2017 in review: Amateur golf
The year 2017 is drawing to a close and what a year it was for Canadian golf. Our pros won literally around the world and on just about every tour imaginable. Our amateurs of all ages made Canada proud at home and abroad. And, off the course, there were significant moments that are well worth memorializing as 2018 looms on the horizon. This is the second of a three-part series remembering most, if not all, of those memorable moments.(If we’ve unintentionally overlooked any—there were so many, after all!—please let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
January:
Grace St-Germain and Maddie Szeryk, members of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad, win the team title at the Mexican Amateur.
ICYMI – Canada’s @gracestgermain & @mszeryk combined scores to win team event at last week’s Mexican Amateur.
? | https://t.co/L7DwcwwfwK pic.twitter.com/2Wjz1g9qbe
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) January 14, 2017
February:
Jared du Toit of Kimberley, B.C., wins a U.S. collegiate tournament, The Prestige at PGA West, in California.
Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., a sophomore at North Carolina State, wins a playoff to claim her first NCAA title, the Lady Puerto Rico Classic.
A BIG congratulations to #TeamCanada‘s @naomiko_golf, who captured her first #NCAA win today at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic ?? pic.twitter.com/siqUgMslbI
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) February 14, 2017
March:
Maddie Szeryk, a third-year member of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad and a junior at Texas A&M, wins the NCAA’s Dr. Donnis Invitational in Hawaii.
April:
Emily Leung and Chris Crisologo, both B.C. natives and students at Simon Fraser University, win their respective NCAA Division II individual titles at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championship in Idaho.
British Columbians Stuart Macdonald, the event’s medallist, and Lawren Rowe team up to win the Peruvian International Amateur Championship.
Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., wins her division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National, home of The Masters in Augusta, Ga.
How about a BIG round of ? for Canada’s Savannah Grewal, winner of Girls 14-15 division @DriveChipPutt – congrats!! ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/LLustCgOUe
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) April 2, 2017
June:
Team Canada Amateur Squad member Maddie Szeryk, a junior at Texas A&M, wins the Western Women’s Golf Association Amateur Championship in Illinois.
The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds women, led by Kat Kennedy, claim their second consecutive Canadian University/College Championship at Tangle Creek GC in Barrie, Ont. Universite Laval wins the men’s title.
July:
Colorado’s Jennifer Kupcho wins the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ont.
The “Future Links, driven by Acura, Junior Skills Challenge” national event commences at Glen Abbey GC in Oakville, Ont. For the ninth consecutive year, the event crowns female and male champions from three age groups. The 2017 champions are Andre Zhu, Kelly Zhao, Felix Bouchard, Emily Zhu, Nathan Hogan and Mackenzie Morrison.
August:
Winnipeg’s Todd Fanning wins the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Wascana CC in Regina.
Congratulations to Todd Fanning, who won the 2017 Canadian Men’s Mid-Am in a playoff over Rank & Diack at @The_Wascana ! ????? #CDNMidAm pic.twitter.com/riAVIeC16W
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) August 25, 2017
Australian Sue Wooster wins the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship in a playoff over Mary Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont., at Humber Valley Resort in Newfoundland and Labrador. Lauren Greenlief of Australia claims the Mid-Amateur title.
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Mary Ann Hayward defeats reigning champion and fellow Canadian Judith Kyrinis in a playoff to win the Women’s North and South Senior Championship in Pinehurst, N.C.
Quebec wins all four medals at the Canadian Summer Games at Southwood G&CC in Winnipeg.
Zach Bauchou of Virginia wins the 113th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Toronto GC.
Susan Xiao of Surrey, B.C., wins the Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Ottawa’s Camelot G&CC.
Calvin Ross wins the Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Cataraqui G&CC in Kingston, Ont., becoming the first New Brunswick native to claim that title.
September:
Team Spain wins the World Junior Girls Golf Championship in Ottawa in a playoff over Korea.
Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., defeats fellow Canadian Terrill Samuel to win the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. Of the nine Canadians in the field, four advanced to the quarter-finals.
Team Canada wins a total of five medals in the inaugural adaptive golf competition of the Invictus Games in Toronto.
Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee, a junior at Ohio State, wins her first NCAA collegiate tournament, the East & West Challenge in Wisconsin.
Gene Elliott of Iowa wins the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship at Kanawaki GC in Quebec.
October:
University of the Fraser Valley wins both the men’s and women’s titles at the Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association national championships in Oshawa, Ont.
November:
Team Canada—Joey Savoie of La Prairie, Que., and Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont.—win the Tailhade Cup in Argentina.
December:
Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont., and Maddie Szeryk, a dual citizen of London, Ont., and Allen, Texas, recognized as Canada’s top male and female amateur golfers for 2017 by Golf Canada.
Hats off to @JWhalen8 and @mszeryk, Golf Canada’s amateur players of the year for 2017 ????
? https://t.co/AKnPwTRzI1 pic.twitter.com/ZcX4hQ9TtV
— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) December 12, 2017
RBC PGA Scramble returns to Cabot Links in 2018
The RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company returns to the magnificent Cabot Links in 2018.
After a successful campaign in 2017, the scramble’s national final will once again grace the town of Inverness, N.S. from Oct. 11-13, 2018.
“The 2017 RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company National Final at Cabot Links was a huge success with participants from all over Canada enjoying a golf trip-of-a-lifetime,” said PGA of Canada president Steve Wood. “In 2018 we look forward to more golfers from across the country sharing the world-class experience of Cabot Links.”
Taking place Oct. 11-13 at the world-famous Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs in Inverness, N.S., the national final will feature 20 teams—comprised of four amateurs and one PGA of Canada professional—playing in a 54-hole Ambrose-style format.
