Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada
Dallas, Texas’ Kramer Hickok shot a 3-under 68 on Saturday at Pine Ridge Golf Club to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Players Cup, the fourth event of the 2017 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season.
The 25-year old posted three birdies and zero bogeys to reach 10-under through 54 holes and led by one over Rancho Cucamonga, California’s Rico Hoey, Bakersfield, California’s Matt Picanso and The Dalles, Oregon’s Damian Telles with one round to go in Winnipeg.
Though he admitted he didn’t have his best game with him on Saturday, Hickok said it was his mental game that propelled him to the lead with one round to go.
“Patience, patience, patience,” said Hickok, describing his biggest asset in Round Three. “I’m mentally fried right now. I didn’t hit it well at all and managed my game really well, and that’s what you’ve got to do out here.”
Hickok was a college roommate of Jordan Spieth’s at the University of Texas and still lives with the two-time major champion, and while he says he doesn’t bombard his fellow former Longhorn with questions, he still makes the most of any opportunity to learn.
Though a group of pursuers played their way into contention on Saturday, the University of Texas alum said he wouldn’t try to push things in Sunday’s quest to win on the Mackenzie Tour.
“If you get a little impatient and start attacking pins, you can make a quick bogey,” said Hickok. “You’ve got to stick to that game plan as much as you can. Tomorrow will be all about winning the tournament.
Picanso, the 54-hole leader, birdied the 18th to shoot an even-par 71 and sit 9-under with Hoey and Telles, while Order of Merit leader Robby Shelton was one shot further behind along with Lake Mary, Florida’s Jhared Hack.
34-year old Matt Picanso is making his fourth career start on the Mackenzie Tour. The Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo alum was originally a baseball player and didn’t pick up competitive golf until his early 20s.
27-year old Damian Telles is making his third career Mackenzie Tour start this week. Telles has conditional status on the Mackenzie Tour this season after finishing T19 at the British Columbia Q-School this spring. He did not get into the Players Cup field as an alternate until Monday.
Click here for the full leaderboard.
Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada
Bakersfield, California’s Matt Picanso shot a 3- under 68 on Friday at Pine Ridge Golf Club to extend his lead at the Players Cup, the fourth event of the 2017 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season.
One day after shooting a 6-under 65, the 34-year old Mackenzie Tour rookie made five birdies against two bogeys to lead by two over Dallas, Texas’ Kramer Hickok and Lake Mary, Florida’s Jhared Hack heading into the weekend.
“I hit it really well,” said Picanso, who birdied the 18th to build a two-stroke cushion. “I just really focused on picking good targets from the tee, where if I missed a little I could still attack from there. Through 36 holes it’s worked really well.”
Though he’s new to the Mackenzie Tour, the former collegiate baseball player is familiar with being in contention at other levels of game, with more than a dozen mini tour titles to his name. That experience, he hopes, will help him stay aggressive on the weekend in Winnipeg.
“Foot on the pedal. You can get lapped out here pretty quick. It’s a long four days and there’s still a lot work to be done,” said Picanso.
Hack and Hickok posted a pair of 4-under 67s to reach 7-under through two rounds, while Camarillo, California’s Johnny Ruiz and Gainsville, Florida’s J.D. Tomlinson were a shot further behind at 6-under.
25-year old Hickok is making his fourth career start on the Mackenzie Tour this week. He was a college teammate of Jordan Spieth’s at the University of Texas and is currently a roommate of the two-time major champion.
“I missed a few puts early on, and that’s typically when I would try and make a birdie or hammer a putt home, said Hickock, “But I just kept on trying to hit the right shots and just stay as patient as possible.”
27-year old Jhared Hack is making his fourth career start on the Mackenzie Tour this week. He finished T3 earlier this year at the Bayview Place Cardtronics Open presented by Times Colonist and sits 10th on the Order of Merit.
“You have to stay below the hole and not short side yourself, and the birdies will come, said Hack. “The greens are firm, the rough’s up pretty good and the pins are on crowns. You can play ping pong if you’re not careful.”
