When Naomi Ko first took up the sport of golf, the goal was simple: to score a golf scholarship to a U.S. College. Over the years, that goal has evolved for the talented golfer from Victoria, British Columbia.

Having recently graduated from North Carolina State University on a full golf scholarship, the 21-year-old has fulfilled that childhood goal; and is now focusing on new challenges and an exciting journey ahead.

Looking back, Ko is amazed at how far she’s come since her mom, Adriana, introduced her to the sport at the age of 11.

“I actually played soccer when I was younger; but my mom got me into golf…She heard from a friend that you could get a scholarship playing golf and introduced me to the game,” she recalled.

Ko says her older sister and younger brother were also introduced to golf but she was the only one who found her passion in the sport.

She remembers her first time playing on the golf course was quite the learning experience.

“When I started, I was hitting at the range for the first seven or eight months. And the first time I went out on the course it was with some older girls and I wasn’t prepared at all,” she reminisced fondly.

“I brought golf balls from the range as opposed to normal golf balls. That was a lesson learned there,” she said with a laugh.

Ko first realized she had a special talent for golf in her early teens after scoring full status on the AJGA Tour.

“I think I was 13 or 14 years old and I played in an AJGA tournament which I won.  And it gave me full status on the AJGA Tour – which was a big deal at the time.”

The now 21-year-old says her seven years on the National Team Program has been instrumental in taking her game to that next level.

“We have support in all aspects of the game both on and off the golf course,” said Ko, the 2016 Canadian Junior Girls Champ.

“Being part of the program has given me the opportunity to travel and compete in some of the biggest junior and amateur tournaments around the world,” she added.

“Playing in those big tournaments is a reminder that there’s always someone better than you; and it’s also a reminder of the importance of working hard and improving and getting better each day.”

Tristan Mullally, the head coach of the Canadian Women’s National Team, speaks about the keys to Ko’s success.

“Naomi is strong off the tee and is a streaky putter when she gets it going,” said Mullally.

Tristan Mullally & Naomi Ko (Golf Canada)

“Naomi is low key and just goes about her business…She’s also someone who is very dedicated and has work really hard and she’s made improvements every year,” he continued.

“She’s had some great results winning the Canadian junior girls title in 2016 and had some strong results playing in the NCAA.”

Ko says playing in the NCAA was important to her overall development.

“Having to balance school and playing golf definitely taught me the importance of time management, being organized, and working as a team,” Ko pointed out.

“Overall, it was a really a good experience but I feel now that I’m ready to take the next step in my golf career.”

Having achieved a degree is sports management, Ko now has her sights set on the next big challenge – making it on the LPGA Tour.

Although she’s been dealing with a shoulder injury, Ko was able to win her sectional qualifier in Oregon last month and scored a spot for the U.S. Women’s Open.

Despite the fact that she wasn’t able to play her best golf at the LPGA major because of her shoulder injury, the recent NC State University graduate certainly learned a lot from the experience of being on the course with the best in the game.

And while the journey towards achieving status on the LPGA Tour promises to be an exciting one, Ko is grateful to have met and exceeded her original goals on the golf course.

With that said, the 21-year-old was asked what her advice would be for those aspiring young golfers eager to play the sport at a similar high level one day.

“There may be times where you don’t feel like you’re making progress.  But you will see the results come if you put in hours. So be patient and keep working hard,” Ko replied thoughtfully.

“Also, make sure that you learn from the ups and down and try to enjoy every moment of the journey.”

While the 63-year-old St. Catharines native won’t be teeing it up with the best on the PGA Tour, it will mark the first time he’s visited the historic Harry S. Colt layout since winning the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship in 1977.

It’s hard to believe that Rod hasn’t been back, but that will change when he’s inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame on Tuesday, June 4 during RBC Hall of Fame day at the RBC Canadian Open.

When the 22-year-old collegiate golfer arrived at HGCC in the summer of 1977, he was just happy to be playing at the private country club where his dad caddied as a kid in the 1940s. Nobody expected Rod to win, as seasoned BC amateur Jim Nelford was trying to make it three consecutive Canadian Men’s Amateur Championships, but Spittle’s parents watched from the sidelines as their son made a name for himself.

