Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Harris hangs on to win PGA of BC Club Professional Championship

Host professional Tony Harris managed to hang on throughout a rainy and difficult day Tuesday to win
the Callaway Golf PGA of BC Club Professional Championship at Bear Mountain Resort’s Valley Course.

Harris shot a five-over-par 76 to go with his first-round three-under 68 for a two-over-par total of 144. He earned $1,750 for the win.

“I scrambled for a lot of good pars on the back nine today, It was tough out there,” Harris said after the round. Local knowledge played a large part in Harris’s win. The Valley Course greens feature some extreme undulations and knowing where to place the ball on approach shots makes a big difference in scoring. Even then, Harris said, he had two three-putts Tuesday.

Finishing a stroke back was Rob Anderson of Shadow Mountain Golf Course, whose one-over 72 Tuesday game him a two-round total of 145. He earned $1,200.

A three-way tie for third spot included Dave Bolton of Savage Creek Golf Centre, Kyle German of Point Roberts G&CC and Bill Kelly of Glacier Greens GC. They earned cheques of $733.

Tied for sixth were Daryl Stubbs of Cove Links GC, and Brian MacDonald of Fairview Mountain GC, who earned cheques for $475.

Rounding out the top 10 were Ian Henson of Sun Rivers GC, who shot the low round of the day with a two-under 69, and Cec Ferguson of Vernon G&CC, who shot 150 and won $412.50, and Scott Dickson of Shaughnessy G&CC, whose 151 total earned a cheque for $375.

Click here for final results and money!

Cold and blustery conditions, including some heavy rain through the final round, made for very challenging conditions for the field.

This was the fourth year of the Callaway Golf PGA of BC Club Professional Championship, open to Head Professionals, Executive Professionals and Head Teaching Professionals. It is one of 10 major championships conducted each year by the PGA of BC for its 700 members at facilities throughout the province.

The PGA of BC expresses its sincere gratitude to Callaway Golf Canada for sponsorship of the event.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Canadian Tour - 2009 Season Concludes This Week

Submitted by CanTour Communications John Berkovich

NAYARIT, Mexico – The Canadian Tour wraps up its 2009 season this week at the US $125,000 Riviera Nayarit Classic presented by IDN.

The tournament is being played at the stunning Pacifico Course at Punta Mita Club de Golf, a Jack Nicklaus design.

The course is set amid vistas of white-sand beaches and the surrounding Sierra Madre Mountains and takes full advantage of its seaside location – eight holes border either the Pacific Ocean or Banderas Bay.

The event returns to the Canadian Tour after a one year hiatus; Wes Heffernan captured the 2007 title by five strokes over Anthony Rodriguez.

The Calgary native is back and looking for his first title of 2009 as he gears it up for PGA TOUR Q-School in a few weeks.

Heffernan has enjoyed a solid season with six top tens, and, aside from a missed cut in Saskatoon, his worst finish this year is a T-18 at the ATB Financial Classic in his hometown.

Don’t be surprised if Rafael Gomez makes it two in a row this week. The winner of more than 20 worldwide didn’t get rattled on Sunday as he watched his lead erode.

Scott Gibson added another top ten to his 2009 Canadian Tour portfolio last week, finishing third at Riviera Maya.

It was his third top-three finish of the season and what better way to cap off a great season than with a victory at the final event.

He may be jetlagged from his trek to Estonia, but Stuart Anderson could be a threat.

Now living in Victoria, B.C., and playing with tremendous confidence, the big man is having an even bigger season. He won Montreal and has three other top tens on his 2009 resume.

Brock Mackenzie has the game to earn his first Tour title. He finished T-4 in Victoria and T-10 in Montreal and was a Nationwide Tour regular in 2007.

Like many players this week, he will be using the tournament as a final tune-up for Q-School and a win would be a tremendous boost.

Keep an eye on Mitch Gillis this week. The Williams Lake, B.C. native has three consecutive top tens and earlier this year he stated that his goal was to win a tournament this season.

He has one chance left and he may just do it.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Canadian Tour - Gomez Captures Second Tour Title

Submitted by CanTour Communications John Berkovich

RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico – Rafael Gomez stumbled home with a four over par 76 but hung on to win the US $100,000 Iberostar Riviera Maya Open by one stroke over Antonio Maldonado who closed with a 71.

Gomez, who started the day with a six shot lead, double-bogeyed the final hole to finish the tournament at 12 under par 276.

Click here for the final round leaderboard!

Scott Gibson fired a two under par 70 to grab solo third at eight under 280, one ahead of American John Douma who had a 69.

Sharing fifth spot at 282 are Brock Mackenzie (67) and David Jackson who had a 72.

Hoyt McGarity shot his second consecutive 69 to grab a share of seventh at 283 along with Paulo Pinto (69) and Liam Kendregan who fired a 71.

“This is a big win for me and a real confidence booster going into Q-School,” said Gomez, who took home US $16,000 and his second Canadian Tour title of the season.

“It was difficult to start with such a big lead. I have had big leads to start last rounds before, but not this big."

It showed. He staggered out of the gate with back-to-back bogeys but with Maldonado bogeying the second, the lead was still five.

Righting the ship, Gomez birdied four and five but stumbled again with bogeys at eight and nine, cutting the lead to four at the turn.

Maldonado then sliced the lead to three with a birdie at ten but it jumped to five with a Gomez birdie and Maldonado bogey at No. 13.

“I played conservatively all day and even though Antonio (Maldonado) was getting a bit closer in the middle of the round, I wasn’t too worried,” said Gomez.

“He was the one who had to get aggressive, not me.

Having bogeyed No. 15, Gomez arrived at the 18th tee with a four stroke lead over Maldonado and what appeared certain victory.

However, the duo had to endure a lengthy delay for the two groups ahead of them before they were able to tee off.

“I just wanted to hurry up and finish and I got anxious,” said Gomez. “I lost my concentration and pushed my tee shot way right into the mulch.

“I had to take a penalty drop from there but I wasn’t worried because I still had a big lead.”

Gomez advanced the ball back onto the fairway and then hit what he called an incredible shot to 15 feet from the pin.

Although Maldonado birdied to put some pressure on Gomez, the Argentine would not be denied, calmly two-putting for the victory.

“I’ve been playing very good golf all year and to do this right before qualifying school is very important,” he concluded.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Canadian Duo Head To China After Winning World Cup of Golf Qualifier

Submitted by Canadian Tour And European Tour

JOELAHTME PARISH, Estonia – The Canadian team of Graham DeLaet and Stuart Anderson managed an even par 72 but it was enough to capture the Omega Mission Hills World Cup Qualifier by two strokes over Wales.

The duo finished at 19 under par 269 to book a spot in the main event in China from Nov. 26 – 29.

Scotland fired a final round 66 to grab the third qualifying spot, three ahead of fourth place Portugal.

This is the second consecutive trip to the World Cup for DeLaet, who partnered Wes Heffernan to a T-13 finish last year.

Anderson’s previous trip was in 2004 when he and Darren Griff represented Canada in Seville, Spain.

Buoyed by their victory in the qualifier, Canada were feeling confident about their chances when they tee it up at Mission Hills Golf Club in the World Cup final in November.

“When Graham and I are both on form, we can definitely contend. We played pretty well today.

“We had got ourselves far enough in front that we could cruise along today. It is great that we won but our first goal was to qualify this week,” said Anderson.

“We came here to get the job done and finish in the top three and we did it,” added DeLaet.

“We are very excited to have the chance to play in China and we have a great chance to really compete when we get there.”

“It’s always exciting to put your country’s bag on your bag and stride down the fairway.

“Growing up as a kid in Canada you dream of representing your country at ice hockey.

"Golf is the only sport that I will have the chance to fulfill that dream with and I am really proud.”

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Bryn Parry Continues Great Play at the Canadian Assistants' Championship

Coming off his victory last week at the Vancouver Open held at the Vancouver Parks Golf courses, North Vancouver's Bryn Parry was in Quebec City this week for the Titleist & Footjoy Canadian PGA Assistants' Championship. As if to show he deserved the $5,000 bonus that came from the Vancouver Golf Tour to help him pay for the first stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School, he got off to a record start in Quebec. His first round 63 broke the course record at Golf de la Faune by two shots and left him with a four shot lead after round one.

While Parry didn't win this week, he closed with rounds of 74 and 70, he did manage a very respectable tie for second place and earned $5,000 for his efforts. Not a bad couple of weeks. With $15,000 in earnings in his past two events, Parry is looking to be Canada's next best hope to make it on the PGA Tour. Let's hope he can continue his great play into November!

Congratulations to Matt Palsenbarg of Northview Golf and Country Club on his victory in the Titleist & Footjoy Canadian PGA Assistants' Championship. Palsenbarg fired rounds of 70, 67 and 69 for a one stroke victory and earned $9,000 with a par on his final hole.

Click here for the full field final round results!

Golf Course Review - University Golf Club

I had a chance to play University Golf Club a couple of weeks ago for the first time this year. Myself and a dozen other local Club Pros were playing in our monthly skins game which is always great fun and it is good to catch up with everyone and see how their year has gone.

Jeff's Opinion: I always like going to UGC, in part because of its close proximity to downtown, we always have a memorable and fantastic experience. On the golf course side it is a fun layout, not overly difficult and always in good shape. This day was no exception, while they had a tough start after an unusual spring and suffered some damage to their fairways, they have completely recovered and have been in excellent condition for most of the summer. The greens, as always, were in terrific shape and rolled very true. I will admit I do have a hard time putting there; it seems that there are some subtle but hidden breaks in every putt. The staff are fantastic and do a really great job in all departments, which is one of the reasons we always stay for a meal and seem to leave with a purchase from the Golf Shop every time.

