RED DEER, Alta.  – As the saying goes, there’s power in momentum. It’s a saying that Rusty Strawn knows all too well after securing back-to-back victories this September at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship in Marion, Mass., and the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO in Red Deer, Alta. Nine days separated the two wins. Needless to say, the McDonough, Ga. resident is going to need a bigger trophy case.

Heading into the final round at Red Deer Golf and Country Club, the 59-year-old shared the lead with fellow American, Mike Lohner of Southlake, Tex. The pair went back and forth throughout the day, both beginning their round at 5-under-par. It wasn’t until the back nine when Strawn hit a groove, birdieing three of his last eight holes to pull away from the pack to secure the 60^th Canadian Men’s Senior Championship title.

“I was very fortunate last week to win the United States Senior Amateur,” said Strawn. “And of course, by doing it I got the exemption to the United States Mid-Amateur, and I told the people at the USGA, I said, there is no way I’m going to miss the Canadian Men’s Senior. I absolutely love it here.”

To celebrate, Strawn popped a bottle of champagne and toasted the volunteers, Red Deer Golf and Country Club staff, and fellow competitors “To my new Canadian friends!”. He also commented, “having my picture taken with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the coolest picture I’ve ever taken.”

Strawn was also highly complimentary of the host club.

“It’s just been a wonderful week here in Red Deer,” said Strawn. “When I arrived here for my practice round on Sunday – probably the strength of my game is my putting – and when I rolled those first few putts on the practice green, I was like, I have nobody but myself to blame because they were absolutely awesome.”

Low Canadian Ken Griffith, who is a member at Red Deer Golf and Country Club, placed third on the leaderboard, carding a total score of 288, his best finish ever at the national championship.  Fellow members, Grant Lee and Peter Innes also competed in the tournament and finished T7 and T15, respectively.

Frank Van Dornick ran away with the Super Senior division securing the title and the Governor’s Cup by 10 strokes.

Earlier in the week, host club Team Alberta won the 36-hole inter-provincial team competition in an impressive 11-stroke victory over runner-up Team British Columbia. Ken Griffith (Red Deer Golf & Country Club), Senan Foley (Public Player – Alberta), and Kelly Risling (Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club) shot a collective one-under to give Team Alberta the back-to-back victory as they defended their 2019 title and claimed the Phil Farley Memorial Trophy.

Quick Links:

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Championship history

TORONTO – The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) have announced Jim Clark is the recipient of the 2022 Dick Grimm Award, the association’s highest honour.

A committee of past GJAC Presidents selected Clark, who has volunteered for the RBC Canadian Open every single year but one since 1984. 

Named in honour of Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Richard “Dick” Grimm, whose legendary service to the Canadian Open and the Canadian golf industry is unparalleled in Canadian golf history, the Dick Grimm Award is presented annually to those who have made a significant lifetime contribution to Canadian golf.

Clark’s leadership was put on display 11 times as the RBC Canadian Open Tournament Chair, in addition to being the CP Women’s Open Tournament Chair on two occasions. 

Clark has been recognized for his work in the golf industry by virtue of the Golf Canada Distinguished Service Award, which he received in 2016, as well as being named an Honourary Life Governor earlier this year. Clark was named to the Town of Aurora Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 in the ‘builder’ category. 

“Over the course of his career, Jim’s work has contributed immensely to the Canadian golf community. We’re proud to present him with this award in the name of Dick Grimm, whose tireless efforts to promote the game of golf in Canada had so much in common with what Jim has achieved with his work with Golf Canada.”

Rick Young, GJAC President

I am so honoured and thrilled to receive the Dick Grimm award from @GJ_AC . Dick Grimm was a friend and mentor of mine for many years which gives this even more special meaning. Much appreciation to the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. https://t.co/NfeGthhg6l

— Jim Clark (@cognashene) September 9, 2022

Grimm, who passed away in 2014, was a true giant of the game in Canada, and in the world of golf. He was an energetic supporter of GJAC, and the association’s highest annual award is named after him.

