Junior Worlds
The Junior Worlds, one of the most prestigious touranments in the world, for young aspiring golfers who have the dreams and desires to make golf their future, begins today at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California.
The Callaway Golf Junior World Golf Championships is truly unique with a total field size exceeding 1000 golfers. Participants from 45 states and 53 countries will be represented over the next four days. Not only is the Junior Worlds important to all the junior golfers who participate but it's also a big week for college coaches, who use the Junior Worlds as a hunting ground for up-and-coming talent.
Junior Golfers from 5 years old to 18 will competing at courses across San Diego - Torrey Pines, Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, Welk Resort, Lomas Santa Fe, Riverwalk, Sycuan Resort and Colina Park.
Megan Mahoney, the Executive Director of the San Diego Junior Golf Association, said, “I expect about 120 coaches from 80 schools will be roaming the grounds at Torrey Pines Golf Course, the site of the 15-17 age divisions for boys and girls over the four days of competition”.
One of the draws for coaches is the large international contingent the Junior World always attracts. The boys will be playing four rounds on Torrey Pines South, a course that was tough enough to host a U.S. Open while the girls will be playing the Torrey Pines North.
Many Junior World champions have gone on to enjoy successful careers on the PGA and LPGA Tours, including Amy Alcott, Notah Begay, Brandie Burton, John Cook, Dorothy Delasin, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Corey Pavin, Pat Perez, Joan Pitcock, Nick Price, Kim Shipman, Craig Stadler, David Toms and Tiger Woods.
With one of the largest contingents, Canada is set to make its mark over the competition days. Two years ago, Eugene Wong represented Canada well by winning the Junior Worlds. This was the first time a Canadian has won such a prestigious event.
This year, Canada will be well represented again with some outstanding junior golfers.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Jim Rutledge Polishes off Record Setting Performance at the Mr. Lube – Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship
(Milton, ON) - Champions Tour player Jim Rutledge of Victoria, BC put the finishing touches on his record setting performance with a final round 2-under-par 70 to win the Mr. Lube – Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon by a whopping ten shots over Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Dave Barr of Westbank, BC.
Visit http://www.cpga.com/ to view the final leaderboard, earnings and to watch the Canadian PGA TV interview with the new champion.
After establishing a new course record at RattleSnake Point on Wednesday with a 10-under-par 62, Rutledge capped off the National Championship by breaking the overall tournament record with his 17-under-par total for three days. The previous record in the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship was 12-under-par for 54 holes.
“I really wanted to come here to see some great friends and play in this event for the first time with the new sponsors and on a great golf course,” said Rutledge, who picked up $10,000 dollars for the victory and will now hop on a plane and fly to Winnipeg for the Player’s Cup on the Canadian Tour next week. “It was a fabulous week from start to finish and the Canadian PGA did a fantastic job of organizing and running this Championship.”
Rutledge is a rookie on the Champions Tour in 2010 with conditional status. He’s played well enough to qualify for five events on the Seniors’ circuit and currently sits 71st on the Champions Tour Money List with $82,550 in earnings. His victory adds a second Canadian PGA National Championship to his resume with the 1984 Canadian PGA Championship being his first.
“Winning a National Championship like this gives me some great momentum and confidence to keep it going on the Champions Tour,” said Rutledge, who is expected to get into the US Senior Open at Sahalee Country Club in a few weeks time. “I played with Mr. Lube President Stuart Suls in the Pro-Am and after raising some great money for Prostate Cancer and seeing Stuart’s commitment to this event it seemed like the entire week started off on the right foot.”
Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Dave Barr tried to put some early pressure on Rutledge with birdies on the 1st, 2nd and 5th holes but after another birdie on the 11th hole he had a couple of hiccups on the way in with bogeys on the way in. His final round score of 2-under-par 70 and 209 total was good enough to secure second place by himself while Champions Tour player Rod Spittle of Niagara Falls, ON finished alone in 3rd place after a final round score of 70. Barr picked up $4,000 while Spittle grabbed $2,500 in earnings.
Rick Willan of Markham, ON and Ken Tarling of Sanford, ON rounded out the top five as the two studs of the Ontario PGA Senior circuit finished with a 54-hole total of 2-under-par 214.
Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Bob Panasik of Windsor, ON rebounded from his playoff loss yesterday in the Super Seniors Division to shoot 73 in the final round and finish alone in 8th position. “Not bad for a guy that’s 68 years old, eh” joked Panasik.