“We’re thrilled to return to Cabot Links and experience the best of Cape Breton golf for the 2018 RBC PGA Scramble National Final,” said Matt McGlynn, Vice President, Brand Marketing, RBC. “Together with the PGA of Canada, we’re providing even more unique and memorable opportunities that support the game of golf and its continued growth in Canada.”
Located in Inverness, N.S., Cabot Links is Canada’s first and only authentic links golf resort. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the picturesque town of Inverness, the Cabot Links course represents a dramatic departure from the typical golf excursion.
With six holes playing directly alongside the water and every hole offers an ocean view, Cabot Links is where traditional links-land golf comes to life against the spectacular Nova Scotia landscape.
The Cabot Cliffs course, designed by the decorated team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is the newest addition to Cabot. Exquisitely carved out of the breathtaking Cape Breton landscape, with postcard-worthy panoramas vying for your attention and every hole calling out to the sea, it is links-land golf at its best.
Cabot Cliffs ranked No. 1, while Cabot Links ranked No. 4 on SCOREGolf’s 2016 Best Golf Courses in Canada list. Cabot Cliffs also debuted 19th on the World’s Top 100 Courses list by Golf Digest.
“We are thrilled to be able to host the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company again in 2018 here at Cabot,” said Andrew Alkenbrack, General Manager of Cabot Links. “Our team thoroughly enjoyed the week and the fact that the sponsors and competitors liked it enough to make a return visit is the highest compliment. We are greatly looking forward to welcoming the winning teams from across the country again next year.”
The RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company National Final, however, is as much about the off-course activities as the on course. In addition to the three rounds of golf, participants will be treated to a number of special events, prizes, meals, activations and much more.
As if it were scripted, the 2017 RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company National Final came down to a nerve-inducing putt.
Needing to make a four-foot par putt for the win on the final hole at Cabot Links, team Cordova Bay amateur player Rodney Webber stepped up and made the biggest putt of his life.
“I’m no professional golfer, but standing over that putt I definitely felt like one,” Webber said. “That was definitely the most pressure-packed putt I’ve ever had in my life.”
Webber, along with his Cordova Bay teammates—Phil Kondrak, Eric Smith, Eric Watson and PGA of Canada professional Nate Ollis—finished the three-day national championship at Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs at 46-under-par, mere 0.8 better than the squad from The Landings.
“Honestly, we couldn’t have asked for a better week,” Cordova Bay said. “We can’t thank RBC and The Lincoln Motor Company enough for supporting this amazing event,” they said, adding, “the experience from the very beginning has been world class—from the golf courses to the meals and the lodging—everything has been the best.”
The 2018 edition of RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company will see thousands of golfers from across the country participate in the series of local and regional events next summer.
For more information about the RBC PGA Scramble presented by The Lincoln Motor Company, click here.
Golf Canada names 2017 Amateur Players of the Year – See where the Albertans finished
Albertans Matt Williams, Emmett Oh, Jaclyn Lee and Ethan Choi finish top 10 in respective rankings
OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont. and Maddie Szeryk, a dual citizen from London, Ont. and Allen, Texas, have been recognized as Canada’s top male and female amateur golfers for 2017 as Golf Canada announced the final standings for its National Orders of Merit.
Whalen claims top spot in the men’s National Order of Merit ranking after an impressive season highlighted by a 3rd place finish at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. The 22-year-old also posted a T6 finish at the Sunnehanna Amateur and recorded six NCAA top-20s in his senior year with the Kent State Golden Flashes, including a runner-up finish at the Boilermaker Invitational.
Hugo Bernard, 22, of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., finished second on the Order of Merit thanks in part to earning medallist honours at the USGA’s U.S. Amateur Qualifying event in Maine, as well as strong showings at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship (T4), the French Open (T3) and the Mackenzie Investments Open (T7).
Joey Savoie, 23, of La Prairie, Que., rounded out the top-3 after recording runner-up finishes at the Duke of Kent, the USGA’s U.S. Amateur Qualifying event in Maine and the Monroe Invitational.
Whalen, Bernard and Savoie were all recently named to the 2018 Team Canada National Amateur Squad.
The 2017 season marks the third straight year that Maddie Szeryk has finished atop the women’s National Order of Merit. The 21-year-old recorded three victories this season—the B.C. Women’s Amateur and Women’s Western Amateur Championships, as well as the NCAA’s Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational as part of the Texas A&M Women’s Golf Team.
Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., finished runner-up on the Order of Merit for the second consecutive time. In February, the 20-year-old picked up her first NCAA win at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic. Other notable showings included third place finishes at the Canadian Women’s Amateur and B.C. Women’s Amateur Championships, as well as the Women’s Porter Cup.
Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee finished third on the National Order of Merit. In 2017, the 20-year-old earned a runner-up finish at the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship and two NCAA top-5s.
Szeryk, Ko and Lee are all returning members of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad for 2018.
On the Future Links, driven by Acura National Junior Order Merit, Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que. and Céleste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., took home top honours in their respective divisions.
Vandette, 16, tallied five victories this season, including the Quebec Men’s Amateur Championship, Canada Summer Games and the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship. He also finished third at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.
Rounding out the top three on the Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Boys Order of Merit are Nolan Thoroughgood (17) of Victoria, B.C. and Ethan Choi (15) of Pincher Creek, Alta.
Vandette and Thoroughgood were recently named to the 2018 Team Canada Development Squad which will train out of Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria.
Dao topped the junior girl’s Order of Merit after a prolific 2017 season where she picked up wins at the Canada Summer Games, Quebec Junior Girls Championship, NIVO Quebec Women’s Provincial Championship, U.S. Junior Girls Qualifier at Fitchburg, Ma., Future Links, driven by Acura Quebec Championship and the CJGA Quebec Junior Open. The 16-year-old also represented Canada at the World Junior Girls Championship in late September.
