The USGA and The R&A are proposing regulations regarding the use of green-reading materials, reaffirming the need for a player to read greens based on their own judgment, skill and ability.

Following a six-week period of feedback and consultation with interested parties that begins today, the regulations will be finalized in a published “interpretation” of Rule 4.3 (Use of Equipment) and adopted Jan. 1, 2019, when golf’s new rules take effect.

“Both the USGA and The R&A are committed to the position that a player’s ability to read their line of play on the putting green is an essential skill that should be retained,” said Thomas Pagel, Senior Director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status for the USGA. “The focus of the interpretation is to develop an approach that is both effective and enforceable.”

David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said, “We have looked carefully at the use of these green-reading materials and the extremely detailed information they provide and our view is that they tip the balance too far away from the essential skill and judgment required to read subtle slopes on the greens. It is important to be clear, however, that we still regard the use of yardage books and handwritten notes to be an entirely appropriate part of the game.”

The key elements of the proposed interpretation are as follows: 

• Minimum Slope Indication Limit – A minimum slope indication limit of 4 percent (2.29 degrees) is proposed (this includes lines, arrows, numbers or any other indicators); this will have the effect of eliminating such indicators of slope from those areas of the putting green where the hole is most likely to be positioned (which tend to be cut on reasonably flat sections of the putting green with a degree of slope of less than 3.5 percent – or 2 degrees). This proposed limit also equates roughly with the amount of slope that is readily visible to the naked eye.

• Maximum Scale Limit – A maximum scale of 3/8 inch to 5 yards (1:480) is proposed; this will limit the size in print form to a pocket-sized publication and has the effect of restricting the space for handwritten notes (also referenced below).

• Indicative Information – General information that is included in traditional yardage books or course guides, such as basic illustrations that show the outline of the putting green and include indicative information like the tops of ridges or general slopes, will continue to be permitted.

• Handwritten Notes – Handwritten notes will continue to be allowed, but such notes cannot be used to create either a direct copy or a facsimile (replica) of a detailed green map.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact the USGA at rules@usga.org or The R&A with questions, feedback or suggestions for improvement prior to Sept. 14, 2018.  The draft interpretation and illustrations can be viewed here.

The governing bodies will issue the regulation by no later than Oct. 15, 2018 for its planned Jan. 1, 2019 adoption.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – No. 7 at Glen Abbey Golf Club has become the featured hole at the RBC Canadian Open the past two years. With hockey boards surrounding the tee, goalie masks being used as tee blocks, and officials wearing referees’ stripes, it’s a distinctly Canadian experience.

But with the RBC Canadian Open moving to Hamilton Golf and Country Club in 2019 and Glen Abbey possibly slated for redevelopment by course owner ClubLink, there were questions about the fate of the so-called Rink.

“The rink is on wheels, the rink’s going to go where we go,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum on Sunday. “The rink’s going to move with us. We’ve already got those officials from that hole, they want to go with it. The players love it.”

In particular, Applebaum loves how fans pound their fists on the boards after players tee off. Although it caused some confusion among players in 2017 when the Rink was first unveiled, they’re now on board with it too.

“Bring the noise, bring the thunder,” said Applebaum from the media centre in the bowels of Glen Abbey’s clubhouse.

Glen Abbey was the first course designed solely by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and was completed in 1976. It’s become the home of Golf Canada and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, which holds its induction ceremony the same week as the Canadian Open, as long as the tournament is being held at Glen Abbey that year.

Applebaum thinks this year’s RBC Canadian Open – which saw a four-way tie atop the leaderboard between world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, Whee Kim, Byeong Hun An and Kevin Tway heading into the fourth round – is the perfect sendoff for the storied course.

“Beer sales are up, food sales are up, merchandise sales are up and attendance will be up,” said Applebaum, who predicted that total attendance for the week would be over 80,000. “For me, it’s a win across the board. Spectacular.”

Hamilton will host the 2019 and 2023 events, with Applebaum believing the host for 2020 will be announced within the next two or three months. His intention is to keep the men’s national championship in the Greater Toronto Area, while the CP Women’s Open will continue to move back and forth across the country.