In the Super Seniors Division that wrapped up on Wednesday Don Green of Thornbury, ON outlasted Panasik after making par on the first playoff hole.
Bobby Breen of Brampton, ON adds the Diamond Division title to his very large trophy case after firing rounds of 73-76 to win by six shots over Don Renaud of Ottawa, ON.
The $50,000 Mr. Lube - Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon is a three-day, 54-hole individual stroke play event. The Super Seniors’ (60 and older) and Diamond (70 and older) divisions was contested over 36 holes in two days.
Notes:
Mike Newman of London, ON made a hole in one on the 162-yard 15th hole in the final round
Spittle and Dave Bell of Windsor, ON qualified for the US Senior Open while Rutledge and Daryl Stubbs of South Delta, BC are currently alternates.
The Copperhead course at RattleSnake Point was set up at 6,900 yards by the Canadian PGA National Championship Team
Tournament History:
The Canadian PGA Seniors Championship was first played in 1938 as a division of the Canadian PGA Championship. In 1973, the Seniors’ Championship became an independent event and has stayed that way ever since. Among the Canadian golf legends to win this championship are Stan Leonard, Moe Norman, Bob Panasik and Al Balding. Norman won this championship a record seven straight years from 1979 to 1985 while Balding stunned the golf world by winning the championship at age 76 in 2000.
Visit http://www.cpga.com/ to view the final leaderboard, earnings and to watch the Canadian PGA TV interview with the new champion.
After establishing a new course record at RattleSnake Point on Wednesday with a 10-under-par 62, Rutledge capped off the National Championship by breaking the overall tournament record with his 17-under-par total for three days. The previous record in the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship was 12-under-par for 54 holes.
“I really wanted to come here to see some great friends and play in this event for the first time with the new sponsors and on a great golf course,” said Rutledge, who picked up $10,000 dollars for the victory and will now hop on a plane and fly to Winnipeg for the Player’s Cup on the Canadian Tour next week. “It was a fabulous week from start to finish and the Canadian PGA did a fantastic job of organizing and running this Championship.”
Rutledge is a rookie on the Champions Tour in 2010 with conditional status. He’s played well enough to qualify for five events on the Seniors’ circuit and currently sits 71st on the Champions Tour Money List with $82,550 in earnings. His victory adds a second Canadian PGA National Championship to his resume with the 1984 Canadian PGA Championship being his first.
“Winning a National Championship like this gives me some great momentum and confidence to keep it going on the Champions Tour,” said Rutledge, who is expected to get into the US Senior Open at Sahalee Country Club in a few weeks time. “I played with Mr. Lube President Stuart Suls in the Pro-Am and after raising some great money for Prostate Cancer and seeing Stuart’s commitment to this event it seemed like the entire week started off on the right foot.”
Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Dave Barr tried to put some early pressure on Rutledge with birdies on the 1st, 2nd and 5th holes but after another birdie on the 11th hole he had a couple of hiccups on the way in with bogeys on the way in. His final round score of 2-under-par 70 and 209 total was good enough to secure second place by himself while Champions Tour player Rod Spittle of Niagara Falls, ON finished alone in 3rd place after a final round score of 70. Barr picked up $4,000 while Spittle grabbed $2,500 in earnings.
Rick Willan of Markham, ON and Ken Tarling of Sanford, ON rounded out the top five as the two studs of the Ontario PGA Senior circuit finished with a 54-hole total of 2-under-par 214.
Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Bob Panasik of Windsor, ON rebounded from his playoff loss yesterday in the Super Seniors Division to shoot 73 in the final round and finish alone in 8th position. “Not bad for a guy that’s 68 years old, eh” joked Panasik.
In the Super Seniors Division that wrapped up on Wednesday Don Green of Thornbury, ON outlasted Panasik after making par on the first playoff hole.
Bobby Breen of Brampton, ON adds the Diamond Division title to his very large trophy case after firing rounds of 73-76 to win by six shots over Don Renaud of Ottawa, ON.
The $50,000 Mr. Lube - Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon is a three-day, 54-hole individual stroke play event. The Super Seniors’ (60 and older) and Diamond (70 and older) divisions was contested over 36 holes in two days.
