The short game for First Tee programming may be rooted in golf, but the long game is much more than that. The main objective of First Tee – Canada youth development programming is for participants to use the life skills learned through golf to navigate their journeys through life and opportunities thought previously inaccessible.
Golf Canada launched its partnership with First Tee in 2020, and First Tee – Canada began in 2021 under the operation of its provincial chapters, delivering programming at golf facilities, schools, and community centres.
With summer programs wrapped up, First Tee – Ontario fall programming is underway at 20 locations across the province with curriculums developed for each environment and modified to different ages and abilities.
The activities use golf as a vehicle to reinforce life skills, focused on the program’s five key commitments: pursuing goals, growing through challenge, collaborating with others, building positive self-identity, and using good judgement. First Tee – Ontario provides instructors with interactive training, equipment, and turnkey lesson plans to deliver safe and inclusive programming.
JALANI MORGAN/ GOLF CANADA
Golf Canada’s commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusivity in golf is a driving force behind the growth of First Tee – Canada and its provincial chapters. The aim is to break down existing barriers to sport participation, particularly in traditionally marginalized communities, and ultimately diversify golf’s participant pool to more closely reflect the strength of Canada’s multiculturalism.
First Tee – Ontario Program Manager Amaya Athill is responsible for overseeing the implementation of programming across the province and having a hand in providing youth with empowering and life-changing experiences. At this year’s RBC Canadian Open, her team provided an extended experience for First Tee – Ontario community program participants from local Boys and Girls Clubs to show them what life on and off the tee box can look like.
“The messaging that children often see is that a successful career pathway in sports is to rise to the level of a professional competitor. There is so much that goes into running a professional golf tournament and event of that size, so the idea was to expose as many children as possible to a wider world of opportunities and careers within golf and the sports industry. This included behind-the-scenes tours of the agronomy, media, and volunteer services teams,” said Athill. “Access to these experiences and exposure to future opportunities in the sport is a gap we hope to bridge through First Tee.”
As both an accomplished human rights lawyer and golfer since the age of five, Athill’s professional background and personal relationship with the game intersect seamlessly with the First Tee program, as they all value accessibility and opportunity.
“This is just the beginning of First Tee – Ontario’s impact,” said Athill. “We look forward to making more connections with schools, coaches, and community centres, and providing more youth with access to golf, as well as inspiring experiences and opportunities.”
With Ontario’s chapter experiencing rapid short-term growth, Ian Gragtmans – First Tee – Ontario’s Founding Chapter Donor and Trustee – expressed excitement about recent strides and confidence that the Gragtmans Family Foundation’s decision to support this cause was the correct one.
His decision to support the launch of the program was less influenced by the game of golf, but rather by a desire to help support the long-term development journeys of First Tee program participants.
“It’s not just about the golf, it has everything to do with helping those that were underrepresented, and giving younger people a chance,” said Gragtmans. “I want to help those that probably don’t have a chance of coming out of whatever challenging time they’re going through.”
With the help of generous donors like the Gragtmans Family Foundation, Golf Canada has fast-tracked access to these spaces where youth can learn self-sustaining life skills in a program that has over 25 years of international experience.
Gragtmans shared his personal experience engaging people who were direct participants of First Tee in the U.S.
“I have been fortunate enough to spend time in the U.S. – meeting and speaking with some of the participants that have gone through the program, and it’s nothing shy of remarkable to see what the potential is for those that may not otherwise, if not for First Tee, had that opportunity, or exposure,” said Gragtmans.
The Golf Canada Foundation is continuously pursuing gifts, which allow First Tee – Ontario to expand its locations across the province and further impact the lives of Canadian youth. To get involved, please visit www.firstteeontario.ca.
De Groot, Rutherford, Ward, Ciot and Wong to represent Canada at 2nd PGA Women’s Cup in New Mexico
Golf New Brunswick
Teams from Canada, USA, Australia, Great Britain & Ireland, South Africa, and Sweden are set to head to Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico from October 24-29 for the second PGA Women’s Cup, where Canada will look to build on their runner-up finish from the 2019 event in Texas.
Two new players, Caroline Ciot and Katy Rutherford, will join second-time competitors Emma de Groot, Casey Ward and Christine Wong at Twin Warriors Golf Club. Wong was the top player on the Canadian squad in 2019, firing the team’s low score two out of three days in the form of a 70 and 71.
“I am so excited to head to New Mexico with this talented team of Canadian women to represent the PGA of Canada as playing captain,” said Emma de Groot. “The inaugural event in 2019 was such an amazing experience, and after a COVID hiatus we are excited to head to New Mexico and proud to represent the PGA of Canada. This event showcases women in the industry and provides an opportunity for collaboration, networking and competition against likeminded women with a desire to grow the game.”
Each of the five players will play their own ball each day, with the low three scores on each team counting for that round. The low aggregate score following the third round will determine the champion.
The players:
Emma de Groot Playing Captain Age: 34-years old (Modern Golf Teaching Professional)
Member of the 2019 Canadian Women’s PGA Cup Team. Holds the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s golf school records for tournament wins (6) and lowest career scoring average (74.5). She has notched 20-career top-5 finishes at the NCAA level. Since turning professional, the Modern Golf Director of Women’s Development has placed in the top-25 at the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship six times.
