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RBC Canadian Open Adds Top Rated Players To Field – Fitzpatrick, Lowry, and Fleetwood

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Dan Pino / Golf Canada

One of the hottest golfers on the planet is sure to be a fan-favourite at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto as world no. 6 Matthew Fitzpatrick will compete in the 2023 RBC Canadian Open.

Competing in his third RBC Canadian Open, the 28-year-old Englishman is having a stellar 2023 season with three top-10 finishes including a victory at the recent RBC Heritage and a T10 finish at The Masters. Currently ranked no. 22 on the 2022 FedEx Cup, Fitzpatrick, a two-time winner on the PGA TOUR, six-time winner on the DP World Tour, and two-time Ryder Cup team member will compete in Canada’s National Open Championship before defending his U.S. Open title the next week at L.A. Country Club.

“I am really looking forward to returning to Canada and competing in the RBC Canadian Open in front of the amazing Canadian golf fans,” said Fitzpatrick. “Having won the RBC Heritage last month, I am hopeful to play well at Oakdale and keep that momentum going into the U.S. Open.”

Fitzpatrick joins an emerging field headlined by two-time defending champion and world no. 3 Rory McIlroy who will be looking to become the first player to win three consecutive RBC Canadian Open titles. A victory for McIlroy would make him only the fourth three-time champion, joining Tommy Armour, Sam Snead, and Lee Trevino. Leo Deigel’s four victories are the most in the tournament’s storied history.

McIlroy and Fitzpatrick will be joined by fellow European stars Tommy Fleetwood as well as Shane Lowry. The world no. 23 ranked Lowry is a two-time PGA TOUR winner and a past Open Championship winner while Fleetwood, who has two top-10 PGA TOUR finishes this season, has won seven international titles, and is ranked no. 25 in the world.

The group will compete alongside Team RBC ambassadors Sam Burns (world no. 13), Cameron Young (world no. 16), Sahith Theegala (world no. 24), seven-time PGA TOUR winner Webb Simpson, and nine-time PGA TOUR winner Matt Kuchar.

A full Canadian contingent will also challenge for the national championship led by PGA TOUR winners Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. (world no. 30), Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. (world no. 57), Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. (world no. 56), Nick Taylor of Abbottsford, B.C. (world no. 65), and Adam Hadwin of Abbottsford, B.C. (world no. 71) as well as fellow PGA TOUR members Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont. and Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont.

A trio of Canadians have also accepted tournament exemptions to compete at Oakdale including Winnipeg, Man. Native Aaron Cockerill who is currently ranked 24th on the DP World Tour as well as Thornhill, Ont. native Ben Silverman who won on the Korn Ferry Tour earlier this year to sit second on the Tour’s 2023 Points List.

Also accepting an exemption to compete is Canadian golf icon and President’s Cup International Team Captain Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont. who will be competing in his 31st  RBC Canadian Open, one back of fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer George Cumming who had a record 32 starts in Canada’s National Open Championship.

In addition to world class golf, fans at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open will be treated to the two-night RBCxMusic Concert Series onsite at Oakdale Golf and Country with Grammy Award-winning pop group, the Black Eyed Peas performing on Friday, June 9 and Canadian Grammy Award-winning icon Alanis Morissette performing on Saturday, June 10.

“We are less than 40 days away from the RBC Canadian Open and extremely excited to get the tournament started,” said Bryan Crawford, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open. “Oakdale Golf and Country Club in the heart of Toronto joins our host club rotation for the first time and will present a great test of golf for the world’s best players. Our partners have leaned into our National Open Championship in a major way to deliver a truly immersive fan festival experience as a kickoff to summer.”

Tickets for the 2023 RBC Canadian Open are available here. Children aged 12-and-under get free admission with a ticketed adult.

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Jim Furyk Named Team USA Captain for 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida and MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada – Presidents Cup and PGA TOUR officials have announced that 17-time PGA TOUR winner Jim Furyk has been named captain of the U.S. Team for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will be staged at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, September 24-29, 2024. Furyk joins Canada’s Mike Weir, who was named captain of the International Team in November 2022.

Furyk, who will make his debut as captain of the U.S. Team, has appeared in seven Presidents Cups (1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011) and holds a 20-10-3 all-time record. He competed in the event’s only previous visit to Royal Montreal in 2007, posting a 3-2 record with two of his wins coming with Tiger Woods as his partner. In his final start as a playing participant in 2011 at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, he delivered a perfect 5-0-0 record – the fourth player in Presidents Cup history at the time to do so – that led to a 19-15 win over the International Team. Furyk qualified for the 2015 Presidents Cup in South Korea but was unable to compete due to a wrist injury.