Tara's Opinion: I did not play golf on this day, in fact I have not yet played at the course even though I seem to be there at least on a monthly basis. We do attend quite a few events at the golf course but it is also our favorite course in the city to visit to use the range, dine in the restaurant and to shop. As Jeff has mentioned, the main reason for this is the staff. The service level is great in all departments and the food is always good. The menu has enough diversity that you can eat at the facility often and always have something to choose from and the selection and amount of clothing in the golf shop make it my favorite course to shop at.

Overall UGC is an excellent golf operation and we would recommend that you go out and play a round, or even use the range or go for lunch. Oh and yes, I was shut out in the skins game.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Canadian Assistants Championship - Belbin and James Dominate Leaderboard Heading into Final Round

QUEBEC CITY, QC – It’s a good day for Alberta, as Darryl James of National Golf Academy and Mike Belbin of Royal Mayfair Golf Club, AB capture the provincial championship and share the leaderboard heading into the final round of the 2009 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Assistants’ Championship presented by Simmlands Insurance.

Both at nine-under-par with their combined rounds, Belbin 68-67, and James 67-68, hold a one-stroke lead over Dave Levesque of Rattlesnake Point Golf Club, ON, John McCann of Fairtree Golf Centre, ON, Serge Thivierge of Vallee du Richelieu, QC and Kevin B. Tremblay of Les Dunes, QC.

Belbin posted six birdies and one bogey today, hitting every green and missing two fairways all day. “We were definitely lucky with the draw today, this morning the guys had the unfortunate weather, this afternoon, the conditions were very favourable, although it was a little tough to see because of the fog settling in the last few holes,” stated Belbin who played on the Canadian Tour with full status for five years.

Belbin had a successful year in Alberta placing third on the 2009 PGA of Alberta Players' Tour Overall Earnings list and claiming the 2009 Alberta PGA Match Play Championship, the first event on the Tour. He continued to play solid on the Tour, losing in a playoff in the second event, and then got some devastating news regarding the health of his father, naturally restricting the amount of competitive golf he could play. With all of the low scores posted over the past two rounds, Belbin knows that it is going to be a battle in the final round. “Tomorrow will be a war, because this is the type of course where birdies can be found, and they are there for taking if you want to grab them as long as you keep the ball in play.”

Sharing the lead with Belbin is fellow Alberta teammate Darryl James who is very familiar with the need to keep the ball in play. Whether it was the red eye flight, the intense wind, or just the narrow course bordered by marshes and environmental hazards, James’ first practice round found him searching for 12 lost balls. He quickly shook that out of his system after posting a five-under-par, then four-under-par today for a consistent two day total of nine-under-par 135.

“Today I just took just it one shot at a time, and tried to focus solely on each stroke,” stated 48-year-old James, “I honestly didn’t think my game was in the shape it needed to be in before I got here, so it has been a pleasant surprise over the last few days, but I can tell you that I am working really hard in each round, and it has been pretty mentally draining.”

Tied at eight-under-par and only one shot off the lead are four outstanding competitors all vying for the National championship title.

John McCann of Fairtree Golf Centre in Markham, ON climbed the leaderboard with a solid seven-under-par 65 today to add to his 71 yesterday. It was a turn of events as McCann, who was paired with Bryn Parry and Carl Desjardins, took charge today as opposed to yesterday when he was trailing the group throughout the round. “It was pretty funny, yesterday, I felt like I was playing poorly compared to those guys because they were at six and nine-under and I was fighting to make par,” stated McCann who lost the 2008 Assistants’ Championship in a playoff against Remi Bouchard. “Even when I eagled the 11th hole yesterday, I didn’t get the honours once off the tee the entire day, so we joked this morning after playing the first few holes well that it wasn’t going happen again.”

Past champion, Serge Thivierge of Vallee du Richelieu, QC (1977, 1979, 1980) matched his first round score of 68 today. He battled a dizzy spell on the first three holes, where he lost his focus while standing over his putter. He is looking to add another National championship 29 years later, and claims this may be his last as he looks to attain retired status next year.

Dave Levesque of Rattlesnake Point Golf Club, ON posted a 66 today to add to his first round 70 to include himself in the running for the title. This is a familiar spot for Levesque as he was leading the Championship last year, heading into the final round where he finished tied for third, only one stroke off the playoff. Today, Levesque found the course to be difficult and “was fighting in the corners” to save par after experiencing a few difficult lies in hazards.

Kevin B. Tremblay of Les Dunes, QC posted the low round for the day at 64 to add to his even-par-72 yesterday. Tremblay attributes his stellar play to a consistent driver after taking a few tips from friend and co-competitor Greg Cuthill on the range before his round.

Bryn Parry of Seymour Creek Golf Centre, BC struggled today, finishing with a two-over-par 74 to add to his course record-63 yesterday. “Every time I hit the ball I went left and I ended up in the hazards five times in seven holes just trying to be aggressive,” stated Parry. “Like yesterday, guys will make up eight or nine shots out here on the course, it’s very reachable and guys are going to change places every day.”

The Alberta Zone captured the the InterZone team competition, after competing against each zone across the country. Going into the final round with a two shot lead over Ontario, the Alberta team (Belbin-68,67, Black-68,71, Kureluk-68,70, James-67,68) arrived victorious with a final score of 408 over the Ontario team (Groves-67,72, Levesque-70,66, Maunder-69,72, Smith-69,69) with a total score of 412, and Quebec (Dumouchel -67,70, Houle-76,72, Morin-75,71, Tremblay-75,70) at 428. The score is determined by the calculation of the best three scores in each four man team. The purse for the InterZone competition is $5000, with $500 going to each player on the winning team, $400 to each player on the second place team, and $350 going to each player on the third place team.

The final round of the championship will take place tomorrow, with 63 players making the cut at 149 or better. The first tee time will commence at 8:42AM with the last group departing at 12 noon. For pairings and results please visit www.cpga.com

The total purse for the championship is $60,000 with the champion receiving a $9,000 first place cheque.

Golf de la Faune, a links’ style course, is set in an astonishing natural environment. With eight water hazards, 45 sand traps, and oversized greens, the course will be pose a difficult challenge to the top Assistant professionals across the country.

About the Canadian PGA:

Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com

Canadian Tour - Mexican Swing Closes Out the Season

Submitted by CanTour Communications John Berkovich

SOLIDARIDAD, Mexico – The Canadian Tour swings back into action this week with the playing of the US $100,000 Iberostar Riviera Maya Open at Playa Paraiso Golf Club.

The tournament, one of two rescheduled after the H1N1 virus caused the postponement of the Mexican Swing in May, is the penultimate event on the 2009 Canadian Tour schedule.

Daniel Im made an impressive Canadian Tour debut here last year when he birdied the final hole to defeat Brent Schwarzrock and Oscar Serna by one stroke.

He won’t be back to defend but his younger brother Jae Woo is here. The 19-year-old has taken great pleasure in outplaying his older sibling for much of the season with his best finish a T-5 in Seaforth.

Scott Gibson finished T-6 here last year and has knocked on victory’s door several times this season – including the Tour Championship earlier this month. He’s due.

Rafael Gomez, a winner at the 2008 Sport Frances Open in Chile, is in the field. Gomez led the Nationwide Tour’s Panama Open last February before finishing T-6, four strokes behind winner Vance Veazey.

This could be Lucas Lee’s week. A second at the Players Cup and a playoff loss to James Love at the Tour Championship are on his 2009 resume and the young man from Brazil has plenty of talent.

Ryan Yip figures to be in the mix this week. A winner at the Jane Rogers Championship last month, the Calgary native continues to play with confidence and has two additional top-five finishes this season, including a third at Seaforth after battling James Hahn and eventual winner Brian Unk down the stretch on Sunday afternoon.

After three second place finishes last season, George Bradford has struggled this season but he could be a sleeper pick this week. The talented Maryland native has several top finishes on the Mexican Swing throughout his career.

While the exempt spots for second stage of Q-School and the Bursary Awards have already been handed out, there is still plenty on the line in Mexico.

The top 80 on the Order of Merit after next week’s event earn exempt status for 2010 while the next 10 attain non-exempt cards.

2009 IBEROSTAR RIVIERA MAYA OPEN

DATES: Sept. 24-27, 2009
LOCATION: Solidaridad, Mexico
PURSE: US $100,000
COURSE: Playa Paraiso Golf Club (P.B. Dye)
YARDAGE/PAR: 6,683; Par-72
2008 WINNER: Daniel Im
2007 WINNER: Spencer Levin

Monday, September 21, 2009

Parry Breaks Course Record in First Round of the Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Assistants’ Championship

QUEBEC CITY, QC - Bryn Parry of Seymour Creek G. & C. C. in North Vancouver, B.C. broke the course record by two strokes and has a commanding four-shot lead over the strong field heading into the second round of the 2009 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Assistants’ Championship presented by Simmlands Insurance.

The two-time Canadian PGA Assistant champion (1999, 2005) posted an incredible flawless round of seven birdies and one eagle en route to his 63 at Golf de la Faune in Quebec City, QC. At the turn, Parry was two-under-par and trying to match the remarkable play of his fellow competitor Carl Desjardins who had posted five birdies through the first seven holes. On the back nine, Parry excelled when he birdied the 10th, eagled the 11th, birdied the 12th, then 14th, and finally the 17th and 18th holes finishing with an outstanding 29 on the back nine. This feat almost matched his final round back nine of 28 last year at the same Championship in Beloeil, QC (finished T10 2008).

“Playing with guys like Carl in your group and collectively making four eagles between the three of us is such a help to your game because you watch each other hit perfect shots which in turn forces you to make the same adjustments in your game,” stated Parry who won the PGA of BC Pro-Assistant Championship earlier this year.

