Kim Carrington sits second with Linda Morris jumping to third heading into tomorrow’s final round

Jackie Little continues to charge ahead after round two of the 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Ladies’ Championship. The three-time tournament champion leads the field once again, with a four stroke (152) lead heading into tomorrow’s final round. She says that this year she wasn’t sure about her chances of winning again, but that her experience is helping to move her forward.

“My game has not been right on this year. It’s been a bit of a struggle. Right now, I’m just kind of happy that I’m almost there. It feels like it’s almost clicking. I’m not going to think about victory. I’m just going to try and keep the game going on. I think when you have experience, you try and manage things when the game’s not perfect.”

Kim Carrington looked strong after nine holes, but finished second with an 80 on day two. Linda Morris jumps from seventh to third place with a 77. Barbara Flaman now finds herself in the top ten, sitting fourth with the low (76) round of the day. Alison Murdoch maintains a healthily lead in the Super Senior (65+) division.

The top three Albertan players will form the Alberta Senior Ladies’ Interprovincial Squad. This year’s national competition will be held in Newfoundland from August 22nd to 24th. The team will be announced and trophies will be presented to the champions at tomorrow’s presentation tentatively set for 2:30PM.

Little was born and raised in Edmonton, but now represents another province. She just moved to Balfur, BC in April and says that “it’s always nice to come back home.”

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

Full leaderboard

Final round pairings

Twitter tournament updates #ABSrLadies

Official tournament photos on flickr.com

Team Alberta won the inter-provincial championship after team members Max Sekulic (Rycroft, Alta.), Matt Bean (Canmore, Alta.) and Chandler McDowell shot a combined 4 under par on Tuesday to pass New Brunswick, the round one leaders, by one stroke. Team Ontario finished in a tie for second with New Brunswick.

Calvin Ross, Joel Veenstra and Tristan Mandur are all deadlocked at the top of the leaderboard at 2 under par after round two at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club on Tuesday. Four players stand one stroke back of the trio of leaders at 1 under par. Round one leader Marcus Khaw (Burlington, Ont.) stumbled with a 3-over-par 73 and Tyler McDowell (Whitby, Ont.) scored 2 under par to bring him up the standings.

Team Canada Development Squad members Chandler McDowell (Springbrook, Atla.) and Peyton Callens (Langton, Ont.) round out the juniors who hold shares of fourth place. Callens shot a 2-under-par 68 while Chandler McDowell locked in a 1-under-par 69.

In the Juvenile division, 16-year-old Nolan Thoroughgood from Victoria, B.C., claimed top spot on the leaderboard after he recorded a 1-under-par 69 to bring him to even par for the tournament. Johnny Travale (16) from Stoney Creek, Ont., and Ethan Choi (15) from Pincher Creek, Alta., are tied in second one stroke back of Thoroughgood.

The cut was set at 8 over par and 71 golfers will advance to the final two rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.

In addition to the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship title, the individual champion will earn an exemption into the 2017 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at The Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club in Toronto from Aug. 7-10.

For full results click here.

92 ladies teed it up at the Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club for a fun-filled day of team net best-ball competition

Female golfers of all ages and from every corner of the province attended the annual Alberta Ladies Team Classic at the beautiful Stewart Creek G&CC. The team of Keenan and Green had the days best score of 13 under par, 58. A portion of the entry fees for the Alberta Ladies Team Classic are donated directly to the Canadian Cancer Society in support of cancer research and the Golf Fore the Cure program.

• Full results
• Photo album

A special thanks to the staff at Stewart Creek G&CC and all of the member clubs who donated prizes in support of this event. See below for more information on Golf Fore the Cure and how to run your own event at a local facility.

About Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru

We are passionate about growing the game of golf in this country. Introducing women to the game and providing them with opportunities to develop their skills is an integral part of Golf Canada’s efforts to foster female participation nationwide. Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru is one of those opportunities.

The Golf Fore the Cure program, presented by Subaru, is the largest national grassroots female recreational golf program in Canada. The program was created to grow women’s participation in the game of golf by introducing them to the sport through fun, non-intimidating activities, while also featuring unique partnerships with the Canadian Cancer Society and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation that add awareness and fundraising components to support the fight against breast cancer.

With the help of volunteers from across the country, the Golf Fore the Cure program has exposed more than 100,000 women to the game of golf and raised $5.1 million dollars in support of breast cancer research initiatives over the past eight years.

The Golf Fore the Cure program is all about using the sheer power of women playing the game of golf to make a difference.

