MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Brendan Macdougall made the biggest move among the Top 10, picking up 12 places in the world rankings to move up to No. 8 in Canada. Macdougall is coming off a pair of top 10 results in each of his last three tournaments.

James Song climbed five places in the world rankings to take over the No. 3 spot in Canada from Garrett Rank. Song has racked up three top 10 results in his last four stroke-play events and has made up over 1,000 places since debuting in the Top 10 11 weeks ago.

Positive gains as well for a pair of Golf Canada National Team members. Joey Savoie gained four places in the world rankings while Josh Whalen picked up nine places.

Biggest move:  Chandler McDowell of Red Deer, Alta., gained 956 spots in the world rankings after finishing 11th at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Vanessa Ha made the biggest move among the Top 10, picking up 41 places in the world rankings to move from No. 7 up to No. 4 in the Canadian rankings.

Celeste Dao jumped 39 places in the world rankings after winning the Canadian Junior Girls Championship. It was the fourth win this season for the Golf Canada Development Squad member and her eighth win overall as a junior.

Ellie Szerykmakes her Top 10 debut, picking up 23 spots to take over the No. 10 ranking in Canada. Heartbreak, however, for the Golf Canada Development Squad member who was leading the Canadian Junior Girls Championship after two rounds before being disqualified for signing for an incorrect scorecard.

Biggest Move:Amanda Minni gained 399 spots in the world rankings after finishing 12th at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

MEN’S TOP 10

Benjamin Silverman made the biggest move of the week among the Top 10, picking up 20 places in the world rankings after finishing tied for 11th at the Barracuda Championship. It’s his second top 15 result in three weeks and was worth 2.76 world ranking points.

Roger Sloan moved up 17 spots in the world rankings after finishing tied for 14th at the Web.com Tour’s KC Golf Classic. The result was worth 1.33 world ranking points and marked his third consecutive points-paying finish.

Other notable results:No. 2 Mackenzie Hughes, No. 7 Corey Conners and No. 9 David Hearn all missed the cut at PGA’s Barracuda Championship; No. 5 Nick Taylor finished tied 69th at PGA’s Barracuda Championship; No. 8 Adam Svensson missed the cut at the Web.com Tour KC Golf Classic;

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Top ranked Brooke Henderson moved up to No. 15 in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 11th at the Ricoh Women’s British Open. The result was worth 11.5 world ranking points, her biggest points-paying finish the Kingsmill Championship back in May. It also marked her career-best result at the British Open.

Other Notable Results: No. 3 Brittany Marchand  missed the cut at the Ricoh Women’s British Open;

Reigning champion Zach Bauchou fired a 65 in Monday’s opening round of the 114th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows Golf Course to tie the course record and lead by two strokes.

The Forest, Va., native thrived in the sweltering B.C. weather, going 7 under through his first 10 holes thanks to two eagles—one that included a hole-out from the bunker on No. 17. Bauchou cooled off on his final eight holes, giving one back with a bogey on the par-3 7th.

“I was making some nice putts and hitting my irons really well,” said Bauchou, greenside at the 9th hole. “My round kind of fizzled off at the end—I missed a short putt and stopped making some putts. But 65 is still a solid round and it’s a good start.”

Bauchou will tee off at 1:03 p.m. PT on Tuesday at co-host Pheasant Glen Golf Resort. He plans to clean up some minor mistakes, with the game plan remaining the same.

“I really felt like the last eight holes I could have played a lot better, so I need to touch up on some things this afternoon and come out strong tomorrow,” said the 22-year-old Oklahoma State junior. “I’m going to hit a lot of drivers out there [Pheasant Glen], you just need to hit some good wedges and make some putts.”

Defending champion Zach Bauchou of Forest, Va., shoots an opening-round 65 to tie the Duncan Meadows course record and take the early clubhouse lead in the Canadian Amateur at 6 under #CDNAm

A post shared by Golf Canada (@thegolfcanada) on Aug 6, 2018 at 12:56pm PDT

There is a five-way tie for second at 4 under par consisting of: Team Canada National Squad member Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.), Andrew Harrison (Camrose, Alta.), Kaleb Gorbahn (Smithers, B.C.), Julien Sale (Gatineau, Que.) and Oliver Ménard (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.).

Canadian Junior Boys champion Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., sits in a four-way tie for 7th at 3 under par.

Team Quebec jumped out to an early lead in the 36-hole inter-provincial competition for the Willingdon Cup. The trio’s lowest two scores (67-67) of the round from Savoie and Sale gave the team a score of 8 under par and a six-stroke advantage.

Teams Alberta and British Columbia share second place at 2 under par. The Willingdon Cup champion will be crowned on Tuesday at Pheasant Glen.