PAST WINNERS
2021- Garry McKay
2020 – Kim Locke
2019 – Doug Carrick & Tom McBroom
2018 – Lorie Kane
2017 – John Gordon
2016 – Marlene Stewart Streit
2015 – Lorne Rubenstein
2014 – Jocelyne Bourassa
2013 – Bob Weeks
2012 – Sandra Post
2011 – Jim Barclay
2010 – Dick Grimm

CALEDON, ONT. – Forty-seven players from 8 Canadian provinces have travelled to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) in Caledon, Ont., to compete in the annual playing of the Team Canada – NextGen Selection Camp, which is taking place September 8-11, 2022  

This event’s main purpose is to help Golf Canada’s High Performance staff assess and evaluate some of the best Canadian golfers under the age of 21 who are not currently playing collegiate golf.

The selection camp includes a skills testing portion run concurrent to a practice round and a 54-hole stroke play event which gets underway Friday, September 9^th and concludes Sunday, September 11^th.

The boy’s and girl’s division champions of the 54-hole stroke play event receive an exemption onto the 2023 Team Canada NextGen Squad. The top-3 girls also receive exemptions to the 2022 World Junior Girls team to be played October 10-15, 2022 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Clear skies over Red Deer Golf and Country Club set the stage for a picturesque day in Red Deer, Alta. as the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, wrapped up its third day of play in the Energy Province.

For the third consecutive day, Mike Lohner continues to hold prime real estate at the top of the leaderboard, firing even par 72 to share the lead with fellow countryman Rusty Strawn. A resident of Southlake, Tex., Lohner finished second in the Carlton Woods Invitational earlier this year and is in the hunt for his first victory north of the border.

Strawn finished the first round tied for the top spot with Lohner, but dipped down to second place after navigating three bogeys during yesterday’s second round. After a steady performance today where the McDonough, Ga. resident made birdie on five holes, Strawn holds a share of the lead once again and will look to keep the momentum going after securing a victory at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship last week.

Occupying the third spot, local golfer and Red Deer Golf and Country Club member Ken Griffith came in at one-under par today. Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta. (4), and Dave Bunker of Ridgeway, Ont. (5) round out the top five with an even score.

In addition to sitting fourth for the overall tournament, Van Dornick also leads the 65-and-over Super Senior division that runs concurrently throughout the week. The Super Senior champion will be crowned tomorrow and awarded the Governor’s Cup.

Tomorrow promises to be an exciting battle of top amateur talent with an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship on the line. Not only will the winner etch their name into the historic John Rankin Memorial Trophy, but also into Canadian golf history as the field of 156 top senior golfers comes down to one champion.

The final round is set to commence at 8:10 a.m. MT tomorrow with the awards ceremony scheduled to take place at approximately 3:00 p.m. MT at Red Deer Golf and Country Club.

2022 CANADIAN MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 3 LEADERS

T1	Mike Lohner	Southlake, Tex.	69-70-72—211 (-5)
T1	Rusty Strawn	McDonough, Ga.	69-71-71—211 (-5)
3	Ken Griffith	Red Deer, Alta.	71-69-75—215 (-1)
4	Frank Van Dornick	Camrose, Alta.	73-70-73—216 (E)
5	Dave Bunker	Ridgeway, Ont.	74-70-73—219 (+3)

2022 CANADIAN MEN’S SUPER-SENIOR DIVISION ROUND 3 LEADERS

1	Frank Van Dornick	Camrose, Alta.	73-70-73—216 (E)
T2	Michael Mealia	Aurora, Ont.	76-75-75—226 (+10)
T2	David Schultz	Calgary, Alta.	73-79-74—226 (+10)
4	Jim Russell	Calgary, Alta.	77-75-75—227 (+11)

Additional information, including a full list of competitors and scores can be found here.

Through the efforts of over 10,000 women, Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru raised over $272k for breast cancer research in 2022 at 112 events held across the country.

With another 10 Golf Fore the Cure events to come in the remainder of the golf season, we are looking forward to seeing this number build even higher.

Since the program’s inception in 2003, upwards of 130,000 women have raised over $7 million to date with all proceeds donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Québec Breast Cancer Foundation.

Over 100 women celebrated this year’s success at the 16th annual Golf Fore the Cure National Event at Lionhead Golf and Conference Center in Brampton, Ont.

