open. Fifty-two two-player teams will compete over 18-holes in a four-ball net stableford format to crown the first ever BDO National Golf League Champions.

The Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO, will be held June 2-6 at Idylwylde Golf and Country Club in Sudbury, Ont. The championship includes both a team and individual component featuring Canada’s top university and college talent. The winning men’s team will qualify for the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

The Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be held July 10-13 at Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay, B.C. The 2023 event marked the first-time the tournament was held as a standalone event for female amateurs aged 25-and-over.

The Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested July 21-25 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver where the winner will earn an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2025 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.

The 110th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, takes place July 29 – August 2 at Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C. with the champion earning an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, as well as an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

The 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested in Saskatoon, Sask., August 3-8 and hosted by the Riverside Country Club and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. A maximum field of 264 players will be cut to the low 70 players and ties after 36 holes, with the final two rounds contested at Riverside Country Club. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, as well as an invitation to the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship. The winner will also receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested August 12-16 at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be held August 19-23 at Carleton Golf and Yacht Club in Manotick, Ont.

The Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, will take place August 26-29 at The Club at North Halton in Georgetown, Ont. The Senior Champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Championship and 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Open.

The newest national championship addition to the schedule, the Canadian U15 Championship  will be played at Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont. from August 27-30. The boys and girls individual champions will earn exemptions into their respective 2024 Team Canada NextGen Selection Camp as well as their 2025 Canadian Junior Championship, presented by BDO. The top five finishers in each division will earn spots into two 2025 NextGen Championships.

The Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, a national championship for players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments, will be held September 9-12 at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ont. The championship will expand to 54-holes in 2024 with previous tournaments being contested over 36-holes.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, will be hosted by Saugeen Golf Club in Port Elgin, Ont. from September 11-15, with the champion earning an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Collegiate Invitational will debut at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 15-17. The tournament was announced last November and will be co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University. The intercollegiate tournament will feature nine NCAA Division I men’s teams along with the winning men’s team from the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship. The champion receives an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open.

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

The 2024 NextGen Championship host clubs include: Summerland Golf and Country Club (Summerland, B.C.), FireRock Golf Club (Komoka, Ont.), Leduc Golf Club (Leduc, Alta.), Whitewater Golf Club (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Club de golf Les Boisés de Joly (Joly, Que.) and The Wilds Resort (Holyrood, Nfld.).

The 2024 championship season concludes with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, taking place at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from September 30 to October 5. Team Canada looks to defend the team championship amongst a field of the world’s best junior golfers. Teams compete as 3-member squads while also contesting for an individual title.

Registration for Golf Canada’s competitions will open on the following dates:

• NextGen Championships: Wednesday, February 21 at 12:00pm EST
• RBC Canadian Open Qualifying: Wednesday, February 28 at 12:00pm EST
• National Amateur Championships: Wednesday, March 6 at 12:00pm EST

Hanzel defeats two-time champion Gene Elliott on first playoff hole

Pemberton, B.C. – Doug Hanzel’s birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff sealed the win and the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO on Friday at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C. With the win, Hanzel, of Savannah, Ga. also takes home the Super Senior Championship, becoming the first player to win both titles in the same year since the Super Senior division was added in 1995.

“I’m 66 but still competitive in senior golf. I don’t feel like a super senior, I’m still hitting it far. This was my third time playing the Canadian Senior and what a beautiful place. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to come to this part of the world unless a tournament was hosted here, so I’m grateful,” said Hanzel following the playoff win.

The final round provided plenty of drama with numerous lead changes throughout the day, particularly on the back nine. Hanzel grabbed a piece of the lead following a birdie on the seventh hole to pull even with third round leader Ken Griffith at 4-under. Both men birdied the ninth hole and then bogeyed the 10th to remain tied for the lead.

Hanzel took the solo lead by two shots with a birdie on 11, coupled with a bogey by Griffith. Hanzel dropped a stroke on 12, before losing the lead following a double bogey on 13. Griffith would then go on to double bogey 16 putting himself along with Hanzel and Dave Bunker all tied at 2-under with two holes remaining.

During that time two-time champion Gene Elliott had posted a 5-under 67 to position himself as the clubhouse leader in search of his third national senior championship. Elliott holed out from the fairway on 18 for eagle, putting himself at 3-under for the tournament.

