PILAR COUNTY, Buenos Aires, Argentina – At the mid-way point of the South American Amateur, Team Canada Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard holds a share of 14^th after a second-round 68 (-4) brought him into the mix on Friday at the Martindale Country Club.

Through 36 holes, Bernard sits at 1-under par (75-68) to trail the leader—host nation’s Marcos Montenegro—by eight strokes. This marks the first stop in a lengthy international swing for the Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., product, who will tee-it-up next at the Jones Cup, followed by the Terra Cotta Invitational and Azalea Amateur.

Canadian Development Squad teammates Peyton Callens (Langton, Ont.) and A.J. Ewart (Coquitlam, B.C.) were also in action alongside Bernard, sitting T33 and T64, respectively, heading into the second half of play.

On the women’s side, the Canadian contingent is led by Team Canada rookie Monet Chun, who sits just inside the top-20 at 5-over par for a share of 19^th. The Richmond Hill, Ont., product was tied for sixth after an opening-round 72 (E), but followed with a 77 (+5) to slip outside the top-10.

Chun is joined by fellow Development Squad rookie Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C., who has struggled at Martindale to sit alone in 45^th place at 17-over par (80-79).

The third round of action gets underway Saturday at 7:30 am local time.

Click here for live scoring.

CUIDAD LOPEZ MATEOS, Mexico – Team Canada Amateur Squad duo Grace St-Germain and Maddie Szeryk closed off a strong run at the Mexican Amateur on Thursday, finishing 3^rd and T4, respectively, en route to winning the team event (aggregate score).

Ottawa’s St-Germain held sole possession of second place heading into Thursday, but struggled with a final-round 75 (+3) to slip into third. The Daytona State Falcon freshman ended the tournament at 7-over par (73-73-74-75), one stroke back of second.

Teammate Maddie Szeryk was right behind St-Germain on the leaderboard; the 20-year-old finished with a share of fourth place at 8-over par. Szeryk’s third-round 70 (-2) tied for the tournament-low and lifted her into contention at the Bellavista Golf Club.

The pair trailed hometown native Isabella Fierro, who was the only competitor to finish under-par for the tournament (-1). Fierro is currently ranked No. 275 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR); she finished alone in 21^st at the 2016 World Junior Girls Championship in Mississauga, Ont.

Click here for full scoring.

MEN’S TOP-10

After finishing off with a win in his final tournament of 2016, Mackenzie Hughes begins the new year at the top of the Canadian rankings. Hughes starts 2017 by climbing four spots in the world rankings after finishing in a tie for 25th at the PGA’s SBS Tournament of Champions. The result was worth 2.60 world ranking points and moves the Team Canada Young Pro Squad member to within striking distance of breaking into the Top 100 in the world.

Click here for Men’s Official World Golf Rankings.

WOMEN’S TOP-10

No significant changes among the women’s world rankings as Brooke Henderson starts the year at the No. 8 ranked golfer in the world after climbing to as high as No. 2 this past year, best ever for a Canadian player, male or female. Henderson is scheduled to kick off the year an LPGA  tour event the last week of January in the Bahamas before heading off to Australia.

Click here for full Women’s Rolex World Rankings.

MEN’S AMATEUR TOP-10

Jared du Toit starts off 2017 as the top ranked Canadian amatuer, sitting at No. 26 in the world. The Arizona State senior has held the No. 1 ranking for the last 43 consecutive weeks.

After a 32 place gain over the Christmas break, No. 3 Hugo Bernard slips back four spots in the world rankings. Bernard’s gain was due to his victory at the Orlando Amateur over the Christmas break. The second-year Golf Canada National Team Squad member and reigning Canadian Amateur champion outlasted Ben Griffin through two playoff holes for the victory.

Chris Crisologo moves up one spot, to No. 6 in Canada after Joey Savoie slipped 33 places in the world rankings. Savoie getting an early start on 2017 competition, finishing in a tie for 61st at the New Year’s Invitational in Florida.

