Men’s Mid-Master Results – Click Here

For Immediate Release:

The third and final round of the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Mid-Master Championship, hosted by the Aroostook Valley Country Club, got started under perfect scoring conditions.

So perfect in fact that, the Hampton Golf Club’s Darren Ritchie would quickly wipe away a three-shot deficit with birdies at the 2^nd, 3^rd, 6^th and 8^th and a lone bogey on the par four 9^th to make the turn in a three under par (-3), 33, and get to five under par (-5) through 63 holes.  While Ritchie was heating up, over night leader Darren MacPherson of the Restigouche Country Club would stumble.  After Ritchie’s birdies at the 2^nd and 3^rd, a double bogey on the par three 4^th would see his three-shot lead turned into a one-shot deficit through four holes.  Another bogey at the 7^th would see MacPherson make the turn in a three over par (+3), 39, and three shots back of Ritchie.

After another birdie at the 10^th, Ritchie would bogey the 11^th, 13^th and 16^th opening the door for MacPherson and setting up a sprint to the finish.  A MacPherson birdie at the par five 5^th would draw him even with Ritchie coming to the 72^nd hole.  Another birdie by MacPherson on Aroostook Valley’s home hole would see him card a final round one over par (+1), 73 on the day and to four under par (-4), 212, for the event.  Now one down, Ritchie would get up and down for a birdie of his own to force a sudden victory playoff for the title, with a final round two under par (-2), 70, 212.

After making an 8-footer to save par on the 1^st playoff hole, the par four 1^st, Ritchie would complete the come from behind victory by closing out MacPherson on the 2^nd playoff hole to claim his second Argus Audiology NB Men’s Mid-Master Championship, and first since 2006.

With a scheduling conflict forcing Ritchie to decline, Darren MacPherson has been awarded the third and final position on Team NB and will join Stuart Musgrave of the Country Meadows Golf Club and Riverside’s Ed Reevey in representing the province at the 2019 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, to be held from August 20 to 23, 2019 at the Summit Golf Club in Toronto, Ontario.

• For more information on the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championships please CLICK HERE.
• For more information on the Aroostook Valley Country Club 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 8,000 members include: 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.

Argus Audiology is a family owned and operated hearing service centre. We employ bilingual audiologists, hearing aid practitioners and technicians at our New Brunswick centres. Argus Audiology has been proudly serving Southern New Brunswick since 1978 and now has 4 convenient locations working in a collaborative culture.

By Golf NB

Men’s Senior Results – Click Here
Men’s Super-Senior Results – Click Here
Men’s Mid-Master Results – Click Here

For Final Round Pairings & Tee Times – Click Here

For Immediate Release:

The second round of the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championship got under way at the Aroostook Valley Country Club with first round leaders, in the senior division, Sonny Phillips of the Fredericton Golf Club and Ralph Michaud of Aroostook Valley going head to head in the morning’s opening game.  While Phillips would not be able to replicate his early round success from day one, Michaud would continue to take advantage of his local knowledge to on route to a two under par (-2), second round 70, and a five shot lead entering Wednesday’s third and final round.

Michaud would bogey his second hole of the day, the par four 11^th, but back to back birdies at the 17^th and 18^th would see him complete his outward nine in a one under par (-1), 35.  After making the turn, the Maine State Golf Association members would pick up where he left off with another birdie at the par four 2^nd to get himself to two under par (-2) for the day and would cruise to a second round 70, and a two day total of five under par (-5), 139.

Denis Beaulieu of Le Club de Golf de Saint-Quentin would move up the leaderboard thanks to a second consecutive even par (E), 72.  Beaulieu would grind his way to even par on the day after two bogeys and a birdie in his opening nine holes, but four birdies from #18, through #5 would not only make the shots back, but get him to two under par on the day.  With things looking up, a double bogey six, on the par four 7^th would undo his birdie run and see him complete day two at even par and with a two-day total of 144.

Falling into a tie for second with Beaulieu was Dan Coulombe of the West Hills Golf Course.  Coulombe would card a consistent one over par (+1), 73, on the day thanks to a birdie at the 3^rd and bogeys at the 7^th and 16^th holes to simultaneously come back to the field while still moving up the leaderboard.

In fourth position is 2013 Argus Audiology NB Senior Men’s Champion Mike Breen of the Hampton Golf Club.  Breen would post a one under par (-1), 71, thanks to birdies on the par five 18^th and 5^th holes and one more at the 2^nd offset by bogeys at the 10^th and 7^th.  Breen’s one over par (+1), 145, two-day total is one better then first round co-leader and 2015 NB Men’s Senior Champion Sonny Phillips, of the Fredericton Golf Club, and Gage Golf & Curling Club standout Tom Cameron who sit tied for 5^th at two over par (+2), 146.

Despite falling off the pace in the Senior Division, Sonny Phillips continues to lead the race to become the 2019 NB Super Senior Champion (65+ years of age). Phillips’ second round 77 (146) has him three shots clear of host Aroostook Valley’s, and two-time defending Argus Audiology NB Men’s Super Senior Champion, Herrick Hansen.  Like Phillips, Hansen would struggle on day two with a five over par (+5), 77, of his own.  After starting on the 10^th, a bogey at 13 and another at 17 would see him make the turn in a two over par (+2), 38.  Another bogey at the par three 8^th and a double bogey seven at the 5^th would complete Hansen’s round and see him alone in 2^nd in the Super Senior flight with a two day total of five over par (+5), 149.

