When you get to be 125 years old, one birthday party just won’t do.

So Victoria Golf Club, which was founded back in 1893, is having a year-long celebration of sorts to mark its notable anniversary. The Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, which will be played Aug. 21-24 on Victoria Golf Club’s spectacular seaside links, is a big part of that celebration.

“Our actual birthday is Nov. 7,” says head professional Lindsay Bernakevitch. “We are hosting a bit of a member’s tournament on that day or right around there, but that was the impetus behind us trying to get this national championship that we could host and celebrate our 125th with.”

In July, an outdoor gala was held with about 650 people in attendance. And earlier this month, Victoria’s putting green was the site of a special afternoon high tea.

Victoria Golf Club is the oldest 18-hole golf course still on its present site in Canada. It is also among the most beautiful anywhere.

It sits on a pristine piece of property on Gonzales Point in the seaside municipality of Oak Bay and offers stunning views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The course began as a 14-hole layout in 1893 and was expanded to 18 holes two years later.

In its early years, golfers shared the course with sheep and cows that grazed the property owned by the Pemberton family. In fact, early in its life the course was closed in the summer months.

“Golfers refrained from playing on the premises for three months each summer, leaving the fairways undisturbed for the animals,” Arv Olson wrote in his book, Backspin: 100 years of golf in British Columbia. “The putting greens were fenced to protect against hoof-prints. The members learned to adapt; they tolerated the hazards dropped by the voracious stock.”

Victoria’s most memorable holes are on the ocean side of the course. Those begin at No. 3 after crossing the road and continue through No. 10.

Its signature hole would be No. 7, which was once a long par 3 that has been converted to a par 4. The left side of the hole hugs the ocean and has a treacherous two-tiered green that tilts towards the ocean and has seen more than its share of three- and four-putts over the years.

In his only round at Victoria Golf Club, Ben Hogan managed to putt his ball right off the green and into the ocean.
“It was a par 3 in the ‘50s when he played,” recalls Mike Parker, Victoria’s former longtime head pro who now serves the club’s head professional emeritus. “He putted from the right edge of the green right into the water. In those days it was out of bounds, it wasn’t a lateral hazard, and Hogan said it was the only time in his career he putted a ball out of bounds. That’s kind of a neat story.”

Among Victoria’s most notable members over its 125-year history is A.V. Macan, who arrived in the B.C. capital from his native Ireland in 1910 and started a law practice. After winning his second straight B.C. Amateur Championship in 1913 at his new home course, Macan scrapped his law practice and began what became a prolific career as a golf course architect.

Victoria’s members are proud of their club’s rich history. For more than a century they have played an annual inter-club match with members of Seattle Golf Club. Apart from three years during the Second World War, the matches have been played every year since 1903.

“It is a friendly match, it’s like a friendly soccer game almost,” says Parker. “It is nice to win, everybody tries their best to win, but at the end of the day it’s really a social day to a great extent.”
Victoria Golf Club is, by today’s standards, a short course. Stretched to its absolute limit, it plays about 6,200 yards as a par 70.

“Typically, players look at the scorecard and say we are going to kill this course because it’s so short,” Parker says. “But in fact they don’t at all. . .It depends on the weather. There will be some good scores, some 65s, 66s that kind of thing. But not as many as people think.”

Back in 1993, to help celebrate its centennial, Victoria played host to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. The winning score, by Australian Gary Simpson, was 281 or one-over par.

“On occasion you can go low here,” says head pro Bernakevitch. “I definitely have had low rounds. But the greens are tough here and especially if the wind blows a little bit, par is always a good score. You are never going to be far out of it if you shoot par. That being said, someone could have a hot week, you never know. But it is just one of those places that has enough quirks to it, that it always seems to hold its own.”

It should be noted that the wind almost always blows a little bit at Victoria. Sometimes, a lot more than a little bit.

Bernakevitch, a Saskatchewan native, is in his fifth year as head pro at Victoria and feels like he is one of the most fortunate guys in the business having landed at the club.

