Canadian Pacific (CP), Golf Canada and the LPGA Tour officially announced today that CP has extended its title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open for five years, beginning in 2019 through 2023. Terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

Since becoming title sponsor of the CP Women’s Open in November of 2013, CP has worked closely with Golf Canada to enhance Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship including the overall experience for players and fans. CP has also established a meaningful charitable legacy through CP Has Heart, which has raised nearly $6.5M for heart health initiatives in the event’s host communities.

“Extending our partnership with Golf Canada as title sponsor of the CP Women’s Open will enable CP to continue to make a significant difference in communities across Canada through our community investment program, CP Has Heart,” said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Executive Officer. “Partnering with these world-class athletes and this wonderful tournament enhances pride across our company, while building deeper, stronger relationships within the host communities. Since our first CP Women’s Open in 2014 we have raised close to 6.5 million dollars for children’s hospitals and pediatric cardiac care systems across the country, and we look forward to supporting even more young hearts and families in the years to come.”

FIVE. MORE. YEARS. – @CanadianPacific , @TheGolfCanada and the @LPGA Tour officially announced today that CP has extended its title sponsorship of the #CPWO for five years, beginning in 2019 through 2023.

A post shared by CP Women’s Open (@cpwomensopen) on Jul 9, 2018 at 6:00am PDT

In addition to being title sponsor of the CP Women’s Open, CP is extending its role as a premier partner of Golf Canada’s National Team Program (Team Canada) and the Young Pro Squad which supports emerging Canadian professionals in their transition to the LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR. CP also proudly supports Canadian golf legend Lorie Kane and major champion Brooke Henderson as CP Ambassadors.

CP will also continue its investment as title sponsor of the CP Women’s Leadership Summit which will make its debut on August 21 during tournament week of the 2018 CP Women’s Open at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.

For Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum, CP’s extended relationship with the CP Women’s Open further solidifies CP’s standing as a champion supporter of golf in Canada.

“Canadian Pacific has been an incredible partner supporting excellence in Canadian golf for the past five years and we are honoured to have them continue their title sponsorship of the CP Women’s Open,” said Applebaum. “CP is among Canada’s most respected corporations and as a deeply invested golf partner under the leadership of Keith Creel, their commitment to delivering a world-class experience for players, caddies, fans and charitable beneficiaries, has elevated the status of Canada’s National Women’s Open to one of the premier events on the LPGA Tour.”

As part of CP’s title sponsorship renewal, the purse for the 2019 CP Women’s Open will be $2.25M US beginning in 2019 with a commitment to be among the top-tier purses on the LPGA Tour for the term of the agreement.

“For our players, this championship is a must-play event with great hospitality as well as great history,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan.  “The LPGA’s success is made possible through partnerships like the ones we enjoy with CP and Golf Canada. I’d like to congratulate both CP and Golf Canada on this five-year sponsorship extension.  With CP’s help, we’re proud to continue showcasing the LPGA Tour to millions of golf fans in Canada, across North America and around the world.”

MAGNA GOLF CLUB TO HOST 2019 CP WOMEN’S OPEN

In addition to announcing the title sponsorship renewal, Golf Canada and CP also confirmed today that the 2019 CP Women’s Open will be conducted at the prestigious Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ontario.

The naming of Magna Golf Club as host of the 2019 CP Women’s Open kicks off an east-west venue rotation over the five-year term to bring the event to world-class facilities in host communities in which CP employees live and work across its network. The 2019 event marks the first time since 2001 that Canada’s National Women’s Open has been contested in the greater Toronto area.

“Magna Golf Club is a truly magnificent facility which will prove to be a world-class experience for the stars of the LPGA Tour,” added Applebaum. “The CP Women’s Open is one of Canada’s premier sporting events and we are thrilled to return to the Toronto area for the first time in nearly 20 years so that golf fans and partners can experience the incredible Magna Golf Club as well as the global excitement of the LPGA Tour.”

In 2019, the #CPWO will be heading to the beautiful @MagnaGolfClub in Aurora, Ont. ??⛳️

Read ➡️ https://t.co/zxE71wEFxw pic.twitter.com/GXL9ZW17WB

— CP Women’s Open (@cpwomensopen) July 9, 2018

“When presented with the opportunity to host the 2019 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Championship, we were immediately excited,” said Magna Golf Club General Manager and Director of Golf, Stuart Brindle. “The event will allow some of the world’s greatest golfers to experience Magna Golf Club, while making a tremendous impact on our local community.”

The 2019 charitable beneficiary for the CP Has Heart campaign is support of pediatric heart health initiatives will be announced in the coming months.

First conducted in 1973, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil and inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers.

The 2018 CP Women’s Open will be held August 20-26 at Wascana Country Club in Regina. Additional information regarding tickets, sponsorship or volunteer opportunities can be found at www.cpwomensopen.com.