In addition to changing locations, the RBC Canadian Open will occupy a new spot on the PGA TOUR’s calendar beginning in 2019.

Historically, the RBC Canadian Open was held in September, but starting in 2007 it was played in late July, the prime golf season. But starting in 2019 it will be held in early June, the week before the U.S. Open, essentially turning it into a tune-up event for some of the biggest names in golf.

“The guys that have traditionally played our event seem like they will continue, but all the new people that haven’t played in the past, are talking about it,” said Applebaum. “The Phil Mickelsons, the Rory McIlroys, the Rickie Fowlers, it’s great to have that grouping of players who haven’t played it.”

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Dustin Johnson pulled away from the field after a nearly two-hour rain delay to win the RBC Canadian Open for the first time.

Johnson shot a 6-under 66 to finish the only Canadian stop on the PGA TOUR at 23-under par.

The world No. 1 tied for second in the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in 2013 and 2016.

Byeong Hun An (69) and Whee Kim (69) finished as runners up at 20-under in the US$6.2 million event, with Keegan Bradley (64) placing fourth at 19-under.

Mackenzie Hughes (68) of nearby Dundas, Ont., was the low Canadian, tying for eighth at 15 under overall to claim the Rivermead Cup.

A Canadian has not won the national title since Victoria’s Pat Fletcher accomplished the feat in 1954.

Johnson entered the day in a four-way tie for the lead with Kim, Hun An and Kevin Tway but had seven birdies and a bogey to pull away from the group.

A nearby lightning storm delayed play for an hour and 45 minutes and shrunk the massive crowd that usually trails Johnson from hole to hole.

Hamilton Golf and Country Club will host the 2019 RBC Canadian Open. It is also shifting forward in the PGA TOUR’s schedule, moving to early June in the week before the U.S. Open.

by Luke Lacey – Golf NB

The third and final round of the 2018 NB Senior Men’s and Mid-Master Championship Presented by Audi Moncton began at 8:00am Wednesday morning with the Mid-Masters teeing off of hole #1 & #10. The first pairing of the day included Lawrence Justason of St. George, Mike Bourque of Moncton and Ken Barter of Petitcodiac off of hole #1. For a third consecutive round the players were faced to deal with strong wind conditions as they set out to put themselves in contention for the third and final round.

In the Mid-Master Division, it was 2015, 2016, & 2017 Champion Edward Reevey of The Riverside Country Club who through his dominant play in the links conditions of Royal Oaks would claim his fourth consecutive NB Men’s Mid-Master Championship. Reevey’s final round even-par 72 combined with a 1st round 71 and a 2nd round 73 provided a secure cushion at the top of the leaderboard at even par for the event, 10 strokes ahead of second place. Tied for second place was Edmundston’s Darren MacPherson and Lakeside’s Remi Comeau who both finished the event at 10 over par. The two moved on to a three-hole aggregate playoff to determine the alternate position for the Willingdon Cup Team, which MacPherson won to secure his spot in the field at the Canadian Mid-Amateur Championships in Victoria, BC. Finishing in fourth place at 11-over par is 2009, 2012 & 2014 NB Mid-Master Champion Tony MacKinnon of The Fredericton Golf Club.

Edward Reevey of The Riverside Country Club will be joining the Willingdon Cup Team alongside Alex Palmer of The Riverside Country Club and Ryan Allaby of Hampton who will represent the province at the 2018 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, to be held from August 21 to 24, 2018 at the Victoria Golf Club in Victoria, British Columbia.

In the Senior Division, Eric Haley of Moncton responded with a 1-under par 71 during the final round to match his 3-under performance yesterday on route to claiming the 2018 NB Senior Men’s Championship Presented by Audi Moncton. Haley completed the event with a score of even-par after recording a 76, 69 & 71. Eric’s 71 was the low round of the day which consisted of 6 pars, 7 birdies, 4 bogeys and a double. Finishing in second place was Denis Beaulieu of St. Quentin who completed the event with a 4-over par 76 to finish at 6-over par. Rounding out the top three is The Riverside’s Mark Armstrong who finished 6 shots behind the leader and four back of Beaulieu.

