By: Doug Ferguson

WILMINGTON, Del – Corey Conners orchestrated a late round charge, making birdies on three of his final four holes, to extend his season on the PGA TOUR.

Conners of Listowel, Ont., finished four shots back in a tie for fifth. Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., finished in a tie for eighth, while Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., finished in a group tied for 44th.

Conners qualified for the Tour Championship at East Lake, as he secured a top-30 ranking in the FedExCup Playoffs standings with the finish on Sunday. He is ranked 24th out of the 30 entrants.

The 30-year-old shot a two-under 69 in the final round.

“It’s always a goal at the start of the year,” Conners told TSN. “I feel like I’ve has a solid season. Still trying to get in the winner’s circle again, but a lot of really solid play, giving myself some chances, and really excited to be going back to East Lake.”

Conners throwin’ ???pic.twitter.com/woQT5ijzP3

— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) August 21, 2022

The Canadian also earned a spot on the International Team for the President’s Cup, joining Mike Weir, Graham DeLaet and Adam Hadwin as the only Canucks to accomplish the feat.

“Again, another huge goal of mine after missing out last time,” Conners told TSN. “Beyond excited. I think Trevor has been great trying to get the guys together, and he’s a great captain. Easy guy to get behind and really motivating.”

One good break. One great shot. That’s what it took Sunday for Patrick Cantlay to win the BMW Championship for the second straight time with a finish that was nothing like last year except for his clutch moments.

One other difference: The victory didn’t give him the No. 1 seed going into the FedEx Cup finale next week at East Lake in Atlanta.

That was of little concern to Cantlay after his birdie-par finish for a two-under 69, giving him a one-shot victory over Scott Stallings at Wilmington Country Club.

“I was glad not to go six holes in a playoff,” Cantlay said, referring to his unlikely playoff win last year at Caves Valley over Bryson DeChambeau.

This looked to be headed that way when Cantlay and Stallings were tied down the stretch, with Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele lurking.

Tied with two holes to play, Cantlay took an aggressive line to cut off the corner of a dogleg and figured he was headed for a cluster of bunkers. But the ball landed short of the last bunker, took a big hop over the sand, and tumbled into the first cut and rolled out to the fairway, just 64 yards from the hole.

“I thought hitting it on that line, it would for sure be in a bunker,” he said. “Got an excellent break — maybe one of the best breaks I’ve gotten coming down the stretch — and when you get a break like that you need to pay it off.”

That he did, hitting a spinner with a wedge that skipped and stopped 5 feet behind the hole for birdie and a one-shot lead. Stallings in the group ahead narrowly missed a birdie putt from just inside 10 feet on the last hole for a 69.

Cantlay needed par to win and fanned his drive into a bunker, the ball above his feet, 158 yards to pin on a steeply pitched green.

“I tried to slice an 8-iron about as hard as I could and went to about where I thought I could get it, and it was one of the best shots I hit all week,” he said.

His putt caught the lip of the cup, leaving him a tap-in, about the easiest shot he had all day.

Cantlay, who finished at 14-under 270, became the first player to win the BMW Championship in consecutive years since the FedEx Cup began in 2007. No one has ever repeated in any of the playoff events. The victory, his second of the year, moved him to No. 3 in the world.

He played all four rounds with Schauffele, and only later did he realize he could have used a little help from his best friend on tour. Schauffele (71) missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the last hole that would given him third place and moved Scheffler to fourth.

That would have made Cantlay the No. 1 seed, which comes with a two-shot lead before the Tour Championship begins. Now he will start two shots behind Scheffler, who had missed a short par putt on the last hole that ultimately didn’t cost him in the FedEx Cup.

Stallings has gone 238 starts since his last victory eight years ago at Torrey Pines, and he played like that drought might end. But he missed four birdie chances inside 18 feet at the end, the last one from just inside 10 feet.

The consolation prize is his first trip to the Tour Championship.

“That was the biggest goal of the year,” Stallings said. “Better late than never.”

Stallings wasn’t alone. Adam Scott is making his way back to East Lake. He was at No. 77 in the FedEx Cup when the post-season started and a tie for fifth last week moved him to No. 45.

Scott made eagle on the 12th hole and hit some superb lag putts on firm, crispy greens at Wilmington for a 71 to tie for fifth.

Needing a par on the last hole, Scott tugged his tee shot to the edge of a bunker, meaning he had to stand in the sand and try to hit out of a sticky first cut with the golf ball about thigh-high. He pulled that into a bunker, then hit a splendid shot to tap-in ran.

“I guess that’s the beauty of the FedEx Cup playoffs the way they are. You can scratch it around a lot for the year and have a couple good weeks and get heavily rewarded by getting to East Lake and being in that top 30 and all the perks that come with it,” Scott said.

