US beats Europe in Solheim Cup 16 1/2 11 1/2 in Iowa
(Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Canadian Press
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Lexi Thompson set the tone by rallying from four holes down. The rest of the Americans took it from there and restored their dominance in the Solheim Cup
“I was just, like, ‘I just have to go all in and go for it all,”’ Thompson said.
Her U.S. teammates followed her lead and the Americans finished off their most-decisive Solheim Cup victory in over 20 years, beating Europe 16 1/2-11 1/2 on Sunday at Des Moines Golf and Country Club.
Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer won key matches, and Gerina Piller sealed it with a birdie putt that put her 3 up over Florentyna Parker with three to play in a 4-and-2 victory.
“They just bonded. They believed in each other. They played for the person behind them and in front of them. And they played some amazing golf,” said Juli Inkster, who joined Judy Rankin as the only U.S. captains to win the Solheim Cup twice.
The Americans are 10-5 in the biennial tournament after their biggest win since a 17-11 triumph in 1996 in Wales. They rallied to win in Germany in 2015, and have taken five of the last seven matches.
Kerr beat Mel Reid 2 and 1 for her record-extending 21st point in the competition, and Creamer edged Georgia Hall 1 up to raise her total to 19 1/2 – second on the U.S. career list.
Thompson ended up halving with Anna Nordqvist, and Angel Yin halved with Karine Icher as the teams split the 12 singles matches. Lizette Salas and Danielle Kang also won for the U.S. Salas edged Jodi Ewart Shadoff 1 up, and Kang beat Emily Pedersen 3 and 1.
For Europe, Catriona Matthew beat Stacy Lewis 1 up, Caroline Masson topped Michelle Wie 4 and 2, Charley Hull edged Brittany Lang 1 up, Carlota Ciganda beat Brittany Lincicome 4 and 3, and Madelene Sagstrom defeated Austin Ernst 3 and 2.
“We just got outplayed, no doubt about it,” European captain Annika Sorenstam said. “I’m just so proud of how hard they fought. What can I say? Just congratulate the USA because they played some awesome golf.”
Her team five points down entering the day, Sorenstam tried to keep the mood light by dressing up in a blue and yellow Viking hat and wig and dancing for the cameras before play began.
Nordqvist did her best to set the tone for the Europeans in the opening match, winning the first four holes.
But after a birdie on No. 10, Thompson holed out from 112 yards for eagle on the 11th hole – a shot so impressive that even Nordqvist was compelled to high-five her.
The 22-year-old Thompson followed with an eagle putt on the 15th hole, and a birdie on 16 put her ahead for the first time. Though Nordqvist rallied, earning the half-point by sticking her 154-yard approach on No. 18 within a foot, an American win was inevitable after Thompson’s run.
“To me, that was like six points,” Inkster said. “It’s probably fitting they both got half a point. Both played amazingly. It just shows the heart of her and her determination. You think she’s out of it and then the switch goes off.”
Nordqvist went 3-0-1 during the week to lead the Europeans.
Creamer was 3-1 filling in for the injured Jessica Korda, matching Kang and Salas for the top U.S. records. Creamer kept her celebration muted following Hall’s missed 4-foot par putt on the 18th hole. But this was a huge bounce back event for Creamer after her recent struggles kept her off the U.S. roster until Korda got hurt.
“For Juli to play me four matches, you know – I knew my game was there, but obviously it didn’t look like it was,” Creamer said.
The 47-year-old Matthew was 3-1 after replacing the injured Suzann Pettersen.
Canada’s Mike Weir hopes for raucous pro-International crowd at Presidents Cup
MONTREAL, CANADA - International Team Captain, Mike Weir, speaks in the Montreal Chamber of Commerce Leadership Series at The Fairmount Hotel, in downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada on September 13, 2023. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
John Chidley-Hill/ Canadian Press
It’s not that Mike Weir wants the fans at Royal Montreal Golf Club to be hostile toward the United States team when the Presidents Cup comes to Canada, but he definitely doesn’t want the Americans to be comfortable. Weir, from Brights Grove, Ont., is the first Canadian to captain the International Team at the best-on-best men’s tournament. Beyond selecting the squad’s players he is responsible for the tournament’s design aesthetic and, maybe most important, he has to set the tone with fans.
“When the U.S. goes overseas to play, it’s a totally different atmosphere than when they’re playing at home and traditionally, in the Presidents Cup, there hasn’t been that much of a contrast and that is our challenge,” Weir said. “Letting them know that you need to get behind our guys and make them feel supported and through that is making the other side feel a little bit uncomfortable.”
Weir said Presidents Cup organizers are teaming up with the Montreal Canadiens and their owner Jeff Molson to promote a hockey-like atmosphere.
“We don’t want it to be that over the top, but we want it to feel like the crowd is really, really with us,” he said.