For the full leaderboard click here.
Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada
Bakersfield, California’s Matt Picanso shot a 6-under 65 at Pine Ridge Golf Club on Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Players Cup, the fourth event of the 2017 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season.
On a day when gusting winds and the demanding Donald Ross-designed Pine Ridge course got the better of most players, the 34-year old Mackenzie Tour rookie carded six birdies and zero bogeys to lead by one over Calgary, Alberta’s James Love through 18 holes.
“I looked at the forecast and I knew it was going to be tough and windy, so I just stuck to my original game plan,” said Picanso. “I laid back on a few holes and finally felt like I knew what I was doing on the greens.”
Love is making his 72nd start on the Mackenzie Tour this week. In 2016, he had no status on Tour but finished third while playing on a sponsor exemption at the SIGA Dakota Dunes Open, earning conditional status for the rest of the year and eventually a spot in the top 60 on the Order of Merit along with exempt status for 2017.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t have been that upset with a four standing on the tee. To make four after where I hit it, it’s the hardest par-3 ever, so I’m not unhappy.” said Love.
The Californian was paired with hometown favourite Aaron Cockerill and said he enjoyed competing in front of a large gallery for most of his round, which included four birdies in his last seven holes to take the lead.
“I was pumped when I saw that pairing because I figured we’d have a good crowd with the hometown boy,” said Picanso.
Love briefly tied the lead before making a bogey – one that included an improbable up-and-down for bogey at the par-3 ninth – to sit one back with a 5-under 66.
“This course is tough without the wind, and it was swirling and gusting to 35 (km/h) today,” said Love. “I played well. I holed out from 150 yards on 18, so that helps. Other than that, it was just pretty solid.”
With the Mackenzie Tour attracting some of the top up-and-coming young players from around the world of college and amateur golf, Picanso’s path to becoming a professional golfer stands out among his peers.
Once a baseball prospect at Bakersfield College, Picanso eventually turned to golf and found a knack for the game at an age when most are taking their first steps on to the path to the PGA TOUR.
“I kind of didn’t start playing competitively until my early 20s. I played baseball my entire life, but I was over it and getting injured all the time,” said Picanso, who at the time had played golf mostly with his family. “I started practicing and trying to get better, and I fell in love with it.”
Slowly but surely, he’s improved year-by-year on various Mini Tours, and won 11 tournaments in 2015 including the Monterey Open, where he shot a final round 60. Picanso was playing the second stage of Web.com Tour Q-School that fall when he tore his labrum in is right shoulder and was forced to endure a lengthy rehab. He earned exempt status for the first eight events of the 2017 Mackenzie Tour season with a T2 finish at the USA West #1 Q-School earlier this Spring.
For the full leaderboard click here.
The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada goes across Canada with 12 events in 2017, with players competing to take the next step on to the path to the PGA TOUR. Check out tournament profiles, players to watch, feature stories and more in the 2017 Mackenzie Tour Digital Magazine.
Click here to read.
Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada
Wilmer, Alabama’s Robby Shelton shot a 2-under 69 on Sunday at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf and Country Club to win the GolfBC Championship and claim his first Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada victory.
The former University of Alabama standout closed out the victory in style with a 7-footer for birdie at the 72nd hole to win by one over Camarillo, California’s Johnny Ruiz, Danville, California’s Cody Blick and Ridgeway, Virginia’s Adam Webb.
The win puts Shelton atop the Order of Merit through three events, in position to earn Web.com Tour status for the 2018 season.
“It means a lot. Just to win anywhere is so exciting. Just to know that my game’s there and to finally get one done feels great,” said Shelton.
Shelton began the day with a three-stroke lead over Webb, but quickly found himself in a four-way battle for the title as Webb, Blick and Ruiz made their charges. It was Ruiz who charged hardest, making birdie at 14 and 15 to take the solo lead at 19-under.