“It was a huge victory for me and so unexpected. I was home from school for the summer looking to play a few tournaments and it all came together,” says Rod, who didn’t play much on the Ohio State men’s golf team in his first two years – that changed after winning our national amateur championship.

“It was the biggest tournament I had won to that point. Looking back over 40-plus years of golf, it remains significant in my journey, because I learned what it felt like to win for the very first time. It gave me some confidence and the drive to take my game to a higher level,” he adds.

”To be able to go out a year later and win the title for a second consecutive time at Laval-sur-le-Lac was another incredible moment. I’m very proud of both trophies,” says Spittle, who won by a commanding 10 strokes in Quebec.

Rod’s victory at HGCC, which was hosting the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship for a fifth time, wasn’t nearly as convincing. Nelford was highly favoured to become the first person to win the championship threeyears in a row since the great George Lyon accomplished the feat from 1905 to 1907.

The opening two rounds of medal play suggested an easy Nelford victory. Jim’s first-round 69 was followed by a brilliant performance on the second day, during which he tied the course record of 64 that had stood since 1930, when the great Tommy Armour established it en route to winning the RBC Canadian Open that year.

Nelford’s 36-hole total of 133 gave him an impressive seven-shot lead over Spittle, but a third round 73 saw his lead reduced to four, before a closing-round 75 left him two shots back of the mark set by Spittle, who posted scores of 72-68-70-69 over the four days of competition.

“After the first two rounds Jim had a seven-stroke lead and all the reporters were writing that it was almost a foregone conclusion that he was going to win the championship, and that the rest of the field was playing for second and third place,” says Rod. “After the first two rounds I just dug in and tried to make every shot count. I was playing well and slowly chipped away at the lead. There wasn’t a lot of pressure on me. Nobody was expecting me to win, but in the back of my mind I believed that I wasn’t out of it.”

The two leaders didn’t play in the same group for the final round, so they only had glimpses of each other over the closing holes. Rod birdied No. 17 after hitting the green in two on the par-5, and then he bogeyed No. 18, but it was enough for the two-stroke win.

In the Willingdon Cup, the Ontario team of Gary Cowan, Ian Thomas, Nick Weslock and Spittle posted a 215 on the first day and a 213 on the second day for a total of 428, which gave them the victory by 11 shots over Alberta.

Rod graduated from Ohio State in 1978 with a degree in Business Administration. After a brief stint as a professional golfer and not enjoying life on the road, he opted to focus on supporting his family by selling insurance for 25 years in Dublin, Ohio, and continuing his passion for the game in amateur golf.

In 2006, Spittle and his wife, Ann, left their regular jobs behind and made a five-year plan to fulfill the dream of playing professional golf. In 2009, four years into that plan, Spittle’s goal of being a full-time Tour professional took a severe hit after he failed to secure his PGA Champions Tour card.

In 2010, the final year of the five-year plan, Rod was forced to Monday qualify into events. Playing with limited status, Spittle got into only five events the entire season. He Monday qualified into the final event of the year, the AT&T Championship in San Antonio, and in a storybook ending, he played stellar golf all week to beat Jeff Sluman in a playoff for his first-ever professional title. Just like that, his dream of playing professional golf, nearly dead and gone, gained new life with a full exemption for 2011 as a PGA Tour Champions winner.

Spittle stats are remarkable! In 195 starts over his 13-year PGA Tour Champions career, Rod missed just five cuts and earned more than $4M in prize money. He never missed more than one cut in any year, and played nine full seasons without missing a single cut. He had a pair of runner-up finishes, a pair of third-place finishes and 23 top-10s. He played his final PGA Tour Champions event on home soil, finishing T17 at the 2018 Shaw Charity Classic.

CALGARY, CANADA – SEPTEMBER 1: Rod Spittle of Canada hits his tee shot on the 7th hole during the second round of the Shaw Charity Classic at the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club on September 1, 2018 in Calgary, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

On the personal level, he and his wife Ann have three children (Leslie, Steve and John) and seven grandchildren. His mother still lives in Niagara Falls. His father passed away in 2010 at the age of 84, six months before Rod won in San Antonio.

