Golf Manitoba (Winnipeg) – The 2020 Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur & Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships are set to go July 6-8 at the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club. These are the first two provincial championships of the 2020 Golf Manitoba event season.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION

Dates: July 6-8
Course: Bel Acres Golf & Country Club
Yards/Par: 5,865 yards/73
Field: 21
2019 Champion: Greer Valaquenta, Southwood Golf & Country Club
2019 Runner-up: Hannah Diamond, St. Charles Country Club
Format: 54 holes of stroke play
Awards/Placing: Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd lowest competitors.

MEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION

Dates: July 6-8
Course: Bel Acres Golf & Country Club
Yards/Par: 6.975 yards/72
Field: 60
2019 Champion: Eric Johnson, Breezy Bend Country Club
2019 Runner-up: Todd Fanning, Niakwa Country Club
Format: 54 holes of stroke play
Awards/Placing: Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd lowest competitors. First place also to Mid-Masters Champion (age 40+)

LOOKING BACK

Greer Valaquenta of Southwood Golf & Country Club won the 2019 Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship. Valaquenta played steady golf over three days on rounds of 73-78-75 for a 3 shot victory over Hannah Diamond of St. Charles Country Club. Finishing in third place and just four shots back was Marissa Naylor of Pine Ridge Golf Club.

2019 Women’s Amateur Leaderboard >>

It took extra holes for Eric Johnson to win the 2019 Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion. Johnson, who plays out of Breezy Bend County Club, made a par on the first hole of a sudden death playoff to beat Todd Fanning of the Niawka Country Club. Johnson fired a final round 69 for a three day total of 208. Fanning shot a final round of 68 to also finish at 208 to earn a spot in the playoff against Johnson. Mike Tibbs of Breezy Bend finished alone in third place shooting a final day round of 72 to finish two shots back at 210.

2019 Men’s Mid-Amateur Leaderboard >>

HISTORY

The Women’s Amateur Championship was first contested in 1921 and 2020 will be the 98th playing of the event.  There was no contest in 1943 or 1944.

Past Champions:

Complete past champions directory >>

The Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship was first contested in 1993 and 2020 will mark the 28th playing of the event.

Past Champions:

Complete past champions directory >>

FAST FACTS

• Sponsors:
  • Event title sponsor: Diamond Athletic Medical Supplies
  • Golf Manitoba association sponsors: TaylorMade Golf Canada, adidas Golf Canada
• The top three players will place in the Women’s Amateur Championship. The top three players will place in the Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship in addition to the winner in the Mid-Masters (40+) division.
• Players this week will compete under the Golf Manitoba 2020 Conditions of Competition and Protocols including enhanced health and safety standards in response to COVID-19.
• Caddies and spectators are not permitted.
• For media inquiries, please contact Lisa Andersen, Director of Competitions at lisa@golfmb.ca.
• Scoring updates will be available on the Golf Manitoba Twitter and Facebook pages.
• Leaderboards will be available on the event information webpage:
  • Women’s Amateur Leaderboard 
  • Men’s Mid-Amateur Leaderboard

ABOUT THE COURSE

More information on Bel Acres Golf & Country Club can be found here.

Portage la Prairie – The 2020 Junior Bantam Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation and the City & District Championship, both concluded on Sunday, June 28th at the Portage Golf Club in Portage la Prairie.

In the junior women’s bantam event, Cala Korman of the Killarney Lakeside Golf Club took the top spot overall with a 36-hole score of 161 on rounds of 79-82. Finishing in solo second, was Cyrstal Zamzow of Swan River Golf & Country Club who shot a two-day score of 172. Jeri Lafleche of Clear Lake Golf Club rounded out the top three with a two-day score of 188.

In the 12 & under junior women’s division, Jewel Lafleche of the Clear Lake Golf Course finished in first while her older sister Jeri Lafleche, took top honours in the 13 & 14 year division.

In the junior boys overall championship, it took extra holes for Mack Sanderson of the Pheasant Glen Golf Resort to earn the victory.  Sanderson made a two-putt par on the second hole of a sudden death playoff to beat Jackson Delaurier of the Dauphin Lake Golf Club. Both Sanderson and Delaurier shot a two-day score of 156. Finishing in third place and just two shots shy of the playoff was Austin Boge of the Pine Ridge Golf Club.