After a second round three over par (+3), 75, the Fox Creek Golf Club’s Jean LeBlanc (75, 75, +6 / 150) has moved one shot clear of the Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club’s Gary Melanson (74, 77, +7 / 151) and into solo third in the division, while the Hampton Golf Club’s Gary Swain (75, 77, +8 / 152) rounds out the top five.

Darren MacPherson (Restigouche Country Club)

In addition to the action on the Senior side of the draw, things are heating up in the race to become the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Mid-Master Champion.  Darren MacPherson of the Restigouche Country Club holds the 36-hole lead after carding the low round of the tournament on day two.  After beginning his round on the par four 10^th, MacPherson would start quickly with birdies at the 12^th and the 14^th before dropping a shot on the par three 15^th to make the turn in a one under par (-1), 35.  After parring Aroostook’s challenging par four 1^st, MacPherson would catch fire birdieing the 2^nd, 4^th and 5^th on his way to a four under par (-4), 68, and a 36-total of 138.

Darren Ritchie (Hampton Golf Club)

In second position is first round leader, Darren Ritchie of the Hampton Golf Club.  After a bogey on his opening hole, Ritchie would par out on the back nine to make the turn in a one over par (+1), 37.  A rare birdie at the par four 1^st and an eagle at the 3^rd would get him to red numbers before a bogey at the 5^th and another at the 8^th would see him post an even par (E) round of 72 and a 36-hole total of two under par (-2), 142, three shots off MacPherson’s lead.

After a two under par (-2), 70, on day two, Kingswood Golf’s Brian Dalrymple has moved into solo third.  Dalrymple would get off to a scorching start on Aroostook Valley’s back nine with three straight birdies at the 12^th, 13^th and 14^th.  Another birdie at the 18^th would see him make the turn in a four under par (-4), 32, but three bogeys and another birdie on his inward nine would see him give two shots back to the field and close the day four shots off the pace (73, 70, -1 / 143).

In fourth position is three-time Argus Audiology NB Men’s Mid-Master Champion (2009, 2012, 2014) Tony MacKinnon of the Fredericton Golf Club.  MacKinnon sits at two over par (+2), 144, after back to back 73’s while four-time defending champion Ed Reevey of The Riverside Country Club holds down 5^th position at three over par (+3), 147, after a second round 75.

In addition to the Argus Audiology NB Men’s Mid-Master, Senior and Super Senior Championships titles, the third and final position on the Mid-Amateur Team NB will also be awarded.  The final team member will be joining Team NB that currently consists of Stuart Musgrave of the Country Meadows Golf Club and Riverside’s Ed Reevey and will represent the province at the 2019 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, to be held from August 20 to 23, 2019 at the Summit Golf Club in Toronto, Ontario.

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 10 to 13, 2019 at the Cedar Brae Golf Club in Scarborough, Ontario.

In addition to their support of the 2019 NB Senior & Mid-Master Championships, Argus Audiology is also the title sponsor of the Argus Audiology NB Ladies Provincials which was held July 7-9 at Golf Pokemoche, the Golf NB Annual Awards Banquet and Silent Auction on October 19 in Fredericton and the 2019 Golf NB Competitive Golf Season.

The third and final round of the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championship will get under way at 8:00am on Wednesday, July 24 at 8:00am with the Mid-Master leaders teeing off in the final paring of the morning draw at 9:40am and the Senior leaders teeing off in the final paring of the afternoon draw at 2:20pm.

• For more information or to register for the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championships please CLICK HERE.
• For more information on the Aroostook Valley Country Club please CLICK HERE.

By Golf NB

Men’s Senior Results – Click Here
Men’s Super-Senior Results – Click Here
Men’s Mid-Master Results – Click Here

For Round two Pairings & Tee Times – Click Here

For Immediate Release:

The Aroostook Valley Country Club is the host site for the final major championship of the 2019 Argus Audiology Golf NB Championship season as a field of 128 of New Brunswick’s top players, 40 years of age and older, teed it up at one of the provinces most unique and challenging venues at the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championships.

The morning would see Ed Reevey of The Riverside Country Club paired with familiar foes, Darren Ritchie of the Hampton Golf Club and Greg Jones of the Country Meadows Golf Club, as he set out in search of his fifth consecutive NB Men’s Mid-Master crown as he opened this year’s event off of Aroostook Valley’s 388-yard par four 1^st hole.  After making par at the 1^st, Reevey would bogey the second and eagle the par five 3^rd to start what would be a rollercoaster of an opening 9 holes for the defending champion.  Another bogey at the 5^th, a birdie at the 6^th and a double bogey 5 on the par three 8^th would see Reevey make the turn in a one over par (+1), 37.

While Reevey would show some wild swings, Ritchie’s outward nine holes would see more consistency.  A birdie on the par five 3^rd a bogey at the 4^th and another birdie at the par three 8^th would see him make the turn in a one under par (-1), 35.

One stroke off the lead through 9 holes of play, Reevey would make a push beginning on the par five 12^th.  A birdie there, would be followed by another on the par five 14^th to get him under par on the round, but bogeys at the 15^th and 18^th holes would be offset by another birdie on the uphill 16^th to see him close out his inward half with a one under par (-1), 35, and an opening round score of even par (E), 72.