Parry has had an outstanding year on the Vancouver Golf Tour with four major wins this season, the Nickel Heating Open, the Chilliwack Open, the RBC Invitational Pro-am and the Vancouver Open. With his success on the Vancouver Tour, it has earned him the year-end title and a bonus $5,000 (U.S.) to pay his entry to the 2009 PGA Tour Qualifying School this October.

“I wish I could go play my second round right now,” stated a giddy Parry who could have left his wedges back at the hotel today. “I didn’t miss any greens and didn’t chip at all which is always a great feeling. I think I had one putt of ten feet on the fringe to save par, but the rest were tap ins.”

It seems that Parry’s game is hitting a hot streak after posting scores of 65 three times and 66 twice in the last three weeks with friends. “This is no doubt my best score posted in a tournament, but I know I can’t slip up tomorrow, I have to go full steam ahead or guys will catch up pretty quickly, I have to play the full 54 holes to my limit,” stated Parry who played on the Nationwide Tour in 2007.

Brian Groves of Kaneff Golf Academies in Ontario, Darryl James of National Golf Academy in Alberta and Vincent Dumouchel of La Prairie in Quebec are four shots behind Parry at five-under-par 67 heading into the final round.

Groves had a successful season in Ontario this year winning the 2009 Ontario PGA Assistants’ Spring Championship and is currently sitting tied for third position on the Order or Merit rankings. He carded seven birdies and two bogeys today en route to his 67. “I started off the day pretty well with five birdies on the front nine because the conditions were more than favourable this morning with no wind and clear skies, so I was able to take advantage of that.”

Dumouchel is a force to be reckoned with this year in the Quebec Zone. He is the leader on Tour in the Order of Merit and his target is to make $20,000 this September, a goal which seems to be in sight for the 25 year old. This month he has already won the match play event at $10,000, and the Taylor Made Carte Kose Championship at $4,000. He is currently leading on the money list and looks like a shoe-in for the Player of Excellence Award in Quebec for 2009.

Darryl James seemed to be surprised at his 67 today after having suffering some difficulty with his back before arriving in Quebec. “I definitely got everything out of that round that I possibly could,” laughed James, I really didn’t hit it well, but I scrambled and was able to sink some putts which saved me,” stated James who has had a solid year in Alberta and is currently third on the Order of Merit rankings.

The second round of the Assistants’ Championship will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22nd with the field cut to 60 plus ties after tomorrow’s round.

It was a successful day on the course for the Alberta (Belbin-68, Black-68, Kureluk-70, James-67) Zone in the InterZone team competition. The InterZone competition is compiled of four players on each team representing the nine Canadian PGA zones. Heading into the final round of the competition tomorrow, Alberta leads by two shots over the Ontario Zone (Groves-67, Levesque-70, Maunder-69, Smith-69).

The score is determined by the calculation of the best three scores in each four man team. The purse for the InterZone competition is $5000, with $500 going to each player on the winning team, $400 to each player on the second place team, and $350 going to each player on the third place team.

The total purse for the championship is $60,000 with the champion receiving a $9,000 first place cheque.

Golf de la Faune, a links’ style course, is set in an astonishing natural environment. With eight water hazards, 45 sand traps, and oversized greens, the course will be pose a difficult challenge to the top Assistant professionals across the country.

About the Canadian PGA:
Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Journey to Excellence

National Men’s Amateur Team Head Coach Henry Brunton partners with Michael Grange to author Journey to Excellence: The Young Golfer’s Complete Guide to Achievement and Personal Growth

Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Henry Brunton - one of Canada’s top golf coaches - has joined forces with Michael Grange – one of Canada’s top sportswriters – to create Journey to Excellence: The Young Golfer’s Complete Guide to Achievement and Personal Growth.

Released this month, the book is designed to help aspiring young golfers maximize their potential, on and off the course. Drawing from his two decades of interaction with the game’s most respected educators, coaches and players, Brunton – Canadian PGA Master Professional and Head Coach of the RCGA National Men’s Amateur Team - moves beyond the traditional emphasis on the sport’s mechanical side and offers insight into what it takes to reach individual potential and achieve precise goals.

The lessons learned in trying to maximize golfing potential–time management, goal setting, dealing with success and failure and showing grace under pressure–are applicable across any number of disciplines. They are lessons that will prove beneficial on the course, but, more importantly, provide today’s youth a reference for excellence that also will serve them well in the classroom and at home.

“The singular purpose of publishing Journey to Excellence is to positively impact aspiring young golfers and the individuals who support their efforts—parents, coaches, volunteers and program administrators. I hope that this book makes the game more fun and rewarding for everyone who reads it.” Henry Brunton

Journey to Excellence is now available at www.amazon.com, www.henrybrunton.com and select additional golf shops and retail locations.

TESTIMONIALS
"Henry has been a friend and trusted advisor for years. His knowledge - gained through his experience working with golfers of all levels, from beginners to elite performers - is collected in this book. Whether your goal is to become the best player at your club, play college golf or play on the PGA Tour, Journey to Excellence provides a roadmap to success that will not just help you become the best player you can be but also help you live a better life. It is a must read for any young golfer who is interested in improving and advancing in the game of golf."
–J.T. Higgins, Head Men’s Golf Coach Texas A&M, 2009 NCAA Champions

I’ve had the opportunity to learn from Henry Brunton for many years as part of the training I received on the Canadian National Men’s Team. He is truly one of the top coaches in the game today and now that he’s written Journey to Excellence you can learn what I already know: Henry is a coach who will elevate your game, too.”
–Nick Taylor, #1 Ranked Amateur Golfer in the World

“I can’t think of anyone more qualified to write Journey to Excellence. Henry Brunton is the real deal. He understands very clearly what it takes to continually improve as a competitive golfer. He also understands very clearly the common pitfalls that await most young golfers who want to play tournament golf at the highest levels. Now anyone can avoid these mistakes with Henry’s insights.”
–Matt Hill, 2009 NCAA Individual Champion and NCAA College Player of the Year

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Henry Brunton is one of world’s leading golf coaches and educators. In 2005 he became the first Canadian recognized by GOLF Magazine as a Top 100 Teacher, the publication’s biennial survey of teaching excellence. He also was named the fourth Most Influential Person in Canadian Golf by Canada’s National Post. Brunton has a passion for developing elite junior golfers and has been Canada’s National Coach since the Royal Canadian Golf Association established its Player Development Program in 1999. Brunton also leads Strive for Excellence, a comprehensive year-round coaching and training program for aspiring high-level junior and collegiate golfers in Toronto. For more information, visit www.henrybrunton.com.

Michael Grange is an award-winning sports reporter with The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper. He has covered everything from the Super Bowl to championship Scrabble in-between covering 25 major golf championships.

Journey to Excellence
By Henry Brunton with Michael Grange
Publication date: August 2009
Price: $21.95 US, $24.95 Canada
Pages: 148
ISBN #: 978-0-615-30293-5

For More Information:
Henry Brunton
Head Coach, RCGA National Men’s Amateur Team
416.579.6170
henry@henrybrunton.com

Friday, September 18, 2009

Haack Secures First PNGA Mid-Amateur Championship Title

Lynden, Washington – Mike Haack of Bellevue, Wash. went wire-to-wire to win the 25th Annual PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship held at Homestead Farms Golf Resort. Playing in his first PNGA Mid-Amateur, Haack held or shared the lead after each round, as he flawlessly negotiated his way around the championship layout with three consecutive rounds of 4-under par 68 for a 54-hole total of 8-under par 204.

For the championship Haack was a combined 11-under par on the back nine alone. This victory caps off an impressive summer for Haack as he had already captured Medalist honors at the U.S. Open Local Qualifyier in May and garnered a top-10 finish at the Washington Open as well.

Derek Berg of Kenmore, Wash. finished runner-up with a three day total of 9-under par 207. Berg followed up his incredible second round 8-under par 64 with a solit 3-under par 69. Berg will now go on to play two consecutive USGA events, representing the Washington State Golf Association in the USGA State Team Championship next week in St. Louis, MO followed by the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship in Kiawah Island, SC.

Defending champion Ben Griffin of Victoria, B.C. used an impressive final round 5-under par 67 to finish the championship in 3rd at 7-under par 209.

To be eligible for the Pacific Northwest Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, contestants must have reached their 25th birthday by the first day of the competition and also carry a handicap index of 8.4 or less. The championship consists of 54 holes of stroke play with a cut to the low 60 scores after 36 holes.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Golf de la Faune Prepares to Host the 2009 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Assistants’ Championship presented by Simmlands

ACTON, ON – More than 100 of the country’s leading Assistant golf Professionals will convene Monday, September 21st at the prestigious Golf de la Faune in Quebec City, Quebec to participate in the 2009 Titleist & FootJoy Canadian PGA Assistants’ Championship presented by Simmlands Insurance. The three day championship event will take place September 21st to September 23rd, 2009 in Quebec City, Quebec.

“We are very excited to host our National championship in the beautiful setting of Quebec City, at such an extraordinary course,” stated Lindon Garron, President of the Canadian PGA. “The championship is sure to be a success as the Quebec Zone continues to assist in hosting first rate tournaments.”

Golf de la Faune, a links’ style course, is set in an astonishing natural environment. With eight water hazards, 45 sand traps, and oversized greens, the course will be pose a difficult challenge to the top Assistant professionals across the country.

This year there are seven past champions vying once again for this prestigious National title. Defending champion and 1988 past champion Remi Bouchard from Le Mirage, QC will challenge Philip Jonas (2006, 2004), Bryn Parry (2005, 1999), Edd Boudreau (2003), Mac McLeod (2002), Kevin Dugas (1992, 1987) and Serge Thivierge (1980, 1979, 1977) for another victory.