Ki Taek Lee takes over the No. 9 spot after climbing five places in the world rankings.

Biggest move: Eric Macrow gained 189 spots after finishing in a tie for 84th at the New Year’s Invitational. The junior from Kingston, Ont. has a pair of top-20 results in four tournaments with Detroit Mercy University this season.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

WOMEN’S AMATEUR TOP 10

Positive gains for the most part to start the new year. Maddie Szeryk starts 2017 as the No. 1 ranked female amateur in Canada, having held top spot for a full calendar year.

Sophie Liu made the biggest leap, moving up three places in the Top-10 with a 73 place gain in the world rankings. The Vancouver golfer took part in two prestigious events over the Christmas break, finishing in a tie for 61st at the Dixie Women’s Amateur and a tie for 20th at the Harder Hall Women’s Invitational.

Liu also made the biggest move of the week among all Canadian amateurs with a world ranking.

Complete World Amateur Golf Rankings can be found here.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Hugo Bernard, a second-year Amateur Squad member with Team Canada, carded a final round 74 (+2) to outlast Ben Griffin in the second playoff hole on Friday to capture the Orlando Amateur at the Orange County National Golf Club.

The Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., product carded a tournament-low 66 (-6) on Wednesday to jump out to an early lead over the field. Bernard struggled to maintain his advantage during his final round, recording a five-over stretch through his first nine holes to set him back of the lead behind with Griffin of Chapel Hill, N.C.

The 22-year-old reigning Canadian Amateur champion battled back on his final nine with three birdies to force the playoff with Griffin, where he went on to win in the second extra hole.

Canadian Jean-Michel Paré of Victoriaville, Que. was the only other countryman to make the men’s cut at Orange County. On the women’s side, Noemie Paré—also of Victoriaville—was the lone Canuck to make the cut; she finished alone in 17^th. Jessica Porvasnik, a senior at Ohio State, took home the hardware with an even score of 216 (68-73-75)—good for a three-stroke victory.

Click here for full scoring.

Taiwan was Brooke Henderson’s favourite destination on the LPGA Tour this year. Playing in the Olympics, winning US$1.7 million in prize money and capturing her first major were pretty cool, too.

The 19-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., packed more into one season than some golfers experience over an entire career.

Back home this month for a well-deserved holiday break, Henderson told The Canadian Press she feels more mature as she reaches the end of her remarkable year.

“This year gave me a lot of experiences that added a lot of value to who am I am as a person, and what I am on the LPGA Tour,” she said in a recent interview. “I’m happy to come home, and I remember where it all began with my family and friends. But at the end of the day I’m just building a better me.”

Henderson was the LPGA’s Ironwoman in 2016, playing a tour-high 31 events, peaking at No. 2 on the world rankings before finishing eighth. Add to that the Rio Olympics and sponsor commitments and the young Canadian didn’t have much time for herself on her first full season on the women’s pro circuit. But she believes the gruelling schedule has prepared her for the future.

“Where the tournaments were, what the courses were like, what the fans were like, the atmosphere, the communities around the tournaments, and the travelling – like how to get from one city to another and if it was easy or not – were all really important things to learn,” she said. “Now that I’ve done it, I feel almost like a veteran, where next year is going to be a lot easier.”

Henderson won two titles in 2016, including the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, her first career major. She added 15 top-10 finishes and was just two shots out of the bronze medal position at the Olympics.

While many marvel at the teen’s poise and maturity, Henderson’s inexperience did come to the forefront on occasion. In Rio, she left the golf course in tears after shooting 4-over on the final six holes of the third round, a collapse that included a four-putt on the 16th hole.

“Golf is a very tough game and like anything in life there is going to be disappointments where you wish you had played a little bit better or made smarter decisions, but that’s just where you have to learn from it and move in,” said Henderson. “When something really exciting happens – like having my major win or my other win this year – you really have to embrace them and celebrate because they’re hard to come by.”