In the 12 & under boys division, Brayden Boge of Pine Ridge Golf Club shot a score of 163 and taking first place.  In the 13 & 14 division, a three-way tie for first at 158 was broken by a countback giving Austin Boge the win.

For complete junior bantam results, click here >>.

In the women’s City & District Championship, Greer Valquenta of the Southwood Golf & Country Club was the lone player to finish the two day event below par thereby helping her to her first City & District Championship title. Valquenta shot rounds of 71 & 76  for a 1-under par finish. The 2019 and 2018 Defending champion Charmain Mackid of the Breezy Bend Country Club and Marissa Naylor of the Pine Ridge Golf Club finished in a two-way tie for second at 162.

A new forward tee division was added to this event for 2020. Taking the inaugural top spot in that division was Kathy Adams who plays out of the Carman Golf & Curling Club.

For complete City & District results, click here >>.

Golf Manitoba would like to thank the membership and staff of the Portage Golf Club and general manager and PGA of Canada head professional Deb Pritchard, and superintendent Farrol Asham, for hosting this year’s championship. And a very special thanks to our presenting sponsor, the

Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation for their tremendous support of our junior bantam championship! Last but not least, thank you to all the players who participated and helped to make these two events a success!

As each provincial golf association has planned its respective amateur championships, organizers have had to take a back-to-basics approach to keep players, officials, and volunteers safe from COVID-19.

“It’s all about the players, the golf course, and the tournament,” said John Deneer, events and tournament manager for Alberta Golf. “No excess, no nothing. Just the players, so I’m glad we can do that.”

Alberta began its championship season on Tuesday with its men’s mid-amateur championship at Coyote Creek Golf & RV Resort in Sundre.

That province has implemented strict rules for its championships including no caddies, no guardians accompanying juniors and no spectators at its championship tournaments. Volunteer commitments have been reduced as much as possible and scorecards won’t be signed by both players, all in an effort to “reduce multiple touch points.”

 

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Take a look at the COVID-19 PROTOCOLS competitors this week at the Alberta Mens Mid Am are playing under at Coyote Creek Golf and RV Resort in Sundre. June 24th, 2020.

A post shared by Alberta Golf (@alberta_golf) on Jun 24, 2020 at 12:12pm PDT

Deneer said that although he expected there would be slightly lower registration for the provincial championships, it was actually higher than usual.

“When we announced that we were going to run the championships we felt comfortable that we could run them in a safe manner,” said Deneer. “(The men’s mid-amateur) was full with a waitlist. … We’re getting full fields, a lot of participation.”

Golf Ontario opened registration for its championships on Wednesday morning, with executive director Mike Kelly confirming that its men’s amateur sold out in eight minutes. Ontario’s provincial association actually had to split up registration times for its amateur and junior championships – which open Thursday – in an effort to make sure its web servers didn’t crash.

Ontario is taking similar precautionary steps to safeguarding participants at its amateur championships, although its junior players will be permitted one guardian to walk the course with them.

Trophy ceremonies in Ontario will be limited to the winners and one official, although Golf Ontario plans to broadcast the championship celebrations online.

“The first championship trophy won’t be handed out until the very end of July so we have a bit of time to figure it out,” said Kelly, who noted that tournaments like the men’s and women’s senior championships would be held at the same venue so joint ceremonies can be held. “One of the things we’re looking at is using Zoom so we’re able to provide a link.”

Manitoba has also begun its championship schedule, with Bobbi Uhl (amateur women), Carl Lechman (senior men) and Austin Dobrescu (amateur men) being crowned provincial match play champions on Sunday.

These provincial championships will be the biggest golf tournaments of 2020 as Golf Canada had to cancel all of its national championships due to travel restrictions. The RBC Canadian Open, Canada’s men’s professional championship, was also cancelled, although the CP Women’s Open is still scheduled for early September in Vancouver.

Many provincial championships serve as qualifiers for national tournaments, so the cancelling of Canada-wide events have freed up dates later in the summer. British Columbia Golf CEO Kris Jonasson said his organization plans to make the most of those open weekends.