The National Event included 18 holes of golf featuring raffles, prizing, and games, followed by an awards dinner to thank the 13,000 Golf Fore the Cure participants across Canada this year.

TOP 20 FUNDRAISING SITES IN 2022

	Golf Club	Province	$’s Raised
1	Le Club Laval-sur-le-Lac	QC	$45,000
2	Petitcodiac Valley Golf Course	NB	$40,551
3	New Brunswick Provincial Team	NB	$40,000
4	Vancouver Golf Club	BC	$20,431
5	Oakville Golf Club	ON	$16,623
6	Candle Lake Golf Course	SK	$17,511
7	Club de Golf de  L’Epiphanie	QC	$15,000
8	Club de golf de Baie-Comeau	QC	$7,800
9	Jasper Park Lodge	AB	$6,090
10	Westwood Plateau Golf	BC	$5,787
11	Twin Williams Golf Club	AB	$5,785
12	Westfield Golf and Country Club	NB	$5,713
13	Antigonish Golf Club	NS	$5,000
14	Mission Golf and Country Club	BC	$4000
15	Oakridge Golf Course	ON	$3,913
16	Edmonton Riverside Golf club	AB	$3,833
17	Gorge Vale Golf Club	BC	$3,594
18	Cedar Glen Golf Course	ON	$3,548
19	Breezy Bend Golf and Country Club	MB	$3,277
20	Club de Golf St-Lambert	QC	$2,850
21	Stratford Country Club	ON	$2,596

We would also like to thank our Provincial Golf Associations for their continued support in encouraging clubs to participate in Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru. Below is a breakdown of all the funds raised by province:

Totals Raised Per Province
ON	$26,297
BC	$33,812
NB	$87,130
AB	$18,554
QC	$76,870
SK	$20,431
PEI	–
NS	$5,000
MB	$3,277
NL	$832
Total	$272,202

Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru was created in 2003 by Golf Canada to drive women’s participation in the game of golf through the use of fun, non-intimidating activities. Through a unique partnership structure with the Canadian Cancer Society (and Québec Breast Cancer Foundation), the program has women across the country participating in golf activities and raising money and awareness for a cause close to Canadian hearts—the fight against breast cancer.

Canada holds over 37,000 charity events at golf courses across the country which raise approximately $533 million annually for charity.

Subaru Canada has been a proud partner of Golf Fore the Cure since 2007.

To learn how to get involved with Golf Fore the Cure presented by Subaru, visit golfcanada.ca/golfforethecure.

Prevailing winds continued to challenge competitors at Red Deer Golf and Country Club as the 60^th edition of the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, wrapped up the second day of play in Red Deer, Alta.   

Host squad Team Alberta ran away with the lead to win the 36-hole inter-provincial team competition in an impressive 11-stroke victory over runner-up Team British Columbia. Ken Griffith (Red Deer Golf & Country Club), Senan Foley (Public Player – Alberta), and Kelly Risling (Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club) shot a collective one under to give Team Alberta the back-to-back victory as they defended their 2019 title and claimed the Phil Farley Memorial Trophy (the Inter-Provincial competition wasn’t contested the past two years due to complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic). Rounding out the top 3 was Team Ontario carding a consolidated score of +12.

In the individual competition, American Mike Lohner extended his stay at the top of the leaderboard, earning sole possession of first place after Rusty Strawn (McDonough, Ga.) fell one shot back after a seesaw round of four birdies and three bogeys at Red Deer Golf and Country Club. Lohner, a resident of Southlake, Tex. carded five birdies to remain steady and set himself up well after the halfway point of the tournament.

Strawn and Red Deer Golf and Country Club member Ken Griffith share second place, coming in at 4-under after Wednesday’s round.

In the 65-and-over Super Senior Championship division, which runs concurrently throughout the tournament, Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta. shot a 70 today to extend his lead after 36 holes of play. Aurora, Ont. native Michael Mealia moved up four spots to claim solo second, with a two-way tie for third including local golfers Jim Russell (Calgary, Alta.), and David Schultz (Calgary, Alta.).