In addition to his years of experience competing in the Presidents Cup, Furyk also served as a Presidents Cup captain’s assistant twice, for Jay Haas in 2015 and Steve Stricker in 2017. In 2018, he guided the United States as captain at the Ryder Cup.

“Being selected by my peers to take on the role as captain of the U.S. Team for the 2024 Presidents Cup is truly an honor that I am humbled and excited to accept,” said Furyk. “Over the span of several decades this event has evolved tremendously into the global showcase it is today, and I am thrilled to help continue that momentum. So many legendary captains have come before me, so now to be here as the 2024 U.S. Team Captain is quite remarkable.”

Furyk is the 10th U.S. Team captain, joining the likes of Davis Love III (2022), Tiger Woods (2019), Steve Stricker (2017), Jay Haas (2015), Fred Couples (2013, 2011, 2009), Jack Nicklaus (2007, 2005, 2003, 1998), Ken Venturi (2000), Arnold Palmer (1996) and Hale Irwin (1994).

“Jim has been a role model and a tremendous ambassador for the PGA TOUR during his remarkable career,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “And given the role he has played in the growth and success of the Presidents Cup over the last 25 years as both a competitor and a captain’s assistant, it’s fitting he will bring his leadership skills to Montreal in 2024 where he takes on the role of U.S. Team Captain.”

After turning professional in 1992, Furyk won his first PGA TOUR title at the 1995 Shriners Children’s Open and went on to capture 16 additional victories including the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields Country Club; back-to-back wins at the RBC Canadian Open in 2006 and 2007; and the FedExCup in 2010. At the 2016 Travelers Championship, Furyk set the PGA TOUR’s all-time record with a final-round 58 at TPC River Highlands. The Pennsylvania native, who now resides in Jacksonville, Florida, currently competes on PGA TOUR Champions after turning 50 in 2020. That year, Furyk joined Arnold Palmer and Bruce Fleisher as the only players to win their first two PGA TOUR Champions starts after defeating Retief Goosen by two strokes at The Ally Challenge, followed by a playoff victory over Jerry Kelly at the PURE Insurance Championship.

In 2016, Furyk was named recipient of the Payne Stewart Award, presented annually by the PGA TOUR to a professional golfer who best exemplifies Stewart’s steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship.

“Jim’s long-standing career speaks volumes to his incredible success as both a player and a leader, each making him an exceptional choice to captain the U.S. Team at the 2024 Presidents Cup,” said Presidents Cup Executive Director Ryan Hart. “We have received remarkable support from partners and fans throughout Canada and we know his presence in this event will only add to that enthusiasm. We couldn’t be happier to welcome Jim, Tabitha and his family to Montreal for what will be another incredible chapter of the Presidents Cup.” 

Founded in 1873, The Royal Montreal Golf Club is the oldest club in North America. Its Blue Course was designed by Dick Wilson and updated by Rees Jones in 2004 and 2005. In addition to hosting the Presidents Cup, Royal Montreal also held the RBC Canadian Open on 10 occasions, most recently in 2014.

“Royal Montreal holds some unforgettable memories for me, as I know it does for so many other players and fans that witnessed the 2007 Presidents Cup,” said Furyk. “The golf course is a perfect setting for match play, and I know the passionate Canadian golf fans will create an amazing atmosphere onsite, delivering an extremely special iteration of the event.”

The post Jim Furyk Named Team USA Captain for 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal appeared first on Flagstick.com.

Flagstick Podcast Ep. #40 – Huge Tournament Announcement, Sam MacPhail of Golf PEI, and the latest from Golf Canada and Golf Ontario

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It’s a big show as we finally announce the third tournament of our series presented by Flagstick.com. We give you the details on the location, the format, and who we have partnered with as the presenting sponsor.

Sam MacPhail, the Executive Director of GolfPEI joins us for an interview about all things golf in Prince Edward Island. He gives insight on how to book a golf vacation there, the type of courses they offer, things to look for that you might not have expected, and how they strive to add a personal touch to your vacation planning.

Scott shares insight from two days on the road at the Media Day for the RBC Canadian Open and the Golf Ontario Hall of Fame Day, and we pay tribute to a media colleague who passed away recently.

This episode is brought to you by TaylorMade Golf Canada with segment sponsorship by Metcalfe GC and Greensmere G&CC.

Flagstick Podcast Episode #40

Besides Flagstick.com you can also catch the Flagstick Podcast episodes on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAudible, and multiple other platforms including YouTube. Please join listeners in sixty-five countries who have downloaded episodes and subscribe, add it to your notifications, and a leave a review!

