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.

If a ball subsequently moves after a player has marked, lifted and  replaced the the ball on the putting green, the player must always replace the ball back on its original spot.

Visit golfcanada.ca/rules to learn more.

by Golf NB

For Full Results – Click Here
For Men’s Mid-Amateur Results – Click Here

The threat of thunderstorms, periods of rain, muggy temperatures, a five shot deficit and even two of Atlantic Canada’s top Amateur golfers could stop the Fredericton Golf Club’s Michel (Mike) Landry from claiming his 3rd RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships.

2019 RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur & Mid-Amateur Champion Michel Landry (left) with Jackson Lang of RBC Dominion Securities

Landry entered Sunday’s final round trailing third round leader, and two-time NB Men’s Amateur Champion, Darren Roach of The Riverside Country Club by five shots.  As if that task of overtaking Roach was not going to be hard enough, he had another provincial amateur golf champion to deal with, as 2019 Nova Scotia Men’s Amateur Champion Calvin Ross of Kingswood Golf & JH Sports stood between he and Roach, two shots clear of Landry and just three back of Roach.

Undaunted Landry would mount a consistent and relentless attach of fairways and greens to put the pressure on and keep it on.  After missing the first green on the par four 1st, Landry would get up and down to save his par.  That combined with a Roach bogey would tighten the leaderboard immediately and allow both Landry and Ross to inch ever closer.

The missed green at the first, would be Landry’s last mistake of the day.  He would go on to hit the next 17 greens in regulation, or better, providing birdie look after birdie look while not giving anything back.  A birdie at the par five 4th would get Landry to within three of the lead, another at the 6th would get him one closer again and an eagle at the par five 9th would see him make the turn in a blistering four under par (-4), 33, and nine under par (-9) for the championship.

Unfazed by Landry’s steady play, Ross, the 20-year-old Texas State Bobcat product, would also birdie the 6th to move to within one of Roach and stay two shots clear of Landry, but a bogey at the 7th would give the shot right back before another birdie at the 9th would see him make the turn in a one under par (-1), 36, and eight under par (-8) for the event and in second position through 63 holes.

After making bogey at the 1st, Roach would settle down, making par from #2 through #7, but a bogey on the 157-yard par three 8th would see his lead shrink to one shot over both Landry and Ross, but he would make the turn with a one over par (+1), 38 thanks to a birdie at the 9th, good for a nine under par (-9) total and in a tie for the lead with Landry entering the home stretch.

Roach would bounce back from a disappointing front nine as he and Ross would birdie the par five 10th, but the pair would each drop a shot at the 12th, which combined with a Landry birdie on the short par four 13th would put Landry to 10 under par (-10), for the championship and in the lead to stay.  While Ross would make a final push thanks to another birdie at the par three 15th, Roach would stumble on the home stretch with a bogey at the 16th and a double bogey on the par four finishing hole to fall off the pace.

With Ross on his heels, Landry would continue to play mistake free golf carding a bogey free final round and securing a one-shot victory over Ross and locking up his third RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur Championship in the process with 10 under par (-10), 282, total.

Rounding out the top five were two more outstanding rounds off golf.  Stuart Earle of the Westfield Golf & Country Club (77, 70, 71, 69 / 287) would fire a four under par (-4), 69, on the day thanks to six birdies and two bogeys, to hold down fourth spot while the host Fraser Edmundston Golf Club’s Bastien Nadeau (77, 74, 73, 69 / 293) would eagle the 9th, birdie the 10^th, 15^th and 17^th and bogey the 16^th to post a four under par (-4), 69, of his own to edge out Westfield’s Nick Earle  (78, 73, 73, 70 / 294) for 5th overall.

In the Mid-Amateur division it was Landry (71, 70, 73, 68 / 282) and Roach (72, 66, 71, 77 / 286) leading the way with the Country Meadows Golf Club’s Stuart Musgrave (73, 74, 74, 77 / 286) in third position and Riverside’s Ed Reevey (75, 76, 74, 73 / 298) and Kingswood’s David Blais (78, 75, 70, 75 / 298) rounding out the top five in a tie for fourth.

The turnaround award on day four goes to the Kingswood Golf & JH Sports’ Andrew MacDonald, who’s final round four under par (-4), 69, was a full 10 shots better than his day three total.

In addition to the NB Men’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships, Golf NB also named six individuals who have earned the opportunity to represent the province at two of Golf Canada’s top amateur championships.  Members of Golf NB’s Willingdon Cup Team, that will represent the province at the 2019 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championships to be held from August 5^th to 8^th, 2019 at the Glen Arbour Golf Course & The Links at Brunello in Halifax, Nova Scotia are Calvin Ross, Stuart Earle, Bastien Nadeau and with Nick Earle serving as the first alternate.