Mark Armstrong, Denis Beaulieu & Fernand Robichaud alongside the first alternate Mike Breen have been selected as Team NB members who will represent New Brunswick at the 2018 Canadian Senior Championships from September 4th-7th at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club. This will be the fifth time that Gowan Brae has hosted a national championship event. In the past, it has hosted the Junior Girls National Championship twice, in 1992 & 2006, the Mid-Amateur National Championship in 1998, and the National Ladies Team Club Championship in 1996.

For the second consecutive year, Herrick Hansen has captured the NB Men’s Super-Senior Championship after recording rounds of 75, 81 & 74 to finish at 11-over. The Aroostook Valley member was able to secure his victory after a final round 2-over par 74 to finish one ahead Country Meadow’s Guy MacKnight. Guy finished in second place at 15-over par after a 77, 78 & 76 performance at Royal Oaks where the players battled tough wind conditions all week. Claiming third place in the Super-Senior Division is Louis Boudreau of Pine Needles whose final round 3-over par 75 pushed him to 6-over for the event.

For more information on the 2018 NB Men`s Senior & Mid-Master Championship Presented by Audi Moncton including results and tee times, please CLICK HERE. 

For more information on the Royal Oaks Golf Course please CLICK HERE.

Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB), a not for profit organization founded in 1934, is the official governing body for amateur golf in New Brunswick.  In January of 2006, the New Brunswick Golf Association (NBGA) officially merged with the New Brunswick Ladies Golf Association (NBLGA), resulting in one united governing body for amateur golf in the province.  Programs offered by Golf NB to its 10,000 members include: 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.

by Luke Lacey – Golf NB

Round 2 of the 2018 NB Senior Men’s & Mid Master Championship Presented by Audi Moncton began with the Senior & Super-Senior teeing off of holes 1 and 10 at 8:00 am. 2017 NB Senior Men’s Champion Wilf Pilgrim of Kingswood would lead the field off of the 1st tee along with Kevin Farmer of Herring Cove and Jim Haddad of Maplewood. For a second consecutive round the players were faced to deal with strong wind conditions as they set out to put themselves in contention for the third and final round.

In the Senior Division, Moncton’s Eric Haley entered round two sitting four strokes off the lead thanks to his great play in today’s difficult conditions he will be leading tomorrow’s final group. Haley’s second round 3-under par 69 was Tuesday’s low round which was comprised of 6 birdies, 1 eagle, 7 pars, 3 bogeys and 1 double. Joining Haley in the final pairing on Wednesday is Hampton’s Mike Breen and St. Quentin’s Denis Beaulieu who are both tied for second place after the duo both recorded first round even-par 72’s and second round 2-over par 74’s.

Fox Creek’s Jean Leblanc, Guy MacKnight of Country Meadows and Fredericton’s Sonny Phillips are all tied for the lead in the Super-Senior Division, the trio are all entering Wednesday’s round sitting on top of the leaderboard at 11-over par. Sonny’s round of 76, 4-over par in today’s tough conditions was enough to move him into the final Super-Senior group for tomorrow. He will be competing against LeBlanc and MacKnight for the Super-Senior Championship in what can be assumed to be a true test of skill and course knowledge with more links like conditions expected. 2017 NB Super-Senior Champion Herrick Hansen of Aroostook Valley is currently sitting in a three-way tie for fourth place alongside Bernard Leger of Royal Oaks and Gilles Masse as he looks to battle back and claim his second consecutive Super-Senior Championship.

The Riverside Country Club’s Edward Reevey enters the final round of the 2018 NB Mid-Master Championship Presented by Audi Moncton looking to capture the championship for the fourth consecutive year. Reevey started round 2 at 1-under par before complimenting it a second-round score of 1-over par 73 on a difficult windy day at Royal Oaks. Joining Reevey in the final round is three time NB Mid-Master Champion Tony MacKinnon of Fredericton Golf Club. MacKinnon’s even par performance on Tuesday was an exchange of pars, bogeys and birdies as the 2009, 2012 and 2014 NB Mid-Master Champion made a final push into contention for the 2018 Championship. Rounding out the final group is Edumundston’s Darren MacPherson who recorded a 3-over par 75 on Tuesday to add to his previous 4-over par 76 during round one. Darren sits 7 shots behind the leader Reevey and 2 behind MacKinnon as the three look ahead to the final round and the chance to represent New Brunswick at the 2018 Canadian Mid-Amateur Championships as the final member of the Willingdon Cup Team.