The International Team’s only victory over the U.S. came at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia in 1998. It also earned a tie in 2003 at Fancourt Hotel and Country Club in George, South Africa, in 2003.
Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., hosted the biannual event in 2022, with the U.S. winning 17 1/2-12 1/2. Although thousands of American fans are expected to stream across the border in September when the 12-on-12 tournament is in Montreal, Weir hopes to make it truly feel like an away game and get a result like Australia 26 years ago.
“We’ve put a lot of thought into it and we continue amongst our team to talk about that home course, home country advantage,” said Weir. “We’re trying to engage a lot of the fans around the country with a lot of stuff that will be upcoming that we’re doing.
“We want the whole country to be involved and engaged. … We do want it to feel like it’s a home advantage for us.”
Royal Montreal hosted the Presidents Cup in 2007, when the United States beat the Internationals 19 1/2-14 1/2. Weir battled Tiger Woods in a climactic matchup that captured the imagination of many Canadian golf fans.
Weir said that, in its way, that experience was instructive in his current role as a non-playing captain.
“Tiger was playing and I think fans were excited to see him,” said Weir. “I felt like the fans were fantastic, but they were very cordial to the U.S. side. “We want them to be a little bit louder and a little bit more raucous than the past.”
The 2022 edition of the Presidents Cup was the first time that more than one Canadian played in the event, with Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., earning his way on to the team as an automatic selection and Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., picked by captain Trevor Immelman of South Africa.
Weir, and the Canadians on the PGA Tour, are hoping to have even more of a maple flavour at Royal Montreal. The top six players on the U.S. and International rankings are automatically chosen, and then Weir and U.S. captain Jim Furyk get to pick their next six players.
Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., is currently fourth in the International Team rankings. Adam Hadwin, also from Abbotsford, is ninth and Conners in 12th, meaning they could be easy choices for Weir to add.
Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., and Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., are 16th and 17th respectively, making them possible reaches. Pendrith is 22nd.
“You’ve got to give credit to Golf Canada and their development program that they’ve put together,” Weir said of the number of eligible Canadians. “A lot of those guys grew up together, were in that junior program together, and the development program.
“They’ve continued to elevate their games and elevate their careers.” There are no Canadians currently playing LIV Golf, the team-based circuit backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Weir confirmed that LIV Golf players like Chile’s Joaquin Niemann will not be eligible to play in the Presidents Cup.
Weir held a dinner with approximately 15 of the possible players who could play for the International Team ahead of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Taylor, Hadwin, Svensson, Conners and Hughes are all in the field at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla., this week.
KORN FERRY TOUR — Edmonton’s Wil Bateman is the top-ranked Canadian on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour. He’s ranked 12th heading into this week’s Astara Chile Classic at Prince of Wales Country Club in Santiago. There are six other Canadians in the field, including Etienne Papineau (28th) of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que., Myles Creighton (54th) of Digby, N.S., and Sudarshan Yellamaraju (105th) of Mississauga, Ont. Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald, Jared du Toit of Kimberley, B.C., and Thomas Giroux of Georgetown, Ont., enter the tournament unranked.
CHAMPIONS TOUR — Calgary’s Stephen Ames, currently ranked second in the Schwab Cup standings, will be in the field at the Cologuard Classic at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Ariz. Weir, when he’s done with his responsibilities at Bay Hill, will also play at the Cologuard Classic when it tees off on Friday. Weir is 38th on the Schwab Cup list. DP WORLD TOUR — Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., is in the opening group at the Jonsson Workwear Open 2024 at Glendower Golf Club in Dowerglen, Edenbale, South Africa. He’s 13th in the Race to Dubai Rankings.
LPGA TOUR — Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., and Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., are in the field at Blue Bay LPGA at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course in China. Both are currently unranked on the Race to CME Globe standings.
EPSON TOUR — Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., leads the Canadian contingent into the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic on Friday at the Country Club of Winter Haven in Winter Haven. She’ll be joined by Hamilton’s Alena Sharp, Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont., Kate Johnston of Ayr, Ont., and Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., in the first event on the 2024 tour’s calendar.
Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).
Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.
Lisa Nye, Estrella del Mar Golf and Country Club, Hole #13
It was a beautiful day in Mazatlan at the Estrella del Mar Golf and Country Club. I was on a golf trip with our Golf Professional, Debbie Janes. When I got my hole-in-one, I was playing with three other friends: Naz Sicherman, Elizabeth Bryden and Lisa Farrell. I hit my tee shot with an 8 iron on the 13th hole, 120 yard par 3, with a front right pin. It was a nice high shot that landed and rolled over a slight hill on a raised green. When we got to the green I was looking around for my ball thinking it had rolled off the green then Elizabeth said, “Uh, there is a ball in the hole”. It was very exciting – my first hole-in-one! We all shouted and hugged.