Notes:
Mike Newman of London, ON made a hole in one on the 162-yard 15th hole in the final round
Spittle and Dave Bell of Windsor, ON qualified for the US Senior Open while Rutledge and Daryl Stubbs of South Delta, BC are currently alternates.
The Copperhead course at RattleSnake Point was set up at 6,900 yards by the Canadian PGA National Championship Team
Tournament History:
The Canadian PGA Seniors Championship was first played in 1938 as a division of the Canadian PGA Championship. In 1973, the Seniors’ Championship became an independent event and has stayed that way ever since. Among the Canadian golf legends to win this championship are Stan Leonard, Moe Norman, Bob Panasik and Al Balding. Norman won this championship a record seven straight years from 1979 to 1985 while Balding stunned the golf world by winning the championship at age 76 in 2000.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Dave Barr, Jim Rutledge & Bob Panasik to Headline the Inaugural Mr. Lube - Legends of Golf Clinic
Acton, ON – Mr. Lube and the Canadian PGA are pleased to announce that Dave Barr of Kelowna, BC, Jim Rutledge of Victoria, BC and Bob Panasik of Windsor, ON will be showcasing their skills for a packed house at the inaugural Mr. Lube – Legends of Golf Clinic on July 5th at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON.
The Mr. Lube – Legends of Golf Clinic will kick off the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life Pro-Am as Barr, Rutledge and Panasik will perform on the driving range of RattleSnake Point complete with music, microphones and a grandstand to showcase the skills that made all three of them famous.
“We are thrilled to be adding the Legends of Golf Clinic to our Tournament for Life Pro-Am,” said Stuart Suls, President and Chief Operating Officer for Mr. Lube Canada. “This will be an exciting day for all of our friends and clients of the Tournament for Life Pro-Am and I expect it to be one of the highlights of the entire Championship week.”
Barr is a Canadian Golf Hall of Famer that won the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship in 2007 and enjoyed one of the best careers in Canadian Golf history after winning twice on the PGA Tour and becoming the first Canadian to win on the Champions Tour back in 2003. On home soil Barr racked up twelve victories on the Canadian Tour.
Rutledge won on the Canadian Tour six times, enjoyed a successful career on the Asian Tour and has represented Canada twice on the international stage at both the Dunhill Cup and the World Cup. He earned conditional status on the Champions Tour for 2010 and currently sits in 71st place on the money list with $73,500 in earnings.
Panasik is a nine-time Canadian Tour champion who has also represented Canada at the World Cup on three occasions. He qualified for the US Open Championship a remarkable 11 times between 1964 and 1983 and for the US Senior Open Championship in 2002. Panasik’s name still finds its’ way onto PGA TOUR telecasts as he still holds the record as the youngest player to make a cut in a PGA TOUR event, doing so at the age of 15 years and 8 months at the 1957 Canadian Open.
“This is a fantastic enhancement for this entire Championship,” stated Glenn Cundari, President of the Canadian PGA. “Dave Barr, Jim Rutledge and Bob Panasik are definitely Canadian golf legends and I’m thrilled to see that we will be showcasing the skills of our Professionals in this setting.”
Participants of the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life Pro-Am will receive their ticket to the event at registration. The Mr. Lube – Legends of Golf Clinic will start at 12:00 pm EST on Monday July 5th.
The Mr. Lube – Legends of Golf Clinic will kick off the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life Pro-Am as Barr, Rutledge and Panasik will perform on the driving range of RattleSnake Point complete with music, microphones and a grandstand to showcase the skills that made all three of them famous.
“We are thrilled to be adding the Legends of Golf Clinic to our Tournament for Life Pro-Am,” said Stuart Suls, President and Chief Operating Officer for Mr. Lube Canada. “This will be an exciting day for all of our friends and clients of the Tournament for Life Pro-Am and I expect it to be one of the highlights of the entire Championship week.”
Barr is a Canadian Golf Hall of Famer that won the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship in 2007 and enjoyed one of the best careers in Canadian Golf history after winning twice on the PGA Tour and becoming the first Canadian to win on the Champions Tour back in 2003. On home soil Barr racked up twelve victories on the Canadian Tour.
Rutledge won on the Canadian Tour six times, enjoyed a successful career on the Asian Tour and has represented Canada twice on the international stage at both the Dunhill Cup and the World Cup. He earned conditional status on the Champions Tour for 2010 and currently sits in 71st place on the money list with $73,500 in earnings.
