MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – The stage has been set for the world’s best female junior golfers to put their skills on display at the third annual World Junior Girls Championship.  Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., will play host to the tournament from September 25-30 as the world’s premier 18-and-under players gather to compete in both team and individual competition.

“We are thrilled to announce Mississaugua Golf & Country Club as the host of this year’s World Junior Girls Championship. The tournament is a great opportunity for Golf Canada to showcase another of the nation’s tremendous courses and to further the development and skill of this talented group of young women,” said Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna.

Mississaugua Golf & Country Club boasts more than a century of rich history, having played host to a number of the country’s most prestigious championships. The course exemplifies the challenge and craftsmanship of renowned architect Stanley Thompson, who was instrumental in designing Mississaugua’s last round of major modifications in 1928. Stretching out over the Credit River, the 240-acre course has welcomed the RBC Canadian Open on six occasions – most recently in 1974.

Conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with Golf Ontario and supported by the International Golf Federation and the R&A, the 2016 edition of the World Junior Girls Championship will bring together 48 of the top 18-and-under female golfers from around the globe with 15 different countries slated to participate. As hosts of the event, Canada will feature two three-member teams in the competition.

“We could not be more excited to once again bring the World Junior Girls Championship to Ontario,” said Mike Kelly, Executive Director of Golf Ontario. “Mississaugua Golf & Country Club is an exceptional venue that will serve as a fantastic backdrop for this competition. We greatly appreciate the support of our generous sponsors and partners without whom this championship would not be possible. We look forward to seeing the Mississauga golfing community rally around this wonderful event.”

The inaugural World Junior Girls Championship in 2014 saw teams from across the globe take on Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont. Mika Liu of Beverly Hills, Calif., captured individual honours in leading Team USA to victory. Playing in her final event as an amateur, Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., finished fourth as Canada One claimed bronze.

The second edition of the tournament was staged at Ottawa’s The Marshes Golf Club. The team representing the Republic of Korea completed a wire-to-wire victory to secure the team title. Hye-jin Choi, a native of Paju-si, South Korea, registered a seven-stroke victory with a 12-under performance.

In addition to the 72-hole team and individual competitions, the World Junior Girls Championship will be a celebration of the sport with a specific focus on the development and promotion of junior girls golf. In the days leading up to tournament play, Golf Canada will host a PGA of Canada coaches clinic and a girls skill development clinic.

“This world-class competition provides us with the opportunity to foster the continued growth and collaboration between the world’s governing bodies in the sport,” said Scott Simmons, CEO of Golf Canada. “We are proud to once again conduct this championship in support of these fine athletes and to aid in raising the profile of junior girls golf.”

The competition’s first round will begin on Tuesday, September 27. The tournament’s closing ceremonies will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Friday, September 30.

OTTAWA – Growing Canadian golf brand, TheTurn Tee, has partnered with another Canadian on the rise, Augusta James.

James, a former Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion and winner of the Symetra Tour’s 2015 Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial finishing T4 this past week, has signed a multi-year agreement with the Ottawa, Ontario-based brand.

The 23 year-old from Bath, Ontario is currently in 11th place on the 2016 Symetra Tour money list and already has two wins to her credit this season on the National Women’s Golf Association Tour. Her recent addition of the TheTurn Tee to her game has had an immediate impact.

“I am very excited about my new partnership with TheTurn Tee, “ says Augusta. “My favourite club in the bag is my driver so to have the perfect tee to go with it is huge. I love the consistency it gives me with the height of the ball. The first week I put it in play I won so I am excited to keep that momentum going this year!”

Introduced to the market just over two years ago, TheTurn Tee has continued to grow in reputation. The durable 3” poly-carbonate tee was developed and is made in Canada. It is fully adjustable, allowing golfers to set the tee height perfectly each time. Augusta James is using it in the #5 setting.
She joins Web.com Tour member Brad Fritsch who has been using TheTurn since 2014 as a member of TheTurn Tee team; Fritsch went on to win in a playoff at the Web.com Tour’s most recent event, the Servientrega Championship.

Aligning with athletes that have a similar focus is important to TheTurn Tee owner, Jeff Garber.

“This is a journey shared by a Canadian start up business and an athlete on a mission,” Garber shared in regards to the decision to partner with Augusta James. “Working with a quality individual with such a strong reputation within the Canadian Golf community speaks volumes as to what this translates into when it comes to establishing, growing, and building a quality brand.”