Katy Rutherford Age: 23-years old Silver Springs Golf and Country Club Apprentice Professional
Received an exemption into the 2021 ATB Financial Classic on the PGA TOUR Canada. Finished as the runner-up at the Glencoe Invitational in 2021, won the Calgary Ladies Amateur and finished 42nd in the 2021 Canadian Women’s Amateur in her final summer as an amateur. Was the runner-up to Christine Wong at the 2021 ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada. Most recently, won the PGA of Alberta Women’s Championship by nine strokes last month.
Casey Ward Age: 32-years old (Credit Valley Golf and Country Club Professional)
Member of the 2019 Canadian Women’s PGA Cup Team. Prior to turning professional, won the 2015 Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur, firing 3-under par over the three-day event. Was named the 2021 PGA of Ontario Teacher of the Year as the Head Teaching Professional at Credit Valley Golf Club and was also nominated for Canadian Teacher of the Year.
Caroline Ciot Age: 31-years old (Golf Chateau Bromont Apprentice Professional)
Held status on the Symetra Tour in 2019, playing in two events. Finished as the low PGA of Canada professional at the 2022 ORORO PGA Women’s Championship in Bromont, Quebec and finished fourth at the event in 2021. Also won the professional division of the 2022 Glencoe Invitational earlier this summer in Calgary, Alberta.
Christine Wong Age: 30-years old (University Golf Club Apprentice Professional)
Member of the 2019 Canadian Women’s PGA Cup Team. Alumnae of the Golf Canada National Women’s Amateur Squad (2011-2013) and National Junior Squad (2010), and represented San Diego State University from 2009-2013, winning four individual titles. In addition, Wong is a two-time BC Women’s Amateur Champion and was the second-lowest amateur at the U.S. Women’s Open held at Oakmont Country Club in 2010. Most recently, Wong claimed the PGA of B.C.’s Women’s Championship in 2020 and claimed the 2021 ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.
The first round is set to begin on October 27. More information and scoring can be found here.
Spain wins World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms
MARKHAM, ON - OCTOBER 15: competes at the 2022 World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms, at Angus Glen Golf Club.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Vogan/SPORTDAD Sports Photography
Golf New Brunswick
By: Dan Pino/Golf Canada
Canada 1 and Canada 2 finish sixth and eighth respectively in the team competition
Spain’s Cayetana Fernández finishes 6-under to win the individual title
MARKHAM, Ont. – Undeterred by cold and blustery conditions, Spaniard Cayetana Fernández saved her best for last at Angus Glen Club as the 17-year-old shot a final-round 2-under 70 to lead Spain to victory at the 2022 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by Sargent Farms.
Competitors faced challenging conditions Saturday that included a 46-minute weather delay with heavy morning winds in the Markham area. When play resumed, Fernández would emerge as one of only two players to score under par, leading Spain to victory and claiming the tournament’s individual title.
Fernández paired with teammate Andrea Revuelta to deliver Spain (140-143-146-146—575) a cumulative team score of 2-over on the day and 1-under for the tournament. The Spanish duo along with teammate Paula Martin, who shot a non-counting final-round 76, began the tournament as early favourites with all three players ranked inside the top-100 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
With the victory, the Spanish trio helped claim the country’s second-ever team title (2022 & 2017), joining the Republic of Korea (2019 & 2015) for most team titles at the annual World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by Sargent Farms.
“We are very proud to be world champions,” said Spanish team coach Alvaro Salto. “The golf course was tough test, it played really different conditions and the weather changed a lot, so patience was the key. With these three girls, we have a really special generation now in Spain, and with a few more that could have come to the team this year, we are in good position for the next two, three years.”
Team Sweden (147-138 -142-153—580), who entered final-round action with a two-shot lead over Spain, shot a cumulative score of 4-over to finish alone in second, five shots back. The runner-up placing was the Nordic country’s best result since finishing third in 2017.
Chinese Taipei (144-150-141-147—582) finished alone in third at 6-over followed by Colombia (145-146-147-151—589) in fourth at 13-over and Germany (147-150-146-152—595) at 19-over rounding out the top-five.
The Canada 1 squad of Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C.(72-76-72-79—299), Angela Arora of Surrey, B.C. (68-80-75-80—303), and Michelle Liu of Vancouver (72-77-74-83—306) finished alone in sixth at 22-over.
The Canada 2 squad of Anna Huang from Vancouver (72-77-76-76—301), Yeji Kwon of Port Coquitlam, B.C. (73-75-75-81—304) and Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. (74-83-82-80—319) finished solo eighth (+28).
The following are final team results at the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms:
1 Spain -1 (140-143-146-146—575)
2 Sweden +4 (147-138-142-153—580)
3 Chinese Taipei +6 (144-150-141-147—582)
4 Colombia +13 (145-146-147-151—589)
5 Germany +19 (147-150-146-152—595)
6 Canada 1 +22 (140-153-146-159—598)
7 France +24 (156-146-148-150—600)
8 Canada 2 +28 (145-152-151-156—604)
9 England +31 (150-151-152-154—607)
10 Belgium +33 (144-157-152-156—609)
11 Mexico +35 (146-152-155-158—611)
12 Denmark +40 (150-150-158-158—616)
T13 Italy +46 (154-156-154-158—622)
T13 Wales +46 (152-159-157-154—622)
15 Ireland +50 (150-158-155-163—626)
16 Switzerland +52 (156-158-154-160—628)
17 Finland +54 (154-161-153-162—630)
18 Austria +58 (156-158-155-165—634)
Click here for a link to the full team competition leaderboard.