“When I quit the tour life and decided to settle down and get into the club side of the business, this is the place I wanted to be,” he says. “The funny thing is I did a goal-setting thing probably eight years ago and wrote this golf course on my list. I said I want to be the head pro at Victoria Golf Club, that is where I want to end up. So it is really surreal that it actually happened. It has been everything I have dreamed of. It is an awesome membership and just a fantastic golf course. I still pinch myself driving into work.”

It’s probably safe to say more than a few of the Mid-Amateur competitors will also be pinching themselves when they experience Victoria Golf Club for the first time. There has been a huge demand from players wanting to play the event at what is a truly special golf course. Bernakevitch says they won’t be disappointed.

“The course is beautiful right now,” he says. “The entire course is probably the best I have ever seen it. Everything from fairways to rough to fescue to greens is as good, as healthy and as perfect as I have seen it in my five years here. That is really exciting for us. Our members are having an awesome summer of golf and we are going to roll that into a big tournament week.”

REGINA, Sask. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada in partnership with Canadian Pacific (CP) announced today the field of competitors set to challenge for the 2018 CP Women’s Open taking place August 20-26 at The Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.

Defending champion and world no. 4 Sung Hyun Park will lead a stellar field that includes world no. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn, world no. 5 Lexi Thompson, world no. 6 Shanshan Feng, world no. 7 Minjee Lee, world no. 9 Jessica Korda and world no. 10 Georgia Hall as well as Canadian superstar Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.

Park, winner of the 2017 event at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club headlines a group of six past champions coming to Regina including three-time winner Lydia Ko (2012, 2013, 2015) in search of her record fourth title. Other past champions confirmed include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Katherine Kirk (2008), Cristie Kerr (2006) and Juli Inkster (1984). Previously confirmed past champion Michelle Wie was forced to WD due to injury.

Other global LPGA Tour stars confirmed among the 156-player field include Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Anna Nordqvist, Carlota Ciganda, Nasa Hataoka, Moriya Jutanugarn, Danielle Kang, Charley Hull, Sandra Gal, Caroline Masson, Pernilla Lindberg and Natalie Gulbis.

With the one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship will feature 14 in-year LPGA Tour winners and 89 of the top 100 players on the LPGA Tour’s Official Money List.

“We are thrilled to welcome the world’s best golfers to The Wascana Country Club as the CP Women’s Open proudly makes its first-ever visit to the great province of Saskatchewan,” said Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “The CP Women’s Open will feature one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour along with the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf. Golf fans in the province of Saskatchewan and across Canada will be treated to a world-class event when the stars of the LPGA Tour tip it up in Regina.”

A full field list of players confirmed to compete in the 2018 CP Women’s Open is available by clicking here.

The field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse with the champion taking home $337,500.

FIFTEEN CANADIANS TO COMPETE AT THE WASCANA COUNTRY CLUB….
Smiths Falls, Ont., native Brooke Henderson, a six-time LPGA Tour winner and CP abassador headlines a list of 15 Canadians set to challenge for the CP Women’s Open.

Joining Henderson are LPGA Tour regulars Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que. and Anne-Catharine Tanguay of Quebec City along with Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont. and Symetra Tour players Jennifer Ha of Calgary, Augusta James of Bath, Ont., Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont. and Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C.

Saskatoon, Sask. native and Symetra Tour player Anna Young will have a home crowd advantage as the four-time Saskatchewan Women’s Amateur champion makes her first ever start in the CP Women’s Open.

CP ambassador and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Lorie Kane of Charlottetown will make her record tying 28^th start in Canada’s National Women’s Open.

Among the Amateur contingent, three members of Team Canada will compete including National Amateur Squad members Grace St. Germain of Ottawa, Ont. and Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C. as well as 17-year old National Development Squad athlete Celeste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que. Also playing on an exemption is 17-year old Tiffany Kong of Vancouver.

The Canuck contingent will look to become the first Canadian to win an LPGA Tour event in Canada since Jocelyne Bourassa won La Canadienne in 1973.