Panasik is a nine-time Canadian Tour champion who has also represented Canada at the World Cup on three occasions. He qualified for the US Open Championship a remarkable 11 times between 1964 and 1983 and for the US Senior Open Championship in 2002. Panasik’s name still finds its’ way onto PGA TOUR telecasts as he still holds the record as the youngest player to make a cut in a PGA TOUR event, doing so at the age of 15 years and 8 months at the 1957 Canadian Open.
“This is a fantastic enhancement for this entire Championship,” stated Glenn Cundari, President of the Canadian PGA. “Dave Barr, Jim Rutledge and Bob Panasik are definitely Canadian golf legends and I’m thrilled to see that we will be showcasing the skills of our Professionals in this setting.”
Participants of the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life Pro-Am will receive their ticket to the event at registration. The Mr. Lube – Legends of Golf Clinic will start at 12:00 pm EST on Monday July 5th.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Champions Tour Players Rutledge and Spittle to Play in 2010 Mr. Lube - Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship
Acton, ON – The Canadian PGA is pleased to announce that Champions Tour players Jim Rutledge of Victoria, BC and Rod Spittle of Niagara Falls, ON will play in the 2010 Mr. Lube – Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon, July 5-8 at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON.
“I’m extremely excited to play in the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship for the first time,” said Rutledge, who will come to Toronto right after the new Champions Tour event in Montreal. “The trophy is decorated with legendary Canadian PGA professionals and I would love to add my name to it.”
Rutledge has proudly carried the Canadian flag on his golf bag all over the globe, leaving his mark on every tour he’s played on. He’s won on the Canadian Tour six times, enjoyed a successful career on the Asian Tour and has represented Canada twice on the international stage at both the Dunhill Cup and the World Cup.
Rutledge played on the Nationwide Tour from 2001-2007, highlighted by his incredible come-from-behind victory at the 2006 ING New Zealand PGA Championship where he eagled the 17th hole and birdied the 18th hole to shoot 64 to win by a single shot.
Rutledge earned conditional status on the 2010 Champions Tour and has played in three events so far this season, including the Senior PGA Championship. His best finish came at the Cap Cana Championship in March where he finished tied for 13th.
“Mr. Lube is thrilled to have Jim Rutledge and Rod Spittle in the field for our first year as the title sponsor of this historic event,” stated Stuart Suls, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mr. Lube Canada. “Our goal is to make this event and the Tournament for Life Pro-Am one of the best in the country and we could not do it without the contributions of these great Canadian PGA Professionals.”
Spittle is making his second appearance at the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship after a successful run on the Champions Tour over the last five years. Since 2005, Spittle has played in over 25 events and earned almost $480,000. His best year on tour to date was in 2007 where he made 13 cuts and earned over $300,000, propelled by a second place showing at the Greater Hickory Classic. He’s played in three events in 2010, with his best finish a T28 at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic.
Spittle had a tremendous amateur career claiming the 1977 and 1978 Canadian Amateur Championship title after finishing second at the Canadian Junior Championship only a few years earlier. After attempting PGA TOUR Qualifying School on a couple of occasions, Spittle decided that a stable life at home in the corporate insurance world was for him. After 25 years in the insurance business Spittle finally pursued his lifelong dream and turned professional in 2004. He tasted success right away winning a Great Lakes Tour Platinum event in one of his first events as a professional.
The 2010 Mr. Lube – Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon will kick off festivities on July 5th with the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life Pro-Am with proceeds benefitting Prostate Cancer Canada.
“I’m extremely excited to play in the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship for the first time,” said Rutledge, who will come to Toronto right after the new Champions Tour event in Montreal. “The trophy is decorated with legendary Canadian PGA professionals and I would love to add my name to it.”
Rutledge has proudly carried the Canadian flag on his golf bag all over the globe, leaving his mark on every tour he’s played on. He’s won on the Canadian Tour six times, enjoyed a successful career on the Asian Tour and has represented Canada twice on the international stage at both the Dunhill Cup and the World Cup.
Rutledge played on the Nationwide Tour from 2001-2007, highlighted by his incredible come-from-behind victory at the 2006 ING New Zealand PGA Championship where he eagled the 17th hole and birdied the 18th hole to shoot 64 to win by a single shot.
