Fitzsimmons maintains lead ahead of final round at Men’s Mid-Am
Golf New Brunswick
THORNHILL, Ont. – The rain came and went on Thursday at The Thornhill Club, but, as it has all week, Charles Fitzsimmons’ lead remained through three rounds of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
Fitzsimmons didn’t even make it to the fairway on No. 1 before the rain started coming down. It was relentless, but so was he. Through the downpour, Fitzsimmons made a pair of birdies in his opening three holes to increase his lead to six shots in that moment. Bogeys on Nos. 6 and 7 offset the early birdies to re-establish the four-stroke lead that the defending champion will hold going into tomorrow’s final round.
“It brought me back to being a kid out there. No one would want to play, so I had the course to myself,” said Fitzsimmons of the heavy rain in the early stages of his round.
“I really just tried to hit a golf shot, then try to hit another and was fortunate enough to hit a couple of good ones and make some putts. Honestly, kind of a little surprised that it got off to such a good start in such tough conditions but that was nice.”
Fitzsimmons, who was born in North York but has since relocated to London, Ont., not only has an advantage on the golf course going into the final 18 holes, but off the playing surface as well. The Western University alumnus graduated with a PhD in Sports Psychology and now works as a Mental Performance Coach. If there’s anyone that can block out tomorrow’s noise, Fitzsimmons is as safe a bet as they come.
“It’s been a huge part of my development as a player and what’s helped me to get better over time and to be bale to stay calm and focused under pressure so that I can get some wins and play well in these bigger events,” said the 2021 Men’s Mid-Am champion. “There’s nothing that makes me happier than be able to coach somebody and help them to play better, but obviously it helps my own game too so it’s kind of nice that way.”
Fitzsimmons shot an even-par 70 on the day and will vie for his second consecutive Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship on Friday.
Ryan Tsang and Curtis Markusson are the men chasing him. Tsang also carded an even-par 70 to remain four strokes back of the lead. The Thornhill, Ont., native got out to a bumpy start, making bogeys on holes 1 and 6, but Tsang found his mojo with birdies on 8 and 9.
“Early in the day was lots of rain, so I tried to keep it together [and] not get too wet,” said Tsang. “Overall, played pretty good; parred every single hole on the back nine, really big par on 15 and really big par on 18.”
As for his game plan tomorrow: “Just go out there and have fun.”
Markusson is five off the lead following a one-over par 71. The Gimli, Man., native posted two bogeys, one birdie and 15 pars in the third round. He, too, is just looking to have fun on the golf course tomorrow. “I just prefer playing golf and the competition. It’s such a good atmosphere and there’s so many great players across the country […] If you can’t get excited for this in the game of golf at any time of day, you shouldn’t be golfing,” Markusson laughed.
The 40-year-old holds a four-stroke advantage in the Men’s Mid-Master division – a subdivision for players 40 and over. Mike Dinner is in second place, four strokes shy of Markusson’s lead.
On Wednesday, Team Ontario claimed the R. Bruce Forbes Trophy as champions of the Interprovincial Team competition. The victory marked the sixth consecutive provincial title for Ontario and 16th in the 29-year history of the team event.
Carrera wins 117th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship title
Vancouver, BC Ñ 04 August 2022
2022 Champion Luis Carrera
117th Canadian MenÕs Amateur Championship at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, BC.
(Photo: Chuck Russell/Golf Canada)
Golf New Brunswick
When Luis Carrera woke up this morning over 4800 kilometres from his hometown in Mexico City, Mexico, the Canadian Men’s Amateur title was an attainable dream he could visualize if he stayed confident. Clearly, the strategy worked. Carrera fired a 66 during the final round at Point Grey Golf and Country Club to claim the title for the117th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
“I was like, I think I can win this if I play good, but I’ve got to go get it,” said Carrera. “I’ve got to go take the chances that I get, and I’ve got to make some putts, and I knew I had to come and play well.”
The 22-year-old came out of the gate hot this morning when he made eagle on his first hole. The momentum catapulted him up the leaderboard and his consistent play awarded him a solid, bogey-free round.
“I made some good putts today,” he recalled about his most memorable moments of the tournament. “But I think the eagle on one [would be the most memorable]. That really got me going.”
Carrera might be a long way from home, but the University of Central Florida senior quickly won over the hometown crowd at Point Grey. With a near-tangible excitement, a beaming Carrera hoisted the prestigious Earl Grey Cup to a round of enthusiastic applause and, after a quick lesson, sabered a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
“It feels amazing,” said Carrera of the victory. I’ve worked really hard for events and to finally see the results and to win such a great event, it feels amazing. It’s such an honour and I’m so happy to do it.”
With the win, Carrera becomes only the second Mexican golfer and first since Rafael Alarcon in 1979 to take home the title.