In the individual competition, Spaniard Cayetana Fernández, who was T2 through 54 holes, hoisted double titles, shooting 2-under 70 in difficult conditions to finish at 6-under for the tournament (70-70-72-70—282).
“We feel great, super proud of ourselves,” said Fernández, whose older sister Bianca helped lead Spain to victory in 2017. “We knew today was going to be tough, and when we stopped with the weather, we knew we had to fight for it, give it our best and stay fighting. The whole team, we are very happy, we don’t have words!”
Fernández becomes the fourth player to win the individual title and lead their country to victory joining Yuka Saso of the Philippines (2016), Hye-jin Choi of Korea (2015) and Mika Kelly of the United States of America (2014) as the only players to accomplish the feat. Fernández’s finish is also the best individual result for a Spanish athlete since her older sister Bianca Fernández along with Dimana Viudes finished third and fourth respectively in 2017.
Runner-up María José Marin of Colombia (72-71-71-70—284) joined Fernández as the only players to score under par Saturday, finishing 2-under 70 on the day and 4-under for the tournament, two shots back.
Sweden’s Meja Őrtengren (71-68-70-76—285), who entered final round action with a 3-shot lead, struggled with a final-round 76 to finish solo third at 3-under. Ting-Hsuan Huang of Chinese Taipei (70-73-69-75—287) finished at 1-under in fourth with Sweden’s Nora Sundberg (76-70-72-77—295) and Belgium’s Savannah De Bock (69-76-74-76—295) at 7-over rounding out the top-five.
Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C.(72-76-72-79—299) finished as the low Canadian at 11-over (T9), the lone Canuck to finish inside the top-10.
The following are Top-10 final results in the individual competition at the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms:
1 Cayetana Fernández, Spain 70-70-72-72—282 (-6)
2 María José Marin, Colombia 72-71-71-70—284 (-4)
3 Meja Őrtengren, Sweden 71-68-70-76—285 (-3)
4 Ting-Hsuan Huang, Chinese Taipei 70-73-69-75—287 (-1)
T5 Nora Sundberg, Sweden 76-70-72-77—295 (+7)
T5 Savanah De Bock, Belgium 69-76-74-76—295 (+7)
7 Andrea Revuelta, Spain 70-76-74-76—296 (+8)
8 Larissa Carrillo, Mexico 71-75-76-76—298 (+10)
T9 Lauren Kim, Canada 1 72-76-72-79—299 (+11)
T9 Constance Fouillet, France 80-71-74-74—299 (+11)
Click here for a link to the full individual leaderboard.
The 2023 World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms will return to Angus Glen next year with the date still to be determined.
In total, 54 athletes on 18 teams representing 17 countries—including two teams from host nation Canada—competed Oct. 12-15 at Angus Glen for the team and individual titles. The event marked the celebrated return of the prestigious global competition after two years of cancellation due to the pandemic.
This year’s field for the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms is highlighted by 11 competitors ranked inside the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) top 100. A full list of competitors including their WAGR position is here.
Angus Glen Golf Club, which hosted the World Junior Girls Championship for the third time, is home to two 18-hole championship golf courses in Markham, Ontario. The North and South courses offer variety, beauty, and challenges. Angus Glen has been ranked as one of the top 80 golf courses in the world outside of the United States. It was home to the 2002 and 2007 Canadian Open and an official host of the 2015 Toronto Pan/Parapan American Games. The 2022 World Junior Championship will be contested on the South course.
Additional information regarding the seventh annual World Junior Girls Championship can be found on the competition’s website.
Golf NB Announces 2022 Players of the Year
Golf New Brunswick
Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) is pleased to announce the 2022 Golf NB Players of the Year.
The Player of the Year (POY) is a ranking system that awards points to players based on tournament results throughout the golfing year. It is designed to promote golf development through competition and celebrate the individual achievements of golfers in New Brunswick.
Royale Women’s Player of the Year
Leanne Richardson – Country Meadows Golf Club
A name synonymous with New Brunswick Women’s Golf once again sits atop the Royale NB Women’s Player of the Year standings as Country Meadows’ Leanne Richardson tallied 193.5 points on route to capturing the 2022 Royale NB Women’s Player of the Year Championship.
Impressive play throughout the season saw Richardson capture the 2022 NB Women’s Senior title along with 5 Club Invitational victories and a T-22 finish at the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship in Headingly, Manitoba.
Pam Cossey’s consistent play would see her finish in second place, 14.5 points behind Richardson with a season total of 179.0 points. The Rockwood Park member participated in 10 qualifying events highlighted by wins at the Driscoll Stears Ladies Invitational and Gowan Brae Ladies Invitational along with a top-10 finish in the 2022 NB Women’s Provincials, Driven by Audi Moncton.