The third and final round of the 2018 NB Senior Men’s and Mid-Master Championship Presented by Audi Moncton will begin at 8:00am Wednesday morning with the Mid-Masters teeing off of hole #1 & #10. The first pairing of the day includes Lawrence Justason of St. George, Mike Bourque of Moncton and Ken Barter of Petitcodiac off of hole #1.

Up for grabs on Wednesday are three spots along with a first alternate position on Team NB which will represent New Brunswick at the 2018 Canadian Senior Championships from September 4th-7th at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club. This will be the fifth time that Gowan Brae has hosted a national championship event. In the past, it has hosted the Junior Girls National Championship twice, in 1992 & 2006, the Mid-Amateur National Championship in 1998, and the National Ladies Team Club Championship in 1996.

The third and final position on the Mid-Amateur Team NB, along with the first alternate position, will be awarded at the 2018 NB Mid-Master Championships Presented by Audi Moncton. The final team member will be joining the Willingdon Cup Team alongside Alex Palmer of The Riverside Country Club and Ryan Allaby of Hampton who will represent the province at the 2018 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, to be held from August 21 to 24, 2018 at the Victoria Golf Club in Victoria, British Columbia.

For more information on the 2018 NB Men`s Senior & Mid-Master Championship Presented by Audi Moncton including results and tee times, please CLICK HERE. 

For more information on the Royal Oaks Golf Course please CLICK HERE.

Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB), a not for profit organization founded in 1934, is the official governing body for amateur golf in New Brunswick.  In January of 2006, the New Brunswick Golf Association (NBGA) officially merged with the New Brunswick Ladies Golf Association (NBLGA), resulting in one united governing body for amateur golf in the province.  Programs offered by Golf NB to its 10,000 members include: 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.

by Luke Lacey – Golf NB

Round 1 of the 2018 NB Senior Men’s & Mid Master Championship Presented by Audi Moncton began with the Mid-Masters leading off the field. Players at the front of the field were greeted with a humid and damp morning as they set out to try and conquer the difficult Royal Oaks course. As the day moved on, the wind began to pick up and take its toll on the leaderboard as high scores became more and more common as the day aged.

Leading the charge in the Mid-Master Division is Cameron King of Brudenell River. Cameron recorded an opening round 3-under par 69 to put himself on top of the Mid-Master leaderboard and secure the low round of the day. King’s round consisted of 13 pars, 4 birdies and a bogey which lead to a front nine 3-under par 33 and an even par back nine of 36. Cameron will enter the second round with a two-shot advantage over 2015, 2016 and 2017 NB Men’s Mid-Master Champion Edward Reevey of The Riverside. Sitting in second place, Reevey signed for a 1-under par 71 during his morning round which was comprised of 13 pars, 3 birdies and 2 bogeys.  In a three-way tie for third place is Fredericton’s Bob Brown, Lakeside’s Remi Comeau, and Brian Dalrymple of Kingswood who all sit at 2-over par after a first round 74.

In the Senior & Super-Senior Division, the field was faced with an uphill battle trying to go low against the moist fairways of Royal Oaks combined with a links like wind that carried through all 18 holes. After the first round, the leaderboard contains a three-way tie for first place between Ralph Michaud of Aroostook Valley, Mike Breen of Hampton and Denis Beaulieu of St. Quentin. The three all recorded first round even-par 72’s which any golfer would be happy to card in today’s conditions as they all exchanged birdies and bogeys throughout the round. In a tie for fourth place in the Senior & Super-Senior Division is The Riverside’s Mark Armstrong, Fernand Robichaud of Pokemouche, Jean LeBlanc of Fox Creek and Michel Power of Memramcook who all sit at 1-over par 73.

2017 NB Senior Champion Wilf Pilgrim of Kingswood currently sits 9 shots off the lead after recording a 9-over par 81. Herrick Hansen of Aroostook, 2017 Super-Senior Champion recorded a 3-over par 75 which puts him 3 strokes behind leaders Breen, Michaud and Beaulieu.