Henderson will remain involved with Golf Canada’s program next year, although she said she would work with Canadian head coach Tristan Mullally a “little bit” as her father Dave is her “number one guy.”

“I definitely would like to get stronger and hit the ball a little further and work on my consistency overall,” she said of her off-season plans. “I think that’s the big one. And short game. That’s always been something I’ve worked on especially the last few years.”

She will also continue to have her older sister Brittany, a professional golfer in her own right, as her caddy.

“We really make a great team and we know each other really well, which helps us on and off the course,” she said. “There’s always little things that every caddy/player have to figure out, but for the most part I really feel we work great together. I’m really looking forward to next year and hopefully the years after that too.”

The LPGA Tour features two events in Canada in 2017 with the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ont., set for June 5-11 and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open scheduled for Aug. 21-27 in Ottawa.

The CP Women’s Open is already circled on Henderson’s calendar as the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club is playing host. The course gave Henderson an honorary membership this year.

“I’m already looking forward to that week of the season and hopefully I peak that week,” said Henderson. “Being a member of the Ottawa Hunt Club and having it so close to where I grew up, celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary in the capital, it’s going to be really amazing.”

After getting so close to the top in her first full LPGA season, Henderson admitted she’s more motivated than ever to get to No. 1.

“I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead of me,” she said. “I’ll set smaller goals on my way to that, but I think that’s ultimately the end goal for any person playing on the LPGA Tour.”

After calling it a career recently in August, Rebecca Lee-Bentham is now looking to apply the valuable lessons she’s learned during her years as an LPGA pro in her new life away from competitive golf.

“Being a pro golfer has enabled me to travel the world and be around many successful people. I’ve learned to work hard, be patient, and network well, which are helpful traits for success in any career,” said the 24-year-old.

The Toronto golfer plans to work towards her PGA of Canada coaching certification and has recently starting coaching at the Bradlee Ryall Golf Academy at Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton, Ont.

“I’ve started coaching golf and have been enjoying my experience so far. I’m still in the process of creating my goals for where I want to go with it,” she noted.

Taking a look back at Lee-Bentham’s journey, the 2011 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion made the decision to leave the University of Texas after her freshman year to pursue her dream of competing on the LPGA Tour.

It was at the final stage of LPGA Q-School in December of 2011 that the then-19-year-old secured full playing status on her first attempt – and became the youngest Canadian on the LPGA Tour.

“She was a good classmate. I’m excited to see another Longhorn doing something big,” said NBA star Tristan Thompson at the time about his former classmate’s ability to secure her full LPGA card.

The Longhorn alum credits her time as part of Golf Canada’s Canadian national team program for teaching her the ropes and helping her achieve her childhood dream.

“The best part of being on Team Canada is the support the players get.  Being able to work with great coaches and trainers plus the financial support allowed us to travel and play in the best tournaments around the world; and I can say that played a major role in my ability to make it to the LPGA Tour,” said Lee-Bentham.

Among the notable highlights in her five year professional career was a tie for 18th spot at the 2013 ISPS Handa Women’s Open Australian Open; which was followed by an 11th place finish later that same year at the Evian Open.

Having racked up just over $118,000 in earnings in 2013, the Toronto golfer was voted by Canadian golf writers as the 2013 Female Professional of the year.

However, in 2014, inconsistency resulted in her missing the cut in 11 out of 18 tournaments and losing her full playing privileges.  Nagging injuries continue to slow down the talented young golfer in 2015 as she made the cut in only two out of 10 LPGA tournaments.

Despite her struggles on the golf course, Lee-Bentham always had a reputation as one of the hardest working players on tour.

“What really impresses me about Rebecca is that she is one of the first players to come out to the course in practice and she is also one of the last ones to leave. She is a really hard working player,” said LPGA superstar Lydia Ko about the Toronto golfer.

However, having made countless sacrifices since taking up the sport at the age of 12 and having exerted tremendous energy in her efforts to compete at the highest level, Lee-Bentham realized by mid 2016 that she was running on empty.