For his par, Ritchie remained ever consistent as the two-time Men’s Amateur and 2006 NB Men’s Mid-Master Champion would par his first 6 holes of the back nine, before a bogey at the 16^th would drop him back to even par on the round.  However, Ritchie would bounce back with birdies at the par three 17^th and another on the par five 18^th to enter the clubhouse with a first-round total of two under par (-2), 70, and a one-shot lead through 18 holes.

With Ritchie holding down top spot, and Reevey alone in 4^th it is Darren MacPherson of the Restigouche Country Club and Stephen Clark of the host Aroostook Valley Country Club deadlocked in a tie for 2^nd following a pair of first round, one under par (-1), 71’s.  Despite bogeying the 1^st, MacPherson would bounce back with birdies at the 6^th and 7^th to make the turn at one under (-1), 35.  Bogeys on three of the next four holes, #10, #11 and #13 would be followed by a birdie run on the 14^th, 15^th and 18^th to get into the clubhouse one back of Richie.  Clark would post his 71 by virtue of a bogeys at the 2^nd, 4^th and 7^th offset by an eagle at the 3^rd and birdies at the 5^th and 18^th.

The Fredericton Golf Club’s Tony MacKinnon, Kingswood Golf’s Brian Dalrymple and Riverside’s Mark Craik round out the top five with one over par (+1), 73’s, and in a three-way tie for 5^th.

In the Senior Division (55+) it is Sonny Phillips of the Fredericton Golf Club leading the way after firing the low round of the day, a three under par (-3), 69.  Phillips would tear up Aroostook Valley’s front nine holes with birdies at the 2^nd, 3^rd, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th on route to a blistering five under par (-5), 31.  Phillips would cool off significantly on the back however, as he would card seven pars and two bogeys (#12 and #17), to complete his three under par (-3) day and be the leader in the clubhouse.

Sonny’s lead would be short lived however, as Aroostook’s own Ralph Michaud would fire a 69 of his own.  Like Phillips, Michaud would get off to a hot start with an eagle on the par five 3^rd, and birdies at the 6^th and 7^th offset by a bogey at the downhill par three 4^th to make the turn in a three under par (-3), 33.  Michaud would also cool off on Aroostook Valley’s difficult inward nine.  A bogey at the 11^th and a birdie on the par five 12^th would be the movement he’d see as he’d cruise home with an even par back nine of 36 and a three under par (-3), 69 to tie Phillips for the lead, two shots clear of Fredericton’s Dan Coulombe and NB Senior Circuit Rookie Tom Cameron of the Gage Golf & Curling Club who sit tied for 3^rd after carding a pair of one under par (-1), 71’s.

Rounding out the top five is a quartet of even par (E), 72’s, lead by 2012 Argus Audiology NB Senior Men’s Champion Herrick Hansen of Aroostook Valley.  Joining Hansen, three shots off the lead, is 2017 and 2018 NB Men’s Senior Team Member Denis Beaulieu of the Club de Golf de Saint-Quentin, Pat Garagan of Fredericton and the Herring Cove Provincial Park Golf Course’s Kevin Farmer.

In the Super-Senior Division (65+ years of age) it is Phillips leading the way over two-time defending champion Herrick Hansen of the Aroostook Valley Country Club.  Hansen currently sits three shots back of Phillips with a first round even par, (E), 72 thanks to birdies on the 3^rd, 15^th and 18^th holes which were offset by bogeys on #5, #8 and #10.  In third position is Gary Melanson of the Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club.  The crafty veteran would work his hickory shafted clubs around Aroostook’s up and down terrain to the tune of a two over par (+2), 74, that consisted of 16 pars and bogeys at the par three 13^th and 17^th holes.  Rounding out the top five is the pair of Jean LeBlanc of the Fox Creek Golf Club and Gary Swain of the Hampton Golf Club.  The pair would card matching three over par (+3), 75’s to sit tied for 4^th in the Super Senior division, six shots off Phillips’ pace.

In addition to the Argus Audiology NB Men’s Mid-Master, Senior and Super Senior Championships titles, the third and final position on the Mid-Amateur Team NB will also be awarded.  The final team member will be joining Team NB that currently consists of Stuart Musgrave of the Country Meadows Golf Club and a yet to be named player, who will represent the province at the 2019 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, to be held from August 20 to 23, 2019 at the Summit Golf Club in Toronto, Ontario.

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 10 to 13, 2019 at the Cedar Brae Golf Club in Scarborough, Ontario.

In addition to their support of the 2019 NB Senior & Mid-Master Championships, Argus Audiology is also the title sponsor of the Argus Audiology NB Ladies Provincials which was held July 7-9 at Golf Pokemoche, the Golf NB Annual Awards Banquet and Silent Auction on October 19 in Fredericton and the 2019 Golf NB Competitive Golf Season.

The second round the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championship will get under way at 8:00am on Tuesday, July 23 at 8:00am.

• For more information or to register for the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championships please CLICK HERE.
• For more information on the Aroostook Valley Country Club pleaseCLICK 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 8,000 members include: 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.