Arriving at the course on Tuesday, the 22-year old found an unexpected piece of home when he ran into Rodrigo Pena, a golf services employee at Point Grey Golf and Country Club and an old friend who shared membership at same club in Mexico City. The surprise clandestine meeting led to Rodrigo serving as Carrera’s caddie for the final round and, well, the rest is history.
During round 2, Carrera unexpectedly ran into an old friend from home (Mexico City, Mexico) who now works at host club Point Grey G&CC.
Rodrigo Peña stepped in to serve as caddie for the final round and, well, the rest is history 🏆 pic.twitter.com/6IR4hq3jcf
Carrera and Mississauga, Ont. native Robbie Latter went wire to wire for the majority of the day, with Latter finishing just two strokes back for the tournament at -8. In third place was Canadian Remi Chartier at 6-under.
When Carrera’s name is etched into the Earl Grey Cup later this year, he’ll join a list of notable Canadian Men’s Amateur Champions including PGA TOUR winner and Olympian Mackenzie Hughes (2011-12), PGA TOUR winner Nick Taylor (2007), Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Moe Norman (1955-56) and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Doug Roxburgh (1972, 1974, 1982, 1988) who was also in the field this week.
Along with the title, Carrera has earned an exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, as well as the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship being contested August 15-22 in Paramus, N.J. This was his first time competing in the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
Team Québec charged ahead to win the inter-provincial competition in a seven-stroke victory over the host squad, Team British Columbia. Laurent Desmarchais, Christopher Vandette, and William Forgues shot a collective 3-under to become the ninth team from Québec to secure the title since the Willingdon Cup became an annual competition in 1927. Reigning champions Team Ontario rounded out the top-3 at 6 over par.
Three Canadians at top of leaderboard following third round at Point Grey
Golf New Brunswick
Despite the threat of rain in the forecast, skies remained dry over Point Grey Golf and Country Club for round three of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO. Canadians Robbie Latter and Eric Zhao lit up the leaderboard today, each shooting a cool 65 in the third round to tie for the top spot.
Latter, who calls Mississauga, Ont. home, carded five birdies and an eagle to ascend 14 spots in the race for the 117th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship title. The Southern Miss sophomore finished T25 at last year’s event and won the Future Links (now NextGen) Québec Championship as a 17-year-old in 2018.
“My ball striking was very good today,” stated Latter. “Having my brother on the bag today definitely helped!”
Though 14-year-old Eric Zhao faced challenges on the 11th hole, the birdies far outweighed the bogeys with an impressive total of nine filling his scorecard. The west coast seems to be treating the National Junior Squad member quite well this season. In May, Zhao was crowned Champion of the Junior Boys Division at the NextGen Pacific Championship in Nanaimo, B.C.
“Today, I focused on staying patient and accepting the shots I hit,” said Zhao. “I only thought about my current shot and never the past or future ones. It did help as I made two bogeys and a double but being aware of my emotions and redirecting my focus allowed me to come back.”
In tomorrow’s final round, Zhao looks to stay consistently calm.
“I want to do something very similar tomorrow. My only expectation is that I learn from this experience playing under heavy pressure,” said a humble Zhao. “I also don’t want to overthink anything and just focus on each shot as I play it, and maybe I’ll go home proud of myself.”
Rounding out the top three is St-Célestin, Que. native Jean-Philippe Parr. The 18-year-old shot his lowest round of the tournament at 67 to sit one stroke off the lead. Parr is also a member of Team Canada’s National Junior Squad.
Tomorrow promises to be an exciting battle of top amateur talent with an exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, as well as the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship on the line. Not only will the winner etch their name into the historic Earl Grey Cup, but also into Canadian golf history – the competition being the oldest amateur championship in the country.
The awards ceremony will take place at approximately 3:00 p.m. PT at Point Grey Golf and Country Club.
Team Québec secures inter-provincial title; Turner takes lead
Golf New Brunswick
Team Québec charged ahead to win the inter-provincial competition in a seven-stroke victory over the host squad, Team British Columbia. Laurent Desmarchais, Christopher Vandette, and William Forgues shot a collective 3 under to become the ninth team from Québec to secure the title since the Willingdon Cup became an annual competition in 1927. Reigning champions Team Ontario rounded out the top-3 at 6 over par.
In the individual competition, American Elijah Turner rose nine spots on the leaderboard to lead the pack during Tuesday’s second round at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO. The 23-year-old from Highland, Utah limited himself to two bogeys at Seymour Golf and Country Club, carding four birdies and an eagle on his final hole, the 9th hole, to set himself up well at the halfway point of the tournament.