FINAL FOUR EXEMPTIONS TO BE DECIDED AT ROYAL REGINA GOLF CLUB….
On Monday, August 20, the LPGA Tour will conduct an 18-hole stroke play qualifier at Royal Regina Golf Club to determine the final four exemptions directly into the 2018 CP Women’s Open.

CP HAS HEART IN SUPPORT OF JIM PATTISON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Canadian Pacific will continue its history of making a substantial donation to the host community through its CP Has Heart community investment program. In the four years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open, $6.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in communities across Canada.

This year, the campaign is supporting pediatric cardiology at Saskatchewan’s new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon. Funds raised through the CP Women’s Open will help assist a dedicated cardiology space and specialized equipment in the new hospital, currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2019. To find out more or donate click here.

FIRST-EVER CP WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT TO TAKE PLACE DURING TOURNAMENT WEEK
As part of the weeklong excitement of the CP Women’s Open, Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific are proud to announce that the inaugural CP Women’s Leadership Summit will take place Tuesday, August 21 at Hotel Saskatchewan in Regina. Keynote speaker and four-time Olympic gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser will be joined by Sportsnet host Evanka Osmak; LPGA champion Lorie Kane; CP Vice-President of Grain and Fertilizer, Joan Hardy; adidas golf Canada General Manager, Lesley Hawkins; RBC Senior Manager, Brand Marketing, Shannon Cole; Dr. Andrea Lavoie, Interventional cardiologist with Saskatchewan Health Authority and many more like-minded businesswomen from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment and philanthropy. Click here for more information.

KIDS 17-AND-UNDER GET IN FREE…
Golf Canada and CP are committed to offering a fan friendly, family event with the CP Women’s Open. To introduce more juniors to the sport, children aged 17-and-under get FREE admission to the CP Women’s Open for the entire week.

TICKETS…
Early Week (Mon-Wed) –             Advance pricing $15 I Tournament week $20
Anyday Grounds (Thurs) –             Advance pricing $35 I Tournament week $55
Anyday Grounds (Fri-Sat) –           Advance pricing $40 I Tournament week $55
Anyday Grounds (Sun)   –              Advance pricing $45 I Tournament week $55
Full week entry (Grounds) –         Advance pricing $90 I Tournament week $105
Full week entry (Clubhouse) –     Advance pricing $170 I Tournament week $200 

TELEVISION COVERAGE…
Thursday, August 23 –                     Golf Channel – 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Friday, August 24 –                           Golf Channel – 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, August 25 –                     Golf Channel – 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, August 26 –                        Golf Channel – 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

• All times local.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Brendan Macdougall made the biggest move as several positions were shuffled in the Top 10 this past week. The Calgary golfer picked up 47 spots in the world rankings after finishing a career-best 16th at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Golf Canada National Squad member Joey Savoie gained two places after finishing 19th at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, helping Team Quebec capture their second straight inter-provincial title in the process.

Garrett Rank picked up five places in the world rankings after finishing third at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, helping him to reclaim the No. 3 ranking in Canada in the process.

Charles Corner takes over the No. 6 ranking from Golf Canada National Squad member Chris Crisologo, who missed the cut at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Henry Lee moves up to the No. 9 ranking after posting a ninth place finish at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

Biggest move:  Former Golf Canada Development Team member and reigning Alberta Junior Boys Champion Chandler McDowell of Red Deer, Alta., gained 678 spots in the world rankings after finishing 58th at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Ellie Szeryk made the biggest move of the week among the Top 10, picking up 29 spots. The Golf Canada Development Squad member has gained 52 places since joining the Top 10.

No. 2 Jaclyn Lee picked up five places in the rankings to climb to a career-best No. 21 in the world after a fifth place finish at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.  It was the seventh top 5 result of the year for the Golf Canada National Squad member.

Outside the Top 10, Susan Xiao picked up 133 spots in the world rankings after finishing runner-up at the Lockton Kansas City Junior. The result enabled her to move up from No. 16 to 12 in the Canadian rankings.

Biggest Move:Taylor Kehoe picked up 248 spots in the world rankings after a fourth place finish at the AJGA Junior at Forest Lake.