“Playing professional golf can be a constant grind, especially when you’re always near the cut line. One of the biggest challenges for me was to not judge my self-worth based on my score on the golf course,” she said.

And prior to competing at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in August of this year – which saw her triple bogey the 15th hole in the second round and miss the cut by one stroke – Lee-Bentham had already made the decision to call it a career.

Having had some time to reflect on her journey, she was asked what’s been the most important lesson that she’s learned over the years.

“I’ve learned that hard work does pays off and the most important thing is to be happy,” she replied. “And happiness is all about perspective and being grateful.”

Despite calling it a career after only five years as a pro, the 24-year-old is grateful for the fond memories and the special relationships that she’s built over that time.

“I think the opportunity to travel and create friends all over the world is something I’m very grateful for. Also the experience of playing against the top players in the world is something I’ll always take away with me,” she said.

“And even though I retired from competitive golf, I still love getting out there and playing for fun whenever I can.”

Given the constant travel as an LPGA pro, Lee-Bentham is happy to be home in Toronto and have the opportunity to recharge and refuel.

Recently, she saw her older brother get married; and a few weeks after that, she was the bride’s maid at her sister’s wedding.

“I think just growing up in a Christian home, I’ve learned that life is always bigger than just myself,” she said.

“Right now I want to spend more time with my family and close friends that I haven’t been able to see much while I was on tour.”

Despite an early retirement, the 24-year-old former LPGA pro says she has no regrets about her journey.

“I don’t think I’d change anything because I appreciate all the experiences, good and bad, that I’ve gone through in my life,” she said.

“I’m definitely grateful for all the good experiences but I also know that I learn more from the tougher ones.”

It’s these important lessons and experiences that the mature and hard-working 24-year-old former LPGA pro expects will serve her well in the next chapter of her story.

Mary Parsons of Delta, B.C., has been nominated for the Sport BC Junior Female Athlete of The Year Award.

Parsons, who had an outstanding 2016 season with four significant victories, will find out on March 8th, 2017 during the awards ceremony dinner being held at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver, whether she will be adding another honour to her name.

Included in her list of accomplishments this past summer were wins in the CN Future Links Pacific Championship, BC Junior Girls Championship, MJT Boston Pizza National Championship and the Kent Ford Motors Bouctouche East Coast Jr. Girls Championship.

She also had 2nd place finishes in the BC Women’s Amateur, BC High School AA Individual Championship (in a mixed gender field) and the MJT Season Opener event in Coquitlam. She was 3rd in the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, the AJGA Under Armour Canadian Championship and the CJGA BC Junior Open.

Parsons also recorded a T4 in the CJGA Western Canadian Junior and was 9th in both the Junior Americas Cup and the CN Future Links Ontario Championship giving her a total of 13 Top 10 finishes in significant events this past season.

Along with recently signing her commitment to the Indiana University Hoosiers Women’s Golf program, Parsons also was named to the Team Canada National Development Squad, a goal she had set for herself from the start of the year.

Parsons was nominated by British Columbia Golf President Patrick Kelly and Kris Jonasson, Executive Director of British Columbia Golf. The 2015 winner was West Vancouver’s Emily Overholt for swimming.

The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) has announced the 2016 Players of the Year. Those honoured include Men’s Player of the Year, Jared du Toit of Kimberley, B.C.; Women’s, Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C.; Men’s Mid-Amateur, Reid Hatley of Hayden Lake, Idaho; Women’s Mid-Amateur, Amanda Jacobs of Portland, Ore.; Senior Men’s, Pat O’Donnell, Happy Valley, Ore.; Senior Women’s, Anita Wicks of Roseburg, Ore.; Junior Boys’, Spencer Tibbits of Vancouver, Wash.; and Junior Girls’, Ellie Slama of Salem, Ore.