“We had very early in the competitive season determined that we would make a decision on each of our individual events four weeks in advance of the start of that particular championship,” said Jonasson, who noted that the first four events of B.C.’s season were cancelled but will now be rescheduled, likely into those slots left open by Golf Canada.

Jonasson also said that B.C.’s men’s amateur – slated for three weeks from now – may also be postponed, depending on when health authorities lift their ban on non-essential within the province.

“We’re now hopeful that in some type of a modified format we can get all of our championships in or at least enough championships that we can crown an individual winner in each of our respective categories.”

Golf Manitoba would like to congratulate the Wheat City Golf Course in Brandon, Manitoba on celebrating your 75th anniversary in 2020!

Three golf clubs celebrating 125 years highlight a list of 55 Golf Canada member clubs that have reached significant milestones in 2020.

All clubs that are celebrating an anniversary will receive a plaque from Golf Canada. Clubs celebrating their 100th anniversary receive a commemorative scroll.

125 years

Norfolk Golf & Country Club (Simcoe, ON)

100 years

Knowlton Golf Club (Knowlton, QC)

 75 years

Wheat City Golf Course (Brandon, MB)

50 years

March Meadows Golf Club (Honeymoon Bay, BC)

25 years

Grande Meadows Golf Club (Freshman’s Cove, NL)

The 2020 Match Play Championship concluded on Sunday, June 21 at the historic St. Charles Country Club.  After a cool and cloudy day, the skies opened up just enough for the trophy presentation for the first official event on the Golf Manitoba championship schedule.

In the amateur women’s division final, it was a rematch from the 2019 final with Bobbi Uhl of Shilo Country Club taking on Hannah Diamond of St. Charles Country Club. It was Uhl’s turn to hoist the trophy with a 5 & 4 win preventing Diamond from taking her third straight match play championship. It was the first match play victory for Uhl who plays collegiate golf for Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia.

In the senior men’s division, Southwood Golf & Country Club’s Gordon Hudson squared off against Carl Lechman of Elmhurst in the 18-hole final. Lechman had his irons dialed in all day defeating Hudson on the 13th hole for a 6 & 5 victory. It was the first senior match play title for Lechman who also won the amateur men’s division back in 1990.

On the amateur men’s side, Austin Dobrescu, the number 2 seed heading into the championship matches, faced off against number 17 seed Jack Werhun of the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club. After a back-and-forth match, Dobrescu closed out the day on the 34th hole with a 4 & 2 victory good for his second straight match play title.

Final results >>

Golf Manitoba would like to express our sincere thanks to our 2020 Match Play Championship hosts for providing exceptional venues for this year competition.  Special thanks to the membership and staff of Winkler Centennial Golf Club and Greg Hesom, PGA of Canada Head Professional and General Manager. Thank you also to the membership and staff of St. Charles Country Club and PGA of Canada Head Professional, Cory Kartusch, General Manager, Cameron Gray and Head Superintendent, Braydon Gilbert.

It was another frustrating day on the golf course, where a round that had shown considerable early promise was derailed once again by sloppy play. But my numbers were not all bad. Despite my less than stellar score, there were some positives about that recent round at Peace Portal Golf Course in Surrey.

When I checked the step-counter on my phone, it told me that I had taken more than 13,000 steps during the round and walked about nine kilometres. (Clearly, I did not hit every shot straight down the middle).

I also climbed the equivalent of 23 floors, which is testament to Peace Portal’s hilly terrain. It is numbers like these, rather than the ones I mark on my scorecard, that have convinced me that golf is good for me.

The medical experts agree.

“Both physically and mentally, it is a wonderful sport for men and women and it definitely promotes health,” says Dr. Larry Goldenberg, a Vancouver urologist who is co-founder of the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation. “From a pure health point of view it’s an exercise and exercise equals longevity, it equals better mental health at all ages.

“I like to put it this way when it comes to exercise. If I said I had a pill that you had to take every day and it would decrease your risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, heart attacks, stroke, would you take that pill? Well, that pill is called exercise. There is enough literature out there, there are enough studies out there to prove that without any doubt regular exercise can promote every form of health, including decreasing the risk of dementia and slowing the progress of many neurological diseases.”

Regular golfers don’t have to be convinced about how good the game has been for them. It can certainly be frustrating on those days when the ball just won’t go where it’s supposed to, but they know that even on the bad days the game gives them back so much.