MEN’S TOP 10

With the PGA Championship, the final golf major of the season, taking centre stage there wasn’t a whole lot of positive movement in the Canadian rankings.

Only three of the Top 10 golfers made gains with Austin Connelly leading the way, picking up four places followed by No. 10 Roger Sloan, up three spots and No. 8 Adam Svensson gaining a single place in the world rankings.

Other notable results:No. 1 Adam Hadwin missed the cut at PGA Championship;

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Jennifer Ha move back into the Top 10, picking up 60 places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 26th at the Symetra Tour event in Milwaukee. It was the Calgary golfer’s best result of the season on the development tour. The result was worth 0.2 world ranking points and moved the Team Canada Young Pro member up to the No. 9 ranking in Canada.

Other Notable Results: No. 8 Samantha Richdale missed the cut at Symetra Tour event in Milwaukee;

Jennifer Chang has moved on to become a second-year member of the University of Southern California’s golf team, but her memories of participating in two World Junior Girls Championships remain fresh in her mind.

“This event is not like any other junior event,” said Chang. “The World Junior Girls is such an amazing event to play in and represent your country. I was lucky enough to compete in this event twice and so to have that opportunity to enjoy this with great teammates along with the captains makes it more special.“

Chang, of Cary, N.C., was named to the All Pac-12 First Team after her freshman year at USC. She was one of approximately 60 golfers who took on The Marshes Golf Club in Kanata (about 15 minutes west of downtown Ottawa) a year ago (finishing tied for 21st), and about 50 golfers who played at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in 2017 (where she finished runner-up).

This year the World Junior Girls Championships remains in Ottawa, and heads to Camelot Golf and Country Club in Cumberland, about 20 minutes east of downtown Ottawa.

There will be 63 golfers competing from 20 countries around the world, and in addition to the 72-hole team and individual golf competitions, there will be a celebration of the sport all week long. Prior to the tournament getting started, there will be a coaching summing, and skill-development clinic, and a Junior-Amateur event.

The course is home to Golf Canada National Team member (and past World Junior Girls Championship participant) Grace St. Germain, and hosted the 2012 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, plus the 2017 Canadian Junior Girls Championship and final qualifying for the 2017 CP Women’s Open.

This year’s World Junior Girls Championship runs from September 9-14.

Greg Richardson is the General Manager of the club – established in 1991 – and he said Camelot would be leaning back to the set-up from the Men’s Amateur somewhat this fall.

However, the course underwent some “major” bunker work after that event and said those changes were very successful, which led to the course hosting a handful of other big-time events.

“It’s something different than what they’ve seen in the Ottawa area in the past,” said Richardson of his club. “It’s a bit of a different layout in terms of the front nine, presenting more as links-style… and then you move to the back nine and you get some elevated tees and elevated greens and some interesting layouts. There are different choices and risk/reward holes which will be a challenge for (the golfers) but also enjoyable.”

Richardson said his members have been thrilled at the opportunity to host some of the world’s best amateur golfers in a few weeks time.

About three years ago the members were presented with a strategic plan for the golf course moving forward, and part of that plan was to bring some of the best golfers in the world to experience what Camelot has to offer.

“If we’re going to be a championship golf course, then our definition of championship means we’re going to host championships,” said Richardson. “They’re excited about having them. There is a good volunteer base that is excited to come out and help. They enjoy seeing the course put in high esteem and have some of the country’s best – and in this case, the world’s best players – come to try to take the challenge on.”

Although Chang was a top amateur in the United States over the two years she participated in the World Junior Girls, it was still a unique opportunity for her to indeed test her mettle against some not-so-familiar faces.

“When competing in tournaments across the (U.S.) you run into the same people, but at the World Junior Girls there were so many unfamiliar faces, and to have the chance to meet people from different continents was unreal,” she said. “You get to learn about the different cultures and languages from the girls. I had such a phenomenal time playing in the World Junior Girls definitely wish I could go back.”

Chang said between the camaraderie and the experience overall has been beneficial for her as she moved into her collegiate career and then, hopefully, onwards to the LPGA Tour.