Following the conclusion of round two today, the field was reduced to the low 70 players and ties with 72 competitors advancing to bid for the 60^th Canadian Men’s Senior Championship title and a coveted spot on the John Rankin Memorial Trophy. The individual champion will also receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

2022 CANADIAN MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2 LEADERS

1	Mike Lohner	Southlake, Tex.	69-70—139 (-5)
T2	Rusty Strawn	McDonough, Ga.	69-71—140 (-4)
T2	Ken Griffith	Red Deer, Alta.	71-69—140 (-4)
4	Frank Van Dornick	Camrose, Alta.	73-70—143 (-1)
5	Robert Funk	Canyon Lake, Calif.	74-70—144 (E)

2022 CANADIAN MEN’S SUPER-SENIOR DIVISION ROUND 2 LEADERS

1	Frank Van Dornick	Camrose, Alta.	73-70—143 (-1)
2	Michael Mealia	Aurora, Ont.	76-75—175 (+7)
T3	David Shultz	Calgary, Alta.	73-79—152 (+8)
T3	Jim Russell	Calgary, Alta.	77-75—152 (+8)

Round three is set to commence tomorrow at 8:10am MT.

Additional information, including a full list of competitors and scores can be found here.

By: Terry Lenyk

Canadian Brooke Henderson joins American star Lexi Thompson and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko as the franchise-first female pros in the PGA TOUR 2K23 video game.

Other pros available in the game include cover athlete Tiger Woods, Will Zalatoris, Jon Rahm, Tony Finau, Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas, who graced the 2K21 cover.

Henderson, a 24-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., has won US$10.4 million in career earnings and currently ranks fifth in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Ko is No. 4 and Thompson No. 7.

Also featured in the game is St. George’s Golf and Country Club, host of the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ch7v3XUu3lC/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=1c92e094-6e7e-46e4-9ecb-9627fd95283f

The video game is developed by HB Studios in Lunenburg N.S., for 2K Sports.

The deluxe version of the game is scheduled for release on Oct. 11 with the standard edition to follow Oct. 14.

Canada’s Taylor Pendrith has been named to the international team at the upcoming Presidents Cup.

It’s the first time more than one Canadian will compete in the best-on-best tournament that sees a team from the United States play an international squad.

Corey Conners, from Listowel, Ont., was an automatic selection after finishing the PGA TOUR season fourth on the international team standings.

Pendrith, from Richmond Hill, Ont., was a captain’s selection, officially chosen by Trevor Immelman on Tuesday.

? that’s ✌️?? on the @IntlTeam Congratulations @TaylorPendrith pic.twitter.com/Ksa8xYppOz

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) September 6, 2022

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., and Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., were also considered for the event.

Quail Hollow Club outside of Charlotte, N.C., will host the Presidents Cup starting Sept. 20.

Red Deer, Alta. – Red Deer Golf & Country Club proved to be a solid test for the top senior competitors from Canada and the United States with only six golfers out of a field of 156 finishing under par after Tuesday’s opening round at the 2022 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO.

Rusty Strawn of McDonough, Ga., carded a 3-under 69 that included two birdies and an eagle to share possession of the lead with fellow American Mike Lohner.

Strawn is fresh off a victory last week at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at The Kittansett Club in Marion, Mass. This week, the Peach State resident will look to add another accolade to his impressive 2022 season collecting titles at the Trans-Mississippi Senior Championship and the Florida Senior Azalea Amateur Championship earlier this year.

Mike Lohner of Southlake, Tex. countered three bogeys with six birdies to fight for his share of the lead this afternoon. Lohner, who calls Vaquero Club home, finished second in the Carlton Woods Invitational earlier this year and is in the hunt for his first victory north of the border.

Hometown competitors Grant Lee and Ken Griffith share a four-way tie for third place along with Dave Terry of Langley, B.C., and Neil MacLeod of Burnaby, B.C.

A 65-and-over Super Senior Championship will run concurrently throughout the tournament, crowning a champion and awarding the Governor’s Cup after 72 holes of play. After round one, David Schultz of Calgary, Alta. and Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta. are tied for the lead at one-over.