Doug Stone, a 75-year-old White Rock resident, doesn’t have many bad days on the golf course. His handicap is in the low single digits and he often shoots his age at his home course, Peace Portal, where he frustrates his fellow members who regularly must dig into their wallets following a round with Stone.

Stone is in great physical shape and he credits golf with helping him stay that way. “Golf has been an important factor in my physical and mental health,” Stone says. “I currently play three times a week at Peace Portal. Each round is in a competitive environment. I push my cart and never ride. Peace Portal has a number of short, steep hills that are perfect for increasing my cardio-vascular capacity.

“Mentally, golf demands constant focus and decision-making that can only be helpful for one’s mental health. It also provides for socialization with fellow competitors. This has proven to be a godsend during the current pandemic crisis. . .without my ridiculous obsession with golf, this 75-year-old body would not be as healthy as it is today.”

Kris Jonasson, chief executive officer of British Columbia Golf, knows from personal experience that golf has significant health benefits. “It’s not a secret I have multiple sclerosis,” Jonasson says. “I walk today because I wanted to play golf, so it has had a huge benefit to me. I also read the research on golfandhealth.org and am amazed at all the positive benefits we have the data to prove. Parkinson’s, dementia and hundreds of other health issues can be helped with a little exposure to golf. It’s not how good you are at golf, it’s how well golf improves your life.”

Jonasson says most golfers recognize the health benefits they get from playing the game. But he knows the industry still has work to do in promoting those mental and physical health benefits to others. “I think we are just starting to discuss the health benefits of golf,” he says. “Golf and Health Week was launched in 2019 and Brooke Henderson is one of the ambassadors. Ironically, Golf and Health week in 2020 was postponed because of the pandemic.”

Goldenberg, through his work with prostate cancer patients, also knows golf can play a role in recovering from a major illness. “There are a lot of men who have had prostate cancer who golf regularly,” he says. “That is the demographic I work in, the 50- to 80-year-old male and a lot of them play golf. And I think golf helps in the healing process, it helps get them outside, it helps them adapt to the new cancer world they are now in. So I think it helps people fight off depression, anxiety and stress.”

Don Griffiths can attest to that. Griffiths, a former president of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada), has had a life-long love affair with the game. He played on the University of B.C. golf team back in late 1950s and early 1960s and now, at age 82, still plays three or four times a week at his home course, Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver. He walks every step of the way and carries his own clubs.

Griffiths thinks golf has helped him live a long life. It also aided in his recovery from a major health issue, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer 13 years ago. “There was a bit of a delay after surgery until I was able get back to playing, but once I did I felt it was doing me good to get out there and play,” Griffiths says.

“I think golf was one of the things that kept me going. To me, golf is a wonderful game, not only the physical aspect of it, but the mental aspect of it. Getting out there and communicating with my golfing friends is something I really enjoy.”

Dr. Saul Isserow, director of the Centre for Cardiovascular Health at Vancouver General Hospital, says simple common sense suggests that golf, as an exercise, has profound benefits for one’s cardiovascular health. But Isserow, himself an avid player, knows the game also has immense social benefits, “One would think the benefit of social interaction are as much of a benefit as the exercise,” Isserow says.

So the fact is, golf is far from a good walk spoiled. No matter your score or skill level, just remember the game is good for you.

Golf has always been a positive addition to anyone’s healthy active lifestyle. More so now, as the world navigates the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, adding golf into one’s physical and mental health routines can provide a litany of benefits.

While the sport is a positive addition for these times, it’s also an idyllic activity for millennials who are perhaps feeling the pull of wanting to see friends, enjoy a cold Steam Whistle outdoors, and feel a part of nature again.

The only place all three of those things can happen these days is on the golf course.

Here are seven reasons why golf is the perfect sport of now for millennials:

1. The ability to get together with friends

The only place to get a group of guys or group of girls together—all from outside their family/household bubbles—for a couple of hours and have fun is on the golf course.

“The reality is that there are few activities available right now where people can get together and enjoy the company of friends and family,” says Brian Decker, the director of marketing and communications at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.  “Golf is uniquely positioned to give people a safe way to do just that, and we feel that if we can give people an outlet to get away from the stresses of this crisis, we’re playing a small role in our collective recovery,”

As millennials, we’re used to having constant connection with people.