Aaron Wise had a 73 and earned the 30th spot. He was among four players who moved into the top 30 who are eligible for the Tour Championship. The others were Stallings, Scott, Aaron Wise and K.H. Lee, who had a 65 on Sunday to tie for fifth.

OTTAWA, Ont. – When Michelle Liu qualified for the 2019 CP Women’s Open at 12 years, 9 months and 6 days old, it was a record that many thought would last for the foreseeable future.

Then came Lucy Lin.

On Monday, Lin earned a spot in the 2022 CP Women’s Open via a 3-for-1 playoff in the Final Qualifier at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont. and when she tees it up at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club on Thursday at the age of 12 years, 7 months and 12 days, she will become the youngest female ever to qualify for Canada’s National Women’s Open.

“I feel like super excited right now – I have no words to describe it.”

Lucy Lin

The Vancouver, B.C., native scrambled out the gates, making two bogeys and a double on her opening four holes. Five pars followed as she steadied the ship before shifting it into high gear. On the back nine, Lin, who finished as the runner-up in this year’s Canadian Junior Girls Championship, rolled in four birdies to get into a playoff.

 “Honestly, I was just trying to hit every shot the best I can. [I] was a bit nervous, but I tried to just stay patient,” said Lin. “I had a rough start, but I had to come back.”

In the playoff, the 12-year-old made par on No. 7 at The Marshes to advance to her first ever LPGA Tour event.

“I had driver and then like a 128-yard shot and it was dark out, so I couldn’t see really well, but I just tried to do my swing and I tried to make my putt, but it was close,” said Lin.

In the end it didn’t matter. The champion of the NextGen Western Championship’s tap in par booked her ticket to the CP Women’s Open.

Lin says she thinks her mom, who follows her at every tournament, will be on the bag come Thursday and says she looks forward to “seeing those great players and having a great experience.”

The aforementioned Liu also advanced to her second CP Women’s Open with an even-par 72, author of the lowest score of the day along with Gianna Clemente, a 14-year-old from Estero, Florida. Canadian Vanessa Zhang posted a one-over par 71 to clinch her spot at the national championship.

“Just knowing how the overall experience works, I know that’s definitely something that will make the environment a little less foreign to me,” said Liu, who previously held the record as the youngest female to ever qualify for the tournament. “Having the experience of playing in an event where there are spectators and there are camera people, it not being the first time I’ve been in this situation will definitely, I hope, be advantageous to me.”

At the mere age of 12 in 2019, Liu, for obvious reason, found herself far back in the fairway from her older competitors. That is something she figures will change this time around.

“Over the three years from 2019 to today, you know, I hit my driver further, I think I’ve had a lot of experience because I’ve played in other events that really mattered, so I hope that can all coalesce into something that will help me play better.”

The CP Women’s Open takes place August 25-28 at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.

THORNHILL, Ont. – The 35^th playing of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will play host to the top men’s amateur golfers in the country over the age of 25 this week at The Thornhill Club in Thornhill, Ont.

Monday’s practice round was spoiled by inclement weather, but all looks clear for a 7:24 a.m. start to round one on Tuesday morning. The national championship will conclude on Friday, August 26, where champions will be crowned in the Men’s Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master divisions, alike.

“The excitement continues to build around this year’s Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur championship,” said Tournament Director Adam Cinel. “An exceptional field of talent has joined us this week in Thornhill, and we expect they’ll bring the best out of each other as they compete for this prestigious title.”

The Thornhill Club, in their 100^th year of operation, has a rich history in championship play having previously hosted the 2014 Canadian Junior Girls Championship, the 2006 Canadian University/College Championship and the 2009 Toronto Star Women’s Amateur. In addition, the Stanley Thompson design was the site that played host to 1945 Canadian Open where Byron Nelson claimed his remarkable 11th victory in a row.

“The Thornhill Club is extremely excited to host the 2022 Canadian Men’s Mid-Am Championship, especially during our Centennial year,” said Todd McGrath, Head Golf Professional & Interim General Manager at The Thornhill Club. “The course is in excellent condition, and our Stanley Thompson design awaits some great play. All the best to the players and we look forward to crowning a champion at the end of the tournament.”

The inaugural Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, held in 1987, was won by Graham Cooke at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Île-Bizard, Qué. At the time, the tournament was played in the form of a match play competition, but in 2007, Golf Canada reverted to stroke play – a format that has since stuck.

The tournament is a 72-hole stroke play event, with a 36-hole cut to the low 70 players and ties. In the event of a tie at the end of four rounds, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following completion of 72 holes. The Mid-Amateur division will run concurrently with the Mid-Master division for players 40 and older. The Mid-Amateur champion will earn an exemption into the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Interprovincial Team championship will return this year following two years of cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Team Ontario are the reigning champions, having bested Québec by 12 strokes in 2019 to claim the R. Bruce Forbes Trophy. The team competition, first held in 1992, has been won a record 15 times by Ontario, including five in a row dating back to 2015.