Finishing runner-up behind Dao is 16-year-old Monet Chun from Richmond Hill, Ont., while Susan Xiao, a 15-year-old from Surrey, B.C., rounded out the top-3.
Dao and Chun were recently named to the 2018 Team Canada Development Squad.
Golf Canada’s National Orders of Merit are used to identify and give recognition to top-performing amateur golfers from across Canada. They also provide an objective national comparison and ranking system, enabling Canada’s top players to compare themselves to counterparts across Canada.
Golf Canada also uses the National Order of Merit to assist with the Team Canada player selection and International event player selection process. For full Order of Merit standings and a points breakdown, please visit www.golfcanada.ca/nationalordersofmerit/.
The following are top-10 National Order of Merit finishers from each respective division:
Men’s National Order of Merit Top-10
| Name | Hometown | Counting Events | Points | |
| 1. | Josh Whalen | Napanee, ON | 10 | 51,223.34 |
| 2. | Hugo Bernard | Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC | 10 | 48,162.93 |
| 3. | Joey Savoie | La Prairie, QC | 10 | 42,250.58 |
| 4. | Matt Williams | Calgary, AB | 10 | 32,472.50 |
| 5. | Garrett Rank | Elmira, ON | 8 | 31,795.00 |
| 6. | Henry Lee | Coquitlam, BC | 10 | 30,040.83 |
| 7. | Chris Crisologo | Richmond, BC | 9 | 27,766.25 |
| 8. | Luke Moser | Waterloo, ON | 10 | 27,010.14 |
| 9. | Blair Bursey | Gander, NL | 8 | 21,675.00 |
| 10. | Emmett Oh | Calgary, AB | 8 | 21,517.86 |
Women’s National Order of Merit Top-10
| Name | Hometown | Counting Events | Points | |
| 1. | Maddie Szeryk | London, ON | 10 | 63,646.67 |
| 2. | Naomi Ko | Victoria, BC | 10 | 54,018.33 |
| 3. | Jaclyn Lee | Calgary, AB | 10 | 44,576.10 |
| 4. | Grace St-Germain | Ottawa, ON | 10 | 43,812.50 |
| 5. | Valérie Tanguay | St-Hyacinthe, QC | 10 | 33,613.75 |
| 6. | Jessica Ip | Richmond Hill, ON | 9 | 29,417.50 |
| 7. | Sabrine Garrison | Calgary, AB | 9 | 20,751.72 |
| 8. | Michelle Kim | Surrey, BC | 8 | 19,592.17 |
| 9. | Sophie Liu | Surrey, BC | 9 | 18,423.50 |
| 10. | Vanessa Ha | Montreal, QC | 5 | 17,361.00 |
Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Boys Order of Merit Top-10
| Name | Hometown | Counting Events | Points | |
| 1. | Christopher Vandette | Beaconsfield, QC | 8 | 28,985.00 |
| 2. | Nolan Thoroughgood | Victoria, BC | 8 | 24,565.00 |
| 3. | Ethan Choi | Pincher Creek, AB | 8 | 23,430.00 |
| 4. | Tristan Mandur | Mill Bay, BC | 6 | 21,850.00 |
| 5. | Callum Davison | Duncan, BC | 8 | 21,115.00 |
| 6. | Calvin Ross | Fredericton, NB | 7 | 19,977.50 |
| 7. | Kelvin Lim | Thornhill, ON | 8 | 19,562.06 |
| 8. | Louis-Alexandre Jobin-Colgan | Québec, QC | 8 | 18,967.08 |
| 9. | Taylor Beckstead | Alliston, ON | 8 | 18,330.00 |
| 10. | Jeevan Sihota | Victoria, BC | 6 | 18,319.00 |
Future Links, driven by Acura Junior Girls Order of Merit Top-10
| Name | Hometown | Counting Events | Points | |
| 1. | Céleste Dao | Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que. | 8 | 32,840.00 |
| 2. | Monet Chun | Richmond Hill, ON | 8 | 31,156.88 |
| 3. | Susan Xiao | Surrey, BC | 8 | 28,262.00 |
| 4. | Ellie Szeryk | London, ON | 8 | 28,170.00 |
| 5. | Hannah Lee | Surrey, BC | 8 | 23,378.88 |
| 6. | Alyssa DiMarcantonio | Maple, OnN | 8 | 21,220.00 |
| 7. | Mary Parsons | Delta, BC | 7 | 21,115.00 |
| 8. | Euna Han | Coquitlam, BC | 8 | 18,160.00 |
| 9. | Emily Zhu | Richmond Hill, ON | 8 | 17,535.00 |
| 10. | Brigitte Thibault | Rosemère, QC | 7 | 17,445.00 |
City golf courses pull double duty as multi-use, year-round facilities
The Foothills Nordic Ski Club plans to make snow at the Confederation Park Golf Course again this year, and the Calgary Ski Club has been given permission to do the same at the Shaganappi Golf Course.
A successful pilot project making snow at a public golf course in northwest Calgary is expanding this year to include another course, in the city’s southwest.
The city allowed the Foothills Nordic Ski Club to make snow, run lights and manage the parking lot at the Confederation Golf Course in northwest Calgary last year.
This year, the Calgary Ski Club has been given the go-ahead to make snow at the Shaganappi Golf Course in the city’s southwest.
Michelle Deacon, president of the Foothills Ski Club, says she’s pleased the city is allowing another group to take over the Shaganappi Golf Course to provide even more cross-country skiing opportunities for Calgarians.
“I think that’s where the community benefit of both of these golf course projects are demonstrated, right? Because it does provide access to inner-city skiing for all Calgarians and there is no cost to that as well. It’s free.”
The volunteer-run club stepped forward after Calgary Olympic Park reduced its cross-country ski trail network last year to make way for its tube park.
Deacon says her group hopes to appeal to the generosity of Calgarians to either donate time or money to keep these ski trails at Confederation operating again this year.