Unbeknownst to Shelton, Ruiz caught bad break at 18 when his tee shot nestled up against a pine tree that guards the approach to the green and was forced to play his second shot left-handed, eventually making bogey to fall into a tie for the clubhouse lead with Blick.
“I had no idea. Looking up on the scoreboard, it said 19-under (through 17), and I thought for sure he parred this hole,” said Shelton, who took driver off the tee in an attempt to make birdie and found the thick rough left of the fairway, 65 yards from the pin.
“I pulled it a little,” said Shelton of his drive. “My lie wasn’t great, but I just knew I had to land it on the green and roll out to the pin.”
He executed the shot to perfection, however, rolling the ball to within seven feet of the tucked back-right pin and giving him a birdie putt that he unwittingly had for his first Mackenzie Tour win.
“Over the putt, I thought I had to make it to go into a playoff,” said Shelton, who poured the putt in the middle of the hole to the roar of the crowd that knew what he didn’t – that he had just won the GolfBC Championship.
“Somebody told me when I was walking off the green that I won, and then it hit me,” said Shelton. “I still have to play well the rest of this season, but to get a win early on is huge and does a lot for my confidence.
With the win, Shelton moves atop the Order of Merit, just $323 ahead of Freedom 55 Financial Open winner Lee McCoy. Webb, Blick and Ruiz, meanwhile, each notched career-best finishes in a tie for second.
29-year old Webb was making his 14th career start on the Mackenzie Tour. Last year, he recorded three top-25s and one top-10 to earn a spot in the Freedom 55 Financial Championship and retain exempt status for 2017.
Webb played collegiate golf at Longwood University, where he recorded two individual wins. He owns two mini tour wins as a professional on the eGolf Tour and GPro Tour.
Blick was making his 13th career start on the Mackenzie Tour this week. Earlier this year, he earned exempt status for the first eight events of the season with a T4 finish at the USA West #1 Q-School.
Last week in Victoria, Blick shot a 10-under 60 in the third round of the Bayview Place Cardtronics Open presented by Times Colonist and finished T3.
Ruiz was making his seventh career start on the Mackenzie Tour. Earlier this year, he earned exempt status for the first eight events of the season with a T2 finish at the British Columbia Q-School.
Ruiz had conditional status on the Mackenzie Tour in 2015 and missed the cut in all four starts. He did begin playing golf until age 14 and notched his first pro win at the 2016 Monterey Open.
With the win, Shelton becomes the first player to hold the solo lead after every round of an event since Joel Dahmen at the 2014 Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON and the first player to hold at least a share of the lead after each round of a tournament since Adam Cornelson at the 2016 Bayview Place Cardtronics Open presented by Times Colonist.
With a total score of 13-under par in a tie for seventh, West Vancouver, British Columbia’s Seann Harlingten finished as the top Canadian on the leaderboard, earning Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Week honours and a $2,500 prize.
The top Canadian on the leaderboard each week takes home the award, with the top Canadian on the Order of Merit at season’s end earning the Dan Halldorson Trophy, Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year honours and a $25,000 prize.
Team Canada Amateur Squad member Jared du Toit finished T9 in his second event as a pro and earned an spot in the field at the Players Cup, July 3-9 at Pine Ridge Golf Club in Winnipeg.
Watch the final round highlights below.
For the full leaderboard click here.
Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada
Wilmer, Alabama’s Robby Shelton cruised to a 6- under 65 on Saturday at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf and Country Club to extend his lead to three shots at the GolfBC Championship, the third event of the 2017 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season.
The former University of Alabama standout made five birdies and an eagle against just one bogey on the day, finishing the day with a six-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to lead by three over Ridgeway, Virginia’s Adam Webb heading into the final round.
“I’m striking it really well, and a few putts fell for me on the front nine to get the momentum going,” said Shelton, a three-time 1st team All-American at Alabama and a past U.S. Walker Cup team member. “I just cruised and everything’s working out for me.”
Beginning the day with a one-shot lead, Shelton found himself tied with Webb, Camarillo, California’s Johnny Ruiz and Costa Mesa, California’s Jake Knapp in the early going but put together a flawless front nine, capped by a 50-foot birdie putt at the ninth to take the outright lead.