For the second consecutive season, Miramichi’s Paula Napke-Flanagan secured third position thanks to her successful run of play which included, eight top-10 finishes and a T-13 finish at the 2022 NB Women’s Provincials, Driven by Audi Moncton, combining for a season total of 117.5 POY points.
2022 proved to be a successful season and a year filled with silverware for Fredericton’s Michel Landry. A victory in the season opening Don Sinclair was a telling sign of things to come as Landry followed up his win with an impressive stretch of play over three days at the NB Men’s Amateur Championship. A dramatic final round would see Landry capture his fifth provincial amateur title and once again secure the Taylormade Men’s Player of the Year title with 100.0 points.
Impressive performances throughout the season including T-3 at the Don Sinclair and a T-9 finish in the 2022 NB Men’s Amateur, would see Peter Wedge Jr. finish second in the Taylormade NB Men’s Player of the Year Challenge. The Riverside member earned with 58.5 points during the 2022 season, finishing 41.5 point back of first place.
Finishing in third position was 2022 Team NB Mid-Amateur player and Riverside member, Greg Steele. Steele recorded a second-place finish at the NB Men’s Amateur Championship, finishing one behind winner Michel Landry to amass a season total of points 56.0.
Country Meadows’ Shawn Branch had an incredible 2022 golf season. Victories at four Club Invitationals would propel him to the top of the season-long Wacky’s Flooring Senior Men’s Player of the Year Challenge. Capturing a total of 153.0 POY points from ten qualifying events, Branch would secure his first NB Senior Men’s Player of the Year Crown over Miramichi’s Pat Flanagan.
Flanagan finished the year with a 88.3 points from eight qualifying events. His second-place finish in the NB Wacky’s Flooring Senior Men’s Player of the Year Challenge capped off a successful season.
Finishing 5.3 points behind Flanagan in third place was West Hills’ Dan Coulombe. The former New Brunswick Champion completed the season-long race with 83.0 points after participating in three events, including the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship in Red Deer, Alberta.
Riverside’s Callie Taylor had a successful 2022 season as she claimed her first Golf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year crown.
Taylor’s victories at the East Coast Junior, NB Under-19 Championship, and NB Under-17 Championship earned her 14.0 and 27.0 POY points respectively, totalling 41.0 POY points for the season.
Finishing 3.8 points behind Taylor in the race was clubmate Addison McClune who’s performances at the NB Under-19 & Under-17 Championships saw her finish the season with 37.2 points.
Based on the play in 2020, 2021, and 2022, The Riverside duo both earned the opportunity to represent New Brunswick at the 2022 Canada Games which took place in August.
Rounding out the top-3 in the Golf NB Junior Girls Player of the Year Challenge was Fox Creek’s Neve Miller. An impressive run of play throughout the 2022 season would see Neve finish with 33.4 points, 3.8 points behind McClune.
A great run of form and consistent play sees Fox Creek’s Julien Babineau, capture the 2022 NB Junior Boys Player of the Year Challenge. A record-high of 117.0 POY points was enough to secure the victory in New Brunswick’s Order of Merit competition.
Babineau’s 2022 campaign was highlighted by victories at the East Coast Junior and NB Under-19 Championship which were accompanied by a T-11 finish at the New Brunswick Amateur. Topping off an incredible season of individual achievements, Julien’s performance also secured him a spot on Team NB for the 2022 Canada Summer Games which took place in Niagara Falls in August.
Finishing 36.0 points behind Babineau was clubmate and Team NB Junior Boys Alternate, Jacob LeBlanc. A win at the NB Under-17 Championship contributed to LeBlanc’s season total of 81.0 points.
Securing a third-place finish in the season-long Order of Merit race would be Gage’s Noah Riggs with 76.0 points. His third place finish at the NB Under-19 Championship earned Riggs with a position on Team NB at the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship in BC.
Canada and Spain share opening-round lead at World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms
ANGELA ARORA (CHRISTIAN BENDER/ GOLF CANADA)
Golf New Brunswick
By: Dan Pino/Golf Canada
Angela Arora shoots 4-under 68 to lead Canada 1 in the prestigious global golf championship; Surrey, B.C. native leads individual competition by one shot through 18 holes
MARKHAM, Ont. – Team Canada entered the opening-round of play at Angus Glen Golf Club looking for a fast start and got just that—riding a sizzling opening-round 4-under 68 by Angela Arora of Surrey, B.C. to take a share of the opening-round lead with Team Spain at the seventh annual World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by Sargent Farms.
The Canada 1 squad of Arora (4-under 68), along with 17-year-old Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C.(E 72), and 15-year-old Michelle Liu of Vancouver (E 72) shot a team-total 4-under 140 with the top two of three individual scores counting towards the overall team total.
The opening-round co-leaders from Spain were led by matching scores of 2-under 70 by Andrea Revuelta and Cayetana Fernández under cool conditions at the Markham, Ont. layout. The pair were joined by teammate Paula Martin who shot a (non-counting) 4-over 76 for the Spanish favourites who came into the championship as the only country with all three players ranked inside the Top-100 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Spain is looking for their second team title, having previously won the championship in 2017.