Terrance Hartwick, Whiskey Creek Country Club, Hole #16
Hole #16, and was playing 114 yards from the Blues that day. The Ranger was sitting by the green and was the first one to confirm it was in the hole. I’m 70 years old and have been golf seriously for about 2 1/2 years. My handicap is 24. Members of the foursome in front of us drove back to congratulate me on the course, (nice touch I thought). Club was a Callaway 3 rescue club, the oldest club in my bag and the most used. Ball was a Titleist 2. My playing partner of that day was my loving wife, Jackie Larouche Hartwick who deserves honourable mention because as she reminded me it has been all her great golf tips over the years that enabled the hole-in-one in the first place, and she’s not wrong.
John Esposto, Willowbrook, Hole #3
It was the first time out golfing this year in Florida. My friend Bob and I booked Willowbrook to get our first game in and also to see Alligators sunning themselves on the side of the ponds. Bill H. From Ontario joined us as a third.
After two double bogeys on the first two holes we came to the par 3 hole #3 at 143 yards. Normally I’d use a 7 iron but since it was the first time out I used a 6 iron. I said to myself keep your head down and follow through the ball, to prevent “premature admiration”! I have this problem often! It felt great off the club and a nice follow through. I seen it land on the green and roll towards the hole. Then I lost sight of it thinking I was long and went over to the back of the green.
When we drove up to the green my ball was nowhere to be found. Bill looks in the hole and there it was my third hole-in-one. I had a hard time concentrating the rest of the game and proceeded to shoot 49/53 for 102! Not bad for the first time out! This was my third hole-in-one with the first one coming in 1985 at Cherokee Golf Course in Hamilton!
Peter Jarvis, Pelican Preserve Golf Club, Hole #7
What a pleasant surprise receiving this note and the attached photo of the hole as we did not go back to photograph it.
I was partnering with a friend who is also a member of my home course Deerhurst Highlands and Pelican Preserve. We also had a father and son two-some who joined us Ken (member) and Steve his son.
It is a short hole – 155 yards on a Florida still rising incline until the green with water in front and the wind was blowing directly towards us. I pulled out a longer yardage club – my 5 wood – teed it up a bit and gave it a good stoke. It went high – seemed to almost stop in the wind and bounced on the curtain of the green just past the sandbox. The green had a slight downward slope away from us and pin was at the back so we couldn’t see where the ball ended up.
My partner remarked that was going to be a just dandy shot and Ken then hit one that landed close to mine and also looked like it had good shape. When we approached the green from different sides we both saw 1 ball close to the hole and both started looking for the other. I got there first to check if it was mine, pointed to Ken it was his and he eyeballed the cup – I went doubtfully towards the flag and lo and behold there she rested.
The rest is history and my back 9 was saved from the 2 doubles and 2 bogies that started it.
Paul Bordignon, Pitt Meadows Golf Club, Hole #7
It was a 7 iron from 158 yards, I was playing with my friends and fellow Pitt Meadows Golf Club members Connor Sam and James. Hit it right at it and it was 2 hops and in and the crowd went wild.
Stu Murphy, Golf Club of Estrella, Hole #7
I was playing with my girlfriend and a father and son from Seattle.
It was 171 yards with lucky number 7 iron.
Frank Enns, Estrella Del Mar, Hole #6
I was playing with Rod Kaasa of Edmonton and Rob Parker of Comox. The 6th hole at Estrella del Mar was playing at 106 yards over water. It is my 5th hole-in-one on that hole. Ironically, I have now made 5 aces on that hole, from 3 different tee boxes and FIVE different clubs: Gold(9i), Blue(PW), and White(50 degree wedge, 52 degree wedge, and 56 degree wedge). This one was made with my 50 degree wedge. It landed approximately 5’ past the hole and spun back into the cup. It is my 7th ace in my life. I’m 72 years of age.
Jim Sirup, Eagle Falls Golf Course, Hole #9
My 3rd hole-in-one! We were playing at Eagle Falls, Indio, California. Our foursome included my wife Karen and also playing with us, visiting from Kansas City, were Jeff & Sharon Alton. The big moment came at hole number 9. The hole was playing 174 yards, slight uphill to an elevated green. I used a 4 hybrid. The ball landed at the front part of the green, rolled to a back pin location and… disappeared! So, so exciting!
Jenifer Jones, Sandpiper Golf Club, Hole #7
It was my very first hole-in-one ever! I played golf as a junior, but then took a 25 year hiatus to finish my degrees and get established in my career as a physiotherapist owning 3 private clinic now.
I returned to golf in 2020 during Covid as a mental health escape and realized how much I love the game! I started back in lessons, and dedicated a lot of time to my game. I have been the Women’s Club Champion at Sandpiper Golf the last 3 years in a row and log over 150 games/year.