The post Flagstick Podcast Ep. #40 – Huge Tournament Announcement, Sam MacPhail of Golf PEI, and the latest from Golf Canada and Golf Ontario appeared first on Flagstick.com.

Golf Ontario Hosts 2023 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

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Uxbridge, Ontario- With the 2023 Golf Ontario season getting underway, the association returned to a familiar location and time in the calendar, to play host to one of the most celebrated events of the season, the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame ceremony. Held May 2 at Wooden Sticks Golf Club, following the annual Partner Golf Day, three new members were welcomed into the Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Lorne Rubenstein Media Award was presented in front of friends, family, industry partners and media numbering well over 120 strong.

The event was presided over by acclaimed Canadian sports presenter and commentator, Rod Black who returned to the celebration as the MC. While the evening was to be a celebration of the many accomplishments by each of the inductees and award winner, Black started the evening in a somewhat somber way by recognizing the loss within the community of 2017 Lorne Rubenstein recipient Ian Hutchinson, who passed away over the previous weekend. Ian’s contributions to the game for many years were well known, and in many ways he was also known to be connected to past inductees by way of his many nominations of colleagues across the sector.

The 2023 Hall Of Fame featured two individuals who were recipients of the Builder Category award which recognized their achievements in growing the sport. Bob Beauchemin and Garry McKay. Beauchemin, an individual who had an illustrious playing career himself, competing in various tours across North America, was recognized for his achievements in progressing the sport. His notable accomplishments were gaining his PGA Tour card in 1981, and his development and execution in numerous teaching programs for golfers of all ages. Garry McKay who was a former recipient of the Lorne Rubenstein Award in 2015, has been immersed within the Golf Ontario community for many years. His commitment to providing extensive coverage of the sport through journalism and various other forms of media was recognized and praised by all.

The late Audrey Bendick-Akins (1967- 2022) was inducted in the Players category for her numerous accomplishments throughout her career as a competitive golfer. An icon within the Windsor-Essex community, Bendick-Akins was a member of the Canadian National Women’s team (1986-88) and won gold at the 1987 Commonwealth games, a feat that has not been matched by another female Canadian golfer since.

The 2023 Lorne Rubenstein Media Award was presented to the founding member of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC), Rick Young. Young is regarded as one of the pioneers of journalism within the sport as his career began in the early 1980s and is still prominent to this day. His notable pieces of work have been featured in the Globe and Mail, the National Post, Toronto Star and other notable sports media newspapers.

After the event had concluded, Golf Ontario CEO Kyle McFarlane shared his thoughts regarding the 2023 Hall Of Fame induction ceremony saying; “On behalf of Golf Ontario, I extend our warmest congratulations to Audrey’s family, Bob, Garry and Rick on this momentous occasion. Each has made a significant contribution to the sport of golf in Ontario, and we are thrilled to honor their achievements and impact on the game. The induction ceremony has been a wonderful celebration of their dedication, skill and passion for golf. Their extraordinary contributions will forever be a part of the rich history of golf in our province”.

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GOLF CANADA, GOLF ONTARIO and the GOLF HISTORICAL SOCIETY of CANADA (GHSC) COMBINE FOR A WORLD’S FIRST

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Bob West / GHSC

Playing with hickory shafted clubs is one of the fastest growing segments of the game of golf. Open and National Hickory Championships are being won by the likes of Sandy Lyle and Sir Bob Charles. There seems to be regional events everywhere.

One of the obvious problems in competitions involves handicapping. For fairness, it is imperative that all of our scores are recorded. But is it fair to record rounds played with 100 year old clubs on the same platform as rounds played with modern equipment?

Golf Canada, together with Golf Ontario and the GHSC, recognizes this dilemma and has agreed that Hickory Golf is a bona fide subsection of our game. For this reason GC has decided that golfers can have TWO different official handicaps- one for play with regular clubs and another for play with hickories. Golf Canada is the first national organization to allow this distinction.

Players wishing to have a handicap index when playing with hickories need only be members of Golf Ontario and the Golf Historical Society of Canada. If interested or wanting more information please contact GHSC Handicap Chairperson Barb Allen (ballan1052@gmail.com).

So, find some hickories, discover the joy of playing our game as it was originally played and establish your handicap through Golf Ontario. And find out about Canadian golf history by joining the GHSC (ghsc.ca).

The post GOLF CANADA, GOLF ONTARIO and the GOLF HISTORICAL SOCIETY of CANADA (GHSC) COMBINE FOR A WORLD’S FIRST appeared first on Flagstick.com.