Argus Audiology is a family owned and operated hearing service centre. We employ bilingual audiologists, hearing aid practitioners and technicians at our New Brunswick centres. Argus Audiology has been proudly serving Southern New Brunswick since 1978 and now has 4 convenient locations working in a collaborative culture.

PORTRUSH, Ireland – Shane Lowry made the 68 years between British Opens in Northern Ireland worth the wait.

The silver claret jug is staying on the Emerald Isle.

Lowry, the 32-year-old Irishman with stout nerves and a soft touch around the greens, endured the worst weather of the week and the Sunday pressure of a sellout crowd cheering him along to win the British Open by six shots at Royal Portrush.

Even as the rain stopped, the tears began flowing.

“I can’t believe this is me standing here,” Lowry said as he cradled golf’s oldest trophy. “I can’t believe this is mine.”

It was never really in doubt.

Lowry closed with a 1-over 72, the first time since 1996 the Open champion was over par in the final round, and it was no less impressive. More difficult than the rain was wind strong enough to break an umbrella. Lowry began making bogeys in the middle of the round without losing ground. No one from the last 12 groups broke par.

And no one got closer than three shots all day of Lowry, who finished at 15-under 269.

Thousands of fans who filled these links off the North Atlantic began to celebrate when Lowry, after his fourth bogey in seven holes, rolled in an 8-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole to stretch his lead to six with three holes to play.

Lowry’s smile got wider with every hole coming in.

When his approach to the 18th was just on the fringe, he stretched out his arms, hugging caddie Bo Martin. The loudest cheer of a raucous week was for a tap-in par that made Lowry a major champion.

“He’s done brilliantly,” Lee Westwood said after grinding out a 73 to tie for fourth. “All the chasers would have wanted tough conditions and he’s clearly played brilliantly to be on the score he has, under the pressure he’s under.”

Tommy Fleetwood had to settle for his second runner-up finish in a major. He missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the opening hole that would have cut the deficit to two, and he missed a 5-footer for par on the third hole. His hopes ended with a double bogey from the bunker and the rough, and he closed with a 74.

Tony Finau shot 71 to finish alone in third, though he was never closer than seven shots. Brooks Koepka, going for his fourth major in the last seven, began the final round seven shots behind and opened with four straight bogeys. He shot 74 and tied for fourth.

Royal Portrush last hosted the British Open in 1951, the only time it had been outside Scotland and England. It pinned hopes at the start of the week on Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut by one shot. It celebrated Darren Clarke hitting the first tee shot Thursday. The other Ulstersman, Portrush native Graeme McDowell, basked in the loudest cheers he has heard this side of the Ryder Cup when he walked up the 18th green on Sunday.

And then along came Lowry, who teamed with McIlroy to bring Irish golf a European Amateur title in 2007, and who won the Irish Open as an amateur 10 years ago. He joins Padraig Harrington as Irishmen to win majors, while McIlroy, McDowell, Clarke and Fred Daly are major champions from Northern Ireland.

“Everyone knows we’re all one country when it comes to golf,” Lowry said.

It was one big group hug when it ended, starting with his wife and daughter, and his parents. Harrington and McDowell were among those waiting behind the 18th green to share in the celebration, along with Koepka and his caddie, Ricky Elliott, once a promising amateur who grew up at Royal Portrush.

“I didn’t feel great out there. It was probably the most uncomfortable I’ve ever felt on a golf course,” Lowry said. “You’re out there trying to win an Open in your home country, and it’s just incredibly difficult.”

It showed early when Lowry pulled his tee shot into the rough, hit into a deep bunker well short of the green and had to make an 8-foot putt just to escape with bogey. The wind was picking up and it was relentless for so much of the day. Lowry made his move on the more forgiving start, with three birdies in a four-hole stretch through the par-5 seventh that boosted his lead to six.

Everyone except Fleetwood fell back.

J.B. Holmes, who shared the 36-hole lead with Lowry until falling back Saturday, really went the wrong direction. He hit his first tee shot out-of-bounds. And it only got worse. He made one birdie and shot 87.

Lowry’s lead was four shots when he saved par from a bunker left of the par-3 13th. Even on his bogey at the hole, he added to his lead when Fleetwood hit a poor shot from the fairway bunker into the rough, couldn’t get to the green and three-putted for a double bogey.

“I never really got close enough, and Shane played great,” Fleetwood said. “The conditions were horrendous. It was Shane’s time, Shane’s tournament.”

Lowry shared it with his family who paved the way, the players who inspired him. And after he was introduced as “champion golfer of the year,” he shared it with thousands of people he didn’t even know, all of them crammed along the hillocks and swales, along the edge of the ocean, and who sat in the horseshoe-shaped grandstands under umbrellas waiting for the Irishman to arrive.

Holding up the claret jug, Lowry said to them, “This one’s for you.”

Full results can be found here.

RED DEER, Alta. – The world’s best amateur golfers are set to compete in the 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship taking place at Red Deer Golf & Country Club in Red Deer, Alta. from July 22-26.

The championship was first held in 1901, making it one of the oldest golfing competitions in the world. Red Deer Golf & Country Club will play host to 156 players from 13 countries over four stroke play rounds.

“Golf Canada is delighted to present the 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at such a terrific venue,” said Dan Hyatt, the Tournament Director. “We are confident Red Deer Golf & Country Club will challenge some of the top amateur golfers as they showcase their skills.”