My hole-in-one was on hole #7 at Sandpiper, a par 3. I was playing from the white tees at had 99 yards to the pin. There is a hill off to the right of the green that rolls balls to the left – I landed there and rolled left onto the green and PLOP into the hole! Maybe not the prettiest hole-in-one, but a hole-in-one non-the-less.
Alison Murdoch, Victoria Golf Club, Hole #13
It was at Victoria Golf Club, one of the very few golf clubs open in Canada at this time of year. It was on the 13th hole, playing 117 yards that day with an 8 iron. You can see my friend Berne in this picture; I was also playing with Sunny who was the one who found the ball in the hole. It hit a tree and none of us saw where it went until Sunny took the flag out for Berne to putt. The men in the group behind us waited patiently on the tee while we took a few pictures. I guess they were happy to anticipate the hole-in-one drink they would be enjoying later.
Trish Jordan, Westbrook Village Country Club, Hole #2
I was playing with some American friends who I have met at our amazing golf course community at Westbrook Village in Peoria, AZ. They were: Jackie Boman, Dawn Prahl and Sharon Bolender. I think they were more excited than I was because they told me they had never seen a hole-in-one before.
I was playing the second hole at the Vistas Golf Course at Westbrook Village in Peoria. I am a snowbird who just retired last year and now have a bit more time to spend in Arizona.
It was a Blue pin. I estimated 125 yards. I choked up on a 7 iron (like Brook Henderson). I hit a pretty good shot but thought it might roll out and go long. But nope. It disappeared and I was like: Wow!
There is a tradition at the club that you donate your hat with the information and they post the hat on the wall of the bar in the clubhouse. So I did that too.
I have had 3 previous hole-in-ones but think this was the first in about 15 years and my first ever in the US. Not to bad for a 61 year old retiree!
Deb Harmidy, Mantarraya Golf Club, Hole #11
I was playing with my good friend Linda Macpherson and another woman who I did not know. There was a strong headwind so I decided to use my 7 wood on the 118 yard hole #11 at Mantarraya golf course in Rio Hato, Panama. The shot felt great off the tee but with the sun in our face, we couldn’t track the ball. What a great feeling to find my ball in the cup!
Tammy Bigelow, Desert Princess, Hole #17
I got my hole-in-one January 27th at Desert Princess in Palm Springs, CA as you already know. After recovering from tri level fusion in my back in 2019 I am so happy to be able to golf and my index is a 22 which I am proud of after such a recovery. My husband Wayne and I were playing with a friend of ours Byron and we were just about finished our round, playing Lagos 8 which is the 17th for my round, an elevated tee box and a turtle back green. I had actually just lost a ball to the water on #16 so I was deflated and I was getting tired. My husband says, “dig deep here honey” we are almost finished and you have a great round going! I grab my 6 iron so I don’t have to swing hard as I know my body is done this round. He says… “carry it 85, land it in the middle and just let it release to the pin which was a right, uphill then downhill lie approximately 118 yards”. So, I am thinking to myself, my 6 iron is too much. I go back to the cart and grab my 7 iron. It flies perfectly, lands nice and soft, I bend over to pick up my tee because I think that was good… hopefully it stays on the green when suddenly, the guys are shouting “go in the hole!” I missed most of it because I just thought they were yelling that as everyone tends to when you have a great shot, but I was happy to see it in the bottom of the cup!
I’ve played golf in my earlier years not so often but in the last 2-3 years my son Aaron (24) years has gotten me into golfing seriously. We play at Eagle Quest Golf Course in Coquitlam BC. Canada. 3-4 times a week. Par 3 course, 9 hole.
We’ve got very close to hole-in-one’s but on February 19 , 2023 at 2:20 pm. I made an unbelievable tee off to receive my first hole-in-one. 81 yards on Hole #7. My son and I still can believe it today as we’re so happy.
Kenn Stocks, The Okanagan Golf Club, Hole #4
– July 3, 2023
– Quail course hole #4
– Black Tee’s
– About 210 yards
– 4 rescue club
– First one
– 3 witnesses
– 18 holes finished the round
– No gimmes, no do overs, no breakfast ball.
Kyle Lagerstrom, TPC of Scottsdale, Hole #3
We were in Arizona for a golf trip for my cousins stag. This course was gorgeous, nicest course any of us had ever played. My cousin and I were paired together with two guys we met at the course, and the other 3 guys in our group were playing right behind us.
We got to hole #3 and I ranged the pin at 122 yards. Usually that would be a pitching wedge for me but the green was a little bit below the tee box so I used my Gap wedge. I struck the ball pretty good and it was heading just a little bit left of the pin. It landed about 10′ left of the pin and a few feet long. I got a nice kick to the right off of the slope of the green and it started rolling towards the pin. We got to watch it roll closer and closer to the pin until it dropped! My cousin and I looked at each other and started cheering and jumping on the tee box with the two other guys we had just met. My cousin is in the picture in the pink hat. (Not his first choice of hat but we made him wear it). I learnt that apparently when you get a hole-in-one you have to pick up the bill at the bar at the 19th hole which made for a great time. All in all made for a trip we will never forget! Couldn’t have picked a better spot to get an ace!