The annual Golf Fore the Cure campaign culminates in a National Event that recognizes the outstanding efforts of female golfers from across the country. It is a celebration of the success of the entire Golf Fore the Cure campaign and it recognizes all those that have contributed to a future without breast cancer. In September, individuals, friends, and corporate teams come together to enjoy a great day of golf, food and camaraderie.

Why Run a Golf Fore the Cure Event?

• Golf Canada and Subaru continue to offer this program at no cost to you
• Funds raised at each event can be allocated to help fund breast cancer support and information programs within your community
• Receive a free event kit with prizes, signage and all necessary tournament materials
• Join the Canadian Cancer Society in the fight against breast cancer and contribute to this meaningful cause that touches thousands of women each year
• All sites registered will be entered into a draw to win a Fitbit Flex and Golf Canada Prize Pack!

When and Where Can I Register?

6 Easy Steps to Planning a Golf For the Cure Event Infographic

Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru event registration is now open for the 2017 season. Register your site and secure your event date by clicking here.

For more information and to fund-raise online, click here, or contact:

1-800-263-0009 x495
gftc@golfcanada.ca

Two British Columbia locals light up the 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior and Super Senior Ladies’ Championship leaderboards

The top five are set to challenge the lead in round two with clear conditions ahead

The Edmonton Petroleum Golf and Country Club (EPGCC) played long for the competitors on day one of the 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Ladies’ Championship. Through the wind and the rain, British Columbia resident, Jackie Little, managed to claim the lowest opening day score with three over par (75). Tournament Rules Chair, Leigh Cormack, says that the players stood up well to this year’s host club unique features, and with clear weather ahead, the scores should only get better.

“You set up a golf course with the yardage in mind. This course is characterized by some longer par fours and some short tricky par fours, which might average out to the length that you want it to be, but that leaves the real long ones left for them to content with. It’s a good combination. It’s fair, but challenging, and when you get those long par fours in conditions like this it’s a tough golf course. I think, as the course dries out, it will become a little firmer and a little bit faster. Putting might be a little more of a challenge tomorrow and Thursday, but I think the scores will improve.”

Alison Murdoch, from the Victoria Golf Club, sits third overall in the tournament, and leads the Super Senior division. She is only one stroke behind Kim Carrington who is four over par. Local EPGCC member, Gail Barros, also looks strong in fourth place with an 80.

The current leaders aren’t the only ones who travelled from out of province to play in the tournament. Notable, Kimberly Ross, Manitoba’s Interprovincial Senior Ladies’ teammate, is also here getting in some practice. Regardless of her national event ahead, she says she loves the atmosphere in Alberta.

“I was very excited to meet some new people this afternoon. That’s a great part of this event, getting to meet new people and experiencing new golf courses. Because Manitoba is a small province, there are fewer events to play. It’s nice to be able to play some extra events.”

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

Full leaderboard

Wednesday’s pairings

Twitter tournament updates #ABSrLadies

Official tournament photos on flickr.com

Defending champions look to reclaim 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Ladies’ Amateur Championship titles

2017 roster will compete in Edmonton amongst the shadow of Canadian female legacies 

EDMONTON, Alta. (Alberta Golf) – The 2017 Guardian Capital Alberta Senior Ladies’ Championship will take place at the Edmonton Petroleum Golf & Country Club. From August 1st to 3rd, 71 competitors, aged 50 and over, will attempt to add their name next to a legendary list of Canadian amateur female golfers.

Mike Frisby, sr. vice president & portfolio manager at Guardian Capital Advisors LP, says there is true sense of pride that can be felt leading up to the event.

“For three years, Guardian has been proud of our sponsorship and we are excited to be a part of the event at the senior level. We can’t wait to continue to celebrate the players of the Senior Ladies Championship, and we hope each and every competitor has a great game over the coming days.”

Finishing strong in last year’s competition, defending Senior champion Lynn Kuehn will return. Notables, like 2015 champion, Kim Carrington, and three-time champion, Jackie Little, will have to be at their best to take the 2017 Senior title. Alison Murdoch, defending Super Senior champion, within the age 65 and over division, is also back to try and repeat history.

The top three finalists will represent the province in the 2017 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, as part of the 2017 Alberta Senior Ladies’ Interprovincial Team. The event runs from August 22nd to 24th at the Humber Valley Resort, in Little Rapids, Nfld.