“It’s very exciting thinking about going into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. It’s been very emotional. I’m looking forward to it, and to be able to go back to Hamilton G&CC, where I enjoyed that first win four decades ago, is going to be very special,” Spittle says. “It’s been a great run. I could never have dreamt up a story like this when I won the Canadian Am at HGCC in 1977.”

While he may not have been able to dream it, there is an undeniable symmetry to that national championship of 42 years ago in Ancaster. Rod first took up the game of golf at age 10 when his father became one of 25 original founders of Willodell G&CC in Niagara Falls. The course designer was none other than Nicol Thompson, who, from 1912-1945, was the head professional of Hamilton G&CC.

World No. 1 Brooks Koepka, World No. 2 Dustin Johnson, World No. 4 Rory McIlroy and World No. 6 Justin Thomas along with past Major champions Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Zach Johnson and Henrik Stenson headline exciting field for Canada’s National Open Championship

Canadian tournament exemptions include 2019 Web.com Tour winner Michael Gligic; European Tour player Austin Connelly; PGA TOUR China winner Richard Jung;  PGA TOUR Latinoamerica winner Drew Nesbitt; and Team Canada members Joey Savoie, Josh Whalen, and Chris Crisologo

Corey Conners, Adam Hadwin, Mackenzie Hughes, David Hearn, Nick Taylor, Ben Silverman, Roger Sloan, Adam Svensson, and Mike Weir headline list of 20 Canadians set to compete at Hamilton Golf and Country Club from June 3-9.

HAMILTON (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada and RBC are pleased to announce the final field vying for the US$7.6 million purse at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, June 3-9 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

World no. 2 and Team RBC member Dustin Johnson will try to defend his title against a stellar field of PGA TOUR stars led by World No. 1 and 2019 PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka. World No. 4 Rory McIlroy along with World No. 6 Justin Thomas will make their RBC Canadian Open debut and will be joined at Hamilton by former Masters champions Sergio Garcia, Danny Willet and Bubba Watson.

Other notable additions to the field for the 110th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship include FedExCup leader Matt Kuchar, Major champions Zach Johnson, Henrik Stenson, Jason Dufner, Padraig Harrington, Keegan Bradley and Jimmy Walker, along with former world No. 1 Luke Donald.

Johnson, a 20-time winner on the PGA TOUR, and Kuchar, a nine-time PGA TOUR winner will lead a roster of Team RBC players at Hamilton Golf and Country. Team RBC has seen unprecedented success in 2019 as Ryan Palmer, Graeme McDowell, Canadian Corey Conners, Johnson, and Kuchar have all won on the PGA TOUR.

Other Team RBC players competing including world no. 19 Webb Simpson, 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker; Jim Furyk, a 17-time winner and two-time RBC Canadian Open champion, including at Hamilton in 2006; along with fellow Canadian Team RBC players Adam Hadwin, David Hearn, Nick Taylor, Ben Silverman, and Roger Sloan round out the contingent.

“The field is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory and we’re ready to welcome the best players in the world teeing it up at the 110th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship,” said Tournament Director Bryan Crawford. “This year’s championship features a great mix of stars from all around the world, more than 30 combined Major titles and the deepest field of Canadian talent ever to challenge for our National Men’s Open title. Along with great golf, we’ll be offering fans so many great on-site experiences from our key partners, a new food initiative to try some of Hamilton’s best restaurants, and thanks to the RBCxMusic Concert series, fans can take in music from Florida Georgia Line and The Glorious Sons on Friday and Saturday.”

In total, 156 players will compete for the US$7.6 million purse next week in Hamilton when the RBC Canadian Open returns to the storied club for the first time since 2012 and sixth time ever.