It was an awesome moment given that this was my second ace ever (my first was at Ledgeview GCC, home to Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin in May of 2018, hole #17!) and THIS time I got to actually see it roll in! At Superstition Springs GC they’ve switched the nines there, so it actually happened on the 6th hole (old 15th) 173 yards, I hit my 6 iron with a nice high draw, one big bounce then just tracked straight into the hole! A fun day to be sure and It was witnessed by three partners from Minnesota (one who now lives in Mesa, and two just visiting).
Mac Shiells, Arcadian Shores Golf Club, Hole #17
I was playing with my wife. The yardage was 117 and I used a 9 iron.
Ron Cornell, Indian Wells Golf Resort, Hole #12
It was a 7 iron from 156 yards away on 12th hole Indian wells players course.
Witnessed by Alex Mcphail and one other who was a single that joined us. My 6th hole-in-one but first in the USA.
Andy Constand, Shelburne Golf & Country Club, Hole #18
My name is Andy Constand. I had a hole-in-one on July 24, 2023 on hole #18 at Shelburne Golf & Country Club.
Nick Taylor ties PGA Tour record for largest 18-hole lead in a stroke event at WM Phoenix Open
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 09: Nick Taylor of Canada plays his shot from the fourth tee during the continuation of the weather-delayed first round of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 09, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Associated Press
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Canada’s Nick Taylor tied a PGA Tour record for the largest 18-hole lead in a stroke event with a bogey-free 11-under 60 in the weather-delayed first round of the Phoenix Open on Friday.
Taylor’s five-shot lead ties Jim Gallagher Jr. at the 1993 Tour Championship for the largest 18-hole lead in a stroke-play event since 1983. He also broke the largest 18-hole lead record at the Phoenix Open of four, set by Phil Mickelson in 2013.
A 3 1/2-hour weather delay in the first round forced about half the field to finish their first rounds at TPC Scottsdale on Friday morning. A frost delay of more than 90 minutes pushed back the resumption of the first round even more.
Taylor was 4 under through six holes after starting on No. 10 to start Thursday’s first round and returned to reel off four straight birdies starting on No. 18. He added three more birdies, including from nine feet on the par-4 ninth, to shoot 29 on the Stadium Course’s front nine.
Taylor’s 60 matches the course record set four previous times, last by Mickelson in 2013. Taylor leads overnight leader Sahith Theegala and three others by five shots heading into Friday’s second round.
Andrew Novak, Doug Ghim and Maverick McNealy also shot first-round 65s.
Financial Assistance Program
Matei Barbarasa
Financial Assistance Program
The Financial Assistance Program, which is supported by Golf Canada, The Gary Cowan Heritage Fund and the Canadian Senior Golfers Association, supports golfers, mainly juniors, with financial aid to help offset expenses that come with traveling and competing in National Championships and regional competitions.
Initiated in 2022, the Financial Assistance Program was introduced with the understanding and goal that financial constraints shouldn’t be a barrier to compete in high performance championships. A number of donors contribute to this program which started out in 2022 and the fund allocation continuous to grow.
How the Program Works?
Please check the specific overview documents under the application process heading for full criteria breakdowns.
2024 Financial Assistance Program
Continuing in 2024, the Financial Assistance Program will see an increase in funds available to eligible participants and their families for the following competitions:
NextGen Championships (all six Championships)
Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO (Marine Drive Golf Club, July 21 – 25)
Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO (Innisfail Golf Club, August 12 – 16)
Canadian U15 Championship, presented by BDO (Elmira Golf Club, August 27 – 30)
Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO (Timber Ridge Golf Club, September 9 – 12)
Application Process
Once you have reviewed the eligibility guidelines in the overview document. Please see below for the specific application forms for each championship.
In general, applications will be reviewed and accepted beginning thirty (30) days prior to the championship. An approval letter will be sent to the participant that has submitted a successful application outlining next steps before the championship begins.
An accepted applicant MUST compete in their respective championship in order to receive the approved funds through the Financial Assistance Program.
Disbursement of funds will begin following the conclusion of the championship and payments will be deposited within thirty (30) days from the conclusion of the championship.
About the Canadian Seniors’ Golf Association (CSGA)
The CSGA is a trustee of the Golf Canada Foundation supporting the First Tee program and three Golf Canada scholarships. This includes the support of the Financial Assistance Program that is aimed at lifting the restrictions on financial obstacles that will not hinder a high performance athlete from playing in National Championships or NextGen competitions. Through these programs, the CSGA is delivering on its initiative to grow the game.