Greg Steinraths, manager of golf course operations for the city, says he’s not sure if the program will expand beyond the two courses.
“We have an opportunity to utilize our golf courses as multi-use, year-round sites, so the more we can get Calgarians… more active, more often, that is just an awesome opportunity,” he said.
With files from Colleen Underwood
Meet a Buckeye: Jaclyn Lee, Women’s golf
Jaclyn Lee
Sport: Women’s golf
Age: 20
Year: Junior
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Major: Finance
Question: Well, it’s November. Do you get bummed at this time of year, when it’s often too cold to golf?
Answer: Not really. I like having a bit of an offseason from tournament golf so I have time to recharge. Being from Canada, too, I’m used to having some time off in the winter to work on my game technically, so I like that.
Q: Are you the type who will sneak in a round, or even nine holes, despite some rough weather?
A: It depends on what kind of mood I’m in, but yes. I’ll golf in all types of weather. The cold doesn’t really faze me.
Q: What’s the coldest you’ve ever been while golfing?
A: It was pretty cold during the third round of NCAAs this year at Rich Harvest Farms (in Sugar Grove, Illinois)! Back in Calgary, we have an outdoor range with heated stalls and I’ve gone out to hit balls when it was minus-16 degrees Celsius (about 3 degrees).
Q: Is it safe to say that in Calgary, golf season starts later and ends earlier?
A: Yes! Except the biggest misconception that people have is that it’s a lot colder in Canada than here. That’s not necessarily the case everywhere. For Calgary in particular, the temperature is similar to Columbus but our golf season ends around mid-October and we start in late spring.
Q: How did you deal with that growing up, by playing more often or playing longer rounds?
A: With a shorter golf season, I had more time to work on my technique in the winter but I definitely lost some short game feel during those months too. In Calgary, we have a golf dome, where I spent a lot of my winter days hitting balls and essentially putting on cement covered in felt. I also had the opportunity to fly to Arizona, California and Texas to get in some rounds in, too, which helped.
Q: What kind of golf town is Calgary?
A: In general, British Columbia and Ontario probably have more juniors and have bigger golf towns than Alberta. However, Calgary has produced a good amount of elite amateurs. I know a ton of golfers from Calgary who have gone on to play at top-ranked D-I schools for golf. Aside from competitive golf, Calgary has a bunch of great courses around town and there are always a lot of people out in the summer!
Q: You’ve played three LPGA events in Canada; how satisfying were those experiences?
A: My first LPGA event was the CP Canadian Women’s Open last year in Calgary, which to this day is one of my favorite golf experiences. I made the cut, won the low amateur award and got to experience a phenomenal hometown crowd. It has been really special to play LPGA events and in my country because the fans are always so supportive and I love learning from the other professionals.
Q: Your sister is a collegiate golfer, too, correct? Are you guys competitive with each other when you play?
A: Yes! She played college golf in Canada but she is now in medical school at University of British Columbia and doesn’t play collegiately. She will still play for fun but we were definitely more competitive with each other when we were juniors.
Q: Has golf always been part of your family?
A: Not really. My dad got us into golf when we were young because he wanted our family to play as a natural foursome. But as it turns out, my parents don’t play golf ever since my sister and I picked it up and started playing it competitively!
Q: What other sports did you play growing up, and how long did you play them?
A: I did gymnastics from ages 2 to 9, and then I also played soccer and did bit of track and field in junior high. I also skied a ton as a kid with my dad and sister!
Q: How did you end up at Ohio State?
A: A big part of my decision was based on the fact that Ohio State had just built the indoor golf facility and that coach (Therese) Hession was here. I felt like she was a coach who was dedicated to her players and could teach me a lot. I also wanted to go to a school that had a good balance of school and golf, and Ohio State fit that bill.
Q: How much will you use the indoor golf facility in the coming months?
A: We’ll use it a ton, along with our heated hitting bays on the driving range! The awesome indoor facilities are what helped me choose Ohio State over other schools.
Q: Is there anything you can’t do at the indoor range?
A: Honestly, no, and I’m not just saying that. You can putt, chip, hit balls, work out and even study. Our facility is amazing, and we are so lucky to have it. It makes the offseason a little more interesting than hitting balls in a golf dome.
Q: Are you a superstitious golfer?
A: I’m pretty superstitious, to the point where I can’t even name the things I do. I have little quirks and/or routines that I like to stick to — sometimes I don’t even know it’s a superstition until I break the routine.
Q: Let’s talk food. I’m guessing you don’t want to be too full on days when you’re playing. Do you have a go-to pre-round meal?
A: True, but we also have to be fueled for 36-hole days! While it varies, my pre-round meal usually consists of things like oatmeal, eggs, fruit, bacon, peanut butter, etc. Usually the staples that you can find at any hotel breakfast.
Q: And what is the best post-round meal to celebrate a good tournament?
A: I can always go for a nice steak! Or anything cooked by my dad.
Q: As a Canadian golfer, is it hard not to root for your countrywoman Brooke M. Henderson? Were you two competitors as juniors?
A: I have a ton of Canadian pride, as my teammates and friends here would also agree with. I got to play with Brooke a bit as a junior. She is a great person and competitor. It would definitely be hard to not root for her because she’s got such a great heart, too. I’m always cheering for my Canadians on tour! People like Alena Sharp, Jennifer Ha, Augusta James and Brittany Marchand (of the Symetra Tour) have been great role models and friends as well!
Q: Who is your favorite golfer?
A: Jordan Spieth. I think he brings a lot of excitement to the game and it seems like he’s got a big heart.
Q: And lastly: How did you celebrate the recent Canadian Thanksgiving? Do Canadians eat turkey every year, too?