Click here for a full field list for the 2019 RBC Canadian Open

PGA TOUR Season Winners…
A total of 11 in-year PGA TOUR winners (accounting for 13 PGA TOUR titles in 2018-19) will compete at Hamilton Golf and Country Club led by two-time winners Brooks Koepka (THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES, PGA Championship) and Matt Kuchar (Mayakoba Golf Classic and Sony Open). Other 2018-19 season winners include Kevin Tway (Safeway Open), Adam Long (Desert Classic), Martin Trainer (Puerto Rico Open), Dustin Johnson (WGC-Mexico Championship), Rory McIlroy (THE PLAYERS Championship), Graeme McDowell (Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship), Corey Conners (Valero Texas Open), Ryan Palmer (partnered with Jon Rahm at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans), and Sung Kang (AT&T Byron Nelson).

Past Champions…
Two past winners at Hamilton Golf and Country Club will be returning to familiar territory this year as 2006 winner Jim Furyk and 2012 winner Scott Piercy are in the field this year. Furyk also won the 2007 Canadian Open. Two other past RBC Canadian Open winners in the field at Hamilton are Brandt Snedeker (2013) and Dustin Johnson (2018).

The 2003 RBC Canadian Open was contested at Hamilton and won by Bob Tway. His son, Kevin Tway, will be in the field.

Twenty Canadians to compete for the National Men’s Open Title…
Leading the Canadian contingent at Hamilton will be Abbotsford, B.C. native and world No. 77 Adam Hadwin, who will return to Hamilton to play in his 10th RBC Canadian Open. Other confirmed Canadians include past PGA TOUR winners Mackenzie Hughes of nearby Dundas, Ont., Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., and Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C. round out Canada’s PGA TOUR contingent along with Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir, making his 28^th start at the Canadian Open.

Canadians receiving exemptions into this year’s RBC Canadian Open include Ryan Yip of Calgary along with Toronto natives Richard Jung and Drew Nesbitt.

Three members of Canada’s National Men’s Team—Joey Savoie of LaPrairie, Que., Chris Crisologo of Richmond, B.C. and Josh Whalen of Napanee, Ont.—have also received exemptions.

Dual-citizen and European Tour player Austin Connelly of Claire, N.S., who was recently announced as one of Canada’s representative for the upcoming Pan-Am Games in Lima, Peru, will play his third RBC Canadian Open.

Burlington’s Michael Gligic, a winner on the Web.com Tour in 2019, has earned a spot in the field as the highest-ranked golfer on the Web.com Tour’s season-long points list who played on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada in 2018.

Marc-Etienne Bussieres of Quebec earned a place in this year’s RBC Canadian Open after finishing No. 1 on the PGA of Canada’s Order of Merit in 2018.

Local resident Michael Blair of Ancaster, Ont. won the Ontario Regional Qualifier to earn his spot in the field and amateur Matt Anderson of Mississauga, Ont. earned his spot by winning the Quebec Regional Qualifier.

Each of the 21 Canadian players in the field will look to become the first Canadian to capture the national title since Pat Fletcher accomplished the feat in 1954.

Two-time reigning Canadian Men’s Amateur Zach Bauchou of Forest, Virginia along with 2018 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur champion Joseph Deraney of Lexington, Kentucky will also compete at Hamilton.

Final Tournament Exemptions to be Named…
Following the Bayview Place DCBank Open presented by Times Colonist on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, the winner will earn an exemption to play in the 2019 RBC Canadian Open.

The final four exemptions into the field for the 2019 RBC Canadian Open will be handed out at the Monday Qualifier on June 3, to be played at Heron Point Golf Links near Ancaster, Ont.

Tickets for available rounds of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open can be purchased at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

After each stroke you make on a hole, you are supposed to find and play that same ball. Most of the time, it is possible to identify your ball without lifting it. But occasionally you need to lift it to do so.

Click here to learn more about the Modernized Rules of golf.

PONOKA, Alta. – The 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship is set to begin Thursday at Wolf Creek Golf Resort.

With support from Alberta Golf, the Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship is the third of eight junior championships presented by Golf Canada in partnership with Acura. The 54-hole stroke play tournament will begin with a practice round on May 30, before the tournament gets underway with round one on May 31.

Wolf Creek Golf Resort is the largest golf facility in Central and Northern Alberta. Designed by Rod Whitman, Wolf Creek boasts 36 holes and offers more selection than any course in the province.

