Mike Masaro/Golf Canada
Field of 123 will compete for the Ada MacKenzie Challenge Trophy as well as Super Senior Championship and Inter-Provincial Team Championship
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. – The field is set for the 2026 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, set to take place, September 16-18 at Pine Hills Golf Club in Rocky Mountain House, Alta.
Saskatchewan has nine players in the field. Marcy Johnson of Fort Qu’Appelle and Kathy Hopfner of Swift Current will compete as Team Saskatchewan in the two day inter-provincial championship. Unfortunately champion Kim Walker withdrew due to an injury.
Defending champion and three-time winner, Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay, B.C. (2021, 2022, 2025) leads the field of 123 competitors from across Canada and the United States. Joining Stouffer are fellow three-time winners, Canadian Golf Hall of Famer, Mary Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont. (2010, 2011, 2023), and Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont. (2012, 2015, 2024) and two-time champion Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. (2016, 2019). In July, Kyrinis added the Irish Senior Women’s Amateur Championship title to her long list of accomplishments. Stouffer, who was defending champion, finished second in Ireland. In June, Stouffer won her seventh consecutive British Columbia Senior Women’s Championship.
“We are excited to welcome a strong field with four past champions competing for our Canadian Women’s Senior Championship this week at Pine Hills Golf Club,” said Madeline MacMillan, Tournament Director, Golf Canada. “We’d like to sincerely thank the course staff and volunteers for their warm hospitality in the buildup to this national championship and we look forward to another memorable tournament this week.”
The Canadian Women’s Senior Championship features a pair of competitive divisions, the Senior division and the Super Senior division that run concurrently throughout the competition’s 54 holes. Females with a handicap index of 16.4 or less are eligible to compete in the 2026 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship. After 36 holes the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties based off the Senior division with a minimum of five Super Seniors making the cut and anyone within 10 shots of the lead in the division. Hayward enters as the defending champion of the Super Senior title. Hayward and Samuel have both won the title twice in the past four years.
Team British Columbia will look to claim the Katherine Helleur Trophy for a third consecutive year and fourth in five years. Since 2002, Team British Columbia and Team Ontario have claimed the coveted team title 11 times. Team Alberta was the last province outside of B.C. or Ontario to win in 2001. The Inter-Provincial Team competition runs concurrently over the first 36 holes of the national championship.
Pine Hills Golf Club is the perfect balance of challenge and beauty with 18 performance inspiring holes embraced by countless awe-inspiring scenic views. The Club is perfectly secluded with nature and is considered a delight to play yet difficult to master. Pine Hills was established in 1964 originally as a 9-hole layout. In 1989 renowned Canadian golf course architect Sid Puddicombe integrated an additional nine holes in unison with other improvements resulting in an 18-hole, Par 72 championship golf course that harmonizes perfectly with nature. The 2026 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship will mark the first time that Pine Hills has hosted a national championship.
“Pine Hills along with the community are extremely honoured to be able to host this event and showcase our club and surroundings to competitors from all over North America. Our staff, members and volunteers are looking forward to ensuring our club shines during the championship week,” said Dave Drake, Executive Professional and General Manager, Pine Hills Golf Club. “The field can expect a challenging yet fair setup during the week with an emphasis on accuracy off the tee as the rough will be penal and the greens will definitely test the players short game nerve.”
Conducted since 1971, the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship has featured many of the country’s top senior golfers. Canadian Golf Hall of Fame members Marlene Streit, Gayle Borthwick, Marilyn O’Connor, Margaret Todd and Mary Ann Hayward all own senior championship titles.
The event’s historic past is paired with a notable list of exemptions awarded to the winner of the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, including a spot in the field at the 2026 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship set for September 26 – October 1 at the Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore. Additionally, a spot in the 2027 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, 113th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, 2027 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and a 10-year exemption into the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship.
For the full player field competing at the 2026 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.