A: Yes, turkey, and stuffing, pumpkin pie — all the good stuff! Our Thanksgivings are similar to American Thanksgivings, which people might not realize. This year, Gene and Sheila Smith held a Canadian Thanksgiving for all the Canadian student-athletes at Ohio State. It was a lot of fun and really sweet of them to bring a little bit of Canada to Columbus!
Remembering fallen golf heroes
They are some of Canada’s most renowned golf legends, a list amassed of professional and amateur players, course architects and administrators. They have all contributed to the growth of the game of golf in this country. However, their contributions to golf pale in comparison to their contributions to the fabric of our nation.
November 11 is Remembrance Day. A day we remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. What better day to remember Canadian golfers of the past who helped our nation during its greatest times of need.
The following are just some of the contributions Canadian golf legends made to the Allied forces during the First and Second World Wars.
Florence Harvey
During World War I, Hamilton, Ont. native Florence Harvey, along with other women golfers in Canada, raised enough money to purchase an ambulance for use in Serbia.
A staunch advocate of women’s golf, Harvey founded and held the position of Secretary of the Canadian Ladies Golf Union – later known as the former Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association (CLGA).
One of the top players of her day, Harvey won the 1903 and 1904 Canadian Ladies’ championship, while capturing the Ontario Ladies Championship on four occasions.
During WWII, the CLGA also raised money, this time their money went towards the purchase of a Spitfire plane.
Karl Keffer is best known for becoming the first Canadian-born golfer to win our national championship – the Canadian Open – in 1909. He also won in 1914.
Keffer, from Tottenham, Ont., was a founding member of the PGA of Canada and held numerous positions during his 29-year involvement with the association including; secretary-treasurer, captain and president. Keffer, a war veteran, pleaded with other golf professionals of his day to join the war effort.
Stanley Thompson
Stanley Thompson
Most golf enthusiasts will know Stanley Thompson as a renowned Canadian golf course architect. Thompson, who was born in Toronto, has 200 course designs to his credit throughout an illustrious career as an architect with a majority of them residing in Canada.
However, many don’t know Thompson was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in WWI.
Donald Carrick
Donald Carrick, born in Thunder Bay, Ont., was a standout amateur golfer. A two time Canadian Amateur champion, Carrick also won the 1924 US Junior Boy’s Championship, several Ontario amateur titles and played for Canada against the British Walker Cup team before retiring from competitive golf in 1933 to focus on his family and law practice. Carrick would become a political figure and also competed as a boxer in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Carrick also received the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) for his service in the Royal Artillery during WWII.
Winnipeg’s Geoffrey Cornish, one of the legendary Stanley Thompson’s protégés, fashioned a career in golf course architecture. He was one of the best Canada has ever produced. With a career that included more than 200 golf course designs or remodellings, Cornish turned his attention towards chronicling the history of his field, becoming an author and penning several internationally-acclaimed books on golf course architecture in the later part of his career.
Cornish was a Major in the Canadian Army, serving in Europe from 1940-45.
To these and other notable figures in Canadian golf who have supported our troops as well as all of the brave men and women who have served our country – thank you.
CCAA announces 2017 golf All-Canadians
The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) announced the golf All-Canadian award recipients on Monday for the 2017 season.
20 student-athletes (10 women, 10 men) were selected ahead of this week’s national championship at Royal Ashburn Golf Club in Ashburn, Ont.
The following were named as All-Canadians:
| 2017 Women’s All-Canadians | 2017 Men’s All-Canadians |
| Emery Bardock, UFV Cascades (PACWEST) In her first season with the Cascades, Bardock was victorious in two of the PACWEST’s four tournaments en route to the conference’s individual crown. She also led UFV to a team championship. Bardock made a return to the varsity golf scene this season after suiting up for the SFU Clan several years ago. Bardock was a positive presence on the Cascades roster this season. |
Daniel Campbell, UFV Cascades (PACWEST) In his first season with the Cascades, Campbell won two of the PACWEST’s four tournaments en route to the conference’s overall men’s individual title. In addition to his victories at the VIU and UFV Invitationals, he also paced UFV to the PACWEST team championship. Campbell joined the Cascades this season as a transfer from Skagit Valley College and has fit in seamlessly. |
| Hannah Dirksen, UFV Cascades (PACWEST) Dirksen won the Camosun Invitational on her way to a second-place overall finish in the PACWEST women’s individual standings. She also captained the Cascades to a dominating team conference title. Dirksen is now a three-time CCAA All-Canadian. The four-year veteran at UFV sets a tremendous example to her teammates with her work ethic. |
Ben Whiton, UFV Cascades (PACWEST) Whiton put together a rookie season to remember, winning the PACWEST men’s individual silver medal. He placed second at the UFV Invitational and third at the Camosun Invitational. Whiton also helped the Cascades men’s team win the PACWEST overall title. He is an upbeat presence on the UFV roster and has been a great addition to the team as a rookie. |
| Shaye Leidenius, Red Deer Queens (ACAC) Leidenius captured the individual title at the ACAC Championships and was also victorious at the South Regionals event. The Queens co-captain led Red Deer to a bronze medal at the conference championships. Leidenius is a team player who leads by example. She is an intense competitor but has a high level of integrity, honesty and fair play morals. |
Braden Clarkson, Augustana Vikings (ACAC) Clarkson was a member of the Vikings team that earned a silver medal at the ACAC Championships. He placed fourth overall individually in Alberta. He has shown tremendous improvement in his game during his three years at Augustana and has developed into a team leader. Clarkson assisted in the training and development at Our Lady of Mount Pleasant School’s golf academy in Camrose, Alta. |