About the Gary Cowan Heritage Fund
The Gary Cowan Heritage Fund (GCHF) was established with the Golf Canada Foundation (GCF) in conjunction with The Canadian Seniors’ Golf Association (CSGA) to provide needed support to financially restricted junior golfers that will enable them to pursue their golfing aspirations. The GCHF will supply funding through existing Golf Canada programs and will work to fund future programming to support junior golfers.
A Steering Committee will support the GCHF by:
Suggesting to GCF the use of funds from the GCHF to be used in support of existing Golf Canada financial support programs.
Providing financial support for Golf Canada pilot programs to support junior golfers outside of existing Golf Canada programs.
Supporting the fundraising initiatives of the Gary Cowan Heritage Foundation.
Uxbridge, ON – The Board of Directors of Golf Ontario (GO) has announced Kyle McFarlane will replace Mike Kelly as the next CEO of the organization beginning on March 1st, 2023.
“Following the completion of a comprehensive search process which included a deep field of talented candidates, it is my distinct pleasure to share the exciting news that Kyle McFarlane will assume the leadership of Golf Ontario,” said Dr. Susan Vail, President of the Board.
Since 2004, Kyle has demonstrated tremendous dedication to the organization across his multiple roles most recently as Chief Sport Officer. Over the course of his career with the association he has been directly involved in significant growth in the operational and financial breadth of Golf Ontario. He has helped strengthen core and value-added services to members, led the development of new initiatives to introduce more golfers to the game and supported the launch of systems for our best athletes to achieve their highest potential.
Kyle brings a breadth of knowledge and experience that is valued within the sector. As a respected member of the industry, Kyle has developed credibility and in turn strong relationships with Golf Ontario members and industry partners alike. He is well positioned to work collaboratively with partners to positively impact the health of the game and the industry.
In accepting the role, Kyle shared that “For almost two decades, I have had the pleasure to be involved in the evolution of Golf Ontario into a recognized world class operation. This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time as I’m fully prepared for a new challenge, and am energized to take on the responsibility of leading Golf Ontario through the 2023-26 Strategic Plan.”
Kyle’s passion for golf started at an early age and continues to this day. He is a sports enthusiast and actively involved in his community. Kyle graduated from the University of Memphis with a Master’s degree in Sport Commerce. He currently resides in Whitby with his wife Lisa and their three children Nolan, Jake and Maya.
TORONTO – Canadian golfing great Mike Weir added another new experience to his storied career on Thursday.
Gold confetti rained down as Weir pressed the button that formally stops trading for the day at the Toronto Stock Exchange.
“I swear, I thought it was still the bell not the button, I guess I’m getting old,” Weir said with a laugh. “It was really fun to do that. Get out to a new network of people, bring golf to the business side of Canada, get those people engaged, not just the golfers.”
The 52-year-old from from Brights Grove, Ont., is the winningest men’s golfer in Canadian history with eight victories on the PGA Tour, including earning the green jacket at the 2003 Masters.
Weir was formally introduced as the captain of the international team for the 2024 Presidents Cup on Wednesday at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Although Royal Montreal Golf Club will host the next Presidents Cup, Weir said it was “very important” to include all of Canada in the event and give the international event a true home-course experience.
“We have a huge country land-wise to try to bring everybody together as best we can and make sure that they feel like this is part of our golf legacy,” said Weir. “We want people coming from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, from the East Coast, Halifax.
“I’m hoping they want to come and see the best players in the world compete.”
Weir was the first Canadian to ever play in the star-studded event that sees the best golfers from around the world, minus Europe, play the top players from the United States.
Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., and Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., both played for the international team at the 2022 edition, making it the first time two Canadians played in the tournament.
Weir was an assistant captain for the third time this past September when the Americans won 17 1/2 to 12 1/2 at the Quail Hollow Club outside Charlotte, N.C.
He said that as soon as he was officially named the captain his phone started blowing up with messages from Canadian golfers hoping to make the team in two years’ time.
“We’ve had a WhatsApp chat going for a long time and yeah, I got a bunch of nice texts in there from the guys,” said Weir.
Thirty Canadian Players on the LPGA and PGA TOUR by 2032
Adam Hadwin, Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Kevin Blue, Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer
The performance of Canadian golfers on the world stage has improved significantly since the implementation of the Team Canada player development program in 2005. Canada is currently represented by 13 players with status on the LPGA or PGA TOUR, a substantial increase from the eight players with major tour status when the national team program was launched. Since 2014, members or graduates of the Team Canada Young Pro Squad have produced 50 professional tournament wins worldwide.
Canada is positioned to take another leap forward in global golf achievement. Today, Golf Canada is announcing an enhanced commitment to the Team Canada player development program. Our goal is for Canada to reach 30 players with status on the LPGA and PGA TOUR by 2032, completing our transformation into a truly world-class golfing country where Canadians are regularly in contention on both tours.