Camelot will be a difficult challenge this September, but Chang said the most important thing for the participants this year is to just enjoy themselves.

“As golfers we always want to perform our best anytime we are playing, but sometimes we forget that you have to have fun,” she said. “That’s what this tournament is all about: having a once in a lifetime experience where not many golfers have the chance to compete, and enjoying the time with your team and other players.”

Having served on the executive team of the Royal Canadian Golf Association – and as it’s president in 1989 – Keith Rever has played an important leadership role in the growth of golf across the country.

With the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open being held in his hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan for the first time at the Wascana Country Club – also referred to in short as WCC – Rever sees it as an important step in promoting the game in his home province.

“I think it’s great that the tournament will be coming here for the first time and we get to see the best female golfers compete first hand,” said Rever, who served as a director of the WCC for 15 years and served as the club’s president in 1980.

“I’m sure seeing the best players compete will inspire more young girls and boys to pick up the sport,” added the Regina native.

According to his daughter, Susan Rever, the significance of the CP Women’s Open coming to Regina, is something that is recognized by the entire family.

“Our whole family is excited as it is the first time Saskatchewan has hosted an LPGA TOUR event. We look forward to being a part of this,” she said.

Recently, Rever – a retired engineer – took a moment to reflect back on his journey as an architect for the growth of the sport in Canada.

Rever says he first developed a passion for golf when he took up the sport as a youngster.

“My mom and dad rented a house about five blocks from a golf course and I would walk down there in the mornings to play a couple rounds and hit balls during the summer; and if you hit enough balls, you start improving,” said Rever, who has been extra busy this summer helping his daughter with a home improvement project.

“I became a junior member at the Wascana Country Club in 1956 and a general share holder in 1960,” he recalled.

“I won the club championship about five times. Its been a lot of fun out there. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people playing at the club.”

River’s natural talents on the golf course enabled him to compete at the highest level as an amateur.

He won the City of Regina Championship nine times and was the Saskatchewan Amateur Champion on two separate occasions.

In 1964, Rever was a member of the only team from Saskatchewan to win the Willingdon Cup – an annual team competition dating back to 1927 which features the top amateurs from each province.

“The winds were about 50 miles per hour and of course that gave us Saskatchewan boys a bit of an advantage because we were used to it,” he said with a smile about the Willingdon Cup win.

In 1971, that championship team – consisting of Rever, along with Alec Bland,  who was the non-playing captain, Ernie Greenley, Ed Ross, and Jim Scissons – had their accomplishment honoured in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Willingdon Cup Champions

Rever also has his name enshrined in the Wascana Hall of Fame, as well as, the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame.

“His inductions are a reminder of his incredible achievements,” noted his daughter, Susan.

“My dad’s passion for the sport, and his lifelong commitment to improve his performance and the sport he loves so much is impressive.”

While he opted to pursue a career in electrical engineering instead of one as a professional golfer, Rever was committed to remaining involved with the sport in other ways.

“I was the president of the Saskatchewan Golf Association in 72 and 73 and back in those days each provincial association nominated a representative to serve on the Royal Canadian Golf Association,” Rever pointed out.

“They asked me if I would consider it; and so in 1976, I joined the board of the RCGA – which of course, changed it’s name to Golf Canada in 2010.”

At the national level, he was a governor of the RCGA from 1976 to 1985, and on the executive team from 1986 to 1990, with a one-year term as president in 1989.

Rever says finding a balance between his full-time career as an engineer and as a member of the RCGA executive team was a bit of a challenge.

“It was really difficult to balance the roles; and I think in retrospect it probably wasn’t fair to my family,” he said with a chuckle.

“But I’m thankful that they put up with me and supported me in every way and I really appreciated that,” noted Rever, who adds that his wife, Marianne, and his son, Scott, are also avid golfers.

Rever says one of the initiatives that he was proud to have supported during his tenure on the executive team was the integration of the RCGA and the Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association.

“I think I may have been one of the first RCGA presidents to speak at the CLGA annual meeting.  Our team supported the idea of amalgamation and I was happy to see it eventually happen,” he said.