| Elizabeth Stewart, MacEwan Griffins (ACAC) Stewart led the Griffins to a team title at the ACAC Championships. MacEwan captured four ACAC team banners in her five seasons with the institution. Stewart was victorious at the South Regional event with the lowest round in Griffins history (74). The team captain is now a two-time CCAA All-Canadian. Stewart is a vocal leader on and off the course and is a great mentor to the younger student-athletes. |
Michael Harrison, Augustana Vikings (ACAC) Harrison, now a two-time CCAA All-Canadian, captured individual gold at the ACAC Championships and led the Vikings to a second-place finish in team play. He was also victorious at the ACAC South Regional and tied for second at the ACAC North Regional. Harrison’s dedication and desire to improve have vaulted him up the ACAC leaderboards. He has also assisted at the junior high golf academy. |
| Sheila McKeen, Humber Hawks (OCAA) McKeen captured team gold and individual silver at the OCAA Championships. The fourth-year player has been one of the most consistent golfers in Humber history, contributing individual podium finishes and having her scores count in numerous team successes, including team gold in 2015 at CCAA Nationals and silver last year. McKeen has the respect of all coaches, teammates and opposition she meets. |
Conner Watt, Humber Hawks (OCAA) Watt was the individual gold medalist at the OCAA Championships and had first-place finishes at Mercyhurst and Georgian. He also led the Hawks to the conference team title. The third-year student-athlete is one of the most gentlemanly and respected players on the course, but one that plays with a fire inside that drives him to want to put in his best performance for the team and himself. |
| Emilie Tyndall, Georgian Grizzlies (OCAA) Tyndall fired a hole-in-one in the second round of the OCAA Championships en route to the individual gold medal. In her fifth and final year, she led Georgian to team victories at the Fanshawe, Lakehead and Niagara Invitationals. Tyndall, now a two-time CCAA All-Canadian, is the definition of what a varsity student-athlete should be. Her sportsmanship, dedication and positive attitude are unmatched. |
Cameron Brennan, Humber Hawks (OCAA) In his second season, Brennan’s game continued to elevate with the Hawks as he earned an individual silver medal at the OCAA Championships. His scoring in all three rounds at the conference championships was key in Humber’s gold-medal team victory. In incredibly windy conditions at the OCAA Championships, Brennan battled his way through by playing intelligent golf within his skill set. |
| Sarah-Eve Rheaume, St. Lawrence Lions (RSEQ) The Lions rookie was the RSEQ individual champion with a five-round average score of 72. She also led Champlain St. Lawrence to the team title in the conference. Rheaume finished third at the Quebec Provincial Junior Championship and was a member of the gold-medal winning team at the Canada Games. Her calm attitude and personal drive are her biggest attributes. |
Charles Eric Bélanger, St. Lawrence Lions (RSEQ) Bélanger was crowned the RSEQ individual champion and led the Lions to the conference team title as well. He shot a season-best round of 68 on the first day of the conference championships. Bélanger was also victorious at the Graham Cooke Junior Invitational. His consistency has improved this season along with his short game, which has helped him in high-pressure situations. |
| Audrey Côte, St. Lawrence Lions (RSEQ) Côte finished fifth in the RSEQ individual standings and paced the Lions to the team title in Quebec. The third-year player fired a season best 74 on Day 1 at the conference championships. Côte’s easygoing attitude was a key component to Champlain St. Lawrence’s success this year. Her positivity is contagious and helps her teammates during difficult times. |
David Tweddell, St. Lawrence Lions (RSEQ) Tweddell earned an individual silver medal in the RSEQ with a five-round average score of 71. He led the Lions to five conference team victories by an average margin of 10 strokes. Tweddell, who began playing competitively only three years ago, has shown plenty of potential at Champlain St. Lawrence. His game continues to make giant strides as he shredded off five strokes per round this season. |
| Darcy Fuller, UNB Varsity Reds (ACAA) Fuller was the individual runner up at all three ACAA events, including the conference championship. The first female member of the Varsity Reds program, she continues to develop each season. Fuller has a positive attitude and a strong desire to compete. She brings an infectious enthusiasm to the team, always encouraging her teammates. |
Corey McMinniman, UNB Varsity Reds (ACAA) McMinniman captured the individual title at the ACAA Championships with a two-day total of 151. He led the Varsity Reds to team victories at all three ACAA events, including the conference championships. McMinniman always has a good attitude on and off the course and sets a great example for his teammates. He has a competitive edge that allows him to thrive under pressure. |
| Daria Leidenius, Holland Hurricanes (ACAA) In her second season with the Hurricanes, Leidenius captured the individual title at the ACAA Championships for her fifth career win. She led Holland to a team conference title as a rookie in 2016. Leidenius’ biggest attribute is her drive to always improve. She approaches her game like a tour pro in her practice methods as she strives to take her game to the next level. |
Sebastien Peterson, UNB Varsity Reds (ACAA) Peterson was a key contributor in UNB’s sweep of the team events in the ACAA. He was also the runner-up individually at the ACAA Championships. As a senior member of the team, Peterson embraced a leadership role this season with the Varsity Reds. He leads by example on and off the course with his practice and study habits as well as his preparation for competition. |
Golf Canada announces 2018 Team Canada
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the 18 athletes who have been chosen to represent Team Canada as part of the 2018 National Amateur Squad and Development Squad.
In all, eight athletes comprise Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad including four players on the men’s team and four on the women’s. The 10-member Development Squad will include five women and five men.
“Based on their outstanding performances this year, we are pleased to announce the young men and women chosen to represent Canada as part of the national team program,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer. These talented athletes are a product of a circle of support that includes personal coaches, parents and provincial high-performance programs and will proudly represent Canada on the global golf stage.”