Sure, we have been able to digitally connect with our colleagues and have made headway in virtual game nights or catch-up drinks over the last 90 days or so, but there’s nothing like in-person connection. Playing golf allows for that.

2. Digital-first communication

Millennials are strapped to their phone—there’s no way around that. It’s not as though phone usage should be looked as a negative, either. Phones these days are used for banking and work connections, not just games or dating apps.

Golf courses have done a fantastic job with their digital communication strategies as they open across Canada in the time of COVID-19.

You’d be hard-pressed not to find courses using new features on Instagram, like the ‘Story’ function to show the different things golfers can expect at clubs upon arrival and through their round during the time of COVID-19.

“All of our member communication about our COVID-19 procedures has been done through our broadcast emails.  We have also used video and provided the links,” says Dave Fox, the general manager at Islington Golf Club.

While many golf courses struggled to dedicate time and personal to marketing and communications, one thing COVID-19 has helped to boost is the social and digital relevancy of golf clubs.

This is a positive as many millennials, and many for the first time, will be searching and following golf courses they want to play. The information provided, through digital and social channels, is the perfect way to connect with millennials.

3. Social Sharing

Millennials are the earliest adaptors of social media, and as such, there are approximately 3.5 billion millennial social media users in the world. Golf provides the perfect canvas for millennials to want to share their experiences on social media.

Whether you’ve been able to get together with your friends for the first time in months, you’ve been able to buy a beer from a bar (or in this case, a halfway house or clubhouse) for the first time this summer, or you’ve caught the perfect late-afternoon light—posting about your day on a golf course is millennial friendly.

“Social media has always been a priority for us in communicating/marketing to the travelling golfer,” says Mark McLane, the executive director of Golf Prince Edward Island, who says the agency’s Facebook page prompted nearly 20,000 website views in April alone.

McLane says—with only 27 coronavirus cases on PEI and no deaths—the islands reputation for safety and tranquility has promoted groups who usually travel internationally (including to the U.S.) for golf wishing to come to the island.

A Canadian golf trip experience is an ideal platform for social sharing, and whether it’s wrapped in food, friendship, or, of course, the golf, millennials love the opportunity to snap a picture and click share.

4. Exercise

With no gym facilities open across Canada, millennials are looking for places to exercise that isn’t usually their kitchen, bedroom, or basement.

Golf Canada research suggests players burn approximately 2000-2500 calories during a round while walking a minimum of 9,000 metres. Golfers will exceed 10,000 steps over 18 holes.

My scores haven’t been great and that’s an understatement. But there were some numbers I liked from a recent round: 13,000 steps taken and 9 kilometres walked while climbing the equivalent of 23 floors. My mantra: Golf is good for me. https://t.co/lEm7xfuRVF

— Brad Ziemer (@BradZiemer) June 16, 2020

The golf course is not just a place to get together with friends for a hot dog at the turn, but it’s a place to burn off the one-too-many hotdogs from being quarantined.

5. Sense of Normalcy

If there were one place where millennials could feel as if they were participating in a “normal” activity, it would be the golf course.

Those lucky enough to have access to a car can jump in it, see their friends or family members at the parking lot of the golf course, play 18 holes together and catch up, and then drive home.

“The tee sheet has been busy. We couldn’t accommodate all the requests to play the first weekend,” says Fox from Islington, showing that people are just anxious to get back to something that makes them feel as if they are doing something as normal as possible these days.

From a business standpoint as well, the golf industry in Canada has a $19.7-billion impact on economic activity in the country. According to recent Carleton University COVID-19 stats, younger Canadians are more bullish about reopening the economy.

“Golf employs a ton of people,” says Sam Wills, a PGA of Canada Assistant Professional at Deer Valley Golf Club in Regina. “From an economic standpoint, getting golf courses getting open is a great thing.”

6. Responsibility for the greater good

A new 10-year-long study from the Case Foundation of 150,000 millennials revealed that one of the top-10 takeaways is that millennials care about social issues.

The ability for millennials to be part of the safe reopening of the economy while caring for the health and safety of their fellow man makes golf so important in the millennial ethos.