Nearly 100 Canadians Join Record Number of Players Seeking To Play in 2023 U.S. Women’s Open

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Almost 100 Canadians are among the record throng of players who have entered the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, which will be conducted at the Pebble Beach Golf Links this summer.

Currently there are just two Canadian players among the 87 that are full exempt into the championship, Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ontario, and amateur Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ontario. Chun received an exemption for her 2nd place finish at last year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

Joining them among the 2,107 entries received by the United States Golf Association (USGA) are 94 other Canadians vying for a place in the field but who will have to try and qualify through various means to make the final field that will compete in California on July 6-9.

The 78th U.S. Women’s Open Championship is the first to have more than 2,000 entrants. The previous record of 1,874 was established last year at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, in Southern Pines, N.C. A total of 1,873 entries were filed for the 2015 championship at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club. The USGA accepted entries for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open from golfers in 47 U.S. states and 62 foreign countries.

“The record number of entries is truly exciting and represents the worldwide interest in competing in the U.S. Women’s Open,” said USGA Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer. “Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of America’s iconic and treasured courses and will present a compelling championship venue that will bring out the best in the world’s greatest female players.”

Minjee Lee, of Australia, won last year’s U.S. Women’s Open with a championship record 72-hole total of 13-under-par 271 at Pine Needles and is one of 11 champions who are fully exempt from having to qualify. Joining Lee are Annika Sorenstam (1995, 1996, 2006), Eun-Hee Ji (2009), Michelle Wie West (2014), In Gee Chun (2015), Brittany Lang (2016), Sung Hyun Park (2017), Ariya Jutanugarn (2018), Jeongeun Lee6 (2019), A Lim Kim (2020) and Yuka Saso (2021).

World No. 1 Nelly Korda, of Bradenton, Fla., is among 87 exempt players currently in the field. Korda will compete in her ninth U.S. Women’s Open, with her best result an eighth-place finish in 2022.

To be eligible, a player must have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 2.4, or be a professional. Qualifying, which will be played over 36 holes at 23 sites in the U.S. and one each in Canada, Japan and Belgium, will take place between May 9-June 7.

The championship’s youngest entrant is 9-year-old Bella Simoes, an amateur from Brazil. Kimberly Williams, a 60-year-old professional from Bethesda, Md., is the oldest. Heather MacRae, a 39-year-old professional from Scotland, was the first entrant on Feb. 15. Michelle Latini, a 29-year-old professional from Lincoln, Calif., submitted her entry 6 minutes, 29 seconds before the deadline of 5 p.m. EDT on May 3.

Two Canadians made the cut and played the final two rounds at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open. Brooke Henderson finished in a tie for 15th place while Maude-Aimee Leblanc ended the week in solo 70th.

Pebble Beach Golf Links has previously hosted six U.S. Opens (1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019), five U.S. Amateurs (1929, 1947, 1961, 1999, 2018) and two U.S. Women’s Amateurs (1940, 1948). 

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Product Watch: SkyTrak Launch Monitor Upgrades With New SkyTrak+ System

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For almost a decade SkyTrak has been available as personal launch monitor, a more affordable option that consumers have embraced. The company, which is now owned by Indoor Golf Instruction company, GolfTec, is finally introducing an upgraded model.

Originally relying only on a camera-based system to determine golf ball data, the new SkyTrak+ now incorporates a dual doppler radar system to deliver club data. Those parameters include clubhead speed, face angle, and club path.

The company says that in concert with the camera system there will be improved outdoor performance off of mats, an area where the previous model struggled.

“We’re thrilled to introduce SkyTrak+ to the market,” said Jeff Foster, SkyTrak CEO. “Our goal is to bring the ability to Practice, Play and Compete to golfers everywhere. We think it’ll be a game changer, bringing this level of accuracy to a price point that makes it a golf simulator attainable to the masses.”

Through various software partnerships, the company claims access to over 100,000 simulated courses, both real and fictional.

Features within the accompanying software include a SkyTrak Shot Optimizer and Shot Score, measuring results against a large database so golfers can measure their own progress against others.

In addition, SkyTrak+ features a 40% larger hitting area that the previous model, a new onboard processor for faster shot rendering, 5Ghz Wi-Fi capabilities for faster and more stable connectivity, and USB Type C charging options for port stability and rapid charging.

SkyTrak+ is available for pre-order now and will be available for sale at an assortment of partners across the globe. The device will be available at $2,995 USD and will ship late May.

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The Flagstick.com Shootout Is Back!

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New Edition of Top-Level Invitational To Be Presented by COBRA PUMA Golf at Smuggler’s Glen Golf Course

A beloved top amateur golf tournament hosted by Flagstick Golf Magazine (Flagstick.com) is returning to the Smuggler’s Glen Golf Course in Lansdowne, Ontario.