The Senior Ladies’ legacy is highlighted by provincial Hall of Fame members, like 2011 Alberta Golf Hall of Fame inductee Diane Williams. She will be going for her ninth victory this year.

NOTABLES

• Lynn Kuehn – Defending Alberta Senior Ladies’ Champion
• Alison Murdoch – Defending Alberta Super Senior Ladies’ Champion
• Diane Williams – 8 time Alberta Senior Ladies’ Champion
• Jackie Little – 3 time Alberta Senior Ladies’ Champion
• Kim Carrington – 2015 Alberta Senior Ladies’ Champion
• Cheryl Van Dornick – 2007 Alberta Senior Ladies’ Champion
• Joan Wilson – 2016 Alberta Senior Ladies’ Interprovincial Team

Full list of past champions

FAST FACTS

• First contested in 1964
• Format – 54 holes of stroke play competition
• Senior contest – for those aged 55 & over
• Super Senior contest – for those aged 65 & over

ABOUT THE COURSE

• Championship tees – 5,654 yards, par 72

MEDIA

• Full event information
• #ABSrLadies
• Flickr albums

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ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are committed to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.

Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender categories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.

ABOUT GUARDIAN CAPITAL
At Guardian, we prize the stability of our clients, our employees and our financial resources. Placing the needs of our clients first has led to long-lasting relationships. A growing client base has allowed us to consistently hire the best and brightest. And this combination of satisfied clients and exceptional team members is what will allow us to maintain our significant financial strength in the decades to come.

CONTACT
Stephen Wigington
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-860-7425

Look into planning your August long weekend golf trip around Alberta’s best holes.

From a golfer’s perspective, there is no Canadian province that can match the variety, and the beauty, of Alberta. Other than authentic seaside links, our province is home to every genre of the game. Mountain golf. Parkland golf. Prairie golf. Badlands golf. Foothills golf. Riverside golf. Municipal golf. We’ve got it all covered. And, not surprisingly, given the variety of the settings, the canvases, on which the game here is played, the province is teeming with awesome, postcard-worthy holes that showcase this dramatic, all-encompassing beauty.

The problem, if you can call it that, is singling out the best of the best. Ranking these great holes – the best our province has to offer – is both a monumental and subjective task. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And the criteria for what makes a golf hole great can be, for lack of a better word, confusing.

For some, the natural beauty of a hole is paramount. The actual design is secondary. For others, the strategic and architectural merit – the hazards, the natural and man-made contours, the options – count the highest. And many others would feel that difficulty, the hole’s ability to provide a world-class challenge, is the critical factor in terms of its inclusion in the “greatness” category.

Regardless of where, exactly, you stand on the “criteria,” some holes just seem to have it all. They are beautiful. They are challenging. They are architecturally superior. And, yes, they do, most definitely, scream “Alberta!”

The Best Par-3s

“The Shark” Greg Norman, prepares to hit a shot with a hickory club on the famous Devil’s Cauldron hole during the 2006 Telus World Skins Game

Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Hole 4, 165 yards – The famous “Devil’s Cauldron” has long been considered one of the greatest golf holes in the world. The perched tee, the glass-green lake, the punchbowl green, the clutch of ragged bunkers, the soaring face of Mt. Rundle: it all adds up to par-3 perfection.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course, Hole 15, 130 yards – Dubbed “Bad Baby,” this one-off lakeside par-3 at Jasper is short and sweet…and very, very scary. The setting along the lake and the evil slopes that guard the green make it one of the most brilliantly-conceived short holes in all of golf.

Kananaskis Country Golf Course, Mt. Kidd Course, Hole 4, 170 yards – Although nobody has hit a shot on this hole for the past four years (one more year to wait!), this gem of a par-3 will soon return to its former glory. With a gorgeous green ringed by a pond and the stunning peaks of K-Country looming behind the target, this hole is rightfully considered an Alberta icon.

Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club, The Raven, Hole 15, 133 yards – When done well, short par-3s bring an enticing and endearing element to a round of golf. Everyone can birdie them. Or double bogey them! Case in point: the over-the-pond 15^th on the The Raven at Priddis Greens.

Paradise Canyon Golf Resort, Hole 12, 131 yards – The dry-as-a-bone badlands of the Old Man River Valley – as well as never-ending river, prairie, and mountain views – are on full display on this little knee-knocker. When the wind is howling, as it often does here, a knock-down 4-iron might be the shot of choice.