2019 NB Willingdon Cup Team – L to R: Bastien Nadeau, Calvin Ross, Stuart Earle

In addition to the naming of the Willingdon Cup Team, Golf NB also identified two members of Team NB who have earned the
opportunity to compete at the 2019 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships to take place from August 20^th to 23^rd at the Summit Golf Club in Toronto, Ontario.  With champion Michel Landry unable to attend this year’s championships, Golf NB’s 2019 NB Men’s Mid-Amateur Team will consist of Darren Roach and Stuart Musgrave, with the third and final position on Team NB, along with the first alternate position, being awarded later this month at the 2019 Argus Audiology NB Men’s Mid-Master Championship, to be held at the Aroostook Valley County Club from Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club from August 22 to 24, 2019.

• For more information on the 2019 RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur Championship, including results and tee times, please CLICK HERE.
• For more information on the Fraser Edmundston Golf Club please visit: CLICK HERE.

For more information on RBC Dominion Securities please visit: www.rbcds.com.

by Golf NB

For Full Results – Click Here
For Men’s Mid-Amateur Results – Click Here
For Final Round Tee Times & Pairings – Click Here

Entering Saturday’s third round of the 2019 RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur Championship, at the Fraser Edmundston Golf Club, leaders Darren Roach of The Riverside Golf Club, Michel Landry of Fredericton Golf Club and Calvin Ross who represents Kingwood Golf and JH Sports would continue to dominate the field. Throughout their outward nine, Roach, by his standards, would show his first signs of struggle, bogeying the par four 1st and 6th, but with the help of his birdie on the par 5 third and by parring his remaining six holes, he would make the turn with his first over par side of the event, a one over par (+1), 38.  Roach’s inward nine would see the two time champion (2010, 2016) make 3 birdies at the 11th, 13th and 18th for a three under par (-3), 33, and a third round total of two under par (-2), 71/209.

Calvin Ross would also have a rocky start on day 3 with bogeys at the 1st and the 4th before getting the shots back by capitalizing on Fraser Edmundston two par 5’s as he has all week.  Birdies on the par five 5th and 9th holes would allow Ross to post an even par (E), 37, at the turn.  Ross` back nine would go on to showcase his abilities, as he would birdie the par five 11th, par three 12th and par four 17th.  He would end his third day with a three under par (-3), 70, his lowest score yet, bringing his three day total to seven under par (-7), 212, three shots off of the pace.

An uncharacteristically up and down first nine holes, would see the Fredericton Golf Club’s Michel Landry make the turn with an even par (E), 37, on the back of birdies at the 2nd, 5th and 9th offset by bogeys at #1, #7 and #8.  Landry would right the ship on the back nine carding 6 consecutive pars before getting himself to one under (-1) on the day with a  birdie at the par four 16th.  Another par at the 17th would see him looking to close the gap opened up by Roach and Ross, but a long approach into the Fraser Edmundston Golf Club’s narrow 18th green would cost Landry another shot and see him close out Saturday’s round with an even par (E), 73, and a three day total of five under par (-5), 214.

A two under par (-2), 71, on day three would help to break the Westfield Golf & Country Club`s Stuart Earle free of a three way tie, into solo 4th.  The McGill University golf product would get off to a bumpy start with bogeys at the 1st and 2nd, but a birdie on the difficult par four 7th would seem to kick start his round.  Despite bogeying the par three 8th, Earle would bounce back with an eagle, three, at the par five 9th to make the turn in with an even par (E), 37.  A birdie at the 10th and a bogey at the 11th would keep him even on the day, but consecutive birdies at the par three 12th, the par four 13th and 14th holes would get to three under (-3) on the round.  Another bogey at the 191 yard, par three 15th would be the final blemish on Earle`s card as he would get it to the house from there with three day total of one under par (-1), 218.

Rounding out the top five is the Country Meadows Golf Club`s Stu Musgrave.  Musgrave would card a one over par (+1), 74, on the day thanks to four birdies, three bogeys and one double good for a three day total of two over par (+2), 221.
The final round of the 2019 RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur Championship gets underway on Sunday, July 14, 2019 at 8:00am off of the 1^st and 10^th tees, with the leaders teeing off in the final paring of the day at 9:20am off of the Fraser Edmundston Golf Club’s first tee.

• For more information on the 2019 RBC Dominion Securities NB Men’s Amateur Championship, including results and tee times, please CLICK HERE.
• For more information on the Fraser Edmundston Golf Club please visit: CLICK HERE.
• For more information on RBC Dominion Securities please visit: rbcds.com.

The title sponsor of the 2018 NB Men’s Amateur Championship is once again RBC Dominion Securities. RBC Dominion Securities was introduced as the title sponsor for the NB Amateur Championship in 2007.  RBC Dominion Securities has been Canada’s premier provider of Investment Advice since 1901.  With offices in Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John and Sussex, RBC Dominion Securities offers New Brunswick investors and businesses superior access to the most comprehensive wealth management services in the province.

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.