A full field of 156 players is expected, headlined by three-time Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur champion, Garrett Rank. The Elmira, Ont. native won the event three years in a row between 2014 and 2016. Rank, an official in the National Hockey League, also finished as the runner-up in 2019. Following the week in Thornhill, the 34-year-old will join Johnny Travale and A.J. Ewart as part of Team Canada for the World Amateur Team Championships in Paris, France, August 29 – September 3. 

Defending champion Charles Fitzsimmons will be returning home to familiar territory this week. The 35-year-old played his junior golf at The Thornhill Club and won a club championship on these grounds in 2005. Fitzsimmons also has a University/College national championship to his name, from his time at Western University.

2021 Mid-Master champion Glenn Robinson is in the field this week and will bid to successfully defend his title at The Thornhill Club. The Middle Sackville, N.S., native defeated Ben Bandura in a playoff last year to capture the 40 and over title.

Other notable winners of the Men’s Mid-Am include Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que., who won it seven times between 1987 and 2002 and Stu Hamilton of Brampton, Ont., who won it on four separate occasions between 1990 and 1994. Together, the pair captured 11 of the first 20 championships played since the event was established in 1987.

Quick links:
Player list
Tee times
Schedule of events
Course details
Championship history & past champions

ENDICOTT, N.Y. – Mike Weir had reason to celebrate on Sunday. Competing in the Dicks Sporting Goods Open, the 52-year old made a pair of birdies down the stretch to finish T2 for his best result on the PGA TOUR Champions this season.

Padraig Harrington won the DICK’S Sporting Goods Open for his second PGA Tour Champions victory of the year.

Harrington closed with a 5-under 67 at En-Joie Golf Club for a three-stroke victory over Mike Weir and Thongchai Jaidee.

“Unusual for me, no drama, no real drama,” Harrington said. “Normally, I create something coming home. … Got the right breaks at the right time, holed the right putts and played nicely.”

A stroke behind Weir entering the day, Harrington birdied Nos. 2, 3, 9, 11 and 12 in a bogey-free round to finish at 16-under 200.

The 50-year-old Irishman won the U.S. Senior Open in late June at Saucon Valley. He also has four runner-up finishes and a tie for third in 11 starts this year.

Weir shot a 71, and Thongchai had a 66.

“It’s fun. You’re just thinking birdie, you’re just thinking middle of the fairway, get me in the fairway because my iron game is good and the putter’s finally starting to heat up for the first time this year,” said Weir, following Saturday’s second round. “I was kind of champing at the bit for more holes.”

The Canadian scrambled out the gates on Sunday, bogeying two of his opening four holes but regained his rhythm with a birdie on No. 8 to move back to even par on the day.

After another dropped shot on No.10, the lefty responded with birdies on No. 12 and No. 16 – with the help of a tree, no less – to establish himself in a tie for 2nd place.

Birdie bounce?!@mweirsy's tee shot on 16 clipped a tree and kicked way right of the green.

He made the most of it ? pic.twitter.com/4smhDivMRt

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 21, 2022

Jim Furyk (68) and Vijay Singh (69) were 12 under, and 64-year-old Bernhard Langer (68) followed at 10 under with Darren Clarke (69), Ken Tanigawa (68) and Gene Sauers (70).

The 13th edition of the Junior Skills Challenge National Event wrapped up today in Ottawa after 30 of the top Canadian junior golfers showcased their skills in one of Golf Canada’s signature junior events.

The event took place at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club which will also play host to the CP Women’s Open from August 22-28^th. The National Event culminates a year-long process, which consisted of over 80 qualifying events across Canada and 1,500 junior golfers. 

In partnership with the PGA of Canada and Cobra-Puma Golf, participants went head-to-head in putting, chipping, and driving competitions:

Putting: each competitor received one putt from each distance of 5, 10, and 20 feet with points awarded for holing the putt and proximity to the hole.

Chipping: each competitor received three shots for chipping with points awarded on distance of the chip from the target.

Driving: each competitor received three drives with points awarded for distance and aim of the drive.  

The winners for each division of the Junior Skills Challenge National Event will receive prizing courtesy of Cobra-Puma Golf, with the winners of the 15 to 18 age groups receiving exemptions into their local NextGen Championship in 2023.

Below are the winners in each of the age groups: 

Boys 8 and under:  

Bosco Yang (Angus Glen Golf Club) captured the Boys 8 and under title honours following a climactic three-player tiebreaker. The Aurora, Ont., native recorded a score of 155 in the main competition and earned a score of 80 after going wire to wire in a very close three-way playoff competition. The winner was determined by a repeat of the putting skill challenge.