Rever also recalls one of his biggest thrills was inducting Jack Nicklaus into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995.

“After I was president of the RCGA, I became chair of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame committee and I had the honour of being part of the team that inducted Jack Nicklaus,” he said.

“Jack was always very supportive of the Royal Canadian Golf Association and attended all the Canadian Opens and spoke very highly of it; and regarded it as the fifth major in the world back in those days,” Rever noted about Nicklaus who was inducted in the builder category given his role in designing Glen Abbey.

“I remember the induction ceremony was held at the Glen Abbey Golf Club and there was over 200 people there; and it was just a great evening.”

While Rever speaks highly of Nicklaus’ contributions to the growth of the sport in Canada, he also speaks with high regard about Brooke Henderson and the significance of her success.

“I’m very impressed with Brooke. She seems like a very nice young lady who obviously has got a lot of natural skill and also very good work ethic; and her success is definitely inspiring a lot of young golfers in the country,” he said.

“So hopefully she’s going to do well when she comes to Saskatchewan. I spoke to her briefly but I didn’t get a chance to tell her to practice her shots into the wind – she’s probably going to need them,” he added with a smile.

“I’ve also met Lorie Kane; and I can tell that she’s a really classy lady. Both Lorie and Brooke are great ambassadors for the game in Canada and have done so much to grow the game,” he added about the two CP has Heart Ambassadors who have a combined 10 LPGA TOUR titles between them.

And while golfers, such as Kane and Henderson, have done so much to grow the game through their accomplishments on the golf course, Rever takes pride in knowing his efforts over the years off the golf course – particularly in the boardroom – has built the foundation for the success of the sport across the country.

“It was great to have worked with all the people who were so passionate about the game and wanted to see it grow. It’s also great to know that our efforts over the years have had a positive impact on the sport,” said Rever.

“I’ve also had a chance to meet the new leadership team at Golf Canada and I can say the sport is in good hands.”

With the CP Women’s Open set to tee off on August 23rd in his hometown, the self-described golfing enthusiast says he’s noticing a lot of buzz and excitement surrounding the tournament.

“We had the Brier and also the Memorial Cup here in Regina earlier this year, so it’s taken a bit of time for the CP Women’s Open to gain traction but now we are hearing about it on the radio and seeing a lot about it in the news,” said Rever.

“So I think by the time this tournament comes around, everyone will be feeling a lot of excitement – I know my family and I will for sure.”

In response to the 2017 distance research report released by the R&A and USGA, Golf Canada is committed to working with our partners to ensure we are considering all outcomes of distance to the health of our sport.

We recognize that this topic has a considerable effect on both our international and Canadian partners in golf who hold a vested stake in the game.

Consideration must be given to all aspects of the game and its many constituents to ensure that golf is sustainable, open to innovation and most of all, fun.

As the national sport federation and governing body, it is a priority to better understand the impact of distance on our sport. We will continue to be part of the dialogue and remain interested in the findings from the comprehensive research that is being carried out across the industry.

– The Ritchies, Sullivans, Dalrymples, Meaghers, Elliot/L. Marin and Weatherheads all Win Titles.-

by Bari Gourley – Golf NB

For Immediate Release:

The Family Classic started with the 2^nd Annual Jim Connolly Little Swingers division which had a parent play with their 5 – 10 year old son or daughter. They met on the Driving Range for a few exercises and a clinic with Head Professional Don Connolly and our Technical Director, Bari Gourley. From there they played the back nine at Riverside from the Family tees in a Modified Pinehurst alternate shot format. Following their round, they had a 4-hole putting obstacle course to find their way around and Caleb LeBlanc from Fox Creek mastered it with an 11! A burger and fries greeted the players when they finished their golf followed by a prize presentation and candy! Last year’s winners Connor and Scott Weatherhead won again this year after having a par on # 9 after Jack and Jason Snow doubled the final hole. Their final score of 30 was 2 better than their last year’s score.