“I’m throwing darts, and luckily a few putts fell,” said Shelton, who said the three-shot cushion puts him in the driver’s seat for Sunday’s final round. “I can put it on cruise control and hopefully someone doesn’t go stupid low.”
The 22-year old also benefited from some local knowledge on Saturday, with Gallagher’s Canyon Club Champion Dwayne Henry as his caddie for the weekend. “It was great. He definitely helped me with some reads, and it’s pretty cool to have the club champion on the bag,” said Shelton.
Webb shot a 6-under 65 to hold solo second, while Ruiz, Knapp and Danville, California’s Cody Blick were a shot further back in a tie for third at 13-under.
Shelton’s 2015 Walker Cup teammates Lee McCoy, Hunter Stewart and Jordan Niebrugge are also Mackenzie Tour members this season.
Shelton has held the solo lead after each round this week. The last player to lead outright after each round at a Mackenzie Tour event was Joel Dahmen at the 2014 Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON.
The last player to hold at least a share of the lead after each round of a tournament was Adam Cornelson at the 2016 Bayview Place Cardtronics Open presented by Times Colonist.
Team Canada National Team golfer Jared du Toit is T9 after a course record 10-under-par 61 on Saturday. Du Toit is playing in his second event as a professional .
““I was just thrilled to play the weekend and to go try and shoot a great score. I love playing as a single, so that was awesome for me. I tried to birdie every hole and give myself a good look, and I played well,” said du Toit.
For the full leaderboard click here.
Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada
Wilmer, Alabama’s Robby Shelton managed a 3-under 68 on a windy afternoon at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf and Country Club to maintain his lead at the GolfBC Championship, the third event of the 2017 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season.
The former University of Alabama standout holed out for eagle at the fifth hole and notched three birdies and two bogeys to lead by one over Folsom, California’s Kevin Lucas and Costa Mesa, California’s Jake Knapp through 36 holes at Gallagher’s Canyon.
“I’m striking the ball really well. That’s not a problem right now,” said Shelton. The 22- year old didn’t hole as many long putts as he did in an opening 8-under 63 Thursday, but was still pleased with how he played. “I didn’t putt as well today, but when you hit fairways and hit greens, you have a lot of opportunities. It feels like I putted bad, but I really didn’t.”
The 2015 U.S. Walker Cup team member took the lead with a closing birdie at the 18th hole, getting up-and-down from short of the green to take the solo overnight lead.
“I really wanted the lead going into tomorrow,” said Shelton. “I hit driver off the tee and that was a little aggressive, but I think it’s the play on that hole. The shot wasn’t that tough and luckily I did it and finally got a putt to fall, which was really nice.”
Lucas matched the day’s best round with a 7-under 64, while Knapp carded his second straight 66 to reach 10-under through two rounds. Australia’s Oliver Goss and Dunedin, Florida’s Lee McCoy were a shot further behind at 9-under.
“This third week, I’ve kind of found my game. These guys are good, there’s no doubt about that. You know the (winning) number’s gonna be low, so you have to be comfortable going low,” said Lucas. “There’s going to be a certain number every week, and it’s going to take some low rounds and your bad rounds still have to be under par.”
Shelton finished third at the 2015 Barbasol Championship on the PGA TOUR, the highest finish by an amateur on the PGA TOUR since Phil Mickelson won the 1991 Northern Telecom Open.
He earned exempt status for the 2017 season by winning the USA East #1 QSchool. He opened his 2017 season with finishes of T20-T14 and ranks 21st on the Order of Merit.
Check out the second round highlights below.
For the full leaderboard click here.
Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada
Wilmer, Alabama’s Robby Shelton shot an 8-under 63 on Thursday at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf and Country Club to take the first-round lead at the GolfBC Championship, the third event of the 2017 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season.
The former University of Alabama standout notched nine birdies and a bogey to lead by one over Dearborn, Michigan’s Evan Bowser after day one at Gallagher’s Canyon.