Bennett Thibideau of Cole Harbour, N.S. and Albert Cui (Angus Glen Golf Club) of Aurora, Ont. also recorded a score of 155 in the competition. After the tiebreaker, Thibideau clinched the runner-up spot with a score of 70, with Cui finishing the day at 60. Coompetition in this division was extremely tight with Newmarket, Ont. native Gianni D’Ambrosio coming in at only 5 points shy off the pace with a score of 150.

Girls 8 and under: 

Four participants competed in the Girls 8 and under division including Amelia Huang (Angus Glen Golf Club) and Angela Qi (Angus Glen Golf Club) of Markham, Ont., Emily Joy (The Glencoe Golf & Country Club) of Calgary, Alb., and Sophia Noh (Summit Golf Club of Richmond Hill, Ont.

Successfully defending her division title earned in 2021, Joy finished in first place with a score of 185. The Calgary native posted impressive scores in both the chipping challenge (multiple 30 scores), and driving challenge (20 points on all three shots), which greatly contributed to her victory.

Noh placed second, with a total score of 160. Noh, like Joy, had a strong driving performance, posting 20 points on each shot.

Boys 9 to 11: 

Competing in the Boys 9 to 11 division included Hunter Burke (Belvedere Golf Club) of Charlottetown, P.E.I., Grady Gouett (Georgian Bay Club) of Meaford, Ont., Pierce Mackenzie (Antigonish Golf Club) of Antigonish, N.S. and Luke Nickerson (KenWo Golf Club) of Kentville, N.S. with the latter taking the division title.

The Boys 9-11 division came down to the wire, with all four golfers separated by 25 points leading into the final skill, putting.  Nickerson dominated on the putting green sinking both the 5-feet and 10-feet putts and coming within inches on the 20-feet for a total score of 220 to earn the title for this division.

Girls 9 to 11: 

Four participants competed in the Girls 9-11 division including Kaeleigh Chung (Meadowbrook Golf Club), Andrea Lai (St. Thomas Golf & Country Club) of St. Thomas, Ont. and Phoebe Lin (DiamondBack Golf Club) and Oceana Sun (Angus Glen Golf Club) of Toronto, Ont..

At just 10 years of age, Chung posted the second-highest score of the day at 265, earning herself the Girls 9 to 11 division title. The Richmond Hill, Ont. native shined throughout the competition posting consistent scores across all skills and holing two of her three putts.

Andrea Lai (St. Thomas Golf & Country Club) of also shined throughout the competition earning 25 points on all her driving shots, finishing in second place (235).

Boys 12-14: 

In the Boys 12-14 division, Justin Chu (Beacon Hall Golf Club) of North York, Ont., Sam Dixon (River Hills Golf & Country Club) of Barrington, N.S., Jordan Hodgins (Rideau View Golf Club) of Ottawa, ON and Spencer Shropshire (Orr Lake Golf Club) of Orillia, ON competed against one another.

Chu started the competition strong with two drives earning 40 points each, and kept one step ahead of the other competitors through chipping and putting for a final score of 255 to earn the division title.

Girls 12-14: 

Rosie Allen (Blomidon Golf Club) of Corner Brook, NFLD., Olivia Johnson (Silver Springs Golf & Country Club) of Calgary, Alb., Tatum Lohnes (Osprey Ridge Golf Club) of Bridgewater, N.S. and Sierra Kowalyshyn (Sawmill Golf Course) of Stoney Creek, Ont., competed for the Girls 12-14 division title.

Olivia Johnson (Silver Spring Golf & Country Club) of Calgary, Alb. came out on top with a standout performance and score of 245, which included earning 40 points on both the 5-feet and 20-feet putting shots.

Boys 15-18: 

Matthew Brooks (Oakfield Golf & Country Club) had multiple 40 scores en route to winning the Boys 15-18 competition. The Halifax, N.S. native recorded scores of 40 in two of the driving events and 10-feet putting competition for a total competition score of 235.

Finishing second in the division was Ryan Cornacchia (Beacon Hall Golf Club) of Aurora, Ont., and placing third, Félix Fontaine (Club Sports Belvédère) from Val d’Or, QC.

Girls 15-18: 

Olivia Seaman (KenWo Golf Club) captured top honours in the Girls 15-18 event at the Junior Skills Challenge National Event. The Kentville, N.S. native recorded the best score out of any golfer at the Junior Skills Challenge on Sunday, posting a score of 270. Seaman delivered impressive scores in all three skills, recording 30 and above in driving and chipping, and holing out from 10-feet during the putting competition.

Edie Nicholson (Willow Park Golf & Country Club) and Payton Sheehan (Willow Park Golf & Country Club) finished second and third respectively in the competition.

For more information on the Junior Skills Challenge National Event, click here.