In addition to claiming the title of 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2018 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif., and the 2019 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. from June 3-9.

The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

Click here for full results.

TSAWWASSEN, B.C. – After a close round on Friday, Team Canada National Development Squad Member Céleste Dao from Notre Dame de l’Île Perrot, Que. carded a 2-over-par 74 to become the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Champion.

Dao started the day with a one stroke lead and worked hard to keep the lead in the final round. She started her round with a bogey on hole 2 and hole 3 and continued to bogey two more holes before she made the turn.

Dao’s first three bogeys were out of the sand to put her at 1-over-par in second place after the 7^thhole. She parred hole 8, while Emily Zhu from Richmond Hill, Ont. bogeyed it, putting them both with a share of the lead before the back nine.

Dao’s fourth bogey set her back one stroke, into second, and another bogey on hole 10, after a three putt, forced her to sit three back of Emily Zhu.

“The voice in my head kept telling me to stay patient, just stay patient for the two par 5s that are coming, I knew that at least one of them I could birdie,” said the 2018 Junior Girls Champ.

The Notre Dame de l’Île Perrot, Que. native went on to birdie hole 14, her first birdie of the day, to sit tied for the lead again with Zhu.

“I was waiting for the birdie for a long time, I kind of panicked a little on the front nine but I knew the two par 5s were coming so I stayed patient and when the first birdie dropped I was really, really happy,” said the 17-year-old. “After the first birdie came I knew I would be good for the next one.”

Dao birdied hole 15, as well, to sit one up.  Both players stepped up to hole 17, the same hole that decided their fate in round 3, and teed off.

Zhu hit her ball to the left of the fairway, over the cart path, and into the trees. She had a great recovery and made it back on to the fairway. As she swung her club for her third stroke, the ball went into the trees to the right, and fell out of bounds. Zhu double bogeyed the hole, placing Dao in the lead by 3 strokes with just one hole left.

“She got unlucky, unfortunately, she played so well the whole round. She was so consistent, I mean she’s 14-years-old, it’s impressive, she’s really impressive,” said Dao about Zhu’s shot out of bounds on hole 17.

Dao would go on to birdie hole 18 to finish the day 2-over-par 74 with a total score of even par 288 for the tournament.

“This win means a lot, it was one of my goals as a junior. This year I’m really, really happy. Brooke did it, and so many good players did it, and for me it is so important to win it so I’m happy,” said Dao. “This is a big win for me because it is in my home country and playing against so many players here, it is a national event, and playing in a beautiful city, I’m really happy.”

Emily Zhu also continued to birdie hole 18 to win the Juvenile competition at 14-years-old. Angela Zhang from Vancouver, B.C., came in at 4-over-par and Zhu, after the birdie on 18, came in at 3-over-par to take the title.

“I wanted to sink that birdie putt anyways (not just to win the Juvenile Competition), the first two days I bogeyed the hole and yesterday I hit par so I was like why not go for the birdie?”

The Richmond Hill, Ont., native finished 3-over-par 291 for the tournament. This is just the beginning for her, as she has a few more years to play in this event.

Sarah Beqaj from Toronto Ont., finished 5-over-par 293 to finish third in the Juvenile Competition. Tiffany Kong from Vancouver, B.C., and Angela Zhang, also from Vancouver, B.C., finished with a share of third in the Championship with a score of 4-over-par 292.

Click here to view the full leaderboard for the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – The competition and weather continued to heat up during the final round of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., carded a tournament-low 65 to tie the course record and win the Canadian Junior Boys Championship on Thursday at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club.

The Team Canada Development Squad rookie catapulted to the top of the leaderboard to win the championship and the juvenile division title, becoming only the 10th player to accomplish that feat since the juvenile division was established 48 years ago.

“I knew the first few holes were very gettable. The first six holes can get you off to a roll, which I did,” said the Beaconsfield, Que., talent. “After that, it was just staying calm and just focusing on my game.”

Vandette’s hot streak started early on with two sets of back-to-back birdies on the front-nine. From there the 16-year-old never looked back, recording two other birdies to secure his two-stroke victory.

His teammates didn’t take long to express their excitement as they rushed him beside the green, dousing him in water in celebration right after he received his medals. Despite spending the week eating Pita Pit and joking that he should thank them in his speech, Vandette plans on celebrating in style alongside his team.

“It feels awesome just to compete against the best junior players in Canada and somehow come on top,” added Vandette. “I’d say routines were a lot better today and just my focus on top of the ball was a lot better. Just trusting my shots.”

When asked about his top three favourite moments of the tournament, Vandette couldn’t hold back his smile. Winning the tournament and beating the course record were of course number one and two, but his third favourite moment may surprise you.