The Best Par-4s

The old finishing hole at the Fairmont Banff Springs with the famous hotel in the background

Calgary Golf & Country Club, Hole 18, 417 yards – In a perfect world, the closing hole encapsulates the essence of a course, offers a fitting and challenging conclusion to the experience. And no hole in Alberta does this better than the robust, riverside finale at the Calgary Golf & Country Club.

Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club, Hole 14, 411 yards – With the historic castle-like hotel in the background, the smooth-flowing Bow River meandering on the right, this meaty par-4 is a timeless testament to the Thompson-era of great golf course architecture. True, it should still be the finishing hole, but, regardless, it’s lofty status as one of Alberta’s great par-4s remains firmly intact. (Just like the next hole, the 15^th, which used to be the unforgettable start to the round!)

Red Deer Golf & Country Club, Hole 18, 445 yards – A closing birdie should be well-earned. And if you make a three on this beautiful, tough-as-nails par-4 – it plunges down the hill and requires length, accuracy and putting prowess – you’ve definitely earned your pat-on-the-back.

Innisfail Golf Club, Hole 6, Hazelwood, 362 yards – It’s well known in Alberta’s golf community: Innisfail is peppered with pristine parkland holes. And a perfect example is the tucked-away 6^th on the Hazelwood nine. This idyllic, short par-4 curls around the lake and is about as peaceful and perfect a setting for a golf hole in the province.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Hole 14, 355 yards – With the tee box sitting snug on the shore of Lac Beauvert and the rumpled fairway curling around the lake to the small, elevated green, this is the type of golf hole you could play every day and it would never get old! But, of course, this is just one of 18 reasons why Jasper is widely considered the best golf course in Alberta.

The Best Par-5s

The par-5 1st at Wintergreen is in awesome start to the round

Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club, Hole 18, 551 yards – True, the best players on the PGA Tour Champions typically eat this hole up during the Shaw Charity Classic. (Case in point: Fred Couples’ eagle chip-in in 2015.) Smash a good drive and the water-guarded green might be in reach. A hole “Tin Cup” would love!

D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club, Hole 7, 521 yards – Careening through a natural coulee with a razor-thin green hard on the water, the 7^th at D’Arcy Ranch is equal parts beauty and beast. From the elevated tee, the spacious fairway begs you to “let the big dog eat!”

Wolf Creek Golf Resort, Hole 11, The Links Course, 527 yards – Dubbed “Hell’s Full Acre” (a play off Pine Valley’s famous “Hell’s Half Acre” hole), this awesome and artistic Rod Whitman concoction deserves more love. From the semi-blind tee shot to the rugged, wasteland of sand, this is a one-off hole that epitomizes Whitman’s talent and creativity.

Glendale Golf & Country Club, Hole 17, 536 yards – A late-round eagle? Hmmm. Maybe not. This prodigious round-wrecker is always a handful. Blast a drive down the right hand side and thoughts of getting home might surface. However, plenty of water, bunkers, and shin-high rough are cause for concern. And so is the massive, three-tiered green.

Blackhawk Golf Club, Hole 11, 562 yards – Plunging into the serene North Saskatchewan River Valley, the 11^th at Blackhawk – one of four awesome par-5s at Blackhawk – begins an amazing run of holes along the river. From a visual standpoint, golf holes don’t get any better!

Naturally – given the fact that Alberta is home to over 300 golf courses! – there are, literally, hundreds of heavenly holes that could easily have made the grade here. And a meager list of “honorable mentions” can hardly do it justice. The 1^st at Wintergreen? The 9^th at Heritage Pointe (Heritage 9)? The 18^th at the Lethbridge Country Club? The 1^st at Athabasca? The 18^th at the Edmonton Country Club? The list goes on and on.

In a golf-rich province such as Alberta, debating the best golf holes could last weeks. Fortunately, as we all know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And in Alberta, when it comes to beautiful golf holes, there are plenty to behold.

Alberta’s Best Holes

This article was originally published in the 2017 edition of The Alberta Golfer Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.

Van Dornick had the best round of the day, firing an even par round of 70 that was two shots better than anyone else in the final round. He said “today was probably my best outing. The whole round, the whole week has been a struggle with putts and reading the greens and getting the weight right. Today I guessed right a couple of times. It added up to an even-par round. That’s about as good as I could have done today.” Van Dornick got off to a nice start by birdieing his first hole of the day and making an eagle on the par five third hole. He went on to say that “I was just going to try and go out and play as good of a round as I could today. I had no thoughts about winning. No thoughts about a playoff. Nothing. I just wanted to play a decent round of golf.” That mindset paid off for the now four-time Alberta senior champion. He got himself into a playoff and never looked back.