Rutledge earned conditional status on the 2010 Champions Tour and has played in three events so far this season, including the Senior PGA Championship. His best finish came at the Cap Cana Championship in March where he finished tied for 13th.
“Mr. Lube is thrilled to have Jim Rutledge and Rod Spittle in the field for our first year as the title sponsor of this historic event,” stated Stuart Suls, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mr. Lube Canada. “Our goal is to make this event and the Tournament for Life Pro-Am one of the best in the country and we could not do it without the contributions of these great Canadian PGA Professionals.”
Spittle is making his second appearance at the Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship after a successful run on the Champions Tour over the last five years. Since 2005, Spittle has played in over 25 events and earned almost $480,000. His best year on tour to date was in 2007 where he made 13 cuts and earned over $300,000, propelled by a second place showing at the Greater Hickory Classic. He’s played in three events in 2010, with his best finish a T28 at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic.
Spittle had a tremendous amateur career claiming the 1977 and 1978 Canadian Amateur Championship title after finishing second at the Canadian Junior Championship only a few years earlier. After attempting PGA TOUR Qualifying School on a couple of occasions, Spittle decided that a stable life at home in the corporate insurance world was for him. After 25 years in the insurance business Spittle finally pursued his lifelong dream and turned professional in 2004. He tasted success right away winning a Great Lakes Tour Platinum event in one of his first events as a professional.
The 2010 Mr. Lube – Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championship presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon will kick off festivities on July 5th with the Mr. Lube Tournament for Life Pro-Am with proceeds benefitting Prostate Cancer Canada.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Mackenzie digs down deep to snare first win in Victoria
Submitted by Canadian Tour Communications
VICTORIA, BC (June 6, 2010) – Brock Mackenzie, you may now exhale.
It didn’t come without drama, but the former U.S. amateur star is finally a Canadian Tour champion at last.
On a wet and wild closing day at the $250,000 Times Colonist Open, Mackenzie jarred a long birdie putt on the final hole to close with a 4-under 66 and end his four days at Uplands GC with a 14-under 266 total, one shot in front of freshman Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, BC (63) and California sophomore Aaron Goldberg (66).
Roger Sloan of Merritt, BC gave the leaders something to think about by lighting it up for a course-record 9-under 61 to post an early 11-under total. For a while, it looked like Sloan would flirt with the largest final-round come-from-behind victory in Canadian Tour history, set in 2001 when Brian Payne overcame a five-shot deficit to knock off Jason Bohn on a windswept afternoon at the Aliant Cup in St. John’s, Nfld.
Sloan would eventually settle for fourth with fellow British Columbian James Allenby (66).
After several achingly close calls, McKenzie will at last get his name etched on a Canadian Tour championship trophy. In 2006, the native of nearby Washington State had heartbreaking back-to-back runner-up losses, including a playoff defeat to Wes Heffernan at the Montreal Open. After spending two seasons on the Nationwide Tour, McKenzie returned north in 2009, finishing fourth at the Uplands last summer.
As an amateur, Mackenzie compiled a sterling resume that included NCAA All-American honours at the University of Washington, the 2002 Pacific Coast Amateur crown and a Walker Cup title as a member of the victorious U.S. team in 2003.
Now, finally, he can add another piece of hardware to the family trophy case.
“Oh man, you have no idea,” sighed Mackenzie when asked if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “Aaron and I really put on a show on that back nine. If we had played another hole, he probably would have tied it. I’m just glad I was able to dig down and finally pull one of these out.”
“I guess if you put yourself in contention enough times, eventually it will happen.”
It turned out to be a dramatic final day on Vancouver Island. Mackenzie bogeyed two of his first three holes and fell off the top of the leaderboard for the first time since midway through the second round. Those vying for the top perch traded punches all afternoon, with Sloan sitting comfortably in the clubhouse watching to see if his 11-under total would be enough to get him into a playoff.
Trailing by two shots with five holes to go, McKenzie dug in his heels and, after a Goldberg bogey on 14, pulled even with a birdie on the par-4 15th. Seconds later, Hadwin, playing three groups ahead, drained a birdie putt on the par-3 17th to put the pressure on the final pairing. McKenzie answered with a birdie on 16 before Goldberg did the same on 17.