The original iteration of the Flagstick.com Shootout tournament ran for almost a decade, beginning in 2009, and featured a field of 72 players chosen by application in a 36-hole competition on the layout regarded as one of the best in Eastern Ontario.

The re-born event will follow the same path, and will see competition take place on July 15/16, 2023, with the tournament presented by COBRA-PUMA Golf.

“We’ve been wanting to bring the Shootout back for years but everything had to come together with logistics in order to run it at the level we expect for our events,” says Jeff Bauder, President of Bauder Media Group and the Publisher of Flagstick.com. “We always want to have the best experience for the participants and we feel we are now in the position to do that, replicating what we have done with the successful Flagstick Open and Flagstick Two-Ball Championships. The team at Smuggler’s Glen was instrumental in supporting the event’s return and we are grateful for their partnership, as well as the significant alliance with presenting sponsor COBRA PUMA Golf.”

As for why now to bring back this tournament, Bauder shared, “Golf is surging right now and the hundreds of golfers who have played in our events are simply asking for more of what we have offered. We have a waiting list every year for the Flagstick Open, so we felt the need to provide the opportunity of another golf event in the region. In the past we have seen top-level golfers travel to play in the Shootout from as far as Florida, Michigan, and Ohio, and we hope that is the case once again.”

The 72-player field at the Flagstick.com Shootout will be chosen by a committee from applications; with considerations given for competitive players and those who are regular attendees of Flagstick tournaments. The champion of the current year’s Flagstick Open (presented by TaylorMade and adidas) will also be exempt into the field. 

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The 6600-yard golf course at Smugglers Glen was designed by Boyd Barr. The layout was the long-time vision of the Seal family who have owned and operated the Glen House Resort since 1962. It was nominated for the Best New Golf Course in Canada Award in 2006 by Golf Digest. Since then it has annually received recognition in the Flagstick Golf Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards and proved to be a worthy host for the PGA TOUR Canada in 2012 for the initial playing of The Great Waterway Classic.

It was and continues to be a hearty example of how golf fits well in the Canadian Shield. The land is marked by rolling topography providing a bevy of drops and rises, along with a natural accent of white pines, granite outcroppings and indigenous plant life.

For more details, and to apply for the Flagstick.com Shootout Presented by COBRA PUMA Golf, visit FlagstickShootout.com

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Timber Ridge Hosts Graeme R. Kirkland, CIM CJGA Ontario Championship

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The Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ontario hosted the Graeme R. Kirkland, CIM CJGA Ontario Championship on May 5-7.

This 54 hole event brought out a crowd of talented young golfers to play the Stephen Ward design considered one of the best in the region.

There were four divisions of players competing in this early season event, with good weather marking the three days of competition.

In the Bantam Girls flight, the winner was Claire Roberts of Kitchener, Ontario. She topped the field with rounds of 82, 83, and 80. Keisha Han of Toronto, Ontario finished second, while Marissa Daye of Sarnia, Ontario finished in third place.

A closing round of 75 capped a fourteen stroke victory for Matthew Simpson of Toronto, Ontario in the Bantam Boys class. Jiapeng Lu of Markham paced in second while Evan Gaffney of nearby Napanee, Ontario was the bronze medalist.

On the Junior side of the draw it was Angela Cai of Oakville, Ontario who took top spot after rounds of 76, 76, and 74. She topped Bridget Yu of Richmond Hill, Ontario by thirteen strokes, while 2022 Ontario Women’s Amateur Champion, Carlee Meilleur, finished in third.

Ottawa’s Max Corcoran was the best of the Junior Boys. Corcoran closed with an under par round of 70, to cap the tournament at +3 overall and take a nine-stroke win over Antoine Jasmin of Quebec. Lundon Hadley of Barrie, Ontario took the third place finishing position.

Full leaderboard.

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OVGA Opens Junior Season With Spring Classic

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“It was a great two days of golf this past weekend for the OVGA Junior Spring Classic at the Meadows Golf and Country Club sponsored by the Optimist Club of Nepean,” says Jim Davidson, the Chair of Junior Tournaments for the Ottawa Valley Golf Association.

He added, “This tournament brought together 120 participants between the ages of 6 and 18 in an amazing showcase of junior talent to compete in our first combined OVGA/CJGA event of the season. The course was in great shape considering the recent accumulation of rain, which also allowed all players to become experienced in taking temporary water relief.”

There were many highlights to the tournament but the breathtaking moment of the event went to Chase Jerome of The Royal Ottawa Golf Club who made an ace on the 7th hole of the East Course from 175 yards. It just so happened that was the closest to the pin hole, with a hole in one assuring him the award.