First organized in 1919 and on its current site since 1922, Red Deer Golf & Country Club is among the 150 oldest continuously active golf courses in Canada. The club has hosted numerous provincial and national championships, including the 1976 Alberta Open (won by Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Moe Norman), the Alberta Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championship and the Canadian Golf Club Professional Championship. Red Deer Golf & Country Club is also slated to host the 2022 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.

“The Red Deer Golf and Country Club membership and staff are anxious to host the 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur,” said Don McFarlane, General Manager of Red Deer Golf and Country Club. “Our golf course is in great condition, and we feel a great fit for this National Championship. We are proud of our facility, and look forward to showcasing it, and our community to the 156 participants and to those watching. The venue and our enthusiastic and supportive membership will ensure good competition, and a memorable week for all.”

In 2018, Yealimi Noh of Concord, Calif. won the championship by a single stroke over Dylan Kim of Sachse, Tex. Noh trailed Kim by a single stroke entering the final round and her even-par 71 was enough for her to capture the title. It was a tremendous week of golf for Noh, who made only four bogeys over the 72 holes.

Current LPGA Tour star Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.) is a recent winner of the event, having captured the title in 2013. Former U.S. Women’s Open Champion Ariya Jutanugarn and reigning Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion Jennifer Kupcho each won the Canadian Women’s Amateur in 2012 and 2017, respectively.

(Red Deer Golf & Country Club)

A full field of competitors will compete for the Duchess of Connaught Gold Cup and the title of Canadian Women’s Amateur champion, including Team Canada National Amateur Squad member Brigitte Thibault of Rosemère, Que., and Tiffany Kong of Vancouver, who was the low Canadian in 2018.

An inter-provincial team championship will be played in conjunction with the first 36 holes of the competition, with three-player teams vying for the inter-provincial title. Team British Columbia, consisting of Mary Parsons (Delta, B.C.), Christina Proteau (Port Alberni, B.C.) and Naomi Ko (Victoria, B.C.) shot a combined 8 over par to capture British Columbia’s second straight team championship.

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

In addition to claiming the title of 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss., and the 2019 CP Women’s Open at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont. from August 19-25.

Additionally, the low Canadian will earn an exemption into the 2019 CP Women’s Open.

NOTABLES

Brigitte Thibault, Rosemère, Que.
The Team Canada National Amateur Squad member is the highest ranked Canadian in the field (No. 176). Having recently concluded her sophomore season at Fresno State University, Thibault is enjoying a successful 2019 season, winning the Mountain West Conference Championship and the 2019 Ontario Women’s Amateur. The 20-year-old participated at the 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship and was named to the 2019 Pan-Am Games team in June.

Sarah Dunning, Waterloo, Ont.
A member of the University of Guelph women’s golf team, Dunning qualified for the championship by winning the 2019 Canadian University/College Championship in May. The victory came in dramatic fashion, with Dunning draining a 25-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole to win the tournament by one stroke. She has played the Canadian Women’s Amateur on six occasions.

Andrea Lee, Hermosa Beach, Calif.
Formerly the No. 1-ranked woman on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Lee has played at the last two U.S. Women’s Open Championships. She led the United States to the gold medal in the team event at the 2017 World University games, placing fourth in the individual competition in the process. Lee finished runner-up at the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship as a 17-year-old.

Lucy Li, Redwood Shores, Calif.
Li has reached as high as No. 4 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Only 16 years old, Li holds the record for the youngest qualifier at the U.S. Women’s Amateur (10 years old in 2013) and the U.S. Women’s Open (11 years old in 2014). She won the silver medal in the mixed team event at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.

Tiffany Kong, Vancouver
Kong was among the leaders through the first two rounds of last year’s Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, eventually finishing in a tie for 14th as the low Canadian. She continued her solid play by finishing in a tie for third at the 2018 Canadian Junior Girls Championship a week later. Kong helped Canada to a fourth-place result at the 2018 World Junior Girls Championship.

Emilia Migliaccio, Cary, N.C.
Currently ranked No. 9 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Migliaccio is the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference individual champion, having won the event as a member of the Wake Forest University golf team. The 20-year-old participated at the 2019 Arnold Palmer Cup as a member of Team USA.

More information about the 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship can be found here.

By Dwayne Tingley

Argus Audiology NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championships
1^st Round Pairings & Tee Times

Long-time Aroostook Valley Country Club general manager Stephen Leitch believes greenskeeper Perry Swazey will be the unsung hero of the upcoming 2019 Argus Audiology New Brunswick Men’s Senior and Mid-Master Championships.

A protracted and difficult winter could have taken its toll on the course in Four Falls, but Leitch said that’s not the case and playing conditions will be outstanding for the championships, scheduled for July 22-24.

“The crew here has done an incredible job this spring and the course is in great shape, just like we expect every year,” said Leitch, who is also Aroostook Valley’s Head Professional and has worked at the club for 26 years.

“Perry and I work well together,” he continued. “He knows what I expect and how I feel the golf course should look and he makes it all happen.”

The 6,300-yard layout is an old-style course which opened 90 years ago and will offer the field “quite a test,” Leitch said.

“The greens are quite fast and undulating so players will enjoy the challenge,” he said. “It’s a fair course, but it is not easy to score well. You have to be ready to play a steady round.”