RBC, Golf Canada and the PGA TOUR have announced that the 2019 RBC Canadian Open will be moving to a premier spot on the PGA TOUR schedule starting in 2019, one week before the U.S. Open. The 110th RBC Canadian Open, to be played at the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club with new dates, June 3-9, 2019, is expected to attract an even better field for Canada’s National Championship.

The 2018 RBC Canadian Open will be played as scheduled, July 23-29, at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario.

“The RBC Canadian Open is one of the oldest and most-prestigious golf events in the world and we’re thrilled to start a new chapter in 2019,” said Mary DePaoli, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, RBC. “As the only Canadian stop on the Tour, the June tournament date will help enrich the experience for fans, players and all Canadians.”

In addition to the new spot on the PGA TOUR schedule, the 2019 RBC Canadian Open will also feature an increased purse, set at USD $7.6-million.

“The PGA TOUR, RBC and Golf Canada have collaborated to ensure this new date is the right fit for players and fans of the RBC Canadian Open,” said Andy Pazder, chief tournaments & competitions officer, PGA TOUR. “As title sponsor of both the RBC Canadian Open and the RBC Heritage, RBC has been a tremendous partner of the PGA TOUR, and we’re thrilled to have this opportunity to move one of golf’s most important and historic tournaments to a new date for the event starting in 2019.”

With even stronger fields and competition anticipated with the new date, the RBC Canadian Open is expected to increase global awareness for golf in Canada and the RBC Canadian Open tournament; drive deeper interest and participation in golf in Canada; and positively impact the regional economy with increased ticket sales, hospitality and tourism.

“Golf Canada is beyond thrilled by RBC’s overall support for the Canadian Open. Together with the PGA TOUR, the new 2019 date change is a clear demonstration of our combined commitment to the game and Canada’s National Open Championship,” said Laurence Applebaum, chief executive officer, Golf Canada. “This exciting change will inject tremendous energy into the RBC Canadian Open and make Canadian golf better.”

For ticket, volunteering, sponsorship and corporate hospitality information on the 2018 RBC Canadian Open, details are available online at www.rbccanadianopen.com.

Saskatchewan golf fans are going to have a local favourite to cheer for at the CP Women’s Open in Regina.

The tournament selection committee has ruled Saskatoon’s Anna Young will be among the LPGA field at the Wascana Country Club on Aug. 20 to 26. Young, 24, is currently playing on the Symetra Tour in the United States and recently picked up her second professional victory.

Young is a five-time Saskatchewan Amateur Women’s Champion.

The fields are now set for both the boy’s and girl’s Junior Championships next week at the Moon Lake Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon.

Over 60 golfers will chase a Saskatchewan championship as well on spots on the national team that will represent the province at the Canadian championships later this summer. Golf Saskatchewan manager of tournaments Steve Ryde said the field of competitors can expect a top-notch event.

“The kids can expect a challenging, yet fair, golf course with excellent playing conditions. The Junior Men’s and Women’s Championships have always been viewed as a ‘major’ on the Order of Merit Tour (OMT) schedule,” he said.

The Maple Leaf Junior Tour was recently at Moon Lake last weekend, Ryde said some of the competitors will be more familiar with the course. That can be a huge advantage of knowing where and where not to miss shots. The competitor list features the top 30 OMT points leaders. Ryde, a golf professional himself, has competed in junior events growing up in the province as well. He said patience will be key of the 54-hole event.

“We all mis-hit shots out on the course, but the players that stand out above the rest have great short games and putters. The kids that I see are out whaling away on the driver, you need length off the tee, but the putter is the most used club in the bag. Take it one shot at a time and try to avoid the big numbers,” Ryde said.

Humboldt’s Tayden Wallin and Melville’s Chloe Sies are the reigning champions, both have aged out so new winners will be crowned on July 11.

The golfers will play the Highlands and the Moors during the event. The first group of junior women will tee off at 8 a.m. Monday.

Question:

Dave’s ball lied on a cart path (immovable obstruction) near a boundary fence on the right-hand side of the hole being played (Point A). Dave wishes to take relief from the cart path however there is only a small grass area to drop his ball (Two feet in width). When he drops the ball, it rolls out of bounds (OB). Does Dave re-drop the ball? Is he now penalized for an OB? What happens now?

Answer:

Dave could play the ball as it lies on the Immovable Obstruction (at Point A) or, Decision 24-2b/6 provides some clarity.