“Golf Canada and Alberta Golf are excited to present the 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship,” said Akash Patel, the Tournament Director and Rules and Competitions Coordinator with Golf Canada. “We are confident that the Links Course here at Wolf Creek Golf Resort will challenge Canada’s premier junior golfers and allow them the opportunity to showcase their skills.”

The field will consist of 81 golfers in the Junior Boys Division with the top five earning exemptions into the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship on Aug. 11-15 at Covered Bridge Golf & Country Club in Hartland, N.B. Should there be a tie for the fifth position, a playoff will be conducted following the conclusion of play.

The Junior Girls Division will consist of 26 golfers, with the top five (including ties) earning an exemption into the 2019 Canadian Junior Girls on July 29 – Aug. 2 at Lethbridge Country Club in Lethbridge, Alta.

Five additional Future Links, driven by Acura Championship will span the country this year;

• June 7-9 – Future Links, driven by Acura Quebec – Joly, Que. – Club de golf Les Boisés de Joly
• June 14-16 – Future Links, driven by Acura Prairie – Yorkton, Sask. – Deer Park Golf Course
• July 16-18 – Future Links, driven by Acura Atlantic – Fredericton, N.B. – Mactaquac Golf Course
• 20-22 – Future Links, driven by Acura Fall Series – Lachute, Que. – Club de golf Lachute
• 27-29 – Future Links, driven by Acura Fall Series – Crown Isle Golf Resort – Courtenay, B.C.

There have already been two Future Links, driven by Acura Championships so far in 2019.

The Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship took place May 10-12, where Michael Crisologo and Lauren Kim won their respective divisions. Additional information regarding the 2019 Future links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship, including full scoring can be found here.

At the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship, Tristan Renaud won the boys’ division and Angela Arora won the girls’ division. More information regarding the 2019 Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship can be found here.

Prior to the championship on Thursday, May 30, Golf Canada and Special Olympics Canada will hold a regional competition in support of Special Olympics golf. This is the third such competition this year, as Special Olympics golf events were also held at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship and the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship. A field of 14 local athletes will compete over nine holes. Following the event, PGA of Canada professionals will conduct a clinic for Special Olympics coaches and athletes, focusing on improving skills and leadership within the sport.

NOTABLES

Ethan Choi, Pincher Creek, Alta.
Choi has already earned an exemption into the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship by finishing in the top five at the Future Links, driven by Acura Pacific Championship.

Annabelle Ackroyd, Calgary
Ackroyd led heading into the final round at last year’s Future Links, driven by Acura Western Championship.

Sarah Gallagher, Burlington, Ont.
This is Gallagher’s second Future Links Championship in as many weeks. She finished third at the Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship.

FAST FACTS

In 2019, Golf Canada is conducting its six regional Future Links, driven by Acura Championships in conjunction with the Provincial Associations, in addition to the two Fall Series events.

The top five finishers in the Boys’ Division earn exemptions into the 2019 Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

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

Team Canada National Junior Squad member Kai Iguchi went wire-to-wire to win the junior boys division last year.

Taylor Stone won the junior girls division by coming from behind on the final day.

More information about the tournament can be found here.

PGA TOUR champion and Team RBC member Corey Conners previews Hamilton Golf & Country Club, site of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open.

KOMOKA, Ont. – The skies remained overcast, and Western and Laval stayed on top of the leaderboard for the third consecutive day in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, at the Canadian University/College Championship at FireRock Golf Club Thursday.

The Western University Mustangs maintained their lead atop the standings after round three, thanks to Charles Fitzsimmons, who shot an even-par 72 and Jackson Bowery, who signed a 1-over-par 73 scorecard. The Mustangs now sit at 8-under for the tournament, six shots ahead of the University of Victoria Vikes. At one point in the day, the Mustangs’ lead over the Vikes was 12 shots.

“I’m thrilled with the way we’ve played this week,” said Western men’s golf head coach Jim Waite. “We played superbly the first two days. We hit a bit of a hiccup today, which brings us back to the field. It will be on us tomorrow to do it again with people behind us.”