Activities begin on Sunday, September 20th with registration and practice rounds. On Monday, September 21st the three day 54-hole stroke play championship will begin with the field cut to 60 plus ties after the first 36 holes.

There will be 36-hole InterZone competition compiled of four players on each team representing the nine Canadian PGA zones contested over the first two rounds. The team score is calculated from the best three out of four scores accumulated over the first two rounds. The purse for the InterZone competition is $5000.

The total purse for the championship is $60,000 with the champion receiving a $9,000 first place cheque.

About the Canadian PGA:

Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country wit! h a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Canadian PGA Announces 2009 Scholarship Winners

ACTON, ON - As many of the following students pack up and start classes at university this week, the Board of Directors of the Canadian Professional Golfers' Association would like to congratulate the following recipients of the 2009 Canadian PGA Scholarship.

For many years, the Canadian PGA Foundation has offered scholarships to encourage and promote the attainment of higher educational goals for the sons, daughters and grandchildren of Canadian PGA Members who have displayed both a high level of academic achievement and contributions to their community.

For 2009, the Canadian PGA once again committed to support these academic pursuits, but also for the first time since its inception, offered Members, Apprentices and Candidates of the Canadian PGA who were enrolled in continuing education in either a full or part-time basis an opportunity to apply for consideration for the scholarship.

Congratulations to the 2009 recipients:

1) Kendra Morrow, daughter of Ken Morrow of Outlook, SK
2) Alexandra Dozzi, daughter of Mark Dozzi of Sudbury, ON
3) Danielle Ludeman, daughter of Mark Ludeman of Edmonton, AB
4) Shauna Panton, daughter of Randall Panton of Creston, BC
5) Kristen Sovereign, daughter of Rick Sovereign of Mississauga, ON
6) Kyle Paquette, Canadian PGA Apprentice at Idylwylde Golf & Country Club in Sudbury, ON
7) Alex Riggs, Canadian PGA Apprentice at Saskatoon (West) Golf & Country Club in Saskatoon, SK (part-time recipient)
8) Eric Thorsteinson, Canadian PGA Member and Head Professional at Black Mountain Golf in Kelowna, BC (part-time recipient)

Kendra Morrow, recipient of the Canadian PGA 2006 and 2008 scholarship, is attending University of Saskatchewan studying Microbiology and Immunology with the hopes of entering Medical School at the end of this year. Last year Kendra was also awarded a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada University Undergraduate Student Research Award which acts as a funding mechanism for her summer research in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Alexandra Dozzi is a first time recipient of the Canadian PGA scholarship and is entering her first year at the University of Guelph. Given her incredible track record at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in Sudbury, ON receiving Millennium Excellence Award, there is no doubt that Alexandra will continue to excel in her studies.

Recipient of the 2006 and 2008 Canadian PGA Scholarship, Danielle Ludeman is attending University of Alberta studying Biological Sciences. In 2007, Danielle received the Dean’s Commendation for high achievement at the University of Queensland, Australia in 2007 where she was participating in a Marine Biology exchange program. Last year she was appointed as a research assistant at the University of Alberta studying the ecology of glass sponge reefs.

This is the third consecutive year that Shauna Panton has won the Canadian PGA Scholarship. Shauna is entering her third year at the University of British Columbia studying Human Kinetics. Shauna was elected academic coordinator for Human Kinetics student union at UBC for the 2009/2010 year, received the high school Female of the Year award, 2007 Valedictorian award as well as the Carol Meredith Memorial Award for Sportsmanship and Leadership in Athletics. In addition to her Canadian PGA Scholarship, she received the James Conway scholarship award.

Kristen Sovereign is a first time recipient of the Canadian PGA scholarship award. She is currently entering her first year of study at the University of Western Ontario at the Richard Ivey School of Business. Throughout her high school career, Kristen has proved to be an excellent well rounded student involved in numerous extra curricular activities and community projects. Kristen adds the Canadian PGA scholarship award to her “The Continuing Admissions” award from the University of Western Ontario.

This is the first year that Canadian PGA apprentice Kyle Paquette has received the Canadian PGA scholarship award. Kyle is currently a Teaching Professional at Idylwylde Golf and Country Club in Sudbury, ON and is currently in the process of completing the requirements of his Master of Arts degree in Applied Health Sciences at Brock University. His area of research focuses on sport psychology, specifically coach education and the use of psychological skills training by sport participants. This fall he is continuing his research in coach education at the doctoral level at the University of Ottawa. In 2008 Kyle was awarded both the Northern Ontario PGA “Assistant of the Year” and “Teacher of the Year” award.

The two $500 part-time scholarship award recipients are Canadian PGA Apprentice Alex Riggs and Head Professional Eric Thorsteinson. Thorsteinson is currently working at Black Mountain Golf Club in Kelowna, BC and is working towards his Club Managers Association of America designation. Riggs is currently an Assistant Professional at Saskatoon Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, SK and is working towards credit at the Titleist Performance Institute.

Congratulations to the 2009 scholarship recipients!

About the Canadian PGA:

Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com

2009 Golf Fore The Cure Raises Over $800,000 in Support of Breast Cancer Research

Participation program eclipses $2.3 million mark in funds raised; LPGA Tour star Alena Sharp on hand to celebrate success of the national event

Toronto (RCGA) – Female golfers from across the country hit the links Monday at Markland Wood Golf Club to celebrate the success of the Golf Fore The Cure program which to date this season has raised over $800,000 in support of breast cancer research.

Presented by Subaru, the RCGA Golf Fore the Cure program is aimed at growing women’s golf participation in Canada by introducing the game through fun, non-intimidating activities.

Proceeds from more than 200 Golf Fore the Cure sites across the country contribute to this national fundraising initiative and are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society as well as the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. To date, over $2.3 million has been raised through the Golf Fore the Cure program in the fight against breast cancer.

“I am especially proud that we were able to grow in terms of participation with over 14,000 women having taken part in the Golf Fore the Cure program in 2009,” said Jeff Thompson, RCGA Chief Sport Development Officer. “We are also absolutely delighted that to date, our fundraising contribution to breast cancer research has eclipsed the $2.3 million mark.”

In all, 108 participants were on hand at Markland Wood to take part in the season-ending national event, celebration of the season long program. Also taking part was LPGA Tour star and Golf Fore the Cure Ambassador Alena Sharp who greeted competitors and helped to celebrate in the program’s 2009 success.

“I am extremely proud to be involved with the RCGA Golf Fore the Cure program,” said Alena Sharp. “The battle against breast cancer is one that I am very passionate about and I am honoured to help celebrate the commitment and dedication of all the participants, sponsors and volunteers involved with the program.”

The event marks the successful conclusion of the 2009 Golf Fore the Cure season which included more than 200 women's golf events from coast to coast with over 14,000 women participating.

The RCGA hosts a one-day national golf tournament in a scramble format to celebrate the conclusion of the season and its fundraising efforts. This one-day event recognizes supporters, sponsors and top fundraisers from all aspects of the program.

For more information or to learn about how you can get involved in Golf Fore the Cure visit: www.golfforethecure.ca.

ABOUT GOLF FORE THE CURE
RCGA Golf Fore the Cure, presented by Subaru, is a program aimed at growing women’s participation in the game of golf through fun, non-intimidating golf related activities. As a unique element to the program, a partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society and Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation allows women from across the country to participate in golf activities and raise money for a cause close to all women’s hearts – breast cancer research. To date, Golf Fore the Cure has raised over $2.3 million towards the fight against breast cancer. Golf Fore the Cure is proudly supported by Subaru, Corona Light, Investors Group, Nancy Lopez Golf, Precept and Reader’s Digest. For more information, please visit www.rcgagolfforethecure.ca.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum and CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Vancouver Open - Wrap up from Day 2

Click on this text to view the Round 2 wrap up from the Vancouver Open Golf Tournament, including Blog, You Tube video and photos!

Vancouver Open - Wrap up from Day 1

Wrap up Blog, Video and Photos from day 1 at the Vancouver Open.  This years Championship is held at the Vancouver Parks Golf Courses - Fraserview, McCleery and Langara.

Click on this link to view the recap with links to the You Tube video and Flickr photos!

Check back for the day 2 wrap up.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Canadian Tour - Graduation Day At Q-School

Submitted by CanTour Communications John Berkovich

BURLINGTON, Ont. – Johnny Bloomfield fired a three under par 68 and ran away with medalist honors at the Canadian Tour’s Fall Qualifying School by seven strokes over Will Strickler.

Bloomfield finished the tournament at 14 under par 270.

Sharing third spot at 278 are Robbie Greenwell who closed with a 65, Daniel McCarthy (69) and Michael Gligic who managed a one over 72.

Finishing tied for eight and earning exempt cards at 280 are Dan Buchner (71) and Peter Laws who shot 73.

Australian amateur Adam Stephens closed with a 68 to grab a share of tenth with Devin Carey (68), Jeff Puska (72) and Derek Oakey who had a 74.

Louis–Pierre Godin struggled home with a 77 but he and Marc Peterson (67) survived the four man playoff to grab the final exempt spots over Tyler Matthews and Ryan Kings.

“I came here to get status and winning is a bonus,” said Bloomfield, who pocketed $2,000.

“I just waited to see if there was a chance for me to win and made sure I was playing consistently today.

“Coming down the line, I didn’t know what the scores were but I felt I had a chance to win with the way I was playing.

“This is a big boost for me,” continued Bloomfield. “To win in a large field like this gives me a lot of confidence. I’m going to the European Tour Fall Qualifying School and this will help.

“My game is consistency. What gets you in golf is your nerves and your emotions.

“If I do start getting a little bit excited, I tell myself, ‘Trust in your natural ability.’ I was a good player as a youngster but over the years that trust became a problem.