“Number three would have to be the moose delay we had yesterday, so every tee time was pushed back twenty minutes,” said Vandette with a laugh. “That was pretty funny.”

With a national championship win, a historic final day run and a moose on the loose, the tournament was certainly one to remember for the junior. Vandette will have his name engraved on the Jack Bailey trophy and the Silver Cup as the event’s 80th champion. Vandette earned an exemption into the 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship from Aug. 7-10.

Two players – Gerry Mei of North York, Ont., and Olivier Ménard of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., earned silver medal honours. Ménard carded his second 71 to finish tied for second alongside Mei.

“It was a great event. I played well so I mean for me it was a pretty good event,” said the 18-year-old. “I couldn’t catch Chris but I’m still proud. You have to control yourself, you can’t control what he’s doing.”

Mei, who tied for the lead going into the final round, also earned the silver medal in the juvenile division at even-par 284. Jeffrey Fang of Newmarket, Ont., rounded out the top three juveniles with a 4-over-par 288.

Always a dedicated golfer, the 15-year-old came out early to complete two extra practice rounds, which he credits to helping him play well in the tournament.

“I’m very pleased with how I played today. Overall, I’m pleased with how I just came out for the entire tournament,” said Mei. “Everything was working pretty fine, my putting was good had a couple of mistakes here or there but that’s golf.”

When all is said and done, it was a historic final round at Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club that the players are sure to remember. The 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship is set to take place at Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club in Hartland, N.B., from August 11-15, 2019.

2018 CANADIAN JUNIOR BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS

1. Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, QC, *70-74-73-65-282 -2
2. Gerry Mei, North York, ON, *71-72-69-72-284 E
2. Olivier Ménard, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC, *70-72-71-71-284 E
4. Daniel George, Richmond Hill, ON, *68-75-69-73-285 +1
4. Ryan McMillan, Winnipeg, MB, *73-69-73-70-285 +1

2018 CANADIAN JUNIOR BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP JUVENILE DIVISION

1. Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, QC, *73-70-6574-282 -2
2. Gerry Mei, North York, ON, *69-71-7272-284 E
3. Jeffrey Fang, Newmarket, ON, *72-74-7072-288 +4
4. Romi Dilawri, Ottawa, ON, *71-72-7274-289 +5
5. Brycen Ko, Richmond, BC, *72-73-7273-290 +6

For full results click here.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Positive gains for all but one of the Top 10 ranked players with Chris Crisologo making the biggest move, picking up 97 spots in the world rankings after finishing 45th at the RBC Canadian Open. The result helped the Golf Canada National Team member, who was the only amateur player to make the cut, also move up to the No. 6 ranking in Canada.

Joey Savoie moved up to take the No. 2 ranking in Canada with a gain of seven places in the world rankings . The Golf Canada National Team member took part in his first ever RBC Canadian Open, missing the cut.

James Song picked up 10 places after helping to lead the West team to victory at the Wyndham Cup, a Ryder Cup-style match play tournament. Song finished with a 2-2 record at the AJGA event.

Biggest move:  Ken Rodgers climbed 674 spots following a runner-up finish at the Saskatchewan Senior Men’s Championship

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Brigitte Thibault climbed six places in the world rankings after finishing 40th in her first ever Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. The result enabled her to move up and take over the No. 5 spot in Canada from Team Canada National Squad member Grace St-Germain, who finished 53rd.

No. 9 Jessica Ip made the biggest move among the Top 10, climbing 32 places in the world rankings.

Top ranked Maddie Szeryk maintained her No. 17 world ranking after finishing 22nd at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

Outside the Top 10, No. 15 ranked Tiffany Kong jumped 92 places after finishing 14th at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

Biggest Move:Amanda Minni gained 281 spots in the world rankings after finishing 67th at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

MEN’S TOP 10

Mackenzie Hughes made the biggest move of the week among the Top 10, picking up 41 places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for eighth at the RBC Canadian Open. He was the only Canadian to finish in the top 10 and it marked the second straight year he was the top ranked Canadian at the national championship. The result was worth 6.67 world ranking points – the fourth best points-paying result of his career – and it moved him up to take over the No. 2 ranking in Canada.No. 10 Roger Sloan gained 28 spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 37th at the RBC Canadian Open. The result was worth 1.59 world ranking points and marked his career-best result in four appearances at the national championship.