The inter-provincial team competition, which returns for the first time since 2019, is also being contested over the championship’s first 36 holes.

Defending champions Team Alberta, consisting of Ken Griffith (Red Deer Golf & Country Club), Senan Foley (Public Player – Alberta), and Kelly Risling (Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club) posted a score of +4 to edge a one-stroke lead over Team Quebec.  The team title will come down to the wire Wednesday afternoon with Teams Saskatchewan, Ontario, and British Columbia also in hot pursuit at +7.

Defending champion Darren Ritchie currently sits T9 at just four strokes back.

Following the conclusion of round two tomorrow, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties as competitors vie for the 60^th Canadian Men’s Senior Championship title and a coveted spot on the John Rankin Memorial Trophy. The individual champion will also receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

2022 CANADIAN MEN’S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 LEADERS

T1	Rusty Strawn	McDonough, Ga.	69—(-3)
T1	Mike Lohner	Southlake, Tex.	69—(-3)
T3	Grant Lee	Red Deer, Alta.	71—(-1)
T3	Ken Griffith	Red Deer, Alta.	71—(-1)
T3	Dave Terry	Langley, B.C.	71—(-1)
T3	Neil MacLeod	Burnaby, B.C.	71—(-1)

2022 CANADIAN MEN’S SUPER-SENIOR DIVISION ROUND 1 LEADERS

T1	David Schultz	Calgary, Alta.	73—(+1)
T1	Frank Van Dornick	Camrose, Alta.	73—(+1)
T3	Brian Coston	Calgary, Alta.	74—(+2)
T3	Thomas Skinner	Red Deer, Alta.	74—(+4)
5	Brent Wotypka	Swift Current, Sask.	75—(+3)

Additional information, including a full list of competitors and scores can be found here.

RED DEER, Alta. – The 60^th installment of the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, tees off this week with 156 amateur golfers taking the stage in Red Deer, Alta. 

Conducted since 1962, the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship has grown to become one of the most popular amateur golf events in Canada. In 1995, the 65-and-over Super Senior division was introduced, which runs concurrently with the existing 55-and-over age group.

One of nine national championships conducted by Golf Canada for the 2022 season, the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship will consist of 72 holes of stroke-play with a cut after 36 holes. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently over the four rounds of the championship, and the Senior Inter-provincial Team Championship, established in 1977, also runs concurrently with the first 36 holes of the tournament.

Practice rounds are scheduled for Monday, September 5^th, before the tournament officially kicks off on Tuesday, September 6^th.  

The tournament will be conducted at Red Deer Golf & Country Club in Red Deer, Alta. who is celebrating their centennial season this year. Five of the club’s members have qualified to play in the Championship including Ken Griffith, Grant Lee and Peter Innes, Tom Skinner and Joe Gascon.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship Trophy has arrived at the club.

With players arriving this weekend, we will offer you an experience you will never forget. Welcome to the Red Deer Golf & Country Club. @GolfCanada #golfcanada #ClubLife pic.twitter.com/ifpsFwFVAH

— Red Deer Golf & Country Club (@rdgcc1922) August 31, 2022

Over 100 volunteers from both the Red Deer Golf & Country Club and the community will be on hand to host the National and International competitors and their families. 

“Golf Canada is proud to host the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship and bring together a field of top senior competitors to play in this prestigious championship,” said Adam Cinel, Senior Manager, Rules and Amateur Championships. “Red Deer Golf and Country Club is in excellent shape, and we congratulate the staff and volunteers on their significant 100-year milestone.”

Defending champion Darren Ritchie will return once again to defend his title and vie to see his name on the John Rankin Memorial Trophy for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the St. John, N.B. native from Hampton Golf Club held the lead for the majority of the tournament and finished 2-over par 72 to claim his first Canadian Men’s Senior title.

Additional notables in the field include Robert Funk (Canyon Lake, CA.), John Crowther (London, Ont.), Jim Lehman (Minnetonka, MN.), and Rusty Strawn (McDonough, GA.) who recently claimed the 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship title at The Kittansett Club in Marion, Mass. this past week.

The champion will receive an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.  

More information about the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship can be found here.