On the 72nd hole, with Hadwin looking on, Mackenzie rolled in a clutch 25-foot downhill putt and did a slow fist pump. Seconds later, Goldberg’s attempt from just inside where McKenzie was came up a foot short.
“That was probably about as much emotion as I’ve ever showed on the golf course,” Mackenzie said of the impromptu fist pump after his putt on 18. “More than anything, it makes all the hard work and struggles worth it. It’s a great way to start the Canadian swing, and hopefully this will be a stepping stone to get back to where I want to be.”
With the $40,000 winner's cheque, McKenzie moves into top spot on the Order of Merit.
Sloan’s record-setting afternoon included holing out for carbon-copy eagles on a pair of par-4 holes. Sloan was exactly 89 yards out on both the third and 16th holes, dunking them both for the unlikely deuces. Oddly enough, Sloan says he was working on that distance with his wedge in the days leading up to the tournament.
“As soon as I was finished, I looked up, saw I was tied for the lead and knew it wouldn’t be enough,” said Sloan. “But if someone had told me this morning I would shoot 61, I would have taken it. It was an exciting afternoon. Any time you can kick off the first event in Canada like that, it bodes well for the rest of the summer.”
The Canadian Tour will now take a little time off before resuming the Canadian swing in Edmonton with the ATB Financial Classic presented by TELUS later this month.
VICTORIA, BC (June 6, 2010) – Brock Mackenzie, you may now exhale.
It didn’t come without drama, but the former U.S. amateur star is finally a Canadian Tour champion at last.
On a wet and wild closing day at the $250,000 Times Colonist Open, Mackenzie jarred a long birdie putt on the final hole to close with a 4-under 66 and end his four days at Uplands GC with a 14-under 266 total, one shot in front of freshman Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, BC (63) and California sophomore Aaron Goldberg (66).
Roger Sloan of Merritt, BC gave the leaders something to think about by lighting it up for a course-record 9-under 61 to post an early 11-under total. For a while, it looked like Sloan would flirt with the largest final-round come-from-behind victory in Canadian Tour history, set in 2001 when Brian Payne overcame a five-shot deficit to knock off Jason Bohn on a windswept afternoon at the Aliant Cup in St. John’s, Nfld.
Sloan would eventually settle for fourth with fellow British Columbian James Allenby (66).
After several achingly close calls, McKenzie will at last get his name etched on a Canadian Tour championship trophy. In 2006, the native of nearby Washington State had heartbreaking back-to-back runner-up losses, including a playoff defeat to Wes Heffernan at the Montreal Open. After spending two seasons on the Nationwide Tour, McKenzie returned north in 2009, finishing fourth at the Uplands last summer.
As an amateur, Mackenzie compiled a sterling resume that included NCAA All-American honours at the University of Washington, the 2002 Pacific Coast Amateur crown and a Walker Cup title as a member of the victorious U.S. team in 2003.
Now, finally, he can add another piece of hardware to the family trophy case.
“Oh man, you have no idea,” sighed Mackenzie when asked if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “Aaron and I really put on a show on that back nine. If we had played another hole, he probably would have tied it. I’m just glad I was able to dig down and finally pull one of these out.”
“I guess if you put yourself in contention enough times, eventually it will happen.”
It turned out to be a dramatic final day on Vancouver Island. Mackenzie bogeyed two of his first three holes and fell off the top of the leaderboard for the first time since midway through the second round. Those vying for the top perch traded punches all afternoon, with Sloan sitting comfortably in the clubhouse watching to see if his 11-under total would be enough to get him into a playoff.
Trailing by two shots with five holes to go, McKenzie dug in his heels and, after a Goldberg bogey on 14, pulled even with a birdie on the par-4 15th. Seconds later, Hadwin, playing three groups ahead, drained a birdie putt on the par-3 17th to put the pressure on the final pairing. McKenzie answered with a birdie on 16 before Goldberg did the same on 17.
On the 72nd hole, with Hadwin looking on, Mackenzie rolled in a clutch 25-foot downhill putt and did a slow fist pump. Seconds later, Goldberg’s attempt from just inside where McKenzie was came up a foot short.
“That was probably about as much emotion as I’ve ever showed on the golf course,” Mackenzie said of the impromptu fist pump after his putt on 18. “More than anything, it makes all the hard work and struggles worth it. It’s a great way to start the Canadian swing, and hopefully this will be a stepping stone to get back to where I want to be.”