Outside the Top 10, Ryan Yip jumped 117 spots in the world ranking after finishing in a tie for 22nd in his first career appearance at the RBC Canadian Open. The result was worth 2.48 world ranking points and enabled him to take over the No. 13 spot in the Canadian rankings

Peter Campbell climbed 1,044 spots after picking up his first career professional victory at the PGA Tour Series-China Beijing Championship. The victory was worth 6 world ranking points and moved him from No. 33 all the way up inside the top 20 to No. 17 in Canada. He joins both Justin Shin and Eugene Wong as winners on the PGA Tour Series-China

After finishing at the top amateur at the RBC Canadian Open, Golf Canada National Team member Chris Crisologo jumps 493 spots after finishing in a tie for 45th to make his debut at No. 31 in the Canadian rankings. The result was worth 1.29 world ranking points, his first career points-paying finish on a professional tour.

Other notable results:No. 1 Adam Hadwin, No. 6 Austin Connelly, No. 7 Corey Conners and No. 8 Adam Svensson all missed the cut at RBC Canadian Open; No. 4 Benjamin Silverman and No. 5 Nick Taylor both finished tied for 71st at RBC Canadian Open; No. 9 David Hearn finished tied for 61st at RBC Canadian Open;

WOMEN’S TOP 10

Brittany Marchand made the biggest move among the Top 10, picking up eight places in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 44th at the Ladies European Tour’s Ladies Scottish Open. The result was worth 1.26 world ranking points for the Golf Canada Young Pro Squad member, who was playing in her second ever European Tour event.

Other Notable Results: No. 2 Alena Sharp finished tied for 67th at Ladies European Tour Ladies Scottish Open; No. 4 Maude-Aimee Leblanc missed the cut at Ladies European Tour Ladies Scottish Open; No. 6 Augusta James finished in a tie for 30th at the Symetra Tour event in New York; No. 8 Samantha Richdale missed the cut at the Symetra Tour event in New York; No. 10 Elizabeth Tong finished tied for 52nd at the Symetra Tour event in New York;

The world’s best amateur golfers are set to compete in the 114th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in British Columbia at both Duncan Meadows Golf Course and Pheasant Glen Golf Resort from Aug. 6-9.

The championship was first held in 1895, making it one of the most storied sporting events in Canada and third oldest amateur championship in the world. Duncan Meadows will play host to 252 players from nine countries over four stroke play rounds, while Pheasant Glen will co-host for the first two rounds prior to the 36-hole cut.

Duncan Meadows Golf Course has hosted 10 provincial and national tournaments, including the 2011 Canadian Women’s Amateur. The course is a mix of open grassland with stream and pond habitat in a gently rolling landscape with maple and fir woodlands framed by unforgettable mountain and valley views. Resident eagles, mink, deer and visiting elk are witness to golfers of all levels taking up the challenge.

Co-host Pheasant Glen boasts breathtaking views in the beautiful landscapes of Qualicum Beach. The 18-hole course is a multi-million dollar rebuild by new owners, who finished the course started by Doug Carrick in 1990 and completed by Frank Russell in 2005. The course previously hosted the 2016 B.C. Amateur Championship, 2015 Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship, and the 2008 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Pheasant Glen Golf Resort

In 2017, Zach Bauchou of Forest, Va., became the 22nd American to capture the Canadian Men’s Amateur crown, winning at the Toronto Golf Club by a one-stroke margin.

Current PGA TOUR Canadians Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.) and Nick Taylor (Abbotsford, B.C.) are recent winners of the event. Taylor won it in 2007 while Hughes won back-to-back titles from 2011-2012 – the last player to win in consecutive years.

A full field of competitors will compete for the Earl Grey Trophy and the title of Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, including Team Canada’s Hugo Bernard, the 2016 champion from Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que. He’ll be joined by teammate and 2017 low Canadian Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont. Also in the draw are Vancouver Island natives Jeevan Sihota (2017 Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Champion) and Jimmy Jones, son of the late Canadian golf hall-of-famer Dawn Coe Jones.

An inter-provincial team championship will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the competition with three-member teams vying for the Willingdon Cup. Team Quebec consisting of Bernard, Marc-Olivier Plasse (Mercier, Que.) and Étienne Papineau (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.) shot a combined 7 under par to capture their first team championship in 20 years (1997) and seventh victory all-time.

The Canadian Men’s Amateur Qualifier will be played at Duncan Meadows Golf Course on Aug. 3 – a minimum of five spots into the tournament will be awarded. Additional information can be found here.

The field will be reduced to the low 70 and ties for the final two rounds contested at Duncan Meadows.

In addition to claiming the title of 2018 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2018 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif., and the 2019 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club from June 3-9.

The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.

In total, about 500 visitors (players, coaches, caddies, friends and family members) are expected to spend up to a week or more in the Cowichan Valley for this multi-day competition supported by upwards of 200 volunteers from across southern Vancouver Island.

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.