Canada 1 and Spain head into Thursday’s second round with a four-shot lead over Belgium and Chinese Taipei who sit T3 at even par 144 through 18 holes.
As the host nation, Canada is fielding two teams in the international championship and while the Canada 1 squad holds a share of the opening-round lead, it was the younger Canada 2 squad comprised of 13-year-old Anna Huang from Vancouver (E 72), 16-year-old Yeji Kwon of Port Coquitlam, B.C. (1-over 73), and 14-year-old Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. (2-over 74) that was equally as impressive, firing a team-total 1-over 145 to sit T5 with Colombia after the opening round of the championship.
With 54 holes still to be played on the South Course at Angus Glen, Canada is looking for their best-ever result in the team competition, having previously finished third in 2014 and fourth in 2018.
The following are round-one team results at the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms:
1 Canada 1 -4 (140)
1 Spain -4 (140)
T3 Belgium E (144)
T3 Chinese Taipei E (144)
T5 Canada 2 +1 (145)
T5 Colombia +1 (145)
7 Mexico +2 (146)
T8 Germany +3 (147)
T8 Sweden +3 (147)
T10 Denmark +6 (150)
T10 England +6 (150)
T10 Ireland +6 (150)
13 Wales +8 (152)
T14 Finland +10 (154)
T14 Italy +10 (154)
T16 Austria +12 (156)
T16 France +12 (156)
T16 Switzerland +12 (156)
Click here for the full team competition leaderboard.
In the individual competition, Arora’s 4-under 68 leads by a single shot, followed closely by Savannah De Bock of Belgium at 3-under 69. A trio of players – Ting-Hsuan Huang of Chinese Taipei, along with Spanish teammates Andrea Revuelta and Cayetana Fernández – sit T3 to round out the top-five at 2-under 70 through 18 holes of play.
The following are Top-10 results in the individual competition at the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms:
1 Angela Arora, Canada 68 (-4)
2 Savanah De Bock, Belgium 69 (-3)
T3 Ting-Hsuan Huang, Chinese Taipei 70 (-2)
T3 Andrea Revuelta, Spain 70 (-2)
T3 Cayetana Fernández, Spain 70 (-2)
T6 Larissa Carrillo, Mexico 71 (-1)
T6 Meja Őrtengren, Sweden 71 (-1)
T8 Emilia Väistö, Finland 72 (E)
T8 María José Marin, Colombia 72 (E)
T8 Marie-Agnes Fischer, Germany 72 (E)
T8 Anna Huang, Canada 2 72 (E)
T8 Lauren Kim, Canada 1 72 (E)
T8 Michelle Liu, Canada 1 72 (E)
Click here for a link to the full individual leaderboard.
In total, 54 athletes on 18 teams representing 17 countries—including two teams from host nation Canada—are competing Oct. 12-15 at Angus Glen for the team and individual titles. The event marks the celebrated return of the prestigious global competition after two years of cancellation due to the pandemic.
The second round of the 72-hole competition gets underway Thursday morning at 8:30am with the final groups teeing off at 9:50am. Admission to the competition is free.
This year’s field for the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms is highlighted by 11 competitors ranked inside the World Golf Amateur Rankings (WAGR) top 100. A full list of competitors including their WAGR position is here.
With two victories (2015 & 2019) in the event’s six-year history, Republic of Korea has won the most team competition titles followed by USA (2014), Philippines (2016), Spain (2017), and Italy (2018). A history of past winners is available here.
A number of players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Championship have gone on great success on the LPGA Tour, led by Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 12-time LPGA winner and world no. 6 who finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship hosted in 2014.
Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include world no. 2 Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as world no. 35 Yuka Saso of Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. Other former World Junior Girls competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark of Sweden.
In addition, 12 players who competed for the 2022 CP Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club are alumni of the World Junior Girls Championship.
Angus Glen Golf Club, which is hosting the World Junior Girls Championship for the third time, is home to two 18-hole championship golf courses in Markham, Ontario. The North and South courses offer variety, beauty, and challenges. Angus Glen has been ranked as one of the top 80 golf courses in the world outside of the United States. It was home to the 2002 and 2007 Canadian Open and an official host of the 2015 Toronto Pan/Parapan American Games. The 2022 World Junior Championship will be contested on the South course.
Additional information regarding the seventh annual World Junior Girls Championship can be found on the competition’s website.
Angus Glen Golf Club ready to host 7th World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms
2015 PanAm Games golf announcement at Angus Glen
Golf New Brunswick
By: Dan Pino/Golf Canada
MARKHAM, Ont. – Canada is set to host a global showcase of the world’s best junior golfers as the seventh edition of the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms will be contested October 10-15, 2022 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
In total, 54 athletes on 18 teams representing 17 countries—including two teams from host nation Canada—will compete for the team and individual titles. The event marks the celebrated return of the prestigious global competition after two years of cancellation due to the pandemic.
“Together with our partners at Golf Ontario and Sargent Farms, Golf Canada is extremely proud to celebrate the return of the World Junior Girls Championship,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada Director, Amateur Championships and Rules. “This championship has become a world-class showcase featuring some of the most promising young athletes from around the world. It is an honour to welcome these talented juniors—many whom we know will go on to great success in the professional game—back to Angus Glen and support these Canadian and international talents in their golf journey.”