“We continue to evaluate our protocols daily in such an evolving landscape,” says Brian Mossop, the general manager of Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club. The club was closed for several weeks to have the opportunity to completely re-evaluate its services and service-related items. 

And while millennials continue to practice physical distancing, it can be done with aplomb on the golf course.

“Golf,” Wills from Deer Valley says, “is safer than going into a grocery store right now.“

7. Hope

While millennials have been blamed for everything from the demise of chain restaurants to cereal, one thing is true—this group has hope.

During an unprecedented time in our history, when you combine all the good things about golf (social health, physical health, mental health, fun, positive economic impact, environmental benefits, and more) it gives millennials hope for what can come on the other side of this pandemic.

“Shortly after we opened earlier this month, we received an email from someone who had played here and thanked the staff for a great experience and helping them to feel ‘normal for the first time in two months,’” says Decker at TPC Toronto. “That really hit home for our team and confirmed for us that golf can play a really positive role in these times.”

Whether you’re picking up the game for the first time, returning to golf after a bit of a break, or if you’re a long-time player just thrilled to be able to get back out there again for the 2020 season, it’s imperative to follow the guidelines as listed by your golf course or club. The new rules are in place to reflect government and health organization best practices as we all navigate this global pandemic safely. And although your time at a golf course may look different than in year’s past, one thing should remain the same: be sure to treat the golf-course staff with respect and understanding. We’re all in this together.

Chemical Engineering major and Canadian LPGA Tour golfer Brittany Marchand offers up a home schooling lesson where we investigate how the golf club’s loft effects the distance of the golf club.

Golf Manitoba wishes to extend a warm welcome to Oak Island Golf Resort, our newest member club!

Located approximately 45 minutes southwest of Brandon, Manitoba, Oak Island is designed by Les Furber, one of Canada’s most prolific golf course architects. Designed with 4 tee decks on each hole, Oak Island Golf Course has strived to ensure anyone from beginners to professionals can find challenge and enjoyment on the golf course. And the A-4 bentgrass greens provide one of the best putting surfaces available in the world today. Combine this with a course that is completely surrounded by beautiful prairie wetlands and you have a perfect setting for memorable round of golf.

For more information about Oak Island Golf Resort and to book your online tee-time, please visit fourseasonsislandresort.com/oak-island-golf.

OAKVILLE, ONT. (Golf Canada) – Due to continued health concerns as well as government restrictions on travel and group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Golf Canada has cancelled all of its amateur golf competitions for the duration of the 2020 season.

The National Sport Federation had previously announced the cancellation or postponement of a number of its junior and amateur competitions scheduled through mid-June.

“National amateur competitions have been a proud focus throughout our 125-year history and while we share in the disappointment of competitors, our host clubs and event volunteers, the most important consideration is the health and safety of the people who come together at our championships,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “Ongoing travel restrictions—both international and across some provincial borders—in addition to continued restrictions on larger group gatherings and limitations on player training were significant contributors to this decision. We are also sensitive to the needs of our host clubs to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their staff and members.”

The 107th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, one of the top-ranked women’s amateur events in the world that attracts many international athletes, was scheduled to begin in five weeks at The Royal Montreal Golf Club from July 21-24. In addition, the 116th Canadian Men’s Amateur which features a 264-player field was scheduled to take place at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alta. from August 3-6 – marking the 125th anniversary of this storied championship. The cancellations will mark the first time since the second World War where these two national championships will not be conducted.

Golf Canada has also announced that the National Orders of Merit will not be awarded in 2020. The purpose of the points-based rankings is to identify and give recognition top-performing male and female amateur and junior golfers across Canada who have achieved success in the golf season. The decision to not award the Orders of Merit was made recognizing the varying access Canadian golfers will have to domestic and international competitions, and the resulting difficulty in running an equitable ranking system. Golf Canada will look to resume the Orders of Merit on September 1st, 2020 for the 2021 rankings. For more information, please visit the National Orders of Merit page by clicking here.

Golf Canada and Golf Ontario previously announced the cancellation of the 7th annual World Junior Girls Championship, scheduled for September 30 – October 3, 2020 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 20 championships nation-wide which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf referees, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist and FootJoy. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/competitions.