With the $40,000 winner's cheque, McKenzie moves into top spot on the Order of Merit.
Sloan’s record-setting afternoon included holing out for carbon-copy eagles on a pair of par-4 holes. Sloan was exactly 89 yards out on both the third and 16th holes, dunking them both for the unlikely deuces. Oddly enough, Sloan says he was working on that distance with his wedge in the days leading up to the tournament.
“As soon as I was finished, I looked up, saw I was tied for the lead and knew it wouldn’t be enough,” said Sloan. “But if someone had told me this morning I would shoot 61, I would have taken it. It was an exciting afternoon. Any time you can kick off the first event in Canada like that, it bodes well for the rest of the summer.”
The Canadian Tour will now take a little time off before resuming the Canadian swing in Edmonton with the ATB Financial Classic presented by TELUS later this month.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Upcoming on the CJGA tournament schedule!
First, the NIKE Golf Junior Series / Stephen Ames Cup / Optimist Qualifier will take place May 22nd and 23rd at Swaneset Golf Course and act as a triple qualifier - NIKE Golf Junior Championship, Optimist International and Stephen Ames Cup - for all juniors.
Each player will recieve a Dozen Nike One Golf Balls, a Nike Golf Hat and a chance to win great NIKE prizes. The Stephen Ames Cup, an international event taking place in Trinidad & Tobago in 2010, is a Ryder Cup format event that pits CJGA Team Canada versus Trinidad & Tobago Golf Association. Tournament host and PGA Tour professional Stephen Ames is onsite the entire week, spending time with the juniors both on and off the golf course. The event is fully supported and funded by the Stephen Ames Foundation. The NIKE Golf Junior Championship is an invite only event, bringing together all the division winners for the NIKE Golf Jr. Series events across Canada to compete for the NIKE Championship crown in their respective age divisions. Due to the Optimist International Qualifier the divisions for this event will be Girls plus 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18 for the Boys.
Secondly, the TELUS World Jr. Skins will take place at Bear Mountain Golf Resort June 5-6, home of the 2010 TELUS World Skins Game. This event will be full of great opportunities for the juniors:Each player will recieve two tickets to the TELUS Skins Game, a Dozen NIKE One golf balls and a NIKE Golf Hat
Plus the chance to play the course the Pros will play two weeks later
And a chance to win a spot as a walking scorer for the TELUS World Skins Game
There will also be Draw prizes for all participants to win a spot as a walking scorer and Draw prizes from Samsung
View the attached poster for more details.
Make sure you don’t miss out on either of these great opportunities. Make sure you secure your spot and register today.
For more information, please contact the CJGA Head Office at 1-877-508-1069 or at info@cjga.com.
Each player will recieve a Dozen Nike One Golf Balls, a Nike Golf Hat and a chance to win great NIKE prizes. The Stephen Ames Cup, an international event taking place in Trinidad & Tobago in 2010, is a Ryder Cup format event that pits CJGA Team Canada versus Trinidad & Tobago Golf Association. Tournament host and PGA Tour professional Stephen Ames is onsite the entire week, spending time with the juniors both on and off the golf course. The event is fully supported and funded by the Stephen Ames Foundation. The NIKE Golf Junior Championship is an invite only event, bringing together all the division winners for the NIKE Golf Jr. Series events across Canada to compete for the NIKE Championship crown in their respective age divisions. Due to the Optimist International Qualifier the divisions for this event will be Girls plus 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18 for the Boys.
Secondly, the TELUS World Jr. Skins will take place at Bear Mountain Golf Resort June 5-6, home of the 2010 TELUS World Skins Game. This event will be full of great opportunities for the juniors:Each player will recieve two tickets to the TELUS Skins Game, a Dozen NIKE One golf balls and a NIKE Golf Hat
Plus the chance to play the course the Pros will play two weeks later
And a chance to win a spot as a walking scorer for the TELUS World Skins Game
There will also be Draw prizes for all participants to win a spot as a walking scorer and Draw prizes from Samsung
View the attached poster for more details.
Make sure you don’t miss out on either of these great opportunities. Make sure you secure your spot and register today.
For more information, please contact the CJGA Head Office at 1-877-508-1069 or at info@cjga.com.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Vancouver Sun/Province Golf Guide
In case you missed it this week the Vancouver Sun & Province released their annual golf guide. Click below to view the guide!
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