The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2018 Amateur Squad:
WOMEN’S NATIONAL AMATEUR SQUAD
- Maddie Szeryk, Allen, Tex., Ontario Public Player (21)
- Naomi Ko, Victoria, B.C., Olympic View Golf Club (20)
- Jaclyn Lee, Calgary, Alta., Glencoe Golf & Country Club (20)
- Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, Ont., Camelot Golf & Country Club (19)
MEN’S NATIONAL AMATEUR SQUAD
- Hugo Bernard, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., Laval sur-le-Lac Club (22)
- Josh Whalen, Napanee, Ont., Napanee Golf & Country Club (22)
- Joey Savoie, La Prairie, Que., Pinegrove Country Club (23)
- Chris Crisologo, Richmond, B.C., Marine Drive Golf Club (21)
Complete National Amateur Squad bios can be found here.
The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2018 Development Squad:
WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
- Céleste Dao, Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., Summerlea Golf & Country Club (16)
- Monet Chun, Richmond Hill, Ont., Summit Golf & Country Club (16)
- Ellie Szeryk, Allen, Tex., Ontario Public Player (16)
- Alyssa DiMarcantonio, Maple, Ont., Station Creek Golf Club (14)
- Euna Han, Coquitlam, B.C., Morgan Creek Golf Course (15)
MEN’S DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
- Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, Que., Summerlea Golf & Country Club (16)
- Johnny Travale, Stoney Creek, Ont., Hamilton Golf & Country Club (16)
- Nolan Thoroughgood, Victoria, B.C., Royal Colwood Golf Club (17)
- Peyton Callens, Langton, Ont., Delhi Golf & Country Club (17)
- Thomas Critch, Cedar Park, Tex., Ontario Public Player (17)
Complete Development Squad player bios can be found here.
Development Squad to Feature Centralized Program out of Bear Mountain Resort
New in 2018, the National Development Squad program will feature a centralized component, which will be based out of Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, B.C.—Team Canada’s official training centre since 2015.
The program will send Development Squad athletes to Bear Mountain from February through to early June to be immersed in a focused centre of excellence, surrounded by world-class technical coaching staff and experts in the areas of mental performance, physiotherapy, biomechanics and nutrition.
The change in program structure and commitment to a centralized training environment over four and a half months of the year are designed to better support emerging talents as part of Golf Canada’s next generation strategy.
The number of days that Development Squad athletes will spend in a world-class training environment will increase from approximately 30 (in the current structure) to 120 in the new program.
“We felt that this change was necessary to deliver a significant impact to targeted athletes aged 18 and under in this crucial stage of their development,” said Thompson. “An increased number of contact days with our expert high-performance coaches and sport science staff will provide our next generation athletes with a true world-class training environment.”
In addition to the world-class facilities available at Bear Mountain, athletes will have access to one of the best training centres in the country just 10 minutes away – the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.
For accommodation, Development Squad members will be paired with billet families in the region to provide safe, supportive home environments for training and study throughout the program. All potential billet candidates will undergo a screening process with Golf Canada.
Athletes will be enrolled at Belmont Secondary School in Langford, B.C., where they will attend classes in the morning, followed by training in the afternoon. Team members will also be assigned a teacher from West Shore Distributed Learning Centre, where they will take online courses and receive advanced credits for their sports training. Academic commitment will remain a cornerstone of the Team Canada program with Golf Canada coaches and support team working closely with the teaching staff to ensure success in and out of the classroom.
Bear Mountain Resort has served as Golf Canada’s national team training centre since 2015. In addition to world class amenities and accommodations, the resort features a 36-hole Nicklaus design golf course located on 836 acres with spectacular mountain vistas and views of British Columbia’s seaside capital city.
Team Canada Coaching Staff Announced….
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the 2018 Team Canada coaching staff that will support both the National Amateur and Development Squads.
On the women’s side, Tristan Mullally of Waterdown, Ont returns as Women’s Amateur Squad Head Coach. Matt Wilson, from Newmarket, Ont., will oversee the Women’s Development Squad. Wilson, who also works as Golf Canada’s director of next generation performance, takes over for long-serving Women’s Development Squad coach Ann Carroll who will be taking a new step in her coaching career.
Derek Ingram of Winnipeg, Man. returns as Men’s Amateur Squad Head Coach. Robert Ratcliffe of Comox, B.C. will be leading the Men’s Development Squad.
“Derek and Tristan have had tremendous success with Team Canada athletes and the evolution of our national team program will see Robert and Matt play a more significant role through the centralized training environment at Bear Mountain,” added Thompson. “We also want to express our sincere thanks to Ann Carroll on her tremendous contributions to our Women’s Development Squad over the past six years.”
Mullally, Ingram, Ratcliffe and Wilson are all class “A” professionals with the PGA of Canada.
“Not only am I excited to see these young athletes represent Team Canada in 2018, but I’m also thrilled for their PGA of Canada coaches as well,” PGA of Canada President Steve Wood. “The commitment Golf Canada has shown in collaborating with the PGA of Canada in our world class teaching and coaching certification programs is exemplary.”
The 2018 Young Pro Squad team selection is expected in December.
Scotty Cameron introduces new online custom shop
In keeping with the idea that the putter is the most personal club in a golfer’s bag, Master Putter Maker Scotty Cameron today introduced his new Custom Shop Creator – a state-of-the-art online putter customizer accessible through ScottyCameron.com.
The Custom Shop Creator (www.scottycameron.com/customshop) allows golfers to virtually personalize their Scotty Cameron putters like never before, instantly bringing their ideas to life through realistic high-resolution image renderings. Golfers then send their putters to Scotty’s Custom Shop, housed at the Putter Studio in Southern California, where their customizations become a reality.
“I created the Custom Shop to give passionate players a way to preserve, personalize and protect their putters for life,” Cameron said. “The Custom Shop Creator really takes the creative process to another level. From your desktop or mobile device, you can easily experiment with custom stampings, sight lines, different weights and paintfill. You can change the finish from silver to black. It just gives you that feel of a Tour-like experience and creating a one-of-a-kind design.”