In the women’s team division, Laval’s Catherine Gariépy and Anais Galas both shot four-over on day three, helping to maintain the Rouge et Or’s cushion over the field. The three-time defending champion University of British Columbia Thunderbirds are six shots behind Laval, at 40-over.

“I feel they’re doing great,” Laval women’s head coach Kevin Bergeron said of his players. “They’re driving really well. It’s a course where you need a good drive and they’re hitting a lot of greens in regulation.”

Fitzsimmons continues to lead the men’s individual competition at 7-under, but two of his opponents rocketed up the leaderboard. Mackenzie Dasti (Ontario Tech University) now sits one shot back after shooting 4-under 68, and Baptiste Mory (Laval) is at 5-under.

In the individual women’s division, Gariépy of Laval leads by two strokes after carding a 4-over 77 in round three, and the leaderboard is tight behind her. Sukriti Harjai (University of Victoria) and Shania Remandaban (University of British Columbia) sit at 11-over on the tournament, two shots back of Gariépy heading into the final round.

The Women’s and Men’s Individual winners receive an exemption into their respective Canadian Amateur Championship.

Click here for more information on the event, including tomorrow’s tee times and full leaderboard.

KOMOKA, Ont. – On Sunday, May 26, the London Junior Golf Development Centre at FireRock Golf Club and PGA of Canada professional Brian Gallant were honoured as the 2018 Future Links Facility of the Year.

The London Junior Golf Development Centre had over 300 participants in its Future Links, driven by Acura Learn to Play program in 2018. In addition, Gallant and his academy staff have fostered relationships with a number of local schools running the Future Links Golf in Schools program and have hosted them on field trips to the facility.

FireRock has grown their junior program from just 20 kids in 2012 to almost 500 in 2018, an exceptional accomplishment and testament to their dedication to future of the sport.

A unique initiative Gallant took was approaching Oxbow Glen Golf Course to provide two additional tee blocks that play from 3,000 yards and 3,600 yards. The shorter distance is ideal for juniors just starting the sport, and Oxbow Glen became the first course in the London-area offering six tee blocks.

Golf Canada senior manager of grow the game, Adam Hunter was on hand to celebrate the achievement with Gallant and the FireRock Golf Club staff. Prior to the award presentation and BBQ reception, Gallant lead a junior golfers through a Future Links Junior Skills Challenge.

Gallant has been teaching golf since 2005 and has been previously recognized on the local and provincial level. In 2011, he was awarded the Ontario Coaching Excellence Award and the Ontario Golf Coach Award for his dedication to recreational and grass roots golf.

This is a busy week for FireRock Golf Club, as the course is welcoming the best student-athlete golfers for the Canadian University/College Championship.

The inaugural Future Links Facility of the Year Award was presented in 2013.

KOMOKA, Ont. – Under overcast skies, the Canadian University/College Championship got underway Tuesday at FireRock Golf Club, resulting in a  three-way tie for the lead in the men’s division. Kate Johnston of the University of British Columbia (UBC) paced the women’s division, ending the day with a one-stroke advantage.

Charles Fitzsimmons of the Western University Mustangs shot 3-under par 69 to share first place, helping the Mustangs take control of the men’s team championship, while Catherine Gariépy paced the Université de Laval Rouge et Or women to first place, with a 1-over 74.

Playing a mere 15 minutes from their London, Ont. campus, the Mustangs are four strokes ahead of the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks and the Université de Laval Rouge & Or. Western is 2 under par after round one.

Three players are nose-to-nose in the men’s individual championship. Fitzsimmons, Michael Harrison (Augustana University) and Jaron Brown (Wilfrid Laurier University) all signed off on 3-under scorecards, establishing a one-stroke lead over the field.

UBC’s Kate Johnston of Ayr, Ont., fired an even-par 73, finishing one shot ahead of Gariépy in the women’s individual competition. A UBC Thunderbird has won the individual women’s title in each of the last three years.

Shania Remandaban (UBC), Laura Upenieks (University of Toronto) and Sukriti Harjai (University of Victoria) each carded 4-over 77, and are T3 behind Johnston and Gariépy.

Laval hold a one shot advantage over the Thunderbirds in the women’s team competition. The Rouge & Or collectively registered 15-over-par 234 in round one.