The top three finishers in the NB Senior Men’s Championship will earn the opportunity to represent New Brunswick at the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship to be held from September 4^th to 7^th, 2018 at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club in Bathurst, NB.

For more information on the 2018 NB Men`s Senior & Mid-Master Championship Presented by Audi Moncton including results and tee times, please CLICK HERE. 

For more information on the Royal Oaks Golf Course please CLICK HERE.

Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB), a not for profit organization founded in 1934, is the official governing body for amateur golf in New Brunswick.  In January of 2006, the New Brunswick Golf Association (NBGA) officially merged with the New Brunswick Ladies Golf Association (NBLGA), resulting in one united governing body for amateur golf in the province.  Programs offered by Golf NB to its 10,000 members include: 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.

After incorporating feedback from the global golf community as part of the Rules Modernization Initiative, the finalized Rules of Golf were officially released this past Spring by Golf’s governing bodies. The new Rules will take effect January 1, 2019.

We gathered the responses of everyone – from golf writers to industry professionals, PGA Tour players to recreational golfers, as well as Directors from golf’s governing bodies – to help gauge how the golf world is feeling about the finalized Rules.

“I really like them. The finished rules, I think, have done a nice job of first and foremost in modernizing the game. I really applaud them for going as far as they did and really looking at everything.”  – Doug Hoffmann, Minnesota Golf Association Rules & Competition Director

The one common denominator that everyone seems to agree on is that the new Rules are easier to read and understand, resulting in a reorganization of the Rules leading to a net reduction from 34 to 24 in the total number of Rules.

Modernizing the Rules

As alluded to in the project’s title, the other critical theme was modernization. Many believe that Golf was due for a modification of its Rules (considering the last fundamental revision came in 1984) with the and the recent amendments will help propel the game into its next era.

Huge news in the GOLF WORLD!
AND, much needed. ???

— ?️‍♂️Posting & Toasting ⛳(@netteKnows) March 13, 2018

Pace of Play Stewardship

One prominent theme that the new Rules were designed to help remedy is pace of play.

“(Slow Play) is tedious on TV and brutal for fans on-site at tournaments, and a major issue for recreational players – how much more would you play if 18 holes took three hours instead of five?” – Alan Shipnuck – Senior Writer, Golf Magazine

Pat anticipates the revisions helping to make meaningful strides in reducing the amount of time to play a round:

Woo hoo! Pace of play should improve dramatically with these changes!

— Pat MacKichan (@PGMacKich) March 14, 2018

Moreover, when a sport becomes easier to understand and quicker to play, it should aid in enticing new players to participate, ultimately contributing to the ultimate goal of growing the game.

“Perception is very important. Everywhere you looked you had tour players, even guys like Jack Nicklaus, talking about how difficult the rules are. If those people are talking about how difficult the rules are, the perception is the game is difficult and it’s going to deter players from getting involved in the game.” – Doug Hoffmann, Minnesota Golf Association Rules & Competition Director

Stroke and Distance: New Local Rule

One of the most widely discussed revisions that should have profound impact on pace of play is a new Local Rules available to Committees to implement an additional option for Stroke and Distance. It allows players who have hit OB or lost their ball to – instead of retreating back to the tee – move their ball to the nearest edge of the fairway (no closer to the hole) while incurring a two-stroke penalty.

“This addresses the issue you hear at the club level about the practical nature of going back (to the tee) and playing under stroke and distance. It has a negative impact on pace of play – that’s what this local rule is about.” said Thomas Pagel, USGA senior director of Rules & Amateur Status.

How do the end users feel about this new rule? Well, many golfers admit that this is how they play anyway, so it’s about time that we made one of Golf’s un-written recreational Rules, written.

Love all the changes, especially the OB rule which most of us weekend golfers do anyway.