“To get into a playoff and to be successful you are very lucky. The fellow I ended up beating, Brian Laubman, is a very good friend of mine. We had a lot of fun.” It was Laubman’s first Alberta senior championship. The 55-year-old former Alberta amateur and mid-amateur champion was looking to add the senior title and lay claim to the elusive Alberta triple-crown. Of the playoff, Van Dornick added that “we both just said, lets try and make birdie and end it as fast as we could. Unfortunately for Brian, he blocked his shot a little on the second playoff hole and made bogey. It is what it is, we enjoyed it, we are good friends and we would have been happy if either one of us won.”

Van Dornick’s previous three senior titles came in 2009, 2012 and 2014. This year he not only claimed the senior championship but also the super senior division for those aged 65 and over. “The super senior is my inaugural on that. I was hoping at some point in my competitive days I could win it once. So to win my first time out, that is one less thing I have to worry about in the future. Winning today was very, very special for me. To win the senior event and then to top it off with the super senior title. I am extremely happy about that.”

Van Dornick, Laubman and Griffith form the Alberta Interprovincial Senior Men’s Team. The team will compete at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, September 11-14th at the Kanawaki Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec.

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

MEDIA

• Full leaderboard
• Full event information
• #ABSeniorMens
• Flickr albums

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ABOUT ALBERTA GOLF
The Alberta Golf Association was incorporated as a society in 1912 and continues today as a not for profit Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) operating as Alberta Golf. As the PSO, we are commited to realizing the positive impacts of golf on individuals and communities across Alberta. Our vision is that through golf, Albertans will enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, a strong sense of community, economic benefits and personal fulfillment.

Alberta Golf hosts 13 annual provincial championships in order to identify the best golfers in various age and gender catergories. A mix of nearly 1,500 pro and amateur golfers compete on high quality member facility courses across the province. Championships are hosted by a core team of staff and over 100 volunteers. The tournaments promote competition, build pride in the community, support charitable giving and inspire future generations of golfers. They also serve as an opportunity for golfers to qualify for national amateur championships.

ABOUT GUARDIAN CAPITAL
At Guardian, we prize the stability of our clients, our employees and our financial resources. Placing the needs of our clients first has led to long-lasting relationships. A growing client base has allowed us to consistently hire the best and brightest. And this combination of satisfied clients and exceptional team members is what will allow us to maintain our significant financial strength in the decades to come.

CONTACT
Anthony Stirling
Tournament Director
Alberta Golf
(p) 403-999-2615

MEN’S TOP 10

Austin Connelly made the biggest move among the Top 10, picking up 172 spots in the world ranking following his impressive showing at The Open Championship. The 20-year-old, who holds dual citizenship, finished in a tie for 14th in his first appearance at a golf major. At one point in the weekend, he was sitting in a tie for third. The former Golf Canada National Squad member just missed automatically qualifying for next year’s championship by two strokes. The result was worth 8.75 world ranking points, the biggest points-paying of his career to date. Connelly also moves up to No. 6 in the Canadian rankings.

Roger Sloan made a 37 place gain in the world rankings but it was not enough to stop the surging Connelly from moving past him. Sloan posted his third top 10 finish of the year, finishing in a tie for seventh at the Web.com Tour Pinnacle Bank Championship. The result was worth 2.21 world ranking points and marked his first points-paying finish in his last 10 events.

Graham DeLaet and Mackenzie Hughes continued their flip-flop atop the rankings with the Saskatchewan golfer reclaiming the No. 2 Canadian ranking after climbing one spot in the world rankings.

Other notable results: No. 1 Adam Hadwin missed the cut at The Open Championship; No. 5 David Hearn finished tied for 27th at PGA Barbasol Championship; No. 8 Brad Fritsch missed the cut at the PGA Barbasol Championship; No. 9 Corey Conners missed the cut at Web.com Tour Pinnacle Bank Championship; No. 10 Adam Svensson finished tied for 31st at Web.com Tour Pinnacle Bank Championship;

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Top ranked Brooke Henderson slipped two places in the world rankings, down to No. 10 after she missed the cut at the LPGA’s Marathon Classic. It was only the second time she missed the cut this year in 19 events.

Alena Sharp maintained her No. 77 world ranking with her third top 15 result of the season, finishing in a tie for 13th at the Marathon Classic.