Chase, just thirteen years old, was playing up a division but it did not hinder his success. In fact, he posted a two-day score of 1444, even par, to earn both the Juvenile Boys and Overall Boys’ titles.

Other winners included:

*       Yaorui Xu (Ottawa Hunt ) – Junior Boys
*       Landon Van Loon (Upper Canada) – Bantam Boys
*       Jack Sample (Rivermead) – Peewee Boys
*       Mackenzie Cloutier (Le Blainvillier) – Junior/Overall Girls
*       Shinyao Zhang (Rivermead)  – Juvenile Girls after a one hole playoff
*       Amelia McFarlane (Riverbend) – Bantam Girls
*       Florence Ho (Ottawa Hunt) – Peewee Girls

Jim Davidson would like to pass on his thanks to the Meadows G&CC, the Optimist Club of Nepean, Golf Ontario, CJGA and the team of OVGA officials for a great start to the season!

Complete Leaderboards

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Quebec Golf Hall of Fame Names Meldrum and Bouchard as Inductees

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Montréal, May 8, 2023 – Golf Québec has announced that Lisa Meldrum and Rémi Bouchard will become the 39th and 40th inductees into the Québec Golf Hall of Fame at ceremonies to be confirmed in future communications.

Lisa Meldrum (1982 – …)

A Montréal native and member of The Royal Montreal Golf Club since the age of ten, Lisa Meldrum has distinguished herself as an exceptional player on the Junior, Amateur, and Professional scenes. Throughout her playing career, and still to this day in her teaching profession, she has been a model of perseverance, determination, passion, and positivity.

Her amateur career is very impressive. Since the age of 15, in 1997, she has dominated the competitive scene by winning the titles of Club Champion, Montréal Region Champion (in her age group), Provincial Junior Champion, and Canadian Juvenile Championship. She also placed 11th at the Women’s Provincial Amateur Championship and was a member of the Québec Junior Team and the Québec Elite Team. This phenomenal season set the tone for Ms. Meldrum’s career as she accumulated a dozen titles between 1998 and 2003, including three junior and two provincial amateur championships as well as Canadian championships.

More specifically, her victory at the Canadian Junior Women’s Championship in 2000 earned her a first recognition from Score, which named her the Best Female Junior Golfer in Canada. With three consecutive Canadian amateur titles from 2001 to 2003, a feat not accomplished by a Canadian woman since Marlene Stewart Streit in 1956, Score also honoured her as the Best Female Amateur Golfer in Canada for each of those three years.

Since 1999, she has represented the Canadian Ladies Golf Association (CLGA), which has included numerous U.S. junior tournaments, a training camp in Scotland, junior and amateur competitions in the U.K., as well as the World Amateur Team Championship in 2002 and the Americas Cup in 2003, where she won. Her career low score is 64.

A member of the University of Oklahoma Sooners golf team from 2000 to 2004, Ms. Meldrum was the top player for four years. She completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology in addition to a minor in business, was named Big 12 Freshman Golfer of the Year for 2000-2001, earned numerous Big 12 titles and All-American honours, in addition to winning three collegiate events and posting 25 top-10 performances.

Before returning to Québec, Ms. Meldrum played as a golf professional on the Duramed Futures Tour from 2006 to 2009, the LPGA Tour in 2010 and 2011, as well as the Symetra Tour from 2012 to 2015.

A “Class A” member of the PGA of Canada, she specialized in teaching and coaching, is TPI certified, and a Level 2 ELDOA practitioner. She has been teaching since 2016 and is currently the Head Teaching Professional at The Royal Montreal Golf Club where she plays a crucial role in the both the club’s junior and adult development programs for all levels of golfers, from beginner to advanced, and teaches 12-months a year in Montréal.

Ms. Meldrum was elected to the Québec Golf Hall of Fame in the player category.

Rémi Bouchard (1964 – …)

Born in Lasalle, Rémi Bouchard took his first steps at Club de golf Candiac in 1973 where he started as a caddie before joining the back shop team. At the age of thirteen, he began participating in junior competitions before continuing his development in the amateur ranks until the age of 24 when he turned professional. His track record makes him the most successful Québec player on the provincial, national, and international scenes over the past 25 years.

Crowned at the 1982 Provincial Junior Boys’ Championship and the 1984 Duke of Kent, he was a member of the Indiana University Hoosiers golf team from 1983 to 1987 and was recognized for his outstanding academic achievements in the Bachelor of Administrative Sciences with a major in Finance. A Québec Amateur Champion in 1986, he joined the Québec PGA and began his career as an Assistant Professional at the Country Club of Montréal from 1985 to 1989. He was named Rookie of the Year and Assistant of the Year in 1987 and won the Québec PGA Championship and the Canadian Professional Assistant Championship in 1988.