“I’ve been playing well in my practice rounds. I kind of figured something out with my putting,” said Shelton. “I missed a few on the front nine, but I saved a few on the back nine, so I’m playing well.”
Shelton was one of the top amateur players in the United States while playing at the University of Alabama from 2013-2016 and is making his third start of his first season on the Mackenzie Tour. The 21-year old said he’s enjoyed getting his feet wet as a pro in Canada so far this season.
“This Tour’s deep. There’s a lot of good players,” said Shelton. “You have to play well. A lot of these guys out here could make it on the PGA TOUR right now. It’s a process and a stepping stone, and a lot of guys have to get through it.”
With three rounds to go, Shelton said he knows he’ll need more low rounds to keep the rest of the field at bay.
“When you get off to a start like this, for sure your expectations are high, but you still have to play really well, or these guys are going to catch you,” said Shelton.
A shot behind Bowser were Southlake, Texas’ Matt Gilchrest, Dallas, Texas’ Kramer Hickok, Springfield, Illinois’ Kyle Peterman and Muncie, Indiana’s Chase Wright.
Bowser is making his third career start on the Mackenzie Tour. He earned exempt status for the first four events of the season at the USA West #2 Q-School in March.
Bowser played collegiate golf at Oakland University and qualified three times for the U.S. Amateur Championship.
“When I turned pro in January, I thought about how golf’s always been fun for me. I never looked at it like a job or thought about the money, and I still don’t do that. I just try to hit the next shot the best I can, and that’s all I can do,” said Bowser
Gilchrest opened with a 6-under-par 65.
“The key was the front nine. I made two 30-footers for eagle that got me going pretty good. I had some bad breaks and was in some tough spots on the back nine and made some good pars to get it in at 6-under,” said Gilchrest.
As an amateur, Shelton was consistently among the top players in college golf. He played at the University of Alabama from 2013 to 2016, where he won seven times, helped the Crimson Tide to the 2014 National Championship and was named a 1st team All-American in each of his three seasons.
Shelton finished third at the 2015 Barbasol Championship on the PGA TOUR, the highest finish by an amateur on the PGA TOUR since Phil Mickelson won the 1991 Northern Telecom Open.
Shelton earned exempt status for the 2017 season by winning the USA East #1 Q-School. He opened his 2017 season with finishes of T20-T14 and ranks 21st on the Order of Merit.
Shelton’s 2015 Walker Cup teammates Lee McCoy, Hunter Stewart and Jordan Niebrugge are also Mackenzie Tour members this season.
Watch the first round highlights below.
For the full leaderboard click here.
Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada
The Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada announced today that the Ontario Championship hosted by National Pines Golf Club, an official event to be conducted at National Pines Golf Club in Barrie, Ontario, has been added to the 2017 schedule.
The 144-player event will take place September 4-10, leading into the season-ending Freedom 55 Financial Championship. The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) will serve as the event’s Host Organization, with Brad Parkins as Tournament Director.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to announce the Ontario Championship hosted by National Pines Golf Club as the newest event on the Mackenzie Tour. Thanks to the support of our partners, ClubLink and the CJGA, we’re confident this will be an tremendous week of golf at an outstanding venue this summer,” said Mackenzie Tour President Jeff Monday.
National Pines, a 7,013-yard Tom McBroom design located 45 minutes north of Toronto, was opened in 1992 and hosted the season-ending Freedom 55 Financial Championship in 2007 and 2008.
“We are extremely pleased the Mackenzie Tour has selected National Pines to host the Ontario Championship in 2017,” said Brent Miller, Vice President of Corporate Operations and Member Services for ClubLink. “It’s wonderful to have this thoroughbred layout challenge the future stars of the PGA TOUR again.”
“So many of our ClubLink Members already know that an extra 10 minutes in the car up HWY 400 provides them a day of golf that is quite simply, complete. We look forward to showcasing National Pines again and reminding Southern Ontario golfers about this great 18 hole facility Tom McBroom built for us 25 years ago.”