“Off the course, we are planning to host a friendly tournament. We have several volunteers involved in the planning. We are known for our hospitality and it will be on full display during the tournament.”

The top three finishers will qualify to represent Team NB at the Canadian Senior Men’s Championships to be held September 10-13 at the Cedar Brae Golf Club in Scarborough, Ontario.

In addition to the Senior Men’s Team positions, the NB Mid-Master Champion will also punch their ticket as the final member of New Brunswick’s Men’s Mid-Amateur Team who will compete at the to the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship from August 20 to 23 at the Summit Golf Club in Toronto, Ontario.  The other two members of NB’s Men’s Mid-Amateur Team will be selected as part of the 2019 RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur Championship

Aroostook Valley hosts several corporate tournaments every year as well as the popular St. John Valley Open on the Labour Day weekend.

“We like to show off our course for major events and we’ll be ready for the seniors this year,” Leitch said. “It’s another opportunity to show off the course we are so proud of.”

This year’s tournament also marks the first time it will be sponsored by Argus Audiology.

Bill Eaton, along with business partner and wife Norma and sister Dr. Heidi Eaton, purchased Argus Audiology from his parents in 2013. The company has been proudly serving New Brunswick for more than 40 years and currently owns four clinics in the province.

“Helen Keller once said that being blind separates us from things, but being deaf separates us from people,” Eaton said.

“It’s our goal at Argus Audiology to bring people back together through conversations, activities and pastimes,” he noted. “We can think of no better way to bring people together in New Brunswick than through the great game of golf and enjoying our beautiful province in scenic settings.”

Argus Audiology is also the title sponsor of the Argus Audiology NB Ladies Provincials which was earlier this month (July 7-9) at Golf Pokemouche on the Acadian Peninsula, the Golf NB Annual Awards Banquet and Silent Auction on October 19 in Fredericton and the 2019 Golf NB Competitive Golf Season.

• For more information or to register for the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Senior & Mid-Master Championships please CLICK HERE.
• For more information on the Aroostook Valley County Club 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 8,000 members include: 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.

Argus Audiology is a family owned and operated hearing service center. We employ bilingual audiologists, hearing aid practitioners and technicians at our New Brunswick centers. Argus Audiology has been proudly serving Southern New Brunswick since 1978 and now has 4 convenient locations working in a collaborative culture.

By Golf NB

Junior Girls Final Results
Junior Boys Final Results

Anyone who says golf isn’t exciting, wasn’t at the Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in Hartland for the final round of the Future Links, driven by Acura, Atlantic Championship. The champion for the junior girl’s title needed to win in a playoff and the junior boy’s lead changed hands a few times before a champion was named. The tournament had overall good weather, the humidex rose a little on day 1, it avoided thunderstorms threats all day on day 2 and it was sunny, a great temperature with a little breeze on the final day. Good weather always makes for a great tournament.

L to R: Haley Baker (Ashburn Golf Club),
Isabella Ferguson (Kanata Golf and Country Club), and Abby Baker (Ashburn Golf Club)

In the junior girl’s division, Ottawa native, Isabelle Ferguson came to New Brunswick to win a tournament and she did it in style. Overnight leader, Haley Baker saw her lead start to disappear as she struggled on the front nine with a 6-over par 42. Ferguson, who plays out of the Kanata Golf & Country Club shot a 1-under par on her opening nine with birdies on holes # 2 and # 4 and a bogey on #9. That was enough for a 7-shot swing in Ferguson’s favour and Baker’s lead dwindle to 3 shots. Ferguson continued her strong play on the inward nine starting with a birdie on hole # 10 and had pars the next 3 holes as Baker bogeyed holes #12 and # 13 allowing Ferguson to pull even with her.  Another bogey by Baker and a par for Ferguson on the 14^th hole gave Ferguson the lead for the first time. Ferguson kept the foot on the accelerator and birdied the next hole and extended her lead to 2. On the tough 16^th hole Baker had another bogey and Ferguson managed a par for a three-shot lead with two holes to play. Haley Baker was not giving up the fight and had a birdie on the par 3, 17^th hole and Ferguson had her first bogey on the back nine to narrow the lead to one with one hole to play. Haley birdied the final hole and Ferguson settled for a par and they both finished the tournament at 226 to head to a playoff. On the day Baker shot a 42, 38 for an 80 and Ferguson had the low girl’s round of the tournament shooting matching 35’s for a 2-under par 70. They headed back to the first hole to start the playoff and after Ferguson sunk her birdie putt, Baker had her shot to also make birdie but a hard lip-out had her settle for par. Ferguson’s 70 on the day was her best score ever by 4-shots, what a great way to win. She enjoyed playing with the Maritime girls this week and said they were friendly and a lot of fun. Finishing in third place was Haley’s sister, Abby, who shot a 4-over par 76 to finish 5 back of the leaders at 231. Forth place went to Heather McLean from the Ken-Wo Golf Club who also shot a 76 and finished one shot back of McLean at 76.