His career then took him overseas on the Asian Tour, where he won the 1989 Indian Open and was runner-up at the 1992 Thailand Open. At the same time, he was runner-up in the Canadian Tour Championship in 1991 and 1993 and won two events on the Québec Tour in 1994. Mr. Bouchard joined the Canadian Tour’s Board of Directors from 1993 to 1997 and served as Chairman in 1996-1997.

His impressive list of accomplishments includes over 70 professional victories, 16 top-10 finishes on the Canadian Tour, six Professional of the Year titles (1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008) and a dozen course records, including an incredible 62 on the Arizona course at Golf Le Mirage.

From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Bouchard was a trainer at Sports Business International where he contributed to the development of a business training program using the golf platform. He was a member of the PGA of Québec’s Board of Directors from 2009 to 2016 and served as President in 2015 and 2016. A professional at Golf Le Mirage from 1992 to 2010, he wrote over 100 golf articles on teaching, strategy, rules, and etiquette, produced two golf teaching DVDs, and mentored many of our elite young golfers.

From 2010 to 2016, Mr. Bouchard continued his career as Golf Canada’s Regional Director for Québec, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. He then served as Head Professional at the Pinegrove Golf Club from 2016 to 2020 before joining Club Laval-sur-le-Lac in the same role where he is still active.

Mr. Bouchard was also elected to the Québec Golf Hall of Fame in the player category.

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Ottawa Senators’ Claude Giroux named Honorary Chair for the Commissionaires Ottawa Open

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It may be summer, but Ottawa Senators’ forward Claude Giroux is being put to work. But it won’t be on the ice, it will be on the fairways of the Eagle Creek Golf Club in the west end of Ottawa.

Giroux, who has played 1,100 career NHL Games, will serve a dual role in July for The Commissionaires Ottawa Open, an event on the PGA TOUR Canada. The 35 year-old will be the tournament’s Honorary Chair and he will also be in the field, playing on a Sponsor Exemption.

“It’s a special opportunity and I am honoured to have been asked to be a part of this tournament,” said Giroux in a statement released by the TOUR. “Anyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about both golf and hockey. On top of my role as Honorary Chair, I’m very excited to play in the tournament amongst some amazing talent.”

Giroux is no stranger to pro golf events, he participated in the Pro-Am at the CP Women’s last summer when it was held at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, and has previously played in the Pro-Am at the RBC Canadian Open. He is a regular competitor at some local amateur events.

Golf has also bit back on Giroux at times. In 2013 he suffered a well-known golf injury when a shaft shattered while he was playing, with part of the shaft spearing his hand. It resulted in surgery and multiple weeks of recovery.

Active NHL players have competed with PGA TOUR Canada professionals in the past, including the Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele in 2018 and 2022, Kyle Conner in 2019, and Blake Wheeler, who will play in August in the CentrePort Canada Railpark Manitoba Open in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Hearst, Ontario, native has strong local roots, dating to 2004 when he played for the Cumberland Grads, the Gatineau Olympiques and then the Philadelphia Flyers from 2007-2022, followed by a playoff run with the Florida Panthers in 2021-2022.

Giroux lives in Kanata with his wife, Ryanne, and two sons, Gavin and Palmer.

“We’re excited that Claude has accepted the invitation to not only compete in the tournament, but to play the role of Honorary Chair, where I know he’ll be an inspiration to golfers and fans alike,” said Scott Pritchard, PGA TOUR Canada Executive Director.

The Commissionaires Ottawa Open, set for July 17-23 at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Dunrobin, Ontario, marks the PGA TOUR Canada’s return to Ottawa after a several-year hiatus. The tournament will feature more than 150 professionals from around the world, supported by 200 volunteers and generating an estimated $2 to 4 million in local economic activity.

“The Commissionaires Ottawa Open will be a tremendous event for the city,” said Tournament Director, Andy Rajhathy. “It will attract the best young players in the world and give golf fans an opportunity to see them in action at Eagle Creek, which is without doubt one of the best golf courses in our region.”

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Golf Instruction: Do It ‘Wrong’ To Get It ‘Right’

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The endless pursuit of “perfection” in golf may not the best way to learn about playing the game, and eventually, playing it better.

The great variability of the conditions we play golf under, be it uneven lies, surfaces of various materials, or wind conditions, means that our ability to adapt to these situations is vital.