“The World Junior Girls Championship has become a signature event on our championship calendar and there is a great excitement in welcoming this outstanding group of athletes from around the world to compete for an international title on Canadian soil,” said Golf Ontario CEO Mike Kelly. “Angus Glen has proven itself time and again to be a world-class host and a championship-worthy venue that will be ready to challenge the world’s best junior golfers.”
Canada’s lead coach will be Jennifer Ha of Calgary, Alta., who is currently the Assistant Coach of the Team Canada – NextGen Squad. The supporting coach will be PGA of Canada professional Emma de Groot, a native of New South Wales, Australia and resident of Hamilton, Ont. who is currently the director of women’s development with Modern Golf.
Canada 1 includes 18-year-old Angela Arora of Surrey, B.C., 17-year-old Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., and 15-year-old Michelle Liu of Vancouver. Arora, who finished T20 at the 2019 World Junior Girls Championship, made it to match play of the 2022 US Women’s Amateur, finished runner-up at both the Pacific Northwest Women’s Amateur and NextGen Selection Camp, and also won the NextGen Pacific Championship. Kim, who finished T52 at the 2019 World Junior Girls Championship, had a 2022 season highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Canada Summer Games, a third-place finish at the Canadian Women’s Amateur and a T33 individual result at the World Amateur Team Championship. Liu, who qualified for her second CP Women’s Open in 2022, made it to match play at the US Junior Girls Championship, finished 7th at the Texas Women’s Open (pro), and was the winner of Golf Canada’s recent NextGen Selection Camp.
The Canada 2 squad is represented by 16-year-old Yeji Kwon of Port Coquitlam, B.C., 14-year-old Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. and 13-year-old Anna Huang from Vancouver. Kwon earned a spot on the team by winning the 2022 Canadian Junior in a season that also included a ninth-place result at the Toyota Junior World Cup. Xing, who finished third at the NextGen Selection Camp, won the 2022 Ontario Junior Girls Match Play and finished runner-up at the Ontario Juvenile Girls Championship. Huang’s notable results include a T4 finish at the Canadian Junior, a T22 finish at the Canadian Amateur, a victory at the Toyota Tour Cup and a T3 finish a the NextGen Selection Camp.
This year’s field for the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms is highlighted by 11 competitors ranked inside the World Golf Amateur Rankings (WAGR) top 100 including the tournament’s top-ranked player, Germany’s Helen Briem (no. 13). Spain is the lone country with all three players ranked inside the WAGR top-100 with Sweden next at two top-100 players. A full list of competitors including their WAGR position is here.
With two victories (2015 & 2019) in the event’s six-year history, Korea has won the most team competition titles followed by USA (2014), Philippines (2016), Spain (2017), and Italy (2018). A history of past winners is available here.
Canada’s best finish in the team competition was third in 2014 and fourth in 2018.
A number of players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Championship have gone on great success on the LPGA Tour, led by Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 12-time LPGA winner and world no. 6 who finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship hosted in 2014.
Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include world no. 2 Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as world no. 35 Yuka Saso of Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark of Sweden.
In addition, 12 players who competed for the 2022 CP Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club are alumni of the World Junior Girls Championship.
Angus Glen Golf Club, which will host the World Junior Girls Championship for the third time, is home to two 18-hole championship golf courses in Markham, Ontario. The North and South courses offer variety, beauty, and challenges. Angus Glen has been ranked as one of the top 80 golf courses in the world outside of the United States. It was home to the 2002 and 2007 Canadian Open and an official host of the 2015 Toronto Pan/Parapan American Games. The 2022 World Junior Championship will be contested on the South course.
The following is a list of competing countries in the seventh annual World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms:
Austria
Belgium
Canada (2)
Chinese Taipei
Colombia
Denmark
England
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Mexico
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Wales
Practice rounds for the 72-hole competition will take place October 10-11 with the first round of play set for Wednesday, October 12. The tournament’s closing ceremony will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Saturday, October 15.
The current holders of the Estabrooks Cup, Team South (captained by Mark Shannon and Shelly Thomas) did not have the start they were looking for in the Saturday’s Fourball Match-ups at the Fredericton Golf Club as they were only able to secure 2.5 PTS. The North, (captained by Charlotte Evans and Eric Hildebrand) captured 6.5 PTS to give them a strong lead heading into Saturday’s Pinehurst Matches.
In the afternoon, we saw a near flip on the board. Team South were able to capture 6 PTS and Team North captured 3 PTS. This gave Team North a lead of 9.5 to 8.5 heading into Sunday’s Final Round Single Matches.
The Fall frost brought a slight delay on Sunday morning for our Singles Matches. With 18 individual points up for grabs on Sunday, the first pairing of Eric Hildebrand (Team North Captain) vs. Marck Shannon (Team South Captain) took the field at 9:00 AM. Despite the delay, it was nonetheless a fitting way to conclude a competitive and fun weekend of golf.
Securing 12 PTS during the Singles Matches Team North was able to finish the weekend with a commanding lead.