Hanzel enjoyed success on 18 as well as he closed his round with a birdie to finish with an even par 72 and move to 3-under to force a playoff.

“I only made two bad swings on the back nine. I hit it in the hazard on 12 and saved a nice bogey. Lost ball on 13, sucked it up and moved forward. I hit decent shots coming in, but the key was the 20-foot birdie on 18. I had a difficult up and down, and I didn’t want to leave it short. I knocked it a bit past the hole but was happy to make probably my second longest putt of the week there,” he said.

Hanzel and Elliott would go back to 18 for the first hole of the playoff, where Hanzel birdied to seal the victory.

“The hole sets up for me, there’s room to move it left to right. I had 184 to the pin on my second shot and knew it was a nice easy seven iron to put enough spin on it to keep it on the green. I had a straightforward 20-foot putt and was happy to knock it up to six inches for the birdie,” said Hanzel.

Hanzel also won the Super Senior Championship (golfers 65-and-over) by six shots over Lance Lundy of Pemberton, B.C. and 2018 champion, Brady Exber of Las Vegas. By winning the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, Hanzel has earned an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

On Wednesday, Team Alberta won the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship shooting a combined score of 2-under to win their third consecutive team title. Team Alberta finished seven shots clear of Team New Brunswick, who finished in second at 5-over, with Team Manitoba in third place at 10-over. Team Alberta consisted of Ken Griffith and Brian Laubman and James Varnam both from Edmonton.

For the final standings of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Pemberton, B.C. – Three rounds have been completed at the 2023 Canadian Senior Men’s Championship, presented by BDO and there is a new name atop the leaderboard as Ken Griffith takes a one-shot lead into Friday’s final round at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C.

After winning the Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship with Alberta on Wednesday, Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. fired a 2-under 70 to move to 4-under for the championship and leads over Dave Bunker and Doug Hanzel who both sit at 3-under.

Griffith enjoyed a solid round on Thursday with a 1-under 35 on the front nine and finished strong with birdies on 13 and 15, with his driver being the difference for him, “first couple of days it was struggling a bit, but the driver set the golf course up and it was actually a very uneventful day. So felt like a good round…feel like I left a few out there but I’m happy with the way I played and that’s the most important thing,” said Griffith.

Right behind Griffith is Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. who was co-leader heading into the third round. Bunker shot a 2-over 74 on Thursday to move into a tie for second, just one shot back. Bunker opened the back nine with bogeys on 10 and 11 and a double bogey on 15 before closing his round with a birdie to stay within one.

“I hit a lot of good shots today. Back nine got a couple of bad breaks on 10 and 11 and made bogeys there, hit a bad tee shot on 15 to make double but I finished with a birdie on 18 so if I make more birdies and get rid of the other stuff, I’ll be happy with that, but I am hitting the ball well enough I just got to convert on some chances that I didn’t today,” said Bunker.

Both Bunker and Stephen Jensen of England finished the first two rounds tied for the lead, but Jensen shot a 4-over 76 on Thursday to drop into a tie for sixth at 1-under.

Tied with Bunker for second is Doug Hanzel, the 2017 runner-up who shot a 1-under 71 on Thursday. Along with being one back of Griffith, the Savannah, Ga. native continues to lead the Super Senior division by three shots over 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Champion, Brady Exber of Las Vegas, who sits at even par following a 1-under 71 on Thursday.

Griffith’s Team Alberta teammate, Brian Laubman of Edmonton sits tied for fourth place in the Senior division with Robert Funk of Canyon Lake, Calif. at 2-under for the championship.

The tournament began with a field of 156 golfers competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

For the full leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, please click here. For Friday’s final round pairings and tee times, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Dave Bunker and Stephen Jensen remain tied for the lead in individual Senior Championship

Pemberton, B.C. – Team Alberta shot a combined score of 2-under to win their third consecutive Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship at the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C. on Wednesday.

Team Alberta finished seven shots clear of Team New Brunswick, who finished in second at 5-over, with Team Manitoba in third place at 10-over. Alberta opened the day with a four shot lead and were led by Ken Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. who shot an even par 72 on Wednesday. Teammate Brian Laubman of Edmonton shot a 2-over 74, with his score also counting, while James Varnam, also of Edmonton shot a 4-over 76.