“I’ve learned that what matters is not perfection but hitting the ball solidly and knowing that it is going in the vicinity that you want it to.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to playing the Canadian Tour next year.”

Having struggled through his rookie season, Michael Gligic earned an exempt card for 2010 with his T-3 finish.

“I was confident for the first eight holes, especially after the birdie at the fourth,” said Gligic.

“Starting early with a birdie instead of a bogey was a good feeling and then I got another one at the eighth."

One behind at that point and aiming for the win; Gligic double-bogeyed No. 9 and could only watch as Bloomfield continued his methodical game of fairways and greens.

“I don’t know what the word is, but I guess I wanted it too bad and made a bad swing on nine,” continued Gligic.

“I pulled it a touch and thought it was going to fly the bunker but it ended up way back. I think it hit the tree nearby and rolled back.

“I chipped it on (the green) and three putted. That was pretty much the end of my day.”

Although he reacquired exempt status, Gligic was disappointed with his final round performance.

“It was tough to get it back after that double-bogey,” he added.

“Johnny was playing so steady that I knew I had to keep making birdies. I didn’t do it, though, and kept missing putts.

“I knew he (Bloomfield) had me the last couple of holes and I turned the switch off. I was playing to win this.

“But I’m back next year and that is what counts in the long run.”

2009 Fall Qualifying School

Exempt Status
Pos Name

1 Johnny Bloomfield
2 Will Strickler
3 Robbie Greenwell
4 Daniel McCarthy
5 Michael Gligic
6 Mathieu Rivard
7 David Markle
8 Dan Buchner
9 Peter Laws
10 Adam Stephens
11 Devin Carrey
12 Jeff Puska
13 Derek Oakey
14 Louis-Pierre Godin
15 Marc Peterson

Non-Exempt Status

1 Ryan Kings
2 Tyler Matthews
3 Barry O'Neill
4 Jason Humphrey
5 Chase Cronk
6 Tyler Martin
7 Nick Cullen
8 Jeff Lai
9 Randall Hutchinson
10 Andrew Jensen
11 Jacob Scriven
12 Danny Sahl
13 Roger Sloan
14 Lindsay Renolds
15 Ju Young Park

Friday, September 11, 2009

Canadians Lindsay Renolds, Mathieu Rivard & David Markle Turn Professional

Top Canadian amateurs set to pursue careers in the world of professional golf

Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) - The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is pleased to congratulate Team Canada members Lindsay Renolds of Christina Lake, B.C. and Mathieu Rivard of Granby, Que. as well as David Markle of Shelburne, Ont. on their decisions to pursue a career in professional golf.

Lindsay Renolds’ jump to the professional ranks follows a season as a member of Canada’s National Men’s Amateur Team (2009). During Renolds’ time on the National Amateur Team he was a member of the winning Canadian team at the 2009 Four Nations Cup.

Renolds holds an impressive amateur record including runner-up finishes at the 2008 British Amateur Championship and 2009 Mexican Amateur Championship.

Mathieu Rivard joins the world of professional golf after four seasons on Team Canada (2006 – 2009) where he has spent three seasons as a National Development Team Member (2006, 2007, 2009) and one season as a National Amateur Team Member (2008).

Rivard has had significant amateur success especially in his home province of Quebec where he won the 2009 Duke of Kent Championship and three consecutive Quebec Junior Boys’ Championship titles (2006, 2007, 2008).

David Markle has also decided to pursue a professional golf career after his success on the NCAA college golf circuit during his time at Kent State University (KSU). Markle’s KSU success includes a 9th place finish at the 2008 NCAA Championship, 8 top-10 finishes out of 13 starts in his senior year, GCAA PING Honorable Mention All-American, GCAA PING All-Region and first team All-MAC.

Markle also represented the country at the 2009 Four Nations Cup and at the World Amateur Team Championships in Australia last October.

“The National Team Program is aimed at developing our nation’s top athletes through the highest levels of competition and we believe that competitors like Mathieu and Lindsay have the skills and commitment to meet the demands for success at the professional level.,” said Doug Roxburgh, RCGA Director of High Performance. “Mathieu is a veteran of Team Canada and I have watched him grow into a talented and focused player. Lindsay’s experience playing on the international level will no doubt help him reach professional success and David’s stellar college golf career has certainly prepared him for the next level. I’m confident that these talented players will find success on the professional circuit.”

ABOUT THE RCGA NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM
The RCGA National Team Program incorporates advanced coaching, sport science expertise, training camps and world-class competition. The RCGA allocates over $1 million of its resources annually to the National Team program, encompassing strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, biomechanics and technique development. Players who are selected to the National Amateur and National Developmental Teams represent Canada at six to 10 internationally-sanctioned golf competitions throughout the year. The intent of this comprehensive program is to aid Canada’s top up-and-coming amateur players in all areas of their development, helping Canada produce the best golfers in the world.

Team Canada, the pinnacle of the RCGA’s High Performance Program, provides access to world class resources including coaching, nutrition, sport science, mental management, equipment, elite competitive opportunities and builds on the support that team members have received in their development years from their family, member clubs, personal coaches, university programs and provincial golf associations.

The RCGA’s High Performance Program and Team Canada are proudly sponsored by Titleist, Foot-Joy and Under Armour.

For more information about Team Canada or to make a donation towards the development of Canada’s future golf stars, please visit www.rcga.org.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Canadian Tour - James Love Captures Tour Championship

Submitted by CanTour Communications John Berkovich

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – James Love parred the first playoff hole to defeat Lucas Lee and captured the $250,000 Canadian Tour Championship.

It is the Calgary native’s first Canadian Tour title and considering he was thinking of quitting the game just two months ago, a validating victory.

Both players finished the tournament at 11 under 269.

Jim Rutledge closed with a 66 to grab a share of third spot at ten under 270 with James Hahn who came home with a 67, and Alan McLean who managed an even par 70.

Sharing sixth spot at nine under 271 are Wes Heffernan (69) and Scott Gibson who shot 71.

Both Mitch Gillis and Mark Lawless fired 67 to share eighth spot at 272 alongside Luck Hickmott and Graham DeLaet who closed with 71s.

Love, who seemed to be the player no one seemed to be watching until the end, bogeyed No. 4 but then scattered four birdies across the rest of his card.

Lee bogeyed the first hole but then grinded out nine consecutive pars before trading a bogey and birdie at 11 and 12.

With Love already in the clubhouse, Lee birdied No. 16 to catch Love but he gave it back at 17.

Standing in the 18th fairway in regulation, Lee nailed his approach to 3 feet and sank the putt to force a playoff.

In the playoff, Love found the light rough with his tee shot while Lee split the fairway and had only 86 yards to the pin.

Both players missed the green with their second.

Love missed pin high left, 25 feet from the hole, while Lee hit it over the green and faced a delicate downhill chip of 50 feet.

Running his chip 15 feet past the hole, Lee failed to convert and with Love within tap-in range, it was all over.

“I said ten (under) at the start of the week and it was 11 under,” said Love.

“Like every other day, I got off to a bad start with an early bogey at the fourth but I wasn’t worried about it.

“The par saves at seven, eight, and nine were big because it settled me down but I felt like I gave one away at 15.

“I hit it right in front of the green in two but made an awful chip and made par.

“I thought my putt at 16 for eagle was going in but it didn’t break where I expected it to.

What had been his nemesis hole all week turned out to be the winning one for Love.

Barely missing his birdie putt that would have got him to 12 under, Love was forced to wait for over an hour before the playoff began.

“I missed the fairway by 30 yards at 18 all week so I hit an iron off the tee in the playoff and put it in the light rough,” said Love. “I looked at my caddie and said, ‘I’ll take it.’

Take it he did.

“I’m a little emotional right now,” continued Love, who earned $40,000 with the win.

“The first few months of this year were really tough. I wasn’t even sure if I could or would keep playing. My parents and a few close friends out here have been really supportive.

“You’re out on the road and not playing well, and you wonder if this is what you should be doing.”
Immediately after winning, a teary-eyed Love placed a call home and spoke with his parents.

“There was a lot of yelling and celebrating back home,” said Love.

“They have stuck with me through a difficult year. This is my life and they are the ones who have let me do this.

“I starting believing in myself again and finished fourth at the Jane Rogers a few weeks ago; it helped a lot.

“This is a lonely game and for the first six months of this year, I didn’t believe in myself at all.”

“I travel with Graham (DeLaet) and he kept telling me I was a very good player but you start to wonder. This win means everything to me.”

The lead changed hands several times over the course of the afternoon, and at one point, four players were tied at 10 under par coming down the stretch.

McLean bogeyed the first two holes and although he got them back at the next two, he, like playing partner Scott Gibson, didn’t have his best stuff.

Gibson birdied No. 8 from 40 feet and moved to 11 under par to take the lead, but bogeys at 12 and 16 derailed his chances.

Behind him, Andrew Parr, playing in the last group, had moved it to 12 under with a birdie at three.

However, a four-putt green at No. 4 for triple-bogey six seemed to take the wind out of his sails.

Although he didn’t win the tournament, Graham DeLaet did take home a couple of bonuses on Sunday afternoon.

His $7,000 payday keeps him atop the Order of Merit and gives him an exemption into second stage of

PGA TOUR Q-School. DeLaet also won the Canadian Division of the Canadian Tour Bursary.

Although he missed the cut, Byron Smith managed to hang on to second spot on the Order of Merit to earn an exemption into second stage.

He also captured the International Division of the Canadian Tour Bursary.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

No Canadian's Make the Cut at the CN Canadian Women's Open

News and notes for Friday, September 4th at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club

Calgary (RCGA with files from the LPGA Tour) – Norway’s Suzann Pettersen (65-68) and South Korea’s Song-Hee Kim (71-62) share the top of the leaderboard at 9-under-par 133 following second-round play at the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open.