L to R: Daniel Kirby (Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club),
Malik Dao (Summerlea Golf and Country Club), and Felix Antoine Levasseur (Le Club de Golf Godefroy)

Summerlea Golf & Country Club and Montreal resident, Malik Dao’s narrow 1-shot overnight lead 4-under par) was erased early when he took a double bogey on the 3^rd hole taking him to 2-under par. Daniel Kirby, the home-town favourite and JH Sports member started the day at 3-under par started with 3 straight pars to stay there and take the lead.  Jake Smith of the Ashburn Golf Club in Halifax, who started the day at 1-under par had a birdie on the 3^rd hole so he was now tied with Dao. A birdie by Kirby on the 6^th hole gave him a 2-shot cushion but that didn’t last long as on hole # 7, Kirby bogeyed and Dao birdied for a 2-shot swing and a tie for the lead once again. Smith had a bogey on the 8^th hole to drop to -1 on the day. The 9^th hole saw birdies for Kirby and Smith and a par for Dao, that all added up to a 1-under 35’s for Kirby now (4 under for the tournament) and Smith (2 under for the tournament and a 2-over 37 for Dao (3-under for the tournament). The inward nine was just as exciting as a birdie for Smith and bogeys for Kirby and Dao on hole # 10 now saw Kirby and Smith were in the lead at 3-under par and Doe was 2-under at this point. Smith bogeyed a couple of holes coming in to allow Dao and Kirby to battle it out on the rest of the holes. With a birdie on the 13^th hole, Kirby took a 2-shot lead on Dao but a birdie on the hole #15 for Doa left him just 1 behind. Disaster struck for Kirby on the always treacherous par 4, 16^th hole where he struggled to a double bogey to now trail Dao by a shot. They both made great birdies on the par 3, 17^th hole which meant Doa had a 1-shot lead with one hole to play.  Doa parred the final hole and Kirby took a bogey to give Doa the Junior Boys Championship Title with an even par 72 on the day and a 212 total. Kirby was the runner-up with a 1-over par 73 and a 3-day total of 214. Felix-Antoine Levasseur from the Godefroy Club in Nicolet, Quebec shot a 2-under par 70 on the day to finished tied for third-place with Jake Smith who shot even par 72 on the day for a 3-day total of 215.  Levasseur won third place in the tournament by retrogression over Jake Smith. The low round of the day was a 4-under par 68 (6 birdies and 2 bogeys) by Felix Boucher who plays out of Fox Creek Golf Club.

The 82 junior golfers who played at the Future Links, driven by Acura, Atlantic Championship all seemed to enjoy the golf course and the comradery and friendships that the wonderful game of that golf offers. It was amazing to watch these young players hit the golf ball so well and shoot the low scores do. Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club was a wonderful host with the amazing work the golf course maintenance staff, clubhouse staff and volunteers did for the tournament. They get to show off their talents again in a few weeks when they host the Canadian Junior Boys Championships August 10-15^th.

•  For more information on the 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura, Atlantic Championships, including results and tee times, please CLICK HERE.
• For more information on the Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club, please visit: 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 8,000 members include: 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.

Day 1 at the Future Links, driven by Acura, Atlantic Championship started with a wonderful day of weather and great scores at the Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in Hartland.  The Championship brought together junior golfers from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. There are four players at the top of the Junior Boys leaderboard with Daniel Kirby, Ben Callaghan, Felix-Antoine Levasseur and Jack Smith as they all shot a 2-under par 70.  Kirby who represents JH Sports and plays out of the host club had a bogey on hole # 4 but his back to back birdies on holes # 7 and # 8 gave him a 1-under par 35 on the front nine. He had a very clean scorecard on the back nine with 8 straight pars and a birdie on his final hole for a 1- under par 35 to add up to his 70. Ben Callaghan who is a member at the Abercrombie Country Club in Stellarton, NS was 2-under after 7 holes with the help of birdies on the 2^nd, 6^th, after a par on 7 he had his lone front-nine bogey on the 8^th hole. He bounced back with birdie on nine which gave him a 2-under par 34. His 2 birdies and 2 bogeys on the back nine added up to an even par 36 to give him his 70. Felix-Antoine Levasseur from Le Club de Golf Godefroy in Bécancour, QC bogeyed his 2^nd hole but then followed that up with a birdie on # 3 and another on # 9 for a 1-under par 35. His inward nine consisted of 8 pars and a birdie on the tough hole #16 for a matching 1-under par on the back for his 2-under total of 70.  Jack Smith who is a member of the Ashburn Golf Club had 8 pars on the front nine and 1 bogey for a 1-over par 37. He caught fire on the back nine with 4 birdies on holes # 10, #13, #14 and #17 and just one bogey on hole # 16 for the best back-nine score of the day, a 3-under par 33 for his 70.

 

Daniel Kirby (Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club & JH Sports)

There are two juniors just a shot back at 1-under par, 71, Rory White who is a member at Oakfield Country Club in NS had 3 birdies and 2 bogeys and Ewan Jr Kelly of the Ashburn Golf Club shot 4 birdies and 3 bogeys. Another three golfers, Hunter Baird of the Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, Ontario, Nick Ritchie from the Hampton Golf Club and Owen Mullen who hails from the Truro Golf Club in NS all shot an impressive even par 72 on Day 1 as well. This tournament will continue to be exciting over Day 2 and Day 3 as long as the weather doesn’t play a factor.