ENDICOTT, N.Y. – Mike Weir shot a 7-under 65 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over fellow major champion Padraig Harrington into the final round of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Open.

Weir had eight birdies and a bogey at En-Joie Golf Club in the round delayed by rain for about two hours to reach 12-under 132.

“The nice part of where I was on the weather delay, I had hit my tee shot on the eighth hole, so I was down there with just a rescue club from 218 yards or 220 yards,” Weir said. “It was a nice comfortable shot for me coming out of the rain delay. It was just a comfortable rescue club. I hit a nice shot to 20 feet for eagle and left it just short right in the middle, but it was a nice birdie and nice momentum coming off to keep the birdie momentum going.”

The 52-year-old Canadian left-hander won the rain-shortened Insperity Invitational last year for his lone senior title.

“I’m sure I’m going to have to shoot 6 or 7 under tomorrow with the guys that are up near the top, a lot of firepower there,” Weir said. “There’ll be no coasting, we’re going to be trying to make some birdies and keep some momentum going.”

The 50-year-old Harrington had a 67. The Irishman won the U.S. Senior Open in late June at Saucon Valley for his first victory on the 50-and-over tour.

Ernie Els and Vijay Singh, two more major champions, were tied for third at 9 under. Els had a 68, and Singh shot 70.

Jim Furyk, yet another major winner, had a 71 to fall into a tie for fifth at 8 under with Gene Sauers (67) and Tom Pernice Jr. (68).

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont – Team British Columbia did it again, completing the three division sweep at the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games at Legends-on-the-Niagara (Battlefield Course) in Niagara Falls, Ont.

For the third time in four attempts since the inaugural golf tournament in 2009, B.C. took home all the gold that was at stake. A 27-stroke victory earned them top honours in the newly introduced mixed team division, while Cooper Humphreys of Vernon, B.C. and Tina Jiang of Richmond B.C. claimed the gold medals in their respective individual divisions.

The hardware didn’t end there for the west coast champions. Surrey B.C.’s Lauren Kim earned silver medalist honours as the runner-up in the individual female division, finishing three strokes back of her teammate Jiang. B.C.’s 18 medals are the most out of any province since golf was introduced at the multi-sport event.

Ontario medaled in each of the three divisions: Carlee Meilleur of Landsdowne, Ont. captured the bronze in the individual female competition, Peter Blazevic won bronze in the individual male division and as a team, the province was awarded bronze in the mixed gender division.

Québec’s streak of medals in golf at the Games remained intact with a pair of runner-up finishes: the four-player team was awarded silver in the mixed team division, while Guillaume Paquette seized second place honours in the individual male category. La Belle Province’s medal count in golf at the Games improved to 14.

It was a record-breaking week in Niagara; in each of the four rounds, a record was broken, and new ones were set. The low single-round score for a female at the Games was snapped twice, first by Lauren Kim and then by her teammate Tina Jiang just two days later. Logan Graf rewrote history by posting a 7-under-par 65 to set the new low single-round score ever at the Canada Summer Games. To cap off the historic week, Jiang planted her seed as the new low 72-hole tournament score record holder.

Both the men’s and women’s individual divisions were deadlocked entering Saturday’s final round. Early into the spectacle, Jiang established herself alone at the top and didn’t budge. The 17-year-old played the final 36 holes to near perfection, making only one bogey on her final hole of the tournament. During that stretch, she rolled in 11 birdies to storm past Kim, who she trailed by five strokes after the opening two rounds of competition. Rounds of 69-71-68-66 (-14) earned the B.C. native the gold medal.

“I had so much fun; that’s the most fun I had in a while,” said Tiang. “The other teammates are so amazing, the coaches are amazing too, [it] was such a great experience.”

Humphreys and Paquette’s final round showdown felt more like a boxing match than it did golf. All day, the pair went pound for pound, shot for shot. Naturally, it came down to the wire. With a one-stroke lead on the 72^nd hole, Humphreys got up-and-down from a greenside bunker to save par and win the gold medal. After an opening round 73, the Team Canada member recomposed himself and fired rounds of 67-67-70 for a total score of 11-under.

“It feels good. I haven’t been playing the greatest lately so it’s nice to get this one,” said Humphreys. “I love competition, I love the pressure and the crowds were awesome; the more people the better for me – I love it.”

Speaking to his poise and calm demeanor on the course, the 16-year-old says he just tries to be himself out there.

“I’ve tried experimenting in different ways, being super serious and not so serious. Now I’ve just found the right middle, just being Coop is the way I play the best.”

The next edition of the Canada Games will take place from Feb. 15 – March 5 when Prince Edward Island hosts the 2023 Canada Winter Games. The next golf tournament will surface at the 2025 Canada Summer Games which are scheduled to take place in Newfoundland and Labrador.

For full results click here.