The start of the Family Classic and Adult Junior commenced this morning with a moment of silence for our two fallen police officers and 2 civilians who were killed in Fredericton on Friday. While the Little Swingers were on the back nine, the rest of the field of players headed out on the front nine under sunny skies. The Family Classic is a wonderful event that names Champions in four divisions which include Father/Son, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son and Mother/Daughter. This is a great event where parents can play with their kids no matter what age and grandparents can play with their grandchildren.  There are not a lot of sports where that can happen.  We also had an Adult/Junior Male awarded today which allows kids without golfing parents to get out to play.  It was wonderful to see 146 golfers come to Riverside to play some golf and have some fun today!!

With the defending champions unable to play this year, the Father/Son Division was wide open, but some past winners were in the field to keep things interesting.  Darren and Nicholas Ritchie of Hampton Golf Club burned their way around the course firing a 1-under 35 on the front nine with birdies on 2, 7 and 8 and bogeys on 3 and 6. Their back nine consisted of 5 birdies on 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17 and a lone bogey on 15 for a 4-under 32 and a 67 total!  Darren had this to say, “I have had a big win here at Riverside in the past but this win with my son is right up there with that one!”. The runner-up position went to Dylan and Danny Fitzherbert who are past champions of this event. They had a very consistent round of an even par 36 on the front and a 1-under par 35 on the back for a very neat 71. There was a tie for third place with an even par 72 and the Shillington duo of Neil and Gregory won in retrogression with a 3-under par 33 on the back nine to go with their 3 over par 39 on the front. Previous winners Jeff and Jake Ward shot their 72 with a 1-over on the front and a 1-under on the back.

With the 4-time winning Father/Daughter duo Greg and Laura Jones from Country Meadows not able to play this year, there was an opportunity for a new winning pair this year out of the 11 family groupings playing in this division.  Instead of somebody new winning the title it was the Father Daughter pair from the past coming back to win. Doug Sullivan owner of Country Meadows and his daughter, Susan, who have won the title 17 times in previous years made up a 3 shot deficit on the front nine to Ed Moore (Kingswood) and Tracy Gallant (Riverside) and fired a 1-under par 35 on the back to win by 2.  Third place went to Dan and Sarah Holt from Gage Golf Club who fired an 81 and won in retrogression to Greg Doucette and Sarah Johnston of Country Meadows.

The Mother/Son Division was won by Carole and Brian Dalrymple who played in this event for the first time while Carole was visiting from Minnedosa Country Club in Southwestern Manitoba. Brian’s father, Miles, played with his grandson Sahil and Brian’s wife Neema played with their other son Rajan making their day a true family Affair. Carole and Brian started with a 41 on the front and were 2 shots back of past winners Debbie and Steve McLaughlin but the Dalrymple’s started to find their rhythm on the back and shot an even par 36 with 2 birdies and a double which was enough to win by 1 over the McLaughlin’s.

The Mother/Daughter Division was once again won by the Fredericton duo of Kathy and Kathryn Meagher who have won the title 5 times in a row and 11 times in total. The ladies had a very solid day out on the course by shooting an 86. They out-dueled Mona Meldrum and Sara Youngner who finished 1-shot back after giving up a 3-shot swing on the 14^th hole. Sara and her husband Stephen are visiting from South Carolina and some will remember Sara from her great junior career in NB.

The Adult/Junior Division was won again by Riverside Country Club’s John Elliot who paired with Liam Marin again this year. Each year him and Felipe Marin alternate which Marin boy each will play with but John has had Liam the past 2 years since this was Liam’s last year eligible for this title.  They started out a little rough with a 5-over par 41 but caught fire on the back with a 2-under 34 for a total of 75. Anderson MacDonald was supposed to play with his father but after his Dad put his back out, he asked hockey player Ian Smallwood to play which changed him into the Adult/ Junior Division and came in second with a 37-41 = 78 giving them the runner-up position.