The individual champions in the women’s and men’s competitions receive exemptions into their respective Canadian Amateur Championship.

Click here for more information on the event, including tomorrow’s tee times and full leaderboard.

Top-5 Men’s – Team

1. Western Mustangs, *143-143-286 -2
2. Laurier Golden Hawks, *148-142-290 +2
3. Laval Rouge et Or, *143-147-290 +2
4. UBC Thunderbirds, *145-147-292 +4
5. Waterloo Warriors, *144-149-293 +5

Top-5 Men’s – Individual

1. Jaron Brown, Laurier Golden Hawks, *35-34-69 -3
2. Charles Fitzsimmons, Western Mustangs, *35-34-69 -3
3. Michael Harrison, Augustana Vikings, *34-35-69 -3
4. Jackson Bowery, Western Mustangs, *36-34-70 -2
5. Gordon Gibson, Toronto Varsity Blues, *35-35-70 -2
6. Cameron Griffin, Humber Hawks, *34-36-70 -2
7. Nicholas Workun, Ottawa Gee Gees, *37-33-70 -2

Top-5 Women’s – Team

1. Laval Rouge et Or, *115-119-234 +15
2. UBC Thunderbirds, *116-119-235 +16
3. Victoria Vikes, *119-118-237 +18
4. Waterloo Warriors, *123-125-248 +29
5. Montréal Carabins, *121-129-250 +31

Top-5 Women’s – Individual  

1. Kate Johnston, UBC Thunderbirds, *35-38-73 E
2. Catherine Gariépy, Laval Rouge et Or, *34-40-74 +1
3. Sukriti Harjai, Victoria Vikes, *38-39-77 +4
4. Shania Remandaban, UBC Thunderbirds, *37-40-77 +4
5. Laura Upenieks, Toronto Varsity Blues, *39-38-77 +4

Toronto, Ontario– Golf Canada and Audi Canada announced today a multi-year integrated partnership that will see the luxury automotive brand become the exclusive Premier Automotive Partner for Canada’s National Open Championships—the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open—as well as the Official Automotive Partner of Golf Canada’s National Team Program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Audi Canada as a fully integrated Premier Partner with Golf Canada’s National Open Championships and Team Canada,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Audi is an iconic brand, synonymous for driving excellence and premium craftsmanship. Our robust partnership touches virtually every level of Canadian golf and we look forward to integrating their progressive brand across Golf Canada’s signature properties as well as our community of member clubs and golfers.”

Through the multi-year partnership, Audi will work alongside Golf Canada to drive excellence in Canadian golf. As the Premier Automotive Partner for the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open, Audi will deliver a premium vehicle experience at Canada’s National Men’s and Women’s Open Championships. Audi owners will also be treated to an elevated event experience when they visit the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open, while fans onsite can enter to win hospitality upgrades and exclusive Audi Driving Experiences.

“Audi has been successfully involved in golf globally for more than two decades,” said Giorgio Delucchi, President of Audi Canada. “Technology, design and sportiness are values that characterize every Audi and which also contribute to the special fascination found in golf.”

Audi Canada’s multi-platform investment in Canadian golf will also benefit the athletes, coaches and sport science team that comprise Golf Canada’s National Team Program including the Team Canada Junior, Amateur and Young Pro Squads. Audi Canada’s partnership will also deliver an enhanced experience across Golf Canada’s digital network of web, social and golfer engagement platforms. The partnership will create a deepened community connection between Golf Canada Member Clubs and the Audi Canada dealer network across Canada.

We are happy to announce that we will be driving excellence in Canada by becoming an official partner of @GolfCanada. Keep an eye out for us at the @RBCCanadianOpen and the @cpwomensopen. pic.twitter.com/NQ6jm4gCMm

— Audi Canada (@AudiCanada) May 29, 2019

As the National Sport Federation, Golf Canada operates the RBC Canadian Open, June 3-9 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, as well as the CP Women’s Open which takes place August 19-25 at the Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont.

Giorgio Delucchi, President of Audi Canada speaks during the press conference. (Photo by Christian Bender / Golf Canada)