Pettersen, 28, trailed first-round leader Anna Rawson of Australia following first round action, but capitalized on her second-round, Friday morning tee-time.

“I haven't played late early in a while,” said Pettersen, who had an afternoon tee-time Thursday. “It’s been mostly early late. But I mean when you're on a roll, you kind of keep going, and I had it going for a while.”

Pettersen got off to a superb start with three birdies right off the bat on holes 10 through 12, but faltered with bogeys on holes 13 and 16, which sandwiched a birdie on hole 15.

It looked like she was gearing up for her back nine with three more birdies on holes two, four and five. But, she was a bit shaky on her back-nine and lost the outright lead with bogeys on holes seven and eight, falling to 9-under-par 133.

“I play every week to win,” added Pettersen. “I mean, in this game you lose more than you win. So all I can do is give myself a chance on Sunday.”

CO-LEADER KIM SHATTERS RECORD BOOKS
Song-Hee Kim fired a scorching round of 9-under par, including a string of six consecutive birdies on her opening holes at Priddis Greens en route to a tournament and new course record 62 to grab a share of the lead at 133 (71-62).

Her six consecutive birdies ties a LPGA Tour season record for most consecutive birdies. Her 7-under-par 28 on the front nine is also a Tour season-low mark on a par-35 nine-hole side.

“(After) the first 6 holes, I didn't know I had 6 birdies in a row, so it was awesome,” said Kim. “I mean, it was fantastic.”

Kim’s only bogey came on the par-4, 10th hole, before three more birdies on holes 12, 16 and 17 to card her lowest round in three seasons on the LPGA Tour.

Other players who have made six birdies in a row this season are Natalie Gulbis (LPGA Corning Classic), Ai Miyazato (Evian Masters) and amateur Ana Alicia Malagon (Corona Championship).

DAHLLOF ACES SIXTH HOLE
Eva Dahllof of Sweden carded her second LPGA Tour career hole-in-one during the second round of the CN Canadian Women’s Open. On Priddis Greens’ sixth hole, Dahllof used a 7-iron from 159 yards to land the ace.

Her only other LPGA hole-in-one came during the third round of the 1998 Star Bank LPGA Classic.

SCORING AVERAGES TUMBLE FOR SECOND ROUND
Ideal weather conditions Friday resulted in a lower scoring average than Thursday’s first round. First-round scoring average for the course was 72.513 on the par-71, 6,435-yard Priddis Greens layout, while Friday’s scoring average was 71.961. There were 461 eagles scored on both days and 31 more birdies (1762) carded on Friday than Thursday (1731).

CN MIRACLE MATCH UPDATE
For every birdie made on the 18th hole at the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open, CN will donate $500 toward their CN Miracle Match initiative, as well as $5,000 for every eagle.

So far this week, more than $840,000 has been raised for the charity.

SECOND-ROUND CANADIAN SCORES FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4:
This year will mark the first time a Canadian has not make it to weekend play at the Canadian Women’s Open. The cut was made at 1-over par.


---MISSED CUT ---
Alena Sharp, 72-72—144 +2
(a) Maude-Aimee LeBlanc, 71-74—145 +3
(a) Nicole Vandermade, 75-70—145 +3
Adrienne White, 71-75—146 +4
Jessica Shepley, 74-73—147 +5
(a) Jennifer Kirby, 73-76—149 +7
Lorie Kane, 75-76—151 +9
(a) Stephanie Sherlock, 76-78—154 +12
(a) Sue Kim, 79-76—155 +13
A.J. Eathorne, 73-83—156 +14
Kira Meixner, 81-78—159 +17
Ashley Sholer, 84-80—164 +22

DEFENDING CHAMPION MISSES CUT
Defending champion, Katherine Hull, missed the cut at this year’s CN Canadian Women’s Open. Hull is the first defending champion to miss the cut since Colleen Walker did 1997.

THIRD ROUND TEES OFF SATURDAY
Canada’s only LPGA event officially continues Saturday with round three teeing off at 8:48 a.m. MDT off the 1st and 10th tees at Priddis Greens. Pairings, start times and second-round scores are available on-line at www.cncanadianwomensopen.com and www.lpga.com.

Seventy-four players of 156 at the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open carded 1-over-par (143) or better to advance to weekend play.

TELEVISION AND WEB BROADCAST TIMES
The Royal Canadian Golf Association and CN are proud to have CBC as the official broadcast partner of the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open. In addition to being broadcast on CBC and CBC bold, the event will also be streamed online at www.cbcsports.ca. The Golf Channel will also broadcast weekend television coverage. Below are broadcast times for the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open.

CBC Television
Saturday, Sept. 5 2 p.m. ET LIVE Round Three
Sunday, Sept. 6 3 p.m. ET LIVE Final Round

CBCSports.ca
Saturday, Sept. 5 2 p.m. ET LIVE Round Three
Sunday, Sept. 6 3 p.m. ET LIVE Final Round

Golf Channel
Saturday, Sept. 5 11:30 p.m. ET TAPED Round Three
Sunday, Sept. 6 9:30 p.m. ET TAPED Final Round

CONGRATULATIONS TO PRIDDIS GREENS SUPERINTENDENT JAMES BEEBE
As part of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association’s (CGSA) National Tournament Program, the CGSA made a special presentation to Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club superintendent James Beebe on Friday, September 4 in the CN Canadian Women’s Open media centre.

MEDIA CENTRE PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPTS
Friday interview audio and/or video transcripts of Priddis Greens superintendent James Beebe, Suzann Pettersen, Song-Hee Kim, M.J. Hur, Lorie Kane, Katherine Hull, Lorena Ochoa, Angela Stanford, Alena Sharp and Catriona Matthew, are available online at www.cncanadianwomensopen.com.

CN MIRACLE MATCH SUPPORTS ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation has been designated as the official charity of the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open. To date, the CN Canadian Women’s Open has raised almost $2 million towards children’s charities since CN began its title sponsorship of the event in 2006.

KIDS 15 AND UNDER GET IN FREE ALL WEEK
The 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open will once again feature a week’s worth of family entertainment with kids age 15 and under admitted free all week with a ticketed adult. Juniors will also have the opportunity to take part in golf clinics and activities onsite through CN Future Links, Canada’s junior golf program. Additionally, tickets are still available for all remaining championship rounds.

ABOUT THE 2009 CN CANADIAN WOMEN’S OPEN
Stars of the LPGA Tour will be featured at the US$2.75 million CN Canadian Women’s Open from August 31 to September 6 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Calgary. The CN Canadian Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by the Canadian National Railway Company along with event partners CVS Controls Ltd., TaylorMade adidas Golf, Corona Extra, The Globe and Mail, CE Franklin Ltd., Calgary Sport Tourism Authority, Safeway, Mexico Tourism, CBC, The Glenlivet, Bell, Reader’s Digest and local media partners Calgary Herald, Corus Entertainment and Global Calgary. For updated corporate hospitality, sponsorship opportunities, daily tickets, and volunteer information please visit www.cncanadianwomensopen.com.

NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD
CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.

ABOUT THE ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation raises funds for excellence in child health and family centred care. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation provides funding for innovative family centred programs, state of the art equipment, advanced medical training and internationally recognized pediatric research. For more information please visit www.childrenshospital.ab.ca.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit http://www.rcga.org/.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Cooke Wins Fourth Canadian Men’s Senior Title

Amateur legend breaks record for most career national titles

Victoria (RCGA) – It was a close race to the finish line that saw three stellar golfers battle it out for national supremacy, but in the end Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que., came out on top at the 48th Canadian Men’s Senior Championship conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA).

Cooke fired a final-round, 1-over 73 and tournament-total 2-under 286 to finish with a two-stroke victory over John Marlow of Kettleby, Ont. Marlow carded a final-round even par for a tournament-total 288. Recent Canadian Men’s Mid-Master runner-up Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Alta. finished third at 1-over par for the tournament.

Cooke, who went even-par on the front nine, carded three bogeys and two birdies on the back nine for a tournament total of 46 pars, 14 birdies and 12 bogeys.

“The shot that clinched the win for me was my approach shoton number 11 when I birdied to go up by three,” said Cooke. “John and Frank were tough competitors, and played strong games today, so I knew that I had to play well to protect my lead.”

It was a wire-to-wire battle for runner-up honours, as Van Dornick used three early birdies to jump into second place. Marlow struggled early in the round making four consecutive bogeys, but eventually settled down to card two birdies and seven pars on the back nine.

With his win, Cooke claims his eleventh national amateur championship title - four senior and seven mid-am crowns - breaking the record for most events won by a male amateur. At last year’s championship, Cooke tied the record held by the late Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Canadian Sports Hall of Fame member Nick Weslock.

“The older you get, the more you appreciate winning a national championship,” said Cooke. “I’ve played with many great golfers in my career, and I’m really honoured to be among great names like Nick.”

The renowned golf course architect and amateur golf legend earned himself an exemption into the 2009 USGA Senior Amateur Championship being held September 12–17 at the venerable Beverly Country Club in Chicago.