“My caddie is a local member at Seymour and he was great at helping me manage around the course,” said Turner of his round today at Seymour Golf and Country Club. “It was important for me to hit fairways and stay out of trouble as much as possible. I had a nice run with 3 birdies in a row that were set up with good drives off the tee. I think I’m a good driver of the ball and that strength certainly helped me today. Seymour’s greens were very demanding today with tough pin placements. It took a lot of patience out there today on those greens. Both courses are just excellent,” he added.
Following closely, 22-year-old, Michael Haranhan Smith shot a 66 today finishing one shot back at -5. Haranhan Smith is one of a trio of Australians competing this week, with all three advancing to the third round.
“I think this course is definitely the one to score on, the back 9 can be tricky but you can definitely get it going on the front,” said Haranhan Smith of this round at Point Grey Golf and Country Club. “I’m a relatively good iron player which suits this golf course and the greens are pretty large but you need to be in the right section to give yourself a chance at holing some putts.”
Five Canadians sit inside the top-10 in a tie for eighth place including Jean-Philippe Parr (St-Célestin, Que.), Alex Zhang (Richmond, B.C.), Eric Zhao (North York, Ont.), Keith Ng (Richmond, B.C.), and Kai Iguchi (Banff, Alta.),
The winner of the championship will earn an exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, as well as the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship being contested August 15-22 in Paramus, N.J.
The third round commences tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. PT at Point Grey Golf and Country Club.
Gutschewski leads by two at Canadian Men’s Amateur
Golf New Brunswick
Point Grey Golf and Country Club and Seymour Golf and Country Club played host to 250 golfers this holiday Monday as play commenced for the 117th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.
Elkhorn, Neb. native Luke Gutschewski had a hot start, making eight birdies to shoot a 65 for the day. Heading into his second season playing for Iowa State’s golf team, Gutschewski played a near bogey-free round, getting into the groove and making birdie on five consecutive holes in the middle of his round at Point Grey Golf & Country Club.
“I really just played solid all day, nothing too flashy,” said Gutschewski. “I did a good job of keeping it in play off the tee, left myself in good places when I missed greens, and then putted pretty nicely too.”
Despite the early lead, the 19-year-old isn’t getting too far ahead of himself. “It’s really a long week and we have a long way to go,” added Gutschewski. “If I can keep on doing what I’m doing and not get too wrapped up in the individual result of each shot then we can add up the scores at the end of the week and see what happens.”
Following closely, Banff, Alta. native Kai Iguchi sits just two strokes behind at -4. The 21-year-old recently finished fifth in the Alberta Men’s Amateur Championship and is competing in his first Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.
In addition to Iguchi, nine other Canadians ended round one inside the top-10 including Marc Sweeney (Saskatoon, Sask.), Christopher Vandette (Beaconsfield, Qué.), Jean-Philippe Parr (St-Célestin, Qué.), Jace Minni (Delta, B.C.), Nasheel Kassam (Vancouver, B.C.), Robbie Latter (Mississauga, Ont.), Tony Li (Vancouver, B.C.), Tyler Hull (Toronto, Ont.), Ryan McMillan (Winnipeg, Man.).
Tomorrow will mark the final day of play at Seymour Golf and Country Club after which the field will be cut to the low 70 players (including ties). The final 36 holes are scheduled to take place at Point Grey Golf and Country Club.
The winner of the championship will earn an exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, as well as the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship being contested August 15-22 in Paramus, N.J.
After the halfway point of the Inter-Provincial competition Team Quebec, consisting of Christopher Vandette, Laurent Desmarchais, and William Forgues, leads by three strokes over Team British Columbia. Nine provinces and two territories will continue to battle for the Willingdon trophy tomorrow with Team Ontario looking to rally to defend their 2019 title.
Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship set to tee off in Vancouver
JEFF VOGAN/ GOLF CANADA
Golf New Brunswick
The 117th installment of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, tees off this week with 252 amateur golfers taking the stage in Vancouver.
The championship, which was first held in 1895, is the oldest amateur championship in the country. The inaugural tournament, held at Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Qué., marked one of the first orders of business for the Royal Canadian Golf Association – now known commonly as Golf Canada.
One of nine national championships conducted by Golf Canada for the 2022 season, the Canadian Men’s Amateur will consist of 72 holes of stroke play taking place at two elite courses, Seymour Golf and Country Club, and Point Grey Golf and Country Club, with the latter celebrating its centennial anniversary. The field will be cut to the low 70 players (including ties) following 36 holes.
POINT GREY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Practice rounds are scheduled for July 30th – 31st before the tournament officially kicks off on August 1st. Rounds will be played simultaneously at both properties for the first two rounds, with the final round and awards ceremony taking place at Point Grey G&CC.
“Golf Canada is proud to host this historic championship and bring together a field of top competitors from all over the globe,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules. “Point Grey Golf and Country Club and Seymour Golf and Country Club are in excellent shape and will provide for an exciting competition as our competitors vie for the Earl Grey Cup.”