Jared du Toit, Men’s Player of the Year

Jared du Toit, a member of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad, started his college golf career as a member of the University of Idaho men’s golf team before transferring to Arizona State University where he is now a senior, kicked off his impressive 2016 campaign in May with a T25 at the NCAA Regional qualifier in Albuquerque, N.M. Once school was out for the summer, du Toit put on a show that captured the attention of golf fans across the Pacific Northwest. Jared finished T3 at the Monroe Invitational and followed that up with a win at the Glencoe Invitational in mid-June. In between a T8 finish at the Trans-Miss Championship and a T4 at the illustrious Porter Cup, the 21-year-old du Toit made history by finishing T9 at the RBC Canadian Open, against a field of PGA Tour professionals that included Dustin Johnson, Jason Day and Jim Furyk, just to name a few. He was the first Canadian to record a top-10 finish at the national championship since Doug Bajus in 1954. Du Toit capped his impressive season with a T15 at the Canadian Men’s Amateur. Jared enters his second year as a member of the Canadian National Team, and is ranked No. 1 on Golf Canada’s 2016 Men’s National Order of Merit.

Naomi Ko, Women’s Player of the Year

Naomi Ko, an emerging young star in the Canadian women’s golf scene, finished her freshman season last spring as a member of the North Carolina State women’s golf team with a T5 at the Women’s ACC Conference Championship and followed that up in early May by earning medalist honours at the U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier at the PNGA-owned Home Course in DuPont, Wash. Ko secured a spot in July’s LPGA Cambia Portland Classic Open by winning the Cambia Portland Classic Amateur Open in early June before heading across country to compete in the Porter Cup, one week later, where she finished T7. At the 115th PNGA Women’s Amateur in late July, Ko took home medallist honours and finished as runner-up to Princess Superal. Ko capped her impressive year on the Canadian amateur circuit finishing T7 at the Canadian Women’s Amateur and then winning the Canadian Junior Girls’ Championship before heading to Mexico to compete for Team Canada in the World Amateur Team Championship where she finished T6. Ko is also a member of the Canadian National Team. In 2014, she was named the PNGA Junior Girls’ Player of the Year.

Click here for the full list and past Player of the Year recipients.

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the athletes who have been chosen to represent Team Canada as part of the 2017 National Amateur Squad and Development Squad programs.

In all, eight athletes comprise Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad including four players on the men’s team and four on the women’s.

The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2017 Amateur Squad:

WOMEN’S NATIONAL AMATEUR SQUAD

Maddie Szeryk, Allen, Tex., Ontario Public Player (20)
Naomi Ko, Victoria, B.C., Royal Colwood Golf Club (19)
Jaclyn Lee, Calgary, Alta., Glencoe Golf & Country Club (19)
Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, Ont., Camelot Golf Club (18)

MEN’S NATIONAL AMATEUR SQUAD

Jared du Toit, Kimberley, B.C., Glencoe Golf & Country Club (21)
Hugo Bernard, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., Laval sur-le-Lac Club (21)
Austin James, Bath, Ont., Loyalist Golf & Country Club (21)
Stuart Macdonald, Vancouver, B.C., Point Grey Golf & Country Club (21)

Complete National Amateur Squad bios can be found here.

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The National Development Squad—primarily a U19 program—will also feature eight players (four men and four women). The Development Squad is designed to help facilitate the continued development of Canada’s top young talents.

The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2017 Development Squad:

WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

Mary Parsons, Delta, B.C., Mayfair Lakes Golf Club (17)
Monet Chun, Richmond Hill, Ont., Summit Golf & Country Club (15)
Chloe Currie, Mississauga, Ont., Mississaugua Golf & Country Club (16)
Hannah Lee, Surrey, B.C., Northview Golf & Country Club (16)

MEN’S DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

A.J. Ewart, Coquitlam, B.C., Pitt Meadows Golf Club (17)
Peyton Callens, Langton, Ont., Delhi Golf & Country Club (16)
Chandler McDowell, Springbrook, Alta., Red Deer Golf & Country Club (16)
Max Sekulic, Rycroft, Alta., Grande Prairie Golf & Country Club (17)

Complete Development Squad player bios can be found here.