As Dave’s ball is in such a position the boundary fence side is his nearest point of relief, he is entitled to drop at this spot (B2). When he takes this action, the ball rolls out of bounds. Under the rules, Dave is required to re-drop without penalty (Rule 20-2c). As Dave is right handed, this drop does not provide him full and complete relief for the cart path when Dave takes his stance as his feet are still on the path.  Dave is required to take full relief otherwise he is penalized two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play should he play it from this position. Dave is now entitled to drop the ball on the other side of the path (Point B1) and therefore he incidentally gets full relief from the boundary fence. This is reasonable and under the rules of golf as he is trying to get relief from an Immovable Obstruction under Rule 24-2. Dave therefore gets to drop on the course side of the path and not the nearest point against the boundary fence. Even though this rule and decision takes two steps, Dave has proceeded correctly.

Remember to review when to re-drop a ball under Rule 20-2c and … the Rules Matter!

Saskatoon’s Josh Nagy posted the lowest score of over 80 competitors in this past weekend’s Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) at Moon Lake Golf and Country Club.

Nagy, 16, fired a 144 (73, 71) over the 36-hole event to win the juvenile boy’s division by five shots over Waskesiu’s TJ Baker, 15. Richard Dou of Calgary placed third in the category with a 154 (69, 85). Nagy came from behind by four strokes after the first round to win. He said his game is going well ahead of the Junior Championships next week.

“It feels great to win this week. Provincials are here soon, so it was nice to play well on this course,” he told MJT staff.

Weyburn’s Darien Herlick, 12, carded a 166 (85, 81) to take the peewee boy’s division. He edged 12-year-old Kindersley golfer Keaton Cote for the win. Saskatoon’s Max Regier, 12, placed third, four back of the leader.

In the bantam age group Will Danielson, 14, of Saskatoon posted rounds of 74 and 86 for a two-day total of 160, one better than Regina’s Will Blake. Cort Tunall, 14, was two back in third place.

The junior boy’s division was won by Keighton McNab, 18, of Saskatoon. He carded 154 (78, 76) outlasting Deer Valley golfer Cole Obrigewitsch, 18, by a four-stroke margin. Steven Duchscher, 17, placed third with a 159 (80, 79).

Three athletes competed in the collegiate division, Saskatoon’s Julian Gilewicz, 19, shot his way to a 12-stroke victory over 19-year-old Jax Gipman of Martensville. Josh Lipka, 20, also of Saskatoon fired a 189 (94, 95) to round out the age group placings.

Regina’s Alexandra Schmidt (above, right), 17, posted the lowest round of the female competitors.

She shot 163 (83, 80) well ahead of Deer Valley golfer Carey McLean, 16, who fired 179 (85, 94) over the two rounds. Saskatoon’s Sarah Grieve was a stroke back of McLean in third place in the 15-18 girl’s division.

Brooklin Fry (above, left) of Shell Lake was the U15 girl’s winner with a score of 183 (92, 91). The 13-year-old competed against Regina’s Autumn Neiszner, 14, in the age group, she posted rounds of 103 and 105.

All the results can be found here.

Nagy and the five other division winners have earned invitations to the 2018 MJT International Players Championship at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Resort in Jasper, Alta. from Aug. 13 to 15.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in Saskatchewan is the MJT–PGA of Saskatchewan Junior Championship at Dakota Dunes Golf Links in Saskatoon on July 23 and 24. Positions on MJT Team West for the National Team Challenge in Niagara Falls are on the line.

With files from the MJT’s Russ MacKay.

Saskatoon’s Dave Stewart has his second men’s Order of Merit Tour (OMT) victory of the season after a seven-stroke win at the Mine Supply Central Amateur Championship over the Canada Day long weekend.

The Saskatoon Golf and Country member won the Scotia Wealth Open in Nipawin earlier this season as well. He said winning one of the top tournaments of the season is a great feeling.

“It’s one you try to win every year but the level of competition in the tournament is so high, there’s 30 to 40 guys in the field can win,” he told Golf Saskatchewan. “I am proud and excited to win among the field, especially at my home club.”

Stewart was tied with Publinx winner Carson Harcourt after two rounds but pulled away with a 69 in the third and final round on Monday. Despite being the lone golfer under par at -5, Stewart said the outcome wasn’t a foregone conclusion until the 50^th hole.

“Last year I had a two-shot lead and lost the golf tournament,” he said.

Stewart had a two-stroke lead going into the final five holes, he said he was able to pick up some late shots.

“Carson had a bit of a miscue on 14 which allowed me to pick up a couple strokes. At that point I felt confident but there was still some work to do,” he said.

Stewart collects 750 points in the OMT standings race with the win, he now sits in second place behind Roman Timmerman. Harcourt is in third place. Stewart said the race is close heading into the final five events.

“At the end of the year winning the OMT shows the most consistent year in terms of performance. Roman and myself will both be playing the Amateur, so I want to ensure I am maximizing the points, so I don’t have to scramble and play a few extra events,” Stewart said.

The 107^th Saskatchewan Men’s Amateur Championship is from July 17 to 19 at Dakota Dunes.

On the senior side at the Mine Supply Central Murray Eddy was victorious.