The pursuit of this ambitious goal is made possible by significant new philanthropic support from a group of generous donors who are making major gifts to fund enhancements in the Team Canada player development program—beginning with an investment of $13.5 million through Golf Canada Foundation to support the strategic goals of the program.
Paul McLean, CEO of Turf Care and former president of Golf Canada and Golf Canada Foundation has made a lead gift of $5 million to increase the breadth and depth of financial support for Canadian players across the stages of development for the next ten years. Paul has been a pillar of the Canadian golf community with close relationships to many Canadian touring professionals. We are grateful for Paul’s leadership and support.
Major gifts have also been committed by The Kavelman Fonn Foundation, John Francis, Jean Monty, David Kaufman, Steve Lister and Dr. Molly Rundle, and a pair of donors who wished to remain anonymous creating an initial pool of $13.5M in incremental funding to support new player development investments over the next decade. These generous donors are part of the Golf Canada Foundation Trustee program, which provides critical philanthropic support for important Canadian golf initiatives such as player development and First Tee. Golf Canada Foundation is continuing to identify Trustees who are interested in supporting the Team Canada player development program and expanding First Tee across Canada.
Photo by Jeff vogan/ Golf canada
Our ambitious strategy for player development is based on extensive research over the past year along with input from stakeholders in Canadian high-performance golf – including those involved at the very highest levels of the professional game. The full analysis and strategic plan can be read in draft form here. In addition, we invite you to attend Golf Canada’s virtual annual general meeting on March 2 for an in-depth presentation about the future of the player development system in Canada.
In summary, Golf Canada’s updated player development strategy includes the following priorities:
Sharpen the specific focus of the player development system on the objective of increasing the number of Canadian players on the LPGA and PGA TOUR, with the goal of 30 players on these tours by 2032.
Foster an open and inclusive culture of collaboration among all stakeholders in Canadian high-performance golf – including players, coaches, facilities, professional tours, and provincial associations.
Invest in Canada’s player development system at a level that matches and competes with aspirational peers like Australia and England.
In partnership with PGA of Canada, increase the depth and diversity of Canadian coaching talent.
Broaden the player development system at the junior level by including more players in the national program and creating a national talent identification system for the most promising early-stage juniors.
Combine late-stage amateurs and young pro players into an expanded Team Canada cohort that is singularly focused on helping players to launch and sustain successful professional golf careers. Team Canada – NextGen, currently called the National Junior Squad, will include both juniors and developing amateurs. These changes will occur in 2023.
Provide housing and training facility access in the US for transitioning professional players.
Increase the breadth and depth of support for young professional players. Assign funding based on an individualized analysis of specific player needs.
Pay particular attention to off course support in areas such as mental health. Ensure a supportive environment that is in full compliance with Safe Sport policies.
Create a need-based system of financial aid for junior and amateur players in the player development program to ensure that financial assistance is provided to families with the most significant financial needs.
Build a digital library of educational resources featuring Canadian tour player role models that is available to aspiring Canadian players and their families.
Refine the analytics used to evaluate player development progress. Emphasize a data-driven and methodical approach.
Re-evaluate the infrastructure and pathway for Canadian professional women’s golf. Develop alternatives to the four-year NCAA pathway while maintaining educational opportunities for the most advanced women. Increase the number of domestic professional playing opportunities for women.
Especially emphasize how we can support the development of Canadian golf champions from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, building on the more diverse participation base that will be created by First Tee – Canada.
These items will be implemented over the course of 2022 and 2023. One of the first enhancements to occur will be the creation of a national infrastructure for identifying and developing the most promising early-stage juniors in Canada (i.e., ages 10-14). Over time, this infrastructure will increase the volume of high-performing juniors in Canada who have the potential to develop into LPGA and PGA TOUR players.
To move forward with this system enhancement, Team Canada Women’s Head Coach Tristan Mullally will transition to the newly created position of National Talent Identification Director. In this new capacity, Tristan will provide additional resources to parents and coaches who work with the most promising young juniors in Canada and provide direct coaching to identified early-stage juniors who don’t otherwise have local coaching support. He will also facilitate the development and implementation of local talent identification camps in every province. Tristan’s globally recognized technical skills and extensive experience with elite players will be a significant asset for helping to accelerate the development of Canada’s most promising young juniors.
Tristan’s transition into this new role will occur gradually over the next several months. A search will begin immediately for a head coach to oversee the women’s program and for an additional assistant coach to complete the remainder of the women’s coaching staff.
Tristan Mullally/ Golf Canada
Many people across our country are deeply passionate about Canadian golf and excited for Canada to continue its emergence as a world-class golfing country. Every stakeholder in the Canadian golf industry is involved in developing Canada’s top players in one way or another. Golf facility operators create affordable opportunities for competitive juniors to access courses, PGA of Canada professionals provide important mentorship and coaching to young players, and partners and philanthropists provide critical support so the Team Canada player development program can be resourced for global success. Our goal is to unify the entire Canadian golf community behind this player development effort, as our Canadian players have the best chance to emerge on the world stage when everyone is part of the journey with them.