FINAL SCORES – North 21.5 PTS vs. South 14.5 PTS
CLICK HERE for more information on the 2022 Estabrooks Cup
CLICK HERE for more information on the Fredericton Golf Club.
Canada’s Hughes wins Sanderson Farms with birdie on 2nd playoff hole
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 02: Mackenzie Hughes of Canada reacts after putting in to win on the second playoff hole against Sepp Straka of Austria on the 18th green during the final round of the Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson on October 02, 2022 in Jackson, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Golf New Brunswick
By: Associated Press/Golf Canada
JACKSON, Miss. – Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont, made birdie on his third time playing the 18th hole on Sunday, and it gave him a playoff victory over Sepp Straka in the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Hughes twice had to made tough par saves on the closing hole at the Country Club of Jackson, in regulation from 100 feet behind the green for a 3-under 69 to force a playoff and from a tough spot in a bunker to keep going.
“Yeah, I’m over the moon. I had some moments today where I was tested and was able to pull through,” said Hughes. “It’s kind of my MO a little bit to scramble and save some pars. I had to do that a little bit today on the back nine. I did everything I possibly could, just grinded my butt off, and luckily it was good enough.”
Straka narrowly missed his birdie putt on the second playoff hole from 18 feet on the fringe. Hughes hit his approach to 8 feet and made the winning putt.
The victory comes one week after the Presidents Cup, and Hughes was disappointed not to be included on the International team at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lives.
He wanted to use that as motivation, and it sure worked out that way. Hughes won for the second time on the PGA Tour, both in a playoff. His victory at Sea Island in 2016 didn’t finish until Monday morning, and this looked like it might be headed there with fading sunlight on the last hole they played.
Garrick Higgo of South Africa had a 68 and finished third.
Straka finished two groups ahead of Hughes and missed birdie chances of 20 feet and 18 feet on the last two holes for a 67 to finish at 17-under 271.
Hughes twice came up clutch with his putter down the stretch, even if the putts were for par. He was out of position on the par-5 14th, his wedge over a tree back toward the fairway came up short in a bunker, he had to lay up again and escaped with a 15-foot par putt.
On the closing hole, he was well left off the tee and punched under a tree and over the green against the grandstand. After free relief, he used putter from 100 feet away off the green with perfect pace for par.
On the first playoff hole at the 18th, Hughes came up short in a bunker with only about 15 feet from the edge of the bunker to the pin. He blasted out to 5 feet and made par.
That sent them back to the 18th for a third time, and Hughes closed him out.
Mark Hubbard, who went into the final round with a one-shot lead, managed only two birdies in his round of 74 and tied for fifth.
The final round featured five players who had at least a share of the lead at some point. That included Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, whose round came undone on the par-5 14th when he took a triple bogey without a penalty shot.
Higgo never was part of the lead, though he lingered the entire day and missed an 8-foot birdie putt on the 17th that ultimately kept him out of the playoff.
Atlantic golf community looks to rebound after impact from tropical storm Fiona
PHOTO BY STEPHAN NEWMAN FOR STINGRAY MEDIA)
Golf New Brunswick
By: Adam Stanley/Golf Canada
Golf is all about community – friends, family, your local club or course. Everything is connected. It’s part of what makes this game so great.
The Canadian golf community was struck a blow this weekend as tropical storm Fiona impacted in the Atlantic provinces with wind speeds up to 177 km/h and sustained winds of over 100 km/h blowing for up to 10 hours in parts of the Maritimes.
Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said the army would be deployed to help with clean-up efforts.
“This is hands down the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” journalist Rene Roy told the CBC.
“It looks like a bomb went off,” Newfoundland resident David Harvey told the National Post while working with displaced residents at a local Salvation Army.
Nine people are estimated to have died due to the storm, with nearly 13,000 people displaced, and at least 20 buildings destroyed.
One of those buildings was the clubhouse of the Stanhope Golf and Country Club in Charlottetown, P.E.I. It burned down Sept. 24, and the golf course will likely be closed for the balance of the season as there was significant damage there, too.
“This is a real loss for the community. It’s a community club,” said Merlin Affleck, the club’s head professional. “It’s just devastating.”
Plenty of other courses in Eastern Canada escaped from the wrath of the storm relatively unscathed including Cabot Cape Breton, and Digby Pines in western Nova Scotia took to social media to say they were “open as usual.”
Golf Prince Edward Island posted on Twitter on Sunday morning encouraging patience as turf crews assess and clean up any damages. The island is home to more than 25 courses and has long been a popular destination for tourists and Canadians alike to get feet on the fairway.
“Islanders are resilient, and we will get through this together,” the statement said.
After two summers of COVID-19 restrictions, golf in Atlantic Canada was opening its doors at an impressive clip before Fiona made landfall. If there was a silver lining to the time of the storm, the 2022 golf season is much closer to its conclusion than its beginning, and there will hopefully be enough time to get things settled and sorted before shutting things down for the winter.
Ryan Logan, Director of Golf Services at Golf Canada, says it’s no surprise to see the golf community in Eastern Canada band together.
While golf courses in Canada are just starting to exit from the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic – a situation that bonded golf courses unlike ever before – the clubs in eastern Canada will now need to come together again to get things back to relative normalcy before the end of the 2022 season.