The following are top 15 final results for the 2009 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, click here for the full final leaderboard:

1. Graham Cooke, Hudson, QC, 69-70-74-73-286 -2
2. John Marlow, Kettleby, ON, 73-70-73-72-288 E
3. Frank Van Dornick, Camrose, AB, 73-74-71-71-289 +1
4. Larry Daniels, Seattle, WA, 73-73-74-70-290 +2
5. Jerry Greenbaum, Atlanta, GA, 73-72-73-74-292 +4
6. Frank MacKenzie, Edmonton, AB, 76-73-71-73-293 +5
7. William Jackson, Oklahoma City, OK, 78-71-74-72-295 +7
7. Alan Stewart, Grande Prairie, AB, 75-71-75-74-295 +7
9. Stephen Berry, Sooke, BC, 72-78-73-73-296 +8
9. Tony Hatchwell, Nanaimo, BC, 71-77-72-76-296 +8
11. Merv Dusyk, Red Deer, AB, 74-73-78-72-297 +9
11. Herb Jensen, Carmichael, CA, 72-79-72-74-297 +9
13. Jim Russell, Calgary, AB, 74-75-77-72-298 +10
13. Patrick Feeney, High River, 73-74-77-74-298 +10
13. Claude Pelletier, Donnaconna, QC, 73-76-74-75-298 +10

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit http://www.rcga.org/.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

British Columbia Claims Governors Cup at Canadian Men’s Senior Championship

Tom Liljeholm successfully defends the Super Senior title

Victoria (RCGA) – Team British Columbia combined for a team-total 440 today at Gorge Vale Golf Club in Victoria to win the Governors Cup inter-provincial team title at the 48th playing of the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship.

Team British Columbia, consisting of Gudmund Lindbjerg of Port Moody, William Wilms of Delta, Stephen Berry of Sooke, John Gallacher of Burnaby combined for a two-round team-total 440 (221-219—440, +8) to capture the province’s third team title. The only other time the province has won on home turf was in 1998 when the squad took home the team title at Swan-e-set Bay Country Club.

Consisting of John Marlow of Kettleby, Michael Jackson of Collingwood, Kelly Roberts of London and Reg Finlayson of Georgetown, Team Ontario finished second with a two-round total of 445 (225-220—445 +13).

Defending champions Québec finished third, six shots back of Ontario. Claude Pelletier of Donnaconna, Adelard Collin of Québec City, André Gagné of Boischatel and Pierre Lessard of Brossard combined to tally 19-over par (224-227—451 +19).

In individual competition, defending champion Graham Cooke of Hudson, Que., remains in the lead after firing a 2-under par 70 Wednesday and now leads the competition at 5-under. Doug Potter of Coeur d’Alene, ID, and John Marlow jumped into second place after shooting 2-under par 70.

Defending Canadian Men’s Super Senior champion Tom Liljeholm of Prineville, OR, once again took home the Governors Cup after firing a 6-over par 78 for a two-round total of 76-78—154 +10. Gary Puder of Burnaby, B.C., and John Yushinchuk of Terrace, B.C., took home runner-up honours with a two-day total of 162 (+18).

After Round 2, the field was reduced to the low 70 scores and ties. It took a score of 156 (+12) to make that cut, with 76 players advancing.

Third round action will start Thursday at 7:30 a.m. with the last group teeing off at 11:50 a.m.

A full field list as well as starting times and post-round results for the 48th Canadian Men’s Senior Championship can be found at www.rcga.org/Championships.

The following are second-round results for the 2009 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship:

1. Graham Cooke, Hudson, QC, 69-70-139 -5
2. Doug Potter, Coeur dAlene, ID, 73-70-143 -1
2. John Marlow, Kettleby, ON, 73-70-143 -1
4. Noel Pumfrey, Victoria, BC, 69-76-145 +1
4. Jerry Greenbaum, Atlanta, GA, 73-72-145 +1
4. Thomas Phillips, Seattle, WA, 72-73-145 +1
7. Larry Daniels, Seattle, WA, 73-73-146 +2
7. Alan Stewart, Grande Prairie, AB, 75-71-146 +2
9. Frank Van Dornick, Camrose, AB, 73-74-147 +3
9. Patrick Feeney, High River, 73-74-147 +3
9. Rick Weihe, Bellingham, WA, 71-76-147 +3
9. Merv Dusyk, Red Deer, AB, 74-73-147 +3

The following are final results for the 2009 Canadian Men’s Super Senior Championship:

1. Tom Liljeholm, Prineville, OR, 76-78-154 +10
CUT. Gary Puder, Burnaby, BC, 76-86-162 +18
CUT. John Yasinchuk, Terrace, BC, 82-80-162 +18
CUT. Michael Harrington, Toronto, ON, 84-79-163 +19
CUT. Lew Walker, Winnipeg, MB, 83-86-169 +25
CUT. George Barnes, Kelowna, BC, 85-88-173 +29
CUT. Merle Byrnes, Richlea, SK, 86-88-174 +30
CUT. Grant Dickison, Rothesay, NB, 83-92-175 +31
CUT. Carl Shields, Edmonton, AB, 93-88-181 +37
CUT. Glen Lockhart, Vancouver, BC, 92-93-185 +41
CUT. Charles Thomas, Victoria, BC, 95-92-187 +43

The following are final results for inter-provincial team play at the 2009 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship:

1. British Columbia 221-219-440 +8
2. Ontario 225-220-445 +13
3. Quebec 224-227-451 +19
4. Alberta 227-228-455 +23
5. Nova Scotia 240-223-463 +31
6. New Brunswick 236-234-470 +38
7. Saskatchewan 238-236-474 +42
8. Prince Edward Island 240-243-483 +51
9. Manitoba 248-247-495 +63
10. Newfoundland and Labrador 256-254-510 +78

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

BC Golf Hall of Fame to Grow By Four

It was announced today that the BC Golf Hall of Fame will grow by four new Members this year, bringing the total number of inductees to 25. The BC Golf House & Museum Society began recognizing B.C.'s best golfers in 2001 and the Hall of Fame can be visited at the BC Golf House on the grounds of University Golf Club. This year’s induction ceremony will take place on October 22nd.

Leading the list of this year’s nominees is Richard (Dick) Zokel. Zokel is known primarily for his professional accomplishments including two PGA Tour wins, a Canadian PGA Championship and a BC Open along with his 5 appearances on Canada's Dunhill Cup Team and our country's World Team twice. His amateur record is equally impressive with a Vancouver City and District Championship in 1977, a BCGA Invitational victory in 1978 and a Canadian Amateur in 1981. His amateur team record includes being a Member of the Canadian World Amateur and B.C. Willingdon Cup Teams in 1980 and 1981. He also tacked on an NCAA Championship while at Bringham Young in 81. He is currently the visionary, designer and operator of the Sagebrush Golf and Sporting Club in the Nicola Valley, which has recently been named Canada's Best New Golf Course by SCOREGolf Magazine for 2009.
Alison Murdoch, who has only been a B.C. resident since 2000, plays out of the Victoria Golf Club and has one of the most unbelievable 10 year records in all of amateur golf. In addition to her perfect record of 10 BCGA Zone 5 Senior Women's Championships she also has 5 BCGA Zone 5 Women's Championships which go along with 4 Canadian Senior Women's Titles, 3 Irish Senior Women's victories and a British Women's Senior Championship. She also has victories at the PNGA Senior Women's and Mid-Amateur Championships.
Jackie Little's induction to the Hall of Fame seems particularly well timed as she has just wrapped up her title defence at the Canadian Senior Women's Amateur making her 2 for 2 since becoming eligible for the event. She has 5 BCGA Women's Amateur titles, the first dating back to 1992, the last in 2003 along with 3 B.C. Women's Mid-Amateur titles. She has won the Zone 2 Amateur 10 times, the Zone 6 title twice and the Zone 6 Senior Women's Amateur once to go along with 11 appearances on the B.C. Women's Amateur Team, 4 times on the B.C. Mid-Amateur Team and twice playing on the B.C. Senior Women's Team.
Steve Berry has a pile of championships from the 70's through the 90's! His list of victories is almost as long as his list of runner-up finishes. He has victories in the B.C. Junior, B.C. Amateur, BCGA Invitational, B.C. Mid-Amateur, Vancouver City Match Play, Vancouver City and District and the Vancouver Island Match Play. He is an 11 time Willingdon Cup B.C. Team Member, a two time Member of the BCGA Mid-Amateur Team, three times a Member of B.C. Senior’s Teams and three times a Member of PNGA Morse Cup Team.
Tickets for the B.C. Golf Hall of Fame dinner are available through the BC Golf House & Museum by calling 604-222-4653 and are $125 each or a table of 8 for $900. The B.C. Golf Hall of Fame was created and is administered by the BC Golf House & Museum Society and can be visited on the web at http://bcgolfmuseum.org or in person on the grounds of University Golf Club on the corner of 10th Avenue and Blanca streets.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The World’s Best Golfers Hit the Links for 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open on CBC, Sept. 3-6

Calgary, Alberta (RCGA) – The world’s best women golfers will descend on Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club, just south of Calgary, next week for the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open. CBC will leave no hole unturned with extensive coverage of the event on CBC Television, CBC’s digital channel bold and CBCSports.ca. CBC Television will present coverage of each round, including live broadcasts of the third and final rounds on Sept. 5 and 6, at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.ET, respectively. Golf fans can tune into bold for Rounds 1 and 2 on Sept. 3 and 4, beginning at 5 p.m. ET, and all four rounds will also be available live and on-demand at CBCSports.ca.

Defending champion, Katherine Hull and Canadians Lorie Kane and Alena Sharp will be among the field of 156 players battling it out on the greens for the $2.75 million purse.

CBC boasts a veteran broadcast team for the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open. Gemini Award-winner Ron MacLean will host the show and provide play-by-play. Two-time LPGA player of the year and three-time Vare Trophy recipient (given to the player with the lowest scoring average for the season), Judy Rankin will provide analysis for the broadcast. CBC’s Steve Armitage and former LPGA tour players, Gail Graham and Dawn Coe-Jones will report from the course. In addition to being a player, Graham is a former member of the LPGA executive committee and served as president from 2001-02. Coe-Jones has recorded three LPGA tour victories, in 1992, ’94 and ’95 during her 25-year professional career. CBC’s Doug Dirks rounds out the roster with in-depth player interviews.