If you’d like to ask questions, provide feedback about our plan, or find out more about becoming a donor to the program, please send us an email using this link.
Team Canada’s Savannah Grewal to play Augusta Women’s Amateur
Lara Kuipers/ Golf Canada
Top-ranked Canadian amateur Savannah Grewal has been invited to compete against the world’s best at the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur from March 30 – April 2.
“It means a ton to me,” said Grewal on being invited. “Being a female and being able to play at Augusta National is huge just because they didn’t let women play there for so long. And especially being able to play in a tournament against some of the top amateurs in the world is unreal.”
An international field is set to compete over 54 holes of stroke play with a cut following the first two rounds. The opening 36 holes will be contested over two days on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round Friday, April 1, followed by the final round featuring the top 30 competitors who made the cut.
Grewal, 20, is currently ranked No. 154 on the WAGR and plays for Clemson University in South Carolina.
While she was first introduced to golf through a camp when she was six, the Mississauga, Ont., product says it wasn’t until a few years later – after occasionally going to the course with her parents – that she decided she wanted to take up the sport competitively.
By the time she was 16 years old, Grewal knew Clemson was where she wanted to go following high school. While on an unofficial visit that happened to be during the football team’s spring scrimmage, Grewal fell in love with the South Carolina school.
“I told my grandfather – because he was with me – and I told him right after we were done visiting that this is where I want to go to school,” Grewal said. “The coaches were amazing, the facilities were amazing, but for me the most important thing was they had that family atmosphere to it.”
Grewal has since become the first player in Clemson history to record a hole-in-one on March 27, 2021 during the second round of the Clemson Invitational which she would go on to finish third at and she’s the first ever Canadian to sign with the Clemson Tigers women’s golf team.
The inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur, played at Augusta National Golf Club, was held in 2019 and was won by 2017 Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion Jennifer Kupcho.
After being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the event returned the following year where 17-year-old Tsubasa Kajitani won the second installment of the event in a playoff over Emilia Migliaccio.
Brigitte Thibault of Rosemère, Que., is the only Canadian to have previously played in the event, playing in both previous installments.
While it’ll be Grewal’s first time playing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, it won’t be her first trip to the coveted golf course. Back in April 2017, at the annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals held at Augusta, Grewal won the Girls 14-15 age division.
“To be able to go back and be back on the grounds of Augusta National is huge because it’s the biggest golf course basically – the most popular one in golf – so, it’s super exciting and it just means a ton to be invited,” said Grewal, who was able to do the putting portion of the event in 2017 on the 18th green at Augusta.
Live broadcast of the final round from the third annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur will kick off at 12 p.m. ET on April 2.
Titleist introduces the third generation of its AVX golf ball, improving upon short game spin and control, increasing driver distance, and providing even softer feel. The original AVX was engineered by Titleist in 2018 as a performance alternative to its flagship Pro V1 and Pro V1x by offering the lowest flight, lowest spin and softest feel of the three premium offerings. The new AVX reflects further advancements in the brand’s industry-leading multi-component technology with additional breakthrough results for golfers who prioritize distance and extremely soft feel in a urethane covered golf ball.
“Flight, Spin, and Feel are three key performance attributes we evaluate during our green-to-tee fittings and golf ball selection,” said Frederick Waddell, Director of Golf Ball Product Management, Titleist. “AVX provides a low flight, low spin, exceptionally soft feel alternative to Pro V1 and Pro V1x. With these three golf balls, plus Pro V1x Left Dash, every golfer that prioritizes performance can find a precise fit for their game.”
“With new AVX, we focused on what AVX golfers are asking for: improving upon the already incredible distance and feel that golfers love, while enhancing greenside spin,” added Waddell. “We achieved this by softening the urethane cover to achieve greater short game performance, while adding a new core formulation for speed, and new aerodynamics for flight stability and more distance.”
AVX is a premium, technologically advanced golf ball, and the golfers who play it choose AVX because it gives their specific game a performance advantage.
“All components of a golf ball are connected when it comes to performance,” said Mike Madson, Director of Aerodynamics and Research Engineering, Titleist. “When we set out to increase distance and enhance greenside spin, we looked at every layer of the golf ball for improvements. New AVX includes improvements to the core formulation, cover and aerodynamics. The dimple pattern is an area of constant innovation. We continuously design and test new dimple configurations so we can match an aerodynamic pattern specific to the golf ball construction. With AVX, the 348 catenary dimple pattern is optimized specifically for the low flight window of AVX to produce maximum distance.”
The AVX is offered in both white and optic yellow, available in golf shops worldwide starting on Feb. 4, 2022.