All putter models since 2014, plus many of Scotty’s most popular prior models, are available in the new customizer for photo-realistic customization. Owners of older putter models will be seamlessly linked to Scotty Cameron’s Classic Form, where an additional 100 putter models may be customized.
Since 2004, Scotty Cameron has offered personalization, customization, authentication and restoration services in the Custom Shop. From specialty grips, headcovers and authentic accessories to stamps, initials, engraved weights and full restoration of years old, game-worn Scotty Cameron putters, the Custom Shop has provided golfers with a resource to not only customize an already-purchased putter, but to also authenticate and refurbish these valuable clubs.
The new Custom Shop Creator introduces several new features:
• Realistic renderings display vibrant representations of custom stamps, initials, sight lines, weights, finishes and more – including accurate depictions of Scotty’s translucent and opaque paintfill colors – all in real-time as a user moves through the application.
• Responsive design adapts to mobile and desktop devices providing users the flexibility to enter a Custom Shop order from anywhere.
• Seamless workflow presents customization choices in an improved sequence more aligned with the way a customer would logically move through the process.
• Quick links to popular models allow users to easily search and choose from existing putter types to move immediately into the customization process.
• Save customizations feature – provides users with the option to create their custom putter at their own pace, saving within the application to finish later.
• New Custom Shop-only accessories – added to the Custom Shop include new stamps, as well as 12 new headcovers, shaft bands, 15 new paint-filled shaft rings and new grips.
Learn more at www.scottycameron.com/scottys-custom-shop
Harrison, Leidenius win ACAC Championship titles; MacEwan, RDC take team banners
EDMONTON – With the wind howling and the cold cutting right through to your bones, most of the competitors in the final round of the 2017 ACAC Golf Championship at Red Tail Landing on Sunday threw the game plan right out the window.
Survive. That’s what it boiled down to.
Michael Harrison (UAlberta-Augustana) and Shaye Leidenius (Red Deer College) did the best job of this as they emerged from the inclement round victorious, crowned men’s and women’s individual champions.
Red Deer and MacEwan won the men’s and women’s team titles, respectively.
“It was a grind the whole way through this weekend,” said Harrison, who won by a shot after rounds of 77 and 76. “It was my goal to win and it’s very satisfying to win. I’m really ecstatic for the team. Now we get to go to Oshawa for nationals, so I’m really excited.
“I’ve been working on a lower ball flight,” he added of his success on a day when many scores blew up. “There’s a lot of holes that played into the wind today, so for me that played into my hands. I putted well today. It was just a combination of good ball striking and putting and that was the key.”
MacEwan’s Les Fisher had the best round of the day on Sunday, carding a 75 to go with his opening round 79 and finish as the men’s runner-up. Not bad for a rookie player who wasn’t even selected as one of the top five on the Griffins’ team.
“I just went out and played my heart out,” he said, noting he took the advice that Royal Mayfair’s Mike Belbin gave at Saturday’s championship banquet. “I sang a song all day. I listened to Mike from last night. I enjoyed the round. I enjoyed the company. Even though I wasn’t playing for the team, I just wanted to give it my all.”
MacEwan’s Dakota Smith – also not among the five selected to be on the Griffins team – was third (78-78), while UAA’s Braden Clarkson (77-81) and first-round leader Logan Hill of RDC (71-88) rounded out the top five.
Red Deer claimed their first men’s team title in program history with a total of 642 (counting the top four of five scores each day) – seven shots better than UAA. MacEwan (655) finished third.
“It’s super exciting,” said head coach Scott Bergdahl. “It’s a long time coming for us. We put together a really solid team. We’ve had solid teams before, but to bring it on both days, especially under such conditions, I’m super proud of our team.
“This is a first for us and this is our second gold medallist for ladies’ individual.”
That would be Leidenius, who had a share of the women’s lead after an opening-round 84, but left her competitors in the dust on Sunday with an 82 that felt more like a 75 under the conditions.
“I played for par every hole,” she said. “Winning this is probably one of the better feelings I’ve had throughout my ACAC experience.”
“It’s kind of hard standing over your ball thinking ‘I have to hit three more clubs than I usually would.’ But it’s the trust part of it. I trusted every shot I hit today. That’s pretty much what got me to where I was.”
Concordia’s Kassidy Turcotte (85-90), MacEwan’s Hailey Turcotte (90-86), Medicine Hat’s Nicole Schultz (89-89) and MacEwan’s Elizabeth Stewart (87-92) rounded out the top five.
MacEwan claimed its sixth women’s team title in the past seven years and seventh of the last nine with a total of 349 (counting the top two of three women’s scores each day) – 14 shots better than Medicine Hat (363). RDC narrowly settled for third (364).
“The girls have played well all year,” said Griffins coach Jodi Campbell. “I’m so happy for them that they were able to bring this trophy home.
“We had this long stretch of success and then we had a heartbreaker last year, so they were really motivated to bring it back again. To be able to pull it through on a tough day – I’m just pumped for them.”
CHIP SHOTS… Rounding out MacEwan’s men’s scores: Justin Berget (T6th, 78-82), Josh Gorieu (14th, 75-89), Noah Lubberding (15th, 79-86), Zac Yurick (18th, 80-87), Christian Solkowski (22nd, 82-88) and Brandon Walterhouse (T23rd, 82-89) … Rounding out MacEwan’s women’s scores: Daniela Donnelly (6th, 84-96) and Rachel Wiebe (8th, 94-103).
ACAC Golf Championship, hosted by MacEwan at Red Tail Landing:
The MacEwan University Griffins are the 16 athletic teams that represent MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta, in eight sports. The university’s teams are members of U Sports and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, and compete in the Canada West Universities Athletics Association and Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.
U Sports is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Fifty-four members, 12,000 student-athletes and 550 coaches vie for 19 national championships in 11 different sports. U Sports also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, and 27 World University Championships.