QUOTES FROM THE WEEK

“I kind of want to break that (record) tomorrow; I know I can definitely go lower,” – Lauren Kim on her record-breaking opening round.

“I remember my buddy Ethan yesterday telling me – I missed an eagle putt like 20 feet, it just lipped out – and he was like, ‘You’re going to get that one back.’ So, there it is,” – Ryan Holwell on his eagle on no. 18.

“I’m hitting the ball better than I ever have so that’s motivating week in and week out, [it] still keeps me coming out here and excited to play. And especially being at this event, Canada Games, that’s something every athlete dreams about all their life so there’s a lot of motivation there and a lot of energy all around the course and the facility, so [I’m] feeling pretty good.” – Ethan Efford on a busy last two weeks that saw him go to B.C. for nationals, back to N.L. for two days and straight to the Games.

“I just hit my tee shot to like 20 feet and I handed him my putter on the green and he set up, looked at it and just drained it. Even just right as he hit it, I was like, “No way, no way,” because it was just on line the whole way – it was just awesome!” – Cooper Humphreys on his experience with a First Tee participant who sank a 20-foot putt for him during the ‘walk with a player’ portion of the activation.

“On the back nine, I was in the zone. I made two eagles, two birds, I lost count of how many under I was today. It was a lot of fun out there today and meeting two new players was a lot of fun.” – Peter Blazevic on his round today.

By: Doug Ferguson

WILMINGTON, Del. – Adam Scott felt he was playing well enough that he should start seeing some better scores at some point. That moment appears to have arrived at just the right time.

Scott put together another tidy round Friday except for one hole _-a double bogey on the 17th – for a 2-under 69 that gave him a one-shot lead going into the weekend at the BMW Championship.

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler opened with three straight birdies and then cooled for 67, while Jordan Spieth’s hopes for a bogey-free round ended by a few inches when his tee shot caught the sticky first cut instead of the fairway. His bogey gave him a 67.

They were one shot behind, along with Cameron Young (68) and Corey Conners (67).

I felt like the last two days I’ve played really solid, gotten the ball in position off the tee, had a lot of good iron shots. Felt like I’m striking the ball well, and I’m just trying to give myself as many looks as possible.

Corey Conners

Scott, who was at 8-under 134, wasn’t sure how much golf would be on is plate in August. He was No. 77 in the FedEx Cup, not assured of even making it to the BMW Championship, until a tie for fifth last week in the FedEx Cup playoffs opener.

That was enough of a spark, and now he’s looking to cash in as one of the top 30 players who make it to the FedEx Cup finale next week in Atlanta for the Tour Championship.

“I’m in great shape going into the weekend. I don’t even know when the last time I led a tournament was,” Scott said.

He won at Riviera in 2020. His last 36-hole lead was at Doral for a World Golf Championship in 2016, which he went on to win.

“I certainly haven’t had my best stuff for quite a while. It’s been a battle for sure,” he said. “But that’s how this game is. I’d like to make the most of this position now over the next 36 holes.”

A brief look behind would remind him it won’t be easy, and the Australian knows this.

Spieth has looked solid over two days at Wilmington Country Club, with only one bogey in each round. He missed the cut last week and feels his postseason didn’t start until Monday when he arrived at Wilmington. That’s not just about trying to erase a bad memory.

Spieth headed to southern tip of Baja California after the British Open, wanting a break before the hectic finish to the season. One problem. Upon returning to Dallas, every course he plays was closed, and his only option was hitting from a stall in a practice facility.

Only when he arrived in Tennessee last week did he realize his swing had stayed on vacation, and his coach wasn’t available to join him until Delaware. He turned it around quickly.

“I feel like I’m doing everything good, nothing spectacular, but I feel like in every facet of my game, it’s trending and improving, and I know what to do to get it better and better,” Spieth said. “Certainly feels really good. Coming into the weekend, it’s a good opportunity to just have a lot of trust, focus on trying to win this golf tournament, not think about next week.”

Scheffler also missed the cut last week and joined Spieth and others at Pine Valley on Sunday. And then he opened with three short birdies, didn’t make too many mistakes the rest of the way and will be in the final group with Scott on Saturday.

Conner is at No. 29 and is in a great spot to protect his position for East Lake. Young seems to play great every week – twice contending in majors, five runner-up finishes for the season. One win would tick a lot of boxes on his list of goals.

Xander Schauffele holed out with a wedge on the 17th hole for an eagle and a 69, and he was in he group two shots behind that included defending champion Patrick Cantlay and Rory McIlroy, who chipped in for birdie on his final hole for another 68.

Scott didn’t get a finish quite that good. He was sailing along on a warm, breezy afternoon when he pushed his tee shot near a tree. The lie was clean, but his punch shot toward the fairway hung up in rough. From there he didn’t reach the green or get up-and-down, and all that meant a double bogey.