— Eric ⛳️?????? (@realMacNeil) March 12, 2018

Me and my mates already play 2 stroke penalty for Lost Ball or Out of Bounds. Makes the game so much quicker and easier…

— Benjamin Williams (@BenjitoWilliams) March 12, 2018

Dropping a Ball

A rule that was proposed – and ended up being revised during the feedback period – is the height of the drop. The initial Rules from March 2017 proposed that the ball be placed on the ground at the drop site. After review, the final decision was that all drops will be taken from knee-height.

“We feel that going to knee height strikes that right balance. It is going to be quicker and going to be accurate in terms of dropping in the relief area. But, equally so, it preserves that element of chance. There’s not that guarantee of getting the best possible lie in and, on reflection, we felt that was an appropriate outcome.” – David Rickman, Executive Director, Governance at R&A

Jason seems to think that the new drop will be an absolute game-changer and seems abnormally excited to officially try it in 2019:

The drop from “knee height” will be epic.

— Jason P. (@JasonP_YYC) March 12, 2018

Reduction of Ball Moved Penalties

The removal of several other accidental “ball-moved” penalties (accidently moving your ball on the green, or while searching for your ball) were made with common sense in mind. However, they were also intended to help eliminate awkward situations like at the 2016 US Open with Dustin Johnson – a situation that brought heavy criticism from Golf Fans, and players alike (including Tiger Woods).

“We have had situations in recent years with retrospective penalties where players haven’t realized there is a penalty but perhaps there is. So, by removing a number of these at source, you remove the possibility of there being an issue that develops later on.”- David Rickman

DJ himself says that he is a fan of the new rule heavy criticism changes, specifically the rule in question.

“Some of the rule changes I think are really good, especially the ball on the putting green when you don’t feel like you caused it to move and you’re still getting a penalty, that to me makes no sense. I know now that I wouldn’t get a penalty if my ball rolls, so that’s nice.” – Dustin Johnson

Repairing Damage on the Putting Green

Another revision that seems to be met with approval is the new ability to repair spike marks on a putting green.

Overall Findings

As you can see, the revision and modernization of the Rules of Golf was truly a global team effort. The golfing public certainly appreciates their opportunity to engage and contribute in the process.

Nice to see the changes ratified AND that the feedback was listened too and, perhaps more importantly, acted on (eg using longest club to measure).

— Ian Atherton (@IAtherton) March 12, 2018

It appears that the overwhelming reaction to the new Rules of Golf has been positive. It seems virtually everyone can agree that they will help accomplish the overarching objectives of the project – to simplify and speed up the game while simultaneously growing it’s popularity as it enters the modern era.

Winnipeg, MB – The Board of Directors of Golf Manitoba is please to announce Jared Ladobruk as the new Executive Director for Golf Manitoba.

Jared is a B.Comm from the University of Manitoba and a Class A Professional, PGA of Canada.  Jared brings with him a wealth of business and marketing knowledge and experience from his eight years working for the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba.  Earlier in his career, Jared was an Associate Pro at St. Charles CC.

Jared is in his 3^rd decade of involvement with the Manitoba golfing community.  He was a member of both the University of British Columbia golf team (98-99) and the University of Manitoba golf team (00-02) – where he was co-captain.    He was even a Summer Student at Golf Manitoba!

Jared is very excited to become part of the Golf Manitoba team, and will begin his new position on July 26, 2018.

VANCOUVER — The women’s course record at Marine Drive Golf Club is 68 and chances are you may be familiar with the player who set that mark. Here’s a hint: she’s Swedish and has 72 LPGA Tour wins.

That’s right, Annika Sorenstam holds that record at Marine Drive, which way back in 1992 co-hosted the World Amateur Team Championships in Vancouver where Sorenstam won the individual title.

Sorenstam’s record has stood for the last 26 years, but some think it could finally fall when an exceptionally strong field gathers for the 105th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, which goes July 24-27 at Marine Drive.

“It’s a fantastic field,” says Doug Roxburgh, the legendary Marine Drive member who played in that World Amateur tourney in 1992. “The No. 1, 2 and 6 ranked women in the world will be there and a whole bunch more in the top 50 and top 100.”

Jennifer Kupcho of Westminster, Colo., and Lilia Kha-Tu Vu of Fountain Valley, Calif., are ranked 1 and 2 in the current World Amateur Golf Rankings and that is exactly how they finished at last summer’s Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ont.