“Being on the team is a great honour in our province. Alberta takes the team event very seriously and we have a lot of very competitive golfers. It means a lot; we’re representing all of the Alberta golfers and we really enjoy that and it’s a great honour to be able to play at national level and represent your province,” said Ken Griffith, who has won back-to-back inter-provincial team titles with Alberta.

“Feels wonderful. It’s the third senior win for myself. I’ve made a total of 11 provincial teams, but the senior teams, I think are the best. Playing with guys that really good friends and we have a lot of fun off the course, but we try to beat each other’s brains out on the course which makes it all that much better. To share this with these guys is an honour,” added Brian Laubman.

James Varnam was playing for the Alberta Senior Men’s team for the first time and was very proud to play for his province, “even at the events before we got here, we met and we talked and it has tremendous meaning to everybody in Alberta, especially the seniors to be on this team. I’m delighted, I just feel grateful to be a part of this.”

Big Sky played to tougher conditions on Wednesday, with Dave Bunker and Stephen Jensen both finishing with rounds of 2-over 74 to remain tied for the lead in the Senior Championship division at 5-under.

Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. put in a solid round, recording 16 pars and only two bogeys on Wednesday. Jensen of England had a tough finish to the front nine with a triple bogey on nine but played the back nine at 1-under with one birdie and eight pars for his round.

The duo increased their lead to three shots over a trio of golfers at 2-under heading into Thursday’s third round. Rupert Kellock of England and Team Alberta’s Ken Griffith both posted rounds of 72 to remain at 2-under for the tournament. Doug Hanzel of Savannah, Ga. shot a 2-over 74 to drop two strokes and is at 2-under for the tournament. The 2017 runner-up maintains the lead in the Super Senior division by three shots over 2018 Canadian Men’s Senior Champion, Brady Exber of Las Vegas, who sits at 1-over.

Following today’s round, the cut has been set at 12-over with the top 74 players advancing to the final two rounds in the Senior division of the national championship. The tournament began with a field of 156 golfers competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. The Super Senior division will have 15 golfers making the cut and progressing to the final two rounds.

For the full leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.

Bunker and Jensen record opening round 65’s to lead by two shots

Pemberton, B.C. – Dave Bunker and Stephen Jensen both fired opening rounds of 7-under 65 to finish Tuesday as co-leaders in the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, B.C.

Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. who has enjoyed success in the men’s senior championship in recent years, finishing sixth last year and fourth in 2021, recorded eight birdies and only one bogey in his opening round for a share of the lead.

Jensen of England, who won the 2022 English Senior Men’s Amateur Championship, recorded nine birdies during his round on Tuesday. After a bogey on the second hole, Jensen responded with back-to-back birdies on the third and fourth hole. He went on to card back-to-back birdies again on six and seven and once on the back nine, on holes 15 and 16.

The duo takes a two-shot lead into Wednesday’s second round, ahead of 2018 runner-up Pete Detemple of Callaway, Md. who shot a 5-under 67. Doug Hanzel, runner-up in 2017 is three back following a 4-under 68; the Savannah, Ga. native also leads the Super Senior division by four shots. Two-time Canadian Senior Championship winner (2019, 2017) Gene Elliott of West Des Moines, Iowa is fifth in the Senior division following a 3-under 69.

The national championship features a field of 156 golfers competing for the John Rankin Memorial Trophy over 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut after 36 holes on Wednesday. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

Team Alberta is looking to claim their third consecutive Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship and will take a four shot lead heading into Wednesday’s final round of team play. Ken Griffith of Red Deer, Alta. is the lone returning player on this year’s team and shot a 2-under 70. His teammates consist of Brian Laubman and James Varnam, both of Edmonton. Laubman also recorded a 2-under 70 to count towards the team score on Tuesday. Team New Brunswick sit second at even par while Team Ontario is at 2-over to round out the top three. The team championship was added to the tournament in 1977 and runs concurrently through the first 36 holes of the competition.

For the full leaderboard of the 2023 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Titleist, FootJoy, Sport Canada, Levelwear and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.