CBC will also share the inspiring story of Natalie Bazinet—a young girl whose courageous fight against cancer led her to become the child ambassador for Alberta’s Children’s Hospital Foundation. The hospital is this year’s beneficiary of CN Miracle Match, a national charitable initiative aligned with the tournament and designed to rally communities across Canada behind supporting Children’s Hospitals. CN pledges to match every dollar donated leading up to and during the CN Canadian Women’s Open.

bold is available on Rogers channel 277, Shaw channel 96, Shaw Direct channel 512 and Bell TV channel 641. For more information on how to subscribe to bold, viewers can call their local television service provider or visit boldtv.ca. Viewers can log on to CBCsports.ca 24 hours a day, seven days a week for comprehensive news and results throughout the CN Canadian Women’s Open.

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. With 28 services offered on Radio, Television, the Internet, satellite radio, digital audio, as well as through its record and music distribution service and wireless WAP and SMS messaging services, CBC/Radio-Canada is available how, where, and when Canadians want it.

2009 CN CANADIAN WOMEN’S OPEN ON CBC
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
(Schedule subject to change)

CBC Television

Thursday, Sept. 3 12 midnight Local Round One Wrap

Friday, Sept. 4 12 midnight Local Round Two Wrap

Saturday, Sept. 5 2 p.m. ET LIVE Round Three

Sunday, Sept. 6 3 p.m. ET LIVE Final Round

bold

Thursday, Sept. 3 5 p.m. ET LIVE Round One

Friday, Sept. 4 5 p.m. ET LIVE Round Two

CBCSports.ca

Thursday, Sept. 3 5 p.m. ET LIVE Round One

Thursday, Sept. 3 11 p.m. ET Round One Wrap

Friday, Sept. 4 5 p.m. ET LIVE Round Two

Friday, Sept. 4 11 p.m. ET Round Two Wrap

Saturday, Sept. 5 2 p.m. ET LIVE Round Three

Sunday, Sept. 6 3 p.m. ET LIVE Final Round

ABOUT THE 2009 CN CANADIAN WOMEN’S OPEN
Stars of the LPGA Tour will be featured at the US$2.75 million CN Canadian Women’s Open from August 31 to September 6 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Calgary. The CN Canadian Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by the Canadian National Railway Company along with event partners CVS Controls Ltd., TaylorMade adidas Golf, Corona Extra, The Globe and Mail, CE Franklin Ltd., Calgary Sport Tourism Authority, Safeway, Mexico Tourism, CBC, The Glenlivet, Bell, Reader’s Digest and local media partners Calgary Herald, Corus Entertainment and Global Calgary. For updated corporate hospitality, sponsorship opportunities, daily tickets, and volunteer information please visit www.cncanadianwomensopen.com.

NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD
CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.

ABOUT THE ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation raises funds for excellence in child health and family centred care. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation provides funding for innovative family centred programs, state of the art equipment, advanced medical training and internationally recognized pediatric research. For more information please visit www.childrenshospital.ab.ca.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org .

Canadian Adrienne White Joins Group of 5 Who Earn Qualifying Spots Into 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open

News and notes for Monday, August 31 at the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open

Calgary (RCGA) – The 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open, Canada’s only LPGA Tour event, kicked off a full week of world-class golf and family fun today at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.

FINAL FOUR QUALIFY
51 players took to the Calgary Elks Lodge and Golf Club during Monday’s Open Qualifier in the hopes of securing one of the four final spots into the 156-player field for the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open. Jimin Jeong of South Korea shot 2-under par 70 to earn one of the final spots into the field while Canadian Adrienne White of Red Deer, Alta. shot a qualifying score of even-par 72 to bring the total number of Canadians in the field to 12. Also advancing from today’s qualifier were Americans Sarah Butler and Erynne Lee. Jeong and White both Monday qualified for the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open.

Following are the complete results from Monday’s CN Canadian Women’s Open Monday Qualifier:

Jimin Jeong, 70
Sarah Butler, 71
Erynne Lee, 72
Adrienne White, 72

- DID NOT QUALIFY –

Julianna Uhrik, 73
Ashley Smith, 73
Kirby Dreher, 73
Ryann O'Toole, 74
Brandi Jackson, 74
Brogan McKinnon, 74
Kyla Inaba, 74
Justina Yu, 74
Mallory Blackwelder, 74
Mariajo Uribe, 74
Su A Kim, 75
Susan Choi, 75
Raman Saran, 76
Karin Sjodin, 76
Bridget Dwyer, 76
Sylvie Schetagne, 77
Jillian Wyne, 77
Jennifer Ha, 77
Nicole Zhang, 78
Nicole Smith, 78
Lily Kobayashi, 78
Kim Carrington, 79
Leah Whiting, 79
Kim Bozer, 79
Jenna Pearson, 79
Brit Hayes, 80
Nicole Forshner, 80
Rhonda Carter, 80
Lisa LaFollette, 80
Laura Witvoet, 81
Jill Hardy, 82
Tara Rostad, 82
Kristin Rostad, 82
Cindy Pasechnik, 83
Sabina Imboden, 83
Susan Lipitt, 83
Emma Calderone, 83
Jennifer Greggain, 84
Kaitlin Allan, 84
Jenn Johnson, 85
Theresa McDermott, 85
Destiny Whitney, 89
Lisa Vlooswy, 90
Shelley Thompson, 91
Alexsis Skyesong, 91

MONDAY WOMEN’S ONLY PRO-AM RESULTS
26 teams consisting of four amateurs and a professional teed it up Monday for the Women’s Pro-Am to kick off CN Canadian Women’s Open tournament week. The team of pro Christina Kim with amateurs Lynne Keller, Lynn Rust, Debbie Coppock and Diane Main came away with a winning score of 56 (-15). Hats off to all participants who took part in this exciting event.

PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
The following player interviews are scheduled to take place in the on-site media centre at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, September 1:

Alena Sharp - 12:00 pm
Michelle Wie - 3 pm

The following player interviews are scheduled to take place in the on-site media centre at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club on Wednesday, September 2:

Lorie Kane - 10:30 am
Cristie Kerr - 11:00 am
Paula Creamer - 2:00 pm
Lorena Ochoa - 2:30 pm
Katherine Hull - 3:00 pm

PAIRING AND START TIMES
Pairings and start times for the first and second round of the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open will be available Tuesday on the CN Canadian Women’s Open website at www.cncanadianwomensopen.com.

Media are advised that post interview transcripts as well as MP3 audio and video files will be available online at www.cncanadianwomensopen.com in the Media Centre section.

TELEVISION AND WEB BROADCAST TIMES ON CBC
The Royal Canadian Golf Association and CN are proud to have CBC as the official broadcast partner of the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open. In addition to being broadcast on CBC and CBC bold, the event will also be streamed online at www.cbcsports.ca. Below are broadcast times for the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open.

CBC Television
Thursday, Sept. 3 12 midnight Local Round One Wrap
Friday, Sept. 4 12 midnight Local Round Two Wrap
Saturday, Sept. 5 2 p.m. ET LIVE Round Three
Sunday, Sept. 6 3 p.m. ET LIVE Final Round

CBC bold
Thursday, Sept. 3 5 p.m. ET LIVE Round One
Friday, Sept. 4 5 p.m. ET LIVE Round Two

CBCSports.ca
Thursday, Sept. 3 5 p.m. ET LIVE Round One
Thursday, Sept. 3 11 p.m. ET Round One Wrap
Friday, Sept. 4 5 p.m. ET LIVE Round Two
Friday, Sept. 4 11 p.m. ET Round Two Wrap
Saturday, Sept. 5 2 p.m. ET LIVE Round Three
Sunday, Sept. 6 3 p.m. ET LIVE Final Round

CN MIRACLE MATCH SUPPORTS ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation has been designated as the official charity of the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open. To date, the CN Canadian Women’s Open has raised almost $2 million towards children’s charities since CN began its title sponsorship of the event in 2006.

KIDS 15 AND UNDER GET IN FREE ALL WEEK
The 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open will once again feature a week’s worth of family entertainment with kids age 15 and under admitted free all week with a ticketed adult. Juniors will also have the opportunity to take part in golf clinics and activities onsite through CN Future Links, Canada’s junior golf program.

GULBIS TO MAKE GOLF TOWN APPEARANCE IN CALGARY
LPGA Tour player Natalie Gulbis is scheduled to make an appearance at the Golf Town in South Calgary on Tuesday, September 1 from 6:30-8pm

During the in-store public event, the three-time Solheim Cup team member will greet fans and sign autographs. Attendees will have the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a variety of Gulbis-signed merchandise, including adidas golf shoes and TaylorMade staff bags. Additionally, two customers will be awarded $500 adidas Golf shopping spree gift cards.

ABOUT THE 2009 CN CANADIAN WOMEN’S OPEN
Stars of the LPGA Tour will be featured at the US$2.75 million CN Canadian Women’s Open from August 31 to September 6 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Calgary. The CN Canadian Women’s Open is proudly sponsored by the Canadian National Railway Company along with event partners CVS Controls Ltd., TaylorMade adidas Golf, Corona Extra, The Globe and Mail, CE Franklin Ltd., Calgary Sport Tourism Authority, Safeway, Mexico Tourism, CBC, The Glenlivet, Bell, Reader’s Digest and local media partners Calgary Herald, Corus Entertainment and Global Calgary. For updated corporate hospitality, sponsorship opportunities, daily tickets, and volunteer information please visit www.cncanadianwomensopen.com.

NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD
CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.

ABOUT THE ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation raises funds for excellence in child health and family centred care. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation provides funding for innovative family centred programs, state of the art equipment, advanced medical training and internationally recognized pediatric research. For more information please visit www.childrenshospital.ab.ca.

ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.

For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.