“It’s a good reminder for the weekend that I’ve really got to keep it under control and don’t want to have too many get off the map and get out of position around here,” Scott said.

By: Maddy Boelhouwer

Generous contribution by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities will help provide accessible golf opportunities for equity-deserving youth across Canada.

TORONTO, August 2022 – Golf Canada is proud to receive funding from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities (Jumpstart) in support of First Tee – Canada.

The generous contribution from Jumpstart will support the national rollout of First Tee – Canada, with a focus on engaging underserved communities. Since launching in 2021, there are more than 80 First Tee program locations across Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces.

First Tee – Canada provides youth aged five to 18 with affordable access to learn the fundamental skills of golf while reinforcing the life skills and values learned through sport. First Tee programming is delivered at schools, community centres, and golf facilities with curriculums and coach training specifically designed for each of these environments.

Jumpstart’s contribution will support First Tee – Canada program locations in equity-deserving communities across the country. Funds will be directed towards providing equipment, training, signage, and other materials to support the progression of participating youth from community centre programming to their local golf course.

Since 2005, Jumpstart has helped youth across Canada overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation.

Jumpstart is proud to be a part of First Tee – Canada’s growth and its positive influence within communities across the country.

“Jumpstart is proud to support Golf Canada in building greater equity and diversity in golf,” said Scott Fraser, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “Jumpstart believes every child deserves access to sport. By supporting the national rollout of First Tee – Canada, children from equity-deserving communities will have the opportunity to build their skills, self-confidence, and social connections through the game.”

Together, First Tee – Canada and Jumpstart will put more clubs into the hands of Canadian youth and empower them to reap the benefits of sport.

“We are fortunate to share with Jumpstart the common goal of advocating for youth and enriching their lives through sport,” said Adam Hunter, Director of Grow the Game for Golf Canada. “Jumpstart’s funding will accelerate the growth of our youth development program towards the goal of evolving golf participation demographics to more closely reflect Canada’s multiculturalism.”

As a not-for-profit program, First Tee – Canada and its positive impact on communities would not be possible without the generous support of organizations like Jumpstart.

“Jumpstart is a national leader in advocating for youth and championing the value of sport. We are extremely grateful to them for providing meaningful support and sharing our vision of Building Game Changers across Canada,” said Martin Barnard, CEO of the Golf Canada Foundation. “The pace of growth and philanthropic commitment behind First Tee – Canada since launching has been incredible. It is an exciting time for junior golf in Canada and we cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

Golf Canada Foundation is the funding partner for First Tee – Canada, drawing on an extensive national donor network to fund programming and major gift Trustees to launch chapters across the country.

With over 25 years of operation, First Tee has grown into an international network that has positively impacted more than 15 million young people, comprising over 150 chapters and more than 1,200 program locations across the United States, as well as six international chapters. Golf Canada joined forces with First Tee in 2020, and First Tee – Canada was born.

Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation are continuously pursuing corporate partners and gifts which allow for more chapters and program locations to launch in Canada. For more information on how to get involved, or to donate to First Tee – Canada, visit www.firstteecanada.ca.

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About First Tee – Canada

First Tee – Canada is a non-profit youth development program operating under Golf Canada since 2020. In partnership with First Tee, Golf Canada launched First Tee – Canada to provide educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee – Canada continues to expand programming and engage youth at golf courses, schools, and community centres in deserving regions across the country.

For more information and to learn how to support First Tee – Canada, visit firstteecanada.ca.

About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. With an extensive, national network of more than 1,000 grantees and 289 local chapters, Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation, and equipment, and provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming. Supported by Canadian Tire Corporation, Jumpstart has provided more than 2.7 million opportunities for Canadian kids to get in the game since 2005. For more information, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.

Follow Jumpstart on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to learn how the Charity is giving kids across Canada a sporting chance.

About Golf Canada Foundation

The Golf Canada Foundation is the leading source of golf philanthropy in Canada, granting more than $12 million to golf programs since 2012, and $13.4 million invested in the sport since the Foundation’s inception in 1979. The foundation’s mission is to support and promote programs that increase participation in golf by engaging players of all ages and abilities across Canada. For more information about what the Golf Canada Foundation is doing to support golf in communities across the country, visit www.golfcanadafoundation.com. 

About Golf Canada

Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada, representing more than 304,000 golfers and 1,435 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s vision is to be a world leader in golf and to achieve the mission to increase Canadian participation and excellence. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

Media Contact:

Madelyn Boelhouwer | Senior Coordinator, Marketing and Communications, First Tee – Canada | Golf Canada | 905-467-6086 | mboelhouwer@golfcanada.ca

(August 18, 2022) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce today the six athletes that will represent Team Canada at the 2022 World Amateur Team Championships, conducted by the International Golf Federation in France,  outside the capital city of Paris.
 