As one fellow pro pointed out to me, he noted a group of juniors who spent hour on the range, hitting golf balls off mats, trying to make one exact swing after another. But when these golf “robots” headed to the course, they struggled to hit quality shots, and as a result, did not score well.

The reality is that golf is a game of variability, and while we can work to master technical aspects of the game, we must be prepared for adaption.

To better do this, we should be willing to introduce more variability into our practice.

Various studies have proven that the benefits of training motor skills adaption create a better transfer of skills to the playing field; this holds true in various sports studied, from baseball, to tennis, to golf.

So how can you apply this to your own golf practice?  Many, many ways.

The first is working with your coach to understand the basic level of technique to execute a certain shot, let’s say a draw, for example, which requires a face open to the target but closed to the path (for a shot hit off the centre of the face). Now instead of trying to hit a “perfect” draw shot of a small degree, you may want to use a face pointed way right of your target and an extreme path to create a draw with a very large curvature. You could then choose to experiment within that range and create different size curves, getting a feel for any set-up changes and feels required to hit the intended shot.

You can do this with any golf skill, from chipping and pitching to different trajectory irons shots, and even putts.

Learn the technique and what influences the outcomes, but feel free to experiment in your practice sessions and note the things that you do to create the various results. That knowledge and internal feels will be valuable when you head to the golf course and are faced with a less than ideal situation, which seems to happen on just about every shot.

Do it “wrong” and you’ll have a better chance of understanding how to get it “right” when you need to.

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Flagstick Podcast Episode #41 – Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum, We Play This or That?, and News Updates

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Following our attendance at the RBC Canadian Media Day, we have our interview with Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum about the tournament. He shares what aspects he is excited about for the 2023 version of the championship being held at the Oakdale G&CC in Toronto, what the tournament now offers for a wider audience, and how it has evolved from being just a sports event to a credible entertainment product.

For the first time we play an edition of “This Or That?” where we have to choose between two golf related items. It’s a fun one to play along with on your own, and maybe even debate with your friends. Feel free to share your answers with us on our social media channels.

We also provide an update on the Flagstick Open, discuss the reaction to the return of the Flagstick.com Shootout, and share some results on some of the first tournaments of the season happening in eastern Ontario.

This episode is brought to you by TaylorMade Golf Canada with segment sponsorship by Metcalfe GC and Greensmere G&CC.

Flagstick Podcast Episode #41

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The post Flagstick Podcast Episode #41 – Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum, We Play This or That?, and News Updates appeared first on Flagstick.com.

Loyalist G&CC Hosts Another Successful Junior Showcase

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Young golfers from across Ontario were drawn to the Loyalist Country Club in Bath, Ontario this past weekend, May 13/14, for the playing of their annual junior showcase.

More than sixty juniors made the trip to play in the event, being contested for the 8th time, and offering an opportunity for both novice and experienced golfers to test themselves on a course that has been the previous host to the PGA TOUR Canada and numerous Golf Ontario Championships.

The players were also competing for a spot in the Road To The TPC Toronto event to be held in late July during the week of the PGA TOUR Canada’s Osprey Valley Open.

Play was took place in eight divisions, some a little thinner than others in respect to the number of competitors, but the wide age range of golfers was a positive sign for organizers.

Winners in the various divisions were:

Peewee Girls: Olivia Pattison

Peewee Boys: Owen Copp

Bantam Girls: Adrianna Salilila

Bantam Boys: Wilson Doornekamp

Juvenile Girls: Kyla Lederer

Juvenile Boys: Nate Ditto

Junior Boys: Yaorui Xu

Junior Girls: Jimin Kim

Notable play through the 36 of competition included playoffs that were required in two divisions.

In the Juvenile Girls class it was Kyla Lederer who had to face off with Naomi Goh. Lederer, playing in just her third tournament ever, was markedly nervous headed into the extra stanza. Even so she managed to stripe her tee shot and canned a tricky three foot putt to capture her first ever tournament title.

The Junior Boys division saw the biggest drama when Bode Stephen, Rowan MacDonald, and Yaorui Xu each completed regulation play at a score of 149. Bode was eliminated on the 1st extra hole, leaving Xu and MacDonald to settle the title. On the 2nd extra hole, things turned in MacDonald’s favour after he drilled a tee shot down the middle on Loyalist’s 10th hole while Xu found the fairway bunker. That was no deterrent to Xu who calmly struck his bunker shot to fifteen feet from the hole while MacDonald found the fringe some twenty feet below the hole.

After MacDonald missed his birdie attempt, Xu found the bottom of the cup to grab the win and complete the 2023 Loyalist Junior Golf Showcase in style.

For full results see the link here.

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