Other Notable Results: No. 5 Augusta James, No. 7 Samantha Richdale and No. 9 Jennifer Ha missed the cut at LPGA Marathon Classic; No. 4 Anne-Catherine Tanguay finished tied for 33rd at Symetra Tour event in Rochester; No. 6 Brittany Marchand missed the cut at Symetra Tour event in Rochester; No. 10 Elizabeth Tong finished tied for 51st at Symetra Tour event in Rochester;

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Matt Williams made the biggest move among the Top-10, gaining 50 places in the world ranking which enabled him to climb up from No. 9 up to No. 7 in Canadian rankings.

Golf Canada National Team member Hugo Bernard made the second biggest gain over the past week, picking up 23 places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for seventh in his debut event on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada.

Top ranked Garrett Rank climbed three places up to No. 62 in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for fifth at the Porter Cup.

Chris Crisologo moved up six spots in the world rankings after finishing fourth at the B.C. Amateur Championship.

Joey Savoie climbs up to No. 4 in Canadian rankings, moving past Lawren Rowe.

Biggest move:  Max Sekulic gained 1,339 spots in the world rankings after finishing runner-up at the Sun Life Financial Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship, losing on the second playoff hole to 2015 champion Brett Hogan.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Only significant movement inside the Top-10 was Selena Costabile gaining 28 places to move up one spot from No. 11 to take over the No. 10 ranking in Canada.

Golf Canada National Team members Jaclyn Lee and Naomi Ko took part in the Pacific Northwest Amateur Championship. Lee, seeded 13th, made it all the way to the Round of 16 before running into eventual champion Julianne Alvarez. Ko, the No. 8 seed, got as far as the semi-finals before losing to Alvarez.

Biggest Move: Christina Proteau gained 212 places in the world rankings after winning the PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The Port Alberni, B.C.  golfer, who was seeded No. 1 entering the match-play portion of the event, defeated Gretchen Johnson 3 and 2 in the final. A three-time PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year, Proteau is five months pregnant with her second child.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

Global sports entertainment leader Topgolf® and Cineplex (TSX: CGX), a leading entertainment and media company, today announced an exclusive partnership that will bring Topgolf’s sports entertainment experience to Canada. The joint venture will see the opening of multiple Topgolf venues in markets across the country during the next several years.

“Throughout the years, Canada has been the top-requested country among our fans asking us to expand outside the United States,” said Topgolf Entertainment Group Co-Chairman and CEO Erik Anderson. “We’re thrilled to continue our growth in North America and introduce Topgolf as a destination for entertainment and socializing where Canadians can play golf even when there’s snow on the ground.”

We continue to identify new opportunities to grow and diversify our business and are very pleased to introduce this incredible entertainment and sports concept to Canadians,” said Cineplex President and CEO Ellis Jacob. “As one of the country’s leading entertainment companies, this relationship with Topgolf is a natural extension of our business and leverages our existing expertise, experience and infrastructure in the Canadian market.”

Through the premium experience of play, food and music, Topgolf inspires people of all ages and skill levels – even non-golfers – to come together for playful competition. Guests can enjoy point-scoring golf games using microchipped balls that instantly score themselves, showing players the accuracy and distance of their shots on a TV screen in their hitting bay. Topgolf locations are typically three-level, 65,000-square-foot venues that feature a chef-driven menu, top-shelf drinks, big screen TVs and music in climate-controlled hitting bays for all-seasons comfort. Year-round programming includes events for kids and families, social leagues, groups, golf tournaments and instruction.

Cineplex will manage the venues’ day to day operations, working closely with Topgolf to ensure the best guest experience in Canada. Predominately known as Canada’s largest and most innovative film exhibitor, Cineplex operates in the film entertainment and content, amusement and leisure, and media sectors. In addition to welcoming more than 75 million guests annually through its circuit of 164 theatres across Canada, it also owns and operates The Rec Room, Canada’s social destination for eats and entertainment, and an online eSports platform. Cineplex is also one of America’s largest providers of amusement games and arcade solutions.

“Cineplex has decades of experience running high-volume entertainment businesses, which makes them the perfect partner for Topgolf,” said Topgolf International COO Zach Shor. “Their company culture and expertise with real estate, location based entertainment and multi-unit operations will be major assets as we work together to introduce Topgolf in Canada.”

With 33 successful venues already operating in the United States and United Kingdom, Topgolf and Cineplex are planning potential locations in large urban centres across Canada. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.