He fired a three-round total of 214 (71, 75, 68) finishing five strokes ahead of George Janson.

The event was Eddy’s first OMT of the season, he picks up 750 OMT points as well. That leaves Eddy in sixth place in the standings. Lionel Fauchoux tied for fifth place in the event, the Moon Lake member leads the OMT standings with seven events left to play.

The Mercator Financial South West Senior Men’s Championship is next on the tour. That will take place at the Elmwood Golf and Country Club in Swift Current from July 9 to 11.

You can catch up on the complete results of a busy weekend of golf in the province here.

The Elk Ridge Golf Course will be painted pink on Thursday.

Not literally but the northern Saskatchewan course is set to host their annual Golf for the CURE event with over 80 golfers taking part in the fundraising event. Chairperson Verna Schneider said the club was the first Saskatchewan location to host the nationwide event raising funds to battle breast cancer. Last year the participants raised over $23,000. Schneider, a two-time cancer survivor herself said everyone is somehow affected by the disease which leads to fantastic support.

“Everybody has somebody who has had cancer,” she said. “We do this to support programs in Saskatchewan, we ask that our money stays here.”

During the event the group has a silent auction, a buy the pro auction, they sell ribbons in memory of loved ones plus a dinner after the round of golf. The entry fee is $100, $25 of that is immediately donated to the cause by the course. The team that raises the most funds is invited to participate in the national Golf for the CURE event later this year. Donna Dutchak, Cora Lee Dutchak, Brenda Dutchak, and Lee Anne Osler travelled to Brantford, Ont. last year. Schneider said the group had a great experience.

“They had an excellent time. They were looked after from the minute they got there until they left. People were very surprised that we could raise $23,000 in a small community like Elk Ridge,” she said.

Schneider said there is still room as of Wednesday afternoon to enter but the organizers need to know by the end of today. Anyone interested in participating can call Schneider at 306.961.2364.

For 20 years the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) has been developing athletes and young people into not just golf champions, but life champions.

Launched in British Columbia, the MJT branched out to other areas of western Canada including Saskatchewan before the tour expanded nationwide. Founder Murray Poje, a long-time PGA of Canada Professional, worked alongside several PGA Pros with the goal of developing young golfers through a high-level program. MJT Marketing Director Elaine Denton said over 1,000 junior golfers across Saskatchewan have participated in tournaments or clinics under the MJT umbrella over the years. She said the lessons learned through the tour spread well beyond the golf course.

“Our motto is developing champions, in golf, in life,” Denton said. “Many go on to careers in other fields than golf, hence the ‘in life’ perspective. The values instilled via the great game of golf play a massive role in developing the character and experiences of these young kids.”

Along with participating in tournaments, the kids receive prizes, tee gifts, college recruitment assistance, scholarship opportunities, travelling, and the potential to take part in international events. MJT athletes have played in tournaments in China, Mexico, Australia, Thailand, Scotland, Singapore, Finland and all over the USA. There are also several MJT alumni playing on the PGA and LPGA Tours, the Web.com Tour, PGA Tour Canada and Symetra Tour.

You can learn more regarding the outreach of the MJT here.

Golf Saskatchewan has crowned their women’s champions for 2018.

Saskatoon’s Carla Odnokon and Lloydminster’s Jo-Anne Schiller are the Women’s Amateur and Senior Women’s champions following tournament wins this weekend at the Harbor Golf Club and Resort at Elbow.

Odnokon led wire to wire over the 54-hole event finishing at plus-15, five strokes ahead of both Chloe Sies and Brooke Hill. She also has the Saskatoon Ladies’ Open under her belt this season. Odnokon said her game is going well right now.

“Yeah, sure,” Odnokon said. “It’s getting better so we will see how it develops going to nationals.”

Odnokon played the women’s Canadian championship two years ago. She said the event will be an exceptional experience.

“I hear the Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver is a great course, I haven’t been to Vancouver for awhile so I will go out there and enjoy it. There is a great crew to go with so I’m going to enjoy it,” she said.

Fresh off a national appearance last year, Lloydminster’s Jo-Anne Schiller is heading back.

Schiller completed back-to-back titles in the Senior Women’s Championship Sunday outlasting Moose Jaw’s Lorie Boyle in a two hole playoff to eek out a second straight championship. Schiller said the win feels great, especially after the weather featured 50 kilometre per hour wind in the final round.

“I’m feeling really good right now, it was a difficult day but with Lorie it was just back and forth. It was a great competition,” she said.

Melfort’s Judy Sefton placed third in the senior event just four shots back of Schiller.

Aside from secured trips to national events, Order of Merit (OMT) standings were on the line, Odnokon leads the race at 1,500.  Ann Kirkland, who placed fourth at the tournament is in second in the overall standings.

The Regina Ladies’ Open is the next event on the OMT schedule on July 16 and 17.