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“Based on their outstanding performances this year, we are very excited to announce the young men and women chosen to represent Canada as part of the National Program,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “It is the goal of our program to support and assist the players in their development. We accomplish that by bringing this group of elite-level players together and surrounding them with world class coaching, sport science expertise and exposure to training and competitive schedules that will serve as a benchmarks for their development from a global perspective.”

Golf Canada is also pleased to announce the 2017 Team Canada coaching staff with Derek Ingram returning as Men’s Squad Head Coach, supported by Robert Ratcliffe who will also head up the Development Squad. On the women’s side, Tristan Mullally returns as Women’s Squad Head Coach and will receive support from Ann Carroll, who will oversee the Women’s Development Squad specifically. All coaches are all class “A” professionals with the PGA of Canada.

The athletes named to the 2017 National Amateur and Development Squads are a product of a circle of support that includes personal coaches, parents and high performance activities conducted by the respective provincial golf associations.

The 2017 Young Pro Squad team selection is expected mid-November.

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Jared du Toit makes his return to the Amateur Squad after his captivating performance at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open, where he played in Sunday’s final group and would finish in a tie for ninth to win the Gary Cowan Award (low amateur). Growing up in Kimberley, B.C., and now based in Calgary, du Toit’s impressive 2016 campaign also featured Top-5 finishes at the Monroe Invitational and Porter Cup, as well as a T15 result at the Canadian Men’s Amateur. The 21-year-old was also a part of the three-man team that lifted Canada into a share of ninth at the 2016 World Amateur Team Championships. On the strength of five Top-10 NCAA finishes in his junior season, du Toit earned the nod as team captain for his final season with the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Also making his return to the Amateur Squad is Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., native Hugo Bernard. The 21-year-old’s season was highlighted by a victory at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, an event in which he finished runner-up the year prior. Bernard made a lasting impression in his rookie campaign with the Saint Leo Lions, posting six Top-5 finishes in eight events, including medalist honours at the NCAA Div II Championship. His efforts at Saint Leo earned him Freshman of the Year honours to go with being named as a first-team all-American. Bernard was also one of three to compete for Canada at the World Amateur alongside teammate du Toit. He boasts victories earlier in his amateur career at the Quebec Men’s Amateur in 2013 as well as the 2012 Quebec Junior Boys Championship.

The third returnee to the men’s squad is Vancouver native Stuart Macdonald. The 21-year-old recently graduated from the University of Purdue, where he amassed seven Top-10 finishes over his collegiate career with the Boilermakers. His 2016 campaign was underlined by a third place finish at the Canadian Men’s Amateur alongside a T35 result at the Jones Cup. Macdonald took home runner-up honours at the 2015 B.C. Men’s Amateur.

The lone rookie on this year’s men’s squad is Bath, Ont., product Austin James. James has been on the cusp of making the national team before breaking through this year on the heels of an exemplary junior season at Charleston Southern that saw him earn Big South Player of the Year honours in addition to capturing medallist honours at the Big South Championship. James was a quarter-finalist in the 2015 U.S. Men’s Amateur and also holds the 2014 Canadian Junior Boys title. The 21-year-old has strong family ties to golf, with sister Augusta being a staple with the women’s program—most recently as a member of the Young Pro Squad—and father Geoff acting as the Head PGA of Canada Professional at Loyalist Golf & Country Club (the family’s home course).

On the women’s side, the Amateur Squad is headlined by three-time returning member and dual-citizen Maddie Szeryk, who’s 2016 season included a victory at the Florida State Match-Up to go along with a T14 finish at the Canadian Women’s Amateur. In two seasons with Texas A&M, Szeryk has collected 12 Top-10 finishes in addition to being twice named to the First-Team All-SEC as well as SEC Freshman of the Year in 2014. The 20-year-old helped Canada finish ninth at the 2016 World Amateur as one of three Canadians to tee-it-up in chase of the Espirito Santo Trophy. The Allen, Tex., resident notched victories at the Ontario Women’s Amateur in 2015 and the Canadian Junior Girls Championship in 2013.