Among the players who competed at National Pines in 2007 and 2008 is current PGA TOUR player and Olympian Graham DeLaet, who said he fondly remembers his experience competing at the course.
“I have great memories of competing at National Pines in 2008, and I know it will be an awesome host for a tournament like this. The guys that will be playing there are trying to make their way to the PGA TOUR, and this is going to be a great venue for those players to compete for a chance to make the next step in that direction,” said DeLaet.
The CJGA, which previously operated The Great Waterway Classic on the Mackenzie Tour from 2013-15, is a national junior golf association dedicated to providing high level competition and instruction to Canada’s junior golfers and operates tournaments throughout Canada.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to conduct an official Mackenzie Tour event once again and to work with one of our partners in ClubLink makes it that much more special,” said Brad Parkins, COO of the CJGA. “We look forward to working with the community to put on an exceptional event on an exceptional golf course in National Pines.”
Following the event, the top 60 players on the Order of Merit will earn a spot in the season-ending Freedom 55 Financial Championship at Highland Country Club in London, Ont., along with securing exempt status for the 2018 Mackenzie Tour season.
To view the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit click here.
Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada
Dusseldorf, Germany’s Max Rottluff shot a 3-under 67 on Sunday at Uplands Golf Club to claim his second career Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada victory at the Bayview Place Cardtronics Open presented by Times Colonist.
The 24-year old built a three-stroke lead down the closing stretch, then hung on to win by one over Jacksonville, Florida’s T.J. Vogel to earn his second career Mackenzie Tour title. The win moves Rottluff to second place on the Order of Merit, in position to earn Web.com Tour status for 2018.
“It’s great to get a win early in the season,” said Rottluff, who finished eighth on the Order of Merit last season thanks to a win at the SIGA Dakota Dunes Open. “I know it’s a long year, and there are a lot of quality players on this Tour, so I expect a lot of other guys to be in contention, but I’ll give it my best to secure a spot in The Five.”
Beginning the day two strokes behind Vogel, Rottluff was one of several players in the hunt as the leaders headed to the back nine, with Rottluff, Vogel and Lake Mary, Florida’s Jhared Hack holding a share of the lead.
It was then that Rottluff, a former 1st team NCAA All-American at Arizona State, took control, making birdies on holes 10 through 12 to jump in front by two shots over Vogel.
The deciding moment came at the par-4 16th, when Rottluff poured in a 30-footer for birdie to extend his lead to three. After Vogel birdied the 17th but narrowly missed a birdie putt at the 72nd hole, Rottluff needed only a two-putt bogey at the last to secure his second professional victory.
“I knew exactly what the ball was going to do,” said Rottluff of his decisive birdie putt at 16. “I was able to match the speed perfectly, and that was a huge, huge momentum swing for sure.”
The win was extra special for Rottluff and his father Sepp, a former pro hockey player in Germany who is caddying for his son during the B.C. Golf Swing, the three Mackenzie Tour events in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna.
“I had a special caddie last year for my first win, and I had a very special caddie for me again this week,” said Rottluff, whose girlfriend Emily caddied for him during his first win last year. “It means a lot for me to pull a win off with him.”
Vogel carded an even-par 70 on Sunday to finish at 15-under and record his best career Mackenzie Tour finish, while Hack and Danville, California’s Cody Blick both notched career-best T3 finishes a shot further behind at 14-under.
Rottluff becomes the first player during the PGA TOUR era on the Mackenzie Tour (2013-present) to win in back-to-back seasons.
He remains the only German-born winner in Mackenzie Tour history and claimed victory the same day that countryman Stephan Jaeger won the Web.com Tour’s Rust-Oleum Championship.
With a total score of 10-under par in a tie for eighth, Stony Mountain, Manitoba’s Aaron Cockerill finished as the top Canadian on the leaderboard, earning Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Week honours and a $2,500 prize.
Check out the final round recap below.
For the full leaderboard click here