The Riverside Country Club was a fantastic host for this event, the course was in great shape, the sun was shining and everyone had a great time.  Head Professional, Don Connolly was very excited about hosting the event and was happy to see the Jim Connolly Little Swingers Event continue again this year.   General Manager, Jason Porter had this to say, “What a great day and event, so many smiles on the faces of all the participants. This is what golf is all about!” Not many tournaments can you have an 5 year old playing, and three 82 year olds also playing in the same tournament.  Thanks to all the players and especially the kids for putting up with their parents today!

For more information on the 2018 NB Family Classic, including full results please CLICK HERE.

For more information on the 2018 “Jim Connolly” Little Swingers, including full results please CLICK HERE.

For more information on The Riverside Country Club please: CLICK HERE.

DUNCAN, B.C. – American Zach Bauchou held on in Thursday’s final round of the 114th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows to become the 13th back-to-back champion in history.

Bauchou, a Forest, Va., native, fired a 5-under 66 in the final round to finish with a three-stroke victory at 18 under par—tying the tournament record set in 1970 by Allen Miller.

“It’s truly an honour to be a back-to-back champion at the Canadian Men’s Amateur—words can’t really express how much it means to me to come up here and defend and play as well as I did,” said the 22-year-old. “I’m truly honoured to win this tournament again.”

In 2017, Bauchou became the 22nd American to hoist the Earl Grey Cup, and now becomes the fourth American to win back-to-back championships (Han Lee, Frank Stranahan, Albert Campbell).

Zach Bauchou repeats to win the 114th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows #CDNAm ????

A post shared by Golf Canada (@thegolfcanada) on Aug 9, 2018 at 1:59pm PDT

For the first time since Monday, Bauchou relinquished the lead to momentarily sit tied at 14 under par with fellow American Philip Knowles, who surged up the leaderboard early with birdies on three of his first four holes.

Bauchou pulled away on the back nine, with a momentum swing on the 15th hole where he sunk a winding birdie putt, while Knowles slipped with a three-putt from inside 10 feet.

“He [Philip] played really well, especially on the front nine, he really putted good,” said Bauchou. “My putt was right in the middle which was really nice – sometimes you need those putts to go in in order to win.”

Words from your 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion #CDNAm pic.twitter.com/trlR1VmS8a

— Golf Canada (@TheGolfCanada) August 9, 2018

With the victory, Bauchou receives an exemption into the 2019 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont., from June 3-9. Having already received an exemption into the U.S. Amateur via World Amateur Ranking (No. 21), Bauchou had his mind set this year on defending.

“I think the feelings are a lot different for me this year,” said Bauchou. “Today I was playing to defend, and you have a little difference in responses and I was a lot less nervous today than I was last year, which was the different this year.”

Knowles closed in solo second at 15 under par. The Jacksonville, Fla., native also shot a 64 in Wednesday’s third round to set the course record.

“Just like that you go from walking up the green, thinking you might get back to all-square to being three down with three to play,” said Knowles, who is entering his senior year at the University of North Florida. “I shot 15 under. You can’t shake your head at that, there’s a lot of circles on the scorecard.”

Elmira, Ont., native Garrett Rank finished in third place at 13 under par, also taking home low Canadian honours in the process. The 30-year-old will return to B.C. from Aug. 21-24 to compete in the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur at Victoria Golf Club, where he’ll look to collect his fourth title in five years.

“You’d like to add this one to the resume for sure,” said Rank. “Without sounding arrogant I have won a lot of Golf Canada championships so it would be nice at one point to get one of these.”

Earlier in the week, Team Quebec captured the inter-provincial title to win their second consecutive Willingdon Cup. Julien Sale (Gatineau, Que.) and Team Canada members Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.) and Hugo Bernard (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.) helped Quebec to a 10-under-par score and a seven-stroke win—their eighth victory all-time.

Duncan Meadows Golf Course played host to the 114th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship alongside Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, who co-hosted the 246-player field during the first 36 holes.

Click here for full scores.

For more information on the 2018 NB Family Classic, including full results please CLICK HERE.   

For more information on the 2018 “Jim Connolly” Little Swingers, including full results please CLICK HERE.

For more information on The Riverside Country Club please: CLICK HERE.