International talent will once again flock to the championship after COVID-19 complications restricted travel and thus, international inclusion. Among a field of strong international competitors are Connor Fewkes (Australia), Ching-Hung Su (Chinese Taipei), Jose Islas (Mexico), Tyler Wood (New Zealand), and Jackson Lake (U.S.A.).
As for the Canadian contingent, Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad member and Coquitlam, B.C. native A.J. Ewart will be counting on the home-province advantage to go all the way after finishing just two strokes shy of 2021 champion Max Sekulic last year. Other notable National Amateur Squad members in the field include Laurent Desmarchais (Longueuil, Qué.) and Chris Vandette (Beaconsfield, Qué.). Canadian Golf Hall of Famer and Vancouver, B.C. native Doug Roxburgh will be the only champion returning to the field having claimed titles in 1972, 1974, 1982, and 1988.
DOUG ROXBURGH AT THE 1974 CANADIAN MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
The winner of the championship will earn an exemption into the 2023 RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, as well as the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship being contested August 15-22 in Paramus, N.J.
New to this year’s tournament is a purse payout. To align with the modernized Rules of Amateur Status, players at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will now compete for a purse of $8,000 CAD. Amateur golfers may accept prize money up to a maximum of $1,200 CAD, and payouts will be awarded to the top-10 finishers and ties.
Among the notable Canadian champions are Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured members Moe Norman (Kitchener, Ont.), Nick Weslock (Winnipeg, Man.), Gary Cowan (Kitchener, Ont.) and Doug Roxburgh (Vancouver, B.C.). PGA TOUR champions Nick Taylor (Abbotsford, B.C.) and Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.) have also hoisted the coveted Earl Grey Cup.
SEYMOUR GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
The 36-hole inter-provincial competition for the Willingdon Cup will also return this year after a two-year hiatus. Team Ontario are the reigning champions and are set to defend their 2019 title.
More information about the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship can be found here.
Travale, Snyder and Sharpstene share lead at Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship
HAMMOND PLAINS, N.S. – Johnny Travale of Stoney Creek, Ont., David Snyder of McAllen, Tex., and Matt Sharpstene of Cornelius, N.C., each hold a share of the lead after the opening round of the 115th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship held at Glen Arbour Golf Course and co-hosted by The Links at Brunello.
Travale, Snyder and Sharpstene all carded rounds of 3-under-par 67 at Glen Arbour.
Travale, a former member of the Team Canada National Junior Squad, fired a bogey-free round that included back-to-back birdies on holes No. 5 and No. 6.
Snyder birdied three of his first five holes, playing even-par golf for the rest of his round. The 21-year-old won the 2019 NCAA Championship with Sandford University.
“The best part of my game today was my driving, I just kept it in good position all day,” said Snyder. “I didn’t have any tree trouble, which is possible out here, so it kept the round nice and smooth throughout all 18 holes. Tomorrow I’d like to get a little better with my wedges from 100 to about 130 yards. I feel like I had some opportunities today that I didn’t capitalize on.”
Sharpstene birdied all three par-5’s at Glen Arbour during his first career round in Canada, but a pair of bogeys brought him back to 3 under.
“I hit my tee ball really well,” said Sharpstene. “I didn’t put myself in any bad spots today. I made a couple of putts. The driver was key, so hopefully I can keep it going.”
Julien Sale, a Gatineau, Que., product representing France, is in fourth place at 2 under.
The players will switch courses for round two – any competitor who played round one at Glen Arbour will play at The Links at Brunello and vice versa.
Team Ontario consisting of Matthew Anderson (Mississauga, Ont.), Charles Fitzsimmons (London, Ont.) and Ty Celone (Long Sault, Ont.) jumped out to an early lead in the 36-hole inter-provincial competition for the Willingdon Cup. The trio combined for a score of 7 over par and a one-stroke lead.
Team Québec is in second place at 8 under par. The Willingdon Cup champion will be crowned on Tuesday at Glen Arbour.
In addition to claiming the title of 2019 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, the winner will earn exemptions into the 2019 U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C. and the 2020 RBC Canadian Open at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto from June 8-14.
The champion will also be eligible to receive an exemption into the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Mid-Amateur or the U.S. Senior Amateur, if applicable.
Players from a record 15 countries are competing at the 2019 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. This is the second Golf Canada championship conducted at Glen Arbour Golf Course, as the club hosted the 2005 CP Women’s Open, won by Meena Lee. Recent Golf Canada championships held in Nova Scotia have yielded some notable winners; Adam Svensson won the 2012 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, Garrett Rank won the 2015 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur and Hye-jin Choi was crowned the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion.