“We’ve seen great strength and heard great stories of community support already,” says Logan. “This was a catastrophic environmental event and Golf Canada knows the staff at impacted clubs will bind together and hopefully be able to come out stronger on the other side.”
US wins Presidents Cup for 12th time with Canada’s Conners and Pendrith wanting more
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 25: Tony Finau of the United States Team shakes hands with Taylor Pendrith of Canada and the International Team after Finau won 3&1 during Sunday singles matches on day four of the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Country Club on September 25, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Golf New Brunswick
By: John Chidley-Hill/Golf Canada
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith made Canadian history twice at the Presidents Cup and, although they’re disappointed in the result, they’re ready for more.
It was the first time two Canadians had ever played at the prestigious best-on-best tournament that sees 12 Americans take on 12 players from around the world, excluding Europe. When the longtime friends were partnered on Friday they became the first-ever Canadians to play together at the storied tournament.
But Conners, from Listowel, Ont., lost to Xander Schauffele 1 up in Sunday’s seventh match to clinch the American victory. Pendrith, from Richmond Hill, Ont., also lost his match in the event’s final round when he dropped a 3 and 1 decision to Tony Finau.
Ultimately, the United States beat the international team 17.5 to 12.5 for its 12th Presidents Cup title.
The Canadians were the only members of the international team not to earn a point over the four-day, five-session tournament. Conners said he was disappointed to not maintain the international team’s momentum in the final round.
“All the guys were ready to go today,” said Conners by the 18th green. “Some of the guys got some points early to keep us in it.
“I’m really disappointed not to be able to add to our total, but it was a fun week.”
The biennial event alternates between courses in the U.S. and international locations. The next edition will be at Royal Montreal Golf Club, which last hosted in 2007 when Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., had a legendary showdown with Tiger Woods in the final round.
“It’s definitely going to be a goal of mine to make that team,” said Pendrith, who like Conners made his Presidents Cup debut. “This week was great, and I’m hungry to get some points.”
The U.S. dominated the first two days of play, building a commanding 8-2 lead. But the internationals gained ground on Saturday, finishing the fourth session just four points back.
With the U.S. leading 11-7 and needing just 15.5 points to win, American captain Davis Love III was aggressive in his picks for individual play, putting Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth – his most consistent players – into Sunday’s first two matches.
That gamble produced mixed results with South Korea’s Si Woo Kim beating Thomas 1 up but Spieth topped Australia’s Cam Davis 4 and 3.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama tied Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay downed Australia’s Adam Scott 3 and 2.
Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz kept the internationals in it with a 2 and 1 victory over Scottie Scheffler before Pendrith and Conners lost their matches as the Americans clinched their title.
Finau jumped out to a 2 up lead in his match against Pendrith, but the Canadian answered back with birdies on the third and fourth holes to tie it.
Pendrith made a 33-foot chip in on the par-3 sixth hole for a birdie and his first lead of the match. He also birdied the next hole, but Finau birdied on Nos. 9 and 12 to tie the match, then pulled ahead with birdies on Nos. 13, 16 and 17.
“I felt like I played decent today in the middle of the round and had some chances on the back nine,” said Pendrith by the 17th green. “No. 15 stings. No. 16, I hit a good putt, but Tony played really good as well.
“He made seven or eight birdies or something like that. Can’t really do much about that.”
Schauffele and Conners were tied through the first five holes, but the American eagled and had a birdie on Nos. 6 and 7 to take a lead. He added to that when Conners bogeyed No. 10. The Canadian rallied with three consecutive won holes, starting with No. 12, to even the score.
Conners bogeyed the par-4 15th hole, which Schauffele parred, and the American held on the rest of the way.
“It was a good battle. I feel like every match I got down, every match I fought back,” said Conners. “Ultimately I came up a little short, but good stuff.”
Play continued, however, with the remaining matches being seen to completion. South Korea’s Sungjae Im bested Cameron Young 1 up. Billy Horschel conceded to South Korea’s K.H. Lee for a 3 and 1 internationals win.
Max Homa fended off fan favourite Tom Kim of South Korea for a 1 up win, Collin Morikawa beat Chile’s Mito Pereira 3 and 2, and in the day’s final match South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout downed Kevin Kisner 2 and 1.
Ryan Hart, the executive director of the 2024 Presidents Cup, said he hopes that Royal Montreal will truly feel like an away game for the Americans.
“All the structures will be wrapped black and gold,” said Hart, gesturing to the white-sheathed structures at Quail Hollow. “So (the international team) can come out and we can hopefully have the entire country feel like they are part of the international team and cheer them on to victory.”
The atmosphere at the Presidents Cup has changed in the 15 years since Canada last hosted the event. Organizers said that 40,000 spectators attended the Presidents Cup every day, a massive gathering for golf that was amplified because those crowds were concentrated around just four or five groups the first three days of the tournament.
Pendrith said that it was the most people he had ever played in front of but he feels like he rose to the occasion.
“Obviously, the stakes were really high. Lots of pressure,” said Pendrith. “But the first day, I feel like I handled it pretty well.
“Really, all week, it was a lot of fun, and it will be a good experience to move forward.”