Haley Baker, who is no stranger to Covered Bridge after winning the East Coast Junior Girl’s Championship here last month, continued her good play. Haley who plays out of the Ashburn Golf Club in Halifax, NS started out with a birdie on the first hole and had another on the 5^th hole but mixed in three bogeys on the front on holes #2, 4 and 6 for a 1-over par 37. Her inward nine saw a birdie on the tough par 3, 17^th hole, 6 pars and bogeys on holes 11 and 18 for another 1-over par 37 which adds up to a 2-over par 74. Abby Baker, Isabella Ferguson from the Kanata Golf & Country Club in Kanata, Ontario and Fox Creek’s Julie Gauvin are three shots back after shooting 5-over par 77’s.  Abby ran into a little difficulty on her outward nine with a 6-over par 42 but she found her rhythm on her inward nine. She managed 3 birdies on holes 11, 15 and 18 but her only hiccup was a double bogey on the 12^th hole but she still had an impressive 1-under, 35 on the back nine for her 77. Ferguson started off with a birdie on #1 but then bogeyed #3 and #4 to shoot a 1-over, 37 on the front nine. Her back nine brought on 6 pars, 2 bogeys on # 10 and # 16 and a double bogey on #13 for a 40 on the back to add up to her 77. Gauvin 9-hole scores matched that of Ferguson as her 37 on the front also included a birdie on hole # 1 but her bogeys were on holes #3 and #7. Gauvin’s 40 on the back was made up of 5 pars and bogeys on #10, #12, #15 and #16 to make her 77. Last week’s NS Junior Girl’s Champion, Heather McLean is another 2 shots back after shooting a 79.
There are two more days of action here at the Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club.

 

Haley Baker (Ashburn Golf Course)

The golf course is in great shape, and the volunteers and staff are getting a good practice run as they will be hosting the Canadian Junior Boys Championship August 12-15^th. Golf NB and Golf Canada are grateful to Covered Bridge for hosting 3 championship golf tournaments this summer.

• For more information on the 2019 Future Links,driven by Acura, Atlantic Championships, including results and tee times, please CLICK HERE.
• For more information on the Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club, please visit: 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 8,000 members include: 12 provincial events, rules of golf education, course rating and handicap services, junior golf development programs and member club marketing initiatives.

HARTLAND, N.B. – Golf Canada continues its 2019 Future Links championship season as the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship is set to take place at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club from July 16-18.

With support from Golf New Brunswick, the Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship is the sixth regional junior championship presented in partnership with Acura this season. The 54-hole stroke play tournament will begin with a practice round on July 15 before the tournament gets underway with round one on July 16.

First opened in 1993, Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club overlooks the Saint John River Valley. An above-average slope rating of 132 and strategically located ponds and bunkers makes it a challenging course. The architectural design of the clubhouse, the tee-box markers and the usable covered bridge for carts on hole No. 17 pays homage to the longest covered bridge in the world, which is located in Hartland, N.B.

“Golf Canada and Golf New Brunswick are excited to present the 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship,” said Bari Gourley, the Tournament Director with Golf New Brunswick. “We look forward to seeing how Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club tests Canada’s premier junior golfers while giving them an opportunity to showcase their skills.”

The field will consist of 69 junior golfers in the Junior Boys Division with the top five earning exemptions into the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship August 11-15, also at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club. Should there be a tie for the fifth position, a playoff will be conducted following the conclusion of play.

The Junior Girls Division consists of 14 golfers with the top five (including ties) earning an exemption into the 2019 Canadian Junior Girls Championship July 29-August 2 at Lethbridge Country Club in Lethbridge, Alta.

Due to winter damage sustained at Mactaquac Golf Course, in Mactaquac, N.B., the 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship was moved to Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club. Additional information about the 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic Championship can be found here.

The 2019 Future Links championship series will resume in September with the Future Links, driven by Acura Fall Series. The Fall Series will take place on consecutive weekends; September 20-22 at Club de golf Lachute in Lachute, Que., and September 27-29 at Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay, B.C.

Results from the previous 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Championships can be found here: Pacific, Ontario, Western, Quebec, Prairie.

NOTABLES

Haley Baker, Halifax, N.S.
The defending champion in the girls division, Baker has won two tournaments this year and is the highest-ranked Martimer on the Golf Canada Future Links Order of Merit.

Owen Mullen, Truro, N.S.
The 15-year-old returns to defend his Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic championship. Mullen finished third at the 2018 East Coast Junior Championship.

Heather McLean, Port Williams, N.S.
McLean finished in a tie for fourth at the 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Québec Championship in June, meaning she will tee off in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship for the fifth straight year.

Malik Dao, Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que.
The younger brother of 2018 Canadian Junior Girls champion Céleste Dao, Malik won the boys golf gold medal at the 2018 Québec Summer Games.

FAST FACTS

In 2019, Golf Canada is conducting its eight regional Future Links, driven by Acura championships in conjunction with the Provincial Associations.

Top five finishers in the Boys Division earn exemptions into the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

Top five finishers (including ties) in the Girls Division earn exemptions into the 2019 Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

Owen Mullen shot 6 over par to earn the victory last year in the Junior Boys Division.

Haley Baker won the Junior Girls Division in a playoff in 2018.

Calvin Ross of Fredericton, N.B., won the Junior Boys Division three consecutive years from 2015 through 2017. Ross also captured the 2017 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, becoming the first New Brunswick golfer to win the title.

More information on the event can be found here.