Representing Canada on the women’s side will be Lauren Kim, 17, of Surrey B.C., Nicole Gal, 17, of Oakville, Ont, and Brooke Rivers, 17, of Brampton, Ont. The trio will compete for the Espirito Santo Trophy in the 29^th playing of the women’s competition, August 24-27 at Le Golf National (Albatros Course) and Golf de Saint-Nom-de-la-Bretèche (Red Course).
 
Donning the red and white for the men’s team will be Johnny Travale, 21, of Stoney Creek, Ont., Garrett Rank, 34, of Elmira, Ont., and A.J. Ewart, 23, of Coquitlam, B.C. – the three highest ranked Canadian men on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. The Canadian squad will vie for the Eisenhower Trophy during the 32^nd edition of the men’s tournament, also being contested at Le Golf National (Albatros Course) and Golf de Saint-Nom-de-la-Bretèche (Red Course), August 31 – September 3.
 
“The World Amateur Team Championships provide our players with an opportunity to compete against the best amateurs from nations around the world,” said Kevin Blue, Chief Sport Officer at Golf Canada. “This year’s team includes deserving candidates that continue to demonstrate excellence on the international stage, and we are confident they will represent Canada and themselves very well.”
 
Team Canada Stollery Family Women’s Head Coach, Salimah Mussani, will captain the women’s team, while Team Canada Men’s Head Coach, Derek Ingram, will handle coaching duties for the men’s team.
 
Women’s Team Bios:
Nicole Gal, a member of Team Canada’s National Junior Squad for two years running, will lead Team Canada into the World Amateur Team Championships as the highest ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. In June, Gal posted a 5^th place finish at the Women’s Porter Cup. Two weeks later, she led the charge for Team Canada at the 2022 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup, guiding the junior girls to a bronze medal finish in Japan while finishing T4 in the individual competition. Most recently, the Ole Miss freshman reached the quarterfinals at the U.S. Junior Girls Championship, played in Bowling Green, KY. The 2021 Canadian Junior Girls champion will look to use her winning nature to power the Canucks to a podium finish in France.
 
Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., also a member of Team Canada’s National Junior Squad, earned a spot on the team with strong performances in 2022. The 17-year-old, who has committed to the University of Texas, is no stranger to the big stage; in June, she competed against the world’s best at the U.S. Women’s Open, posting rounds of 73-75. Her talents were on full display again at the 2022 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship where she demonstrated resilience and poise en route to a 3^rd place finish. Kim is currently competing at the 2022 Niagara Canada Summer Games – where she leads – before crossing the pond to represent her country on the global stage.
 
Brooke Rivers, a two-year member of Team Canada, burst on to the Canadian golf scene in 2019 when she won the NextGen Quebec Championship, and followed that up with another victory at the Coca Cola Junior Championship. That was only the beginning for the Brampton, Ont. native. The following year, Rivers was crowned champion of the prestigious North and South Junior Championship at Pinehurst, which gained her automatic entry into the renown North and South Amateur Championship earlier this season. The 17-year-old also finished second at the Porter Cup and recorded a 5^th place showing at the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.
 
Men’s Team Bios
Johnny Travale’s excellence in the classroom reflects his play on the golf course. A Dean’s List nomination in the Fall 2022 semester was a signature highlight for the Stoney Creek, Ont. native in his senior year at the University of Central Florida. An impressive 2021-22 season that featured three top-5 finishes, four top-10 results and five top-20 showings earned him a unanimous nod as an All-AAC performer for the second straight year. His strong play earned an invitation to the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, his first start in a PGA TOUR event. Travale’s 106^th ranking on the World Amateur Golf Rankings is the highest among Canadian men, followed closely by World Amateur teammates Rank and Ewart.
 
Garrett Rank is no stranger to competing for Canada at the World Amateur Team Championships, having done so in 2018 and 2016. Now, he brings that wealth of experience into this year’s edition of the championship and mentor his young teammates in their bid for the Eisenhower Trophy. The Elmira, Ont., native has previously won three Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships – a feat he accomplished in consecutive years – and will seek a fourth Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title prior to departing for Paris. The NHL referee’s 2021 golf season was highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Porter Cup and a 9^th place finish at the U.S. Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Rank also boasts the experience of representing Canada in the 2015 Pan-American Games, where he finished 15^th.
 
A.J. Ewart made a lasting impression in his junior year at Barry University, winning seven events to tie his countryman Adam Svensson’s school record for the most victories in a single season. The Coquitlam, B.C. native’s superb play in the collegiate ranks earned him the NCAA DII Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year Award, as well as a PING All-American first team nomination. Ewart received an exemption into the 2022 RBC Canadian Open and will look to continue his strong play in Paris.