Kupcho returns as defending champion and the 21-year-old has enjoyed a terrific 2018 season that includes winning the individual title at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships this spring playing for Wake Forest University. Earlier this month, Kupcho finished tied for 16th at the LPGA Tour’s Marathon Classic in Ohio. She went wire to wire at last year’s Canadian Women’s Amateur and beat Vu by five shots.

Vu, a 20-year-old who plays for the UCLA Bruins, has already won four times this year, including the Pac-12 Championship. Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand, currently ranked sixth in the world, is the other top-10 player in the field at Marine Drive.

A spot in the 156-player field was a hot ticket as Golf Canada received 241 applications. The fact Marine Drive is playing host to the event likely played a part in that demand. The venerable private club, which is located on Southwest Marine Drive in south Vancouver, is a classic design of prolific architect A.V. Macan. It opened for play in 1922 and is renowned for producing a number of great players, including Roxburgh, Stan Leonard, Richard Zokol and Marilyn Palmer O’Connor.

At 6,361 yards from the tips, Marine Drive is not a long course by today’s standards, but it is tight and demands precision shot-making.

“They are playing the golf course basically kind of between the white and blue tees,” said Tim Tait, the longtime director of golf at Marine Drive. “It is going to be about 6,200 yards.

“The ladies par is generally 73, but it is going to play as 71 for the tournament. The par 4s are challenging here at Marine and most of our par 3s are also challenging. I think you are going to see the final four holes determine who wins the championship. They are very tough. Three long par 4s and a tough par 3.”

A strong Canadian contingent will be on hand to try and keep the Duchess of Connaught Gold Cup — awarded to the winner — on home soil. Augusta James, back in 2014, was the last Canadian to win the event. Canadian LPGA star Brooke Henderson won it in 2013.

All four members of Canada’s national amateur team — World No. 16 Maddie Szeryk (London, Ont.), No.  26 Jaclyn Lee (Calgary), No. 177 Naomi Ko (Victoria, B.C.) and No. 249 Grace Ste. Germain (Ottawa) — are in the field. They will be joined by development squad members  Celeste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-I’lle-Perrot, Que, Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Ellie Szeryk (London, Ont.) and Alyssa DiMarcantonio (Maple Ont).

Ko had the top Canadian finish at last year’s Canadian Women’s Amateur, where she tied for third spot. She recently got her first look at Marine Drive.

“It’s pretty exciting to be here and getting to see the course before the rest of the field,” said Ko, a former Canadian Junior Girls champion who is heading into her senior year at North Carolina State University. “It is an advantage for sure.”

Ko knows a couple of Marine Drive members well in national men’s team member Chris Crisologo and Roxburgh, who recently retired as Golf Canada’s director of player development.

“It is comforting to know people here, so I will probably kind of try to get the little secrets, the inside info from them,” Ko said.

Ko will be joined by B.C. Women’s Amateur champion Mary Parsons of Delta and B.C. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Christina Proteau of Port Alberni as British Columbia tries to defend its inter-provincial team title won last year at Cutten Fields. That competition takes place during the first two rounds of the tournament.

Avril Li, the Canadian University-College champion from Port Moody, B.C., has a spot in the field and has been doing some extra practising to prepare for the event.

“It is definitely motivating when you see such a strong field,” said Li, who is heading into her senior year at the University of British Columbia. “I have been practising as much as I can these days.”

“This is a tournament where if you come and play well it is a confidence-booster and you can kind from learn from these great players as well. It is a privilege to play in the same event as people ranked that high in the world.”

Roxburgh, the 13-time B.C. Amateur and four-time Canadian Amateur champion, is serving as co-chair of the tournament and is delighted with the way the club’s members are supporting the event.

“It’s been great,” Roxburgh said. “We have 125 volunteers, maybe 110 from the club and 15 from other clubs. We have been busy and the members have come through.  We are hoping to put on a really good tournament.”

The winner and top Canadian at Marine Drive will earn exemptions into the CP Women’s Open, which goes Aug. 23-26 at Wascana Country Club in Regina. Admission to the Canadian Women’s Amateur at Marine Drive is free.