Victoria, B.C., native Naomi Ko solidified her return to the Amateur Squad after an impressive 2016 campaign that featured wins at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and PNGA Women’s Amateur, plus Top-10 performances at the Canadian Women’s Amateur, Porter Cup and World Amateur Team Championship. Her freshman season with N.C. State was highlighted by a T5 finish at the ACC Championship. Ko, 19, won the B.C. Junior Girls Championship title in 2014. Entering her second year with the Amateur Squad, 2017 marks Ko’s fifth year with the Team Canada program—she was on the Development Squad from 2013-2015.

Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee also returns for a second year on the Amateur Squad. Lee’s summer was highlighted by winning the Marlene Streit Award (low amateur) at the CP Women’s Open in addition to winning the Alberta Ladies Amateur title for a second time. The 19-year-old recorded a T3 finish at the Porter Cup while also making the quarter-finals at both the PNGA Women’s Amateur and North & South Women’s Amateur. The former CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event winner grabbed a share of 27^th at the Canadian Women’s Amateur. Lee added two Top-10 collegiate finishes in her freshman year at Ohio State.

Rounding out the women’s team is 18-year-old Grace St-Germain. The Ottawa product makes the jump to the Amateur Squad after spending two seasons with the Development Squad and one with Team Ontario. St-Germain took home the hardware at the Ontario Women’s Amateur in 2016, while adding a runner-up finish at the Quebec Women’s Amateur for the second straight year—an event which she won in 2014. She closed her season with a T20 finish at the Canadian Women’s Amateur and a share of ninth at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship—also a title she held in 2014. St-Germain joined the Daytona State Falcons—an NJCAA school—as a freshman in September.

LONDON, ON – Freedom 55 Financial announced today it has extended its endorsement agreement with PGA TOUR golfer and Team Canada Young Pro Squad athlete, Mackenzie Hughes. The London-based company signed Hughes as its first #TeamFreedom athlete in 2014 and has since assisted the young Canadian on his road from Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada to achieving his goal of being a PGA TOUR card holder. The new agreement between the athlete and company will span an additional three years.

Hughes is one of many young athletes on the Freedom 55 Financial #TeamFreedom roster, a group of young Canadian athletes striving to reach the pinnacle of their athletic dreams. Freedom 55 Financial assists these athletes on their path to achieving their dreams while emphasizing the values of goal-setting and surrounding themselves with the right people they need to succeed.

“At Freedom 55 Financial, we’re dedicated to helping Canadians achieve their goals and dreams. Mackenzie is a tremendous young athlete and it has been the utmost pleasure to witness his path from our event in London to achieving his dream of being a PGA TOUR member,” said Mike Cunneen, Senior Vice-President, Freedom 55 Financial. “Mackenzie serves as a great representation of the values we express as a company while also being a role model to Canadian youth as a member of Team Freedom”

A Dundas, ON native, Hughes recently earned his PGA TOUR membership last season after winning the Price Cutter Championship and finishing in the Web.com Tour’s top 25 money rankings during the regular season. Hughes and Freedom 55 Financial have enjoyed the path to the PGA TOUR together. From being named Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year and one of “The Five” at the 2013 Freedom 55 Financial Championship (Mackenzie Tour) event in London, ON, to transitioning to the Web.com Tour over the last three seasons and graduating to the PGA TOUR for the 2016/17 season. Last week, Hughes made his debut as a PGA TOUR card holder at the Safeway Open in Napa, CA, finishing T13.

“I am incredibly thankful to Freedom 55 Financial for being a teammate and great supporter as I have made my way to achieving a lifelong dream,” said Mackenzie Hughes. “I am excited to extend my partnership as a member of Team Freedom and continue to set new goals and aspirations on the TOUR.”