He added, “Having a high calibre golfer that is doing what it takes to earn her LPGA card is exciting. In order to get where she wants to be she needs resources and support. TheTurn Tee is in a position to provide this for her.”

In 2015 James narrowly missed advancing to the LPGA Tour after finishing 12th on the Symetra Tour Race For The Card. With her play of late, and the support of TheTurn Tee, the goal is to take that next step

Garber explains, “Expectations are high that Augusta will be an outstanding representative and brand ambassador for TheTurn each and every time that she tees it up. We welcome Augusta on board as part of our team and wish her tremendous success in pursuit of her LPGA card!”

Golfers from coast to coast now have improved access to Augusta’s tee of choice, TheTurn, as the product is now available in Golf Town stores across Canada.

TheTurn is available in five distinct packages, each includes eight tees; Traditional White, Olympic Medals, White/Neon, White/Purple, and White/Blue.

NAPLES, Fla. – Team Canada’s Tony Gil added another trophy to the shelf on Sunday, rallying to win the Terra Cotta Invitational hosted at the Naples National Golf Club.

The University of Houston commit began the day two strokes off the pace set by leaders Andy Zhang of Reunion, Fla. and Andrew McCain of Jacksonville, Fla. Gil found himself still two strokes back on the 16^th hole, until both Zhang and McCain bogeyed two of their final three holes to leave the door open. Gil jumped on the opportunity, birdying the par-5 18^th to seal the come-from-behind victory. He closed the tournament at 2-under par (72-71-71), with Zhang finishing alone in second at 1-under (71-70-74).

Former Team Canada member Matt Williams of Calgary also made his mark in Naples, cracking the Top-10 with a T9 finish at 7-over par. Alistair Tidcombe of Wolfville, N.S., came in at T33 and Team Canada’s Eric Banks of Truro, N.S., struggled to end at T62.

The Terra Cotta Invitational is a “B” ranked event on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), featuring many of the world’s top amateurs and boasting past champions such as Bud Cauley and Matt Kuchar.

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Tony Gil with the birdie on 18 to take the lead at @terra totaling pic.twitter.com/rlO6CyK0wJ

— Greg Hardwig (@NDN_GHardwig) April 17, 2016

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Team Canada Amateur Squad member Josée Doyon carded a final-round 76 on Sunday to share runner-up honours at the Lady Buckeye Invitational.

Doyon, the reigning Quebec Women’s Amateur champion, closed the tournament at 2-under par (70-68-76) to collect her third Top-5 collegiate result this season. The St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que., product held the lead through 36 holes but a 4-over par effort on Sunday at the Scarlet Course spoiled her bid to repeat as medalist. Champion Camille Chevalier (Indiana University) of France was the one who stole the show, shooting up the leaderboard with a closing 68 (-4) for the one-stroke victory.

The Kent State senior, led the Golden Flashes to a five-stroke cushion for the repeat team victory. The win marks the fifth title this season for the women’s squad, who will lay it all on the line next week at the Mid-American Conference Championship from Apr. 22–25.

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TORONTO – Canada’s Summer Olympic and Paralympic athletes will be in classic form as they suit up for Rio, sporting traditional styles steeped in the country’s colours and showcasing iconic national symbols.

The latest designs from official outfitter Hudson’s Bay Co. were unveiled live Tuesday night in a dedicated stream on Team Canada’s Facebook page.

In a move that’s being billed as a first, viewers were able to get a glimpse at the uniforms Canada’s athletes will wear at the opening and closing ceremonies months before the Games actually get underway.

Canadian twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten who helm the label Dsquared2 were enlisted to design the opening ceremony outfit. The ensemble is a formal take on athleticwear, incorporating a red, white and black palette.

The opening ceremony look includes a red jacket fashioned from the blend of a windbreaker and tailored blazer, featuring flap pockets, rubberized buttons and a zip pocket on the chest. The back of the jacket has tails with an elastic drawstring and a 3D print of the word “Canada” and the Maple Leaf.

A white jersey T-shirt with tailored sleeves and tails, and a tapered woollen track pant complete the ensemble, which will be accessorized with a classic Dsquared2 trucker hat.

The opening ceremony outfit will also be accompanied by a limited-edition line of T-shirts. The capsule collection includes illustrations of iconic Canadian creatures, including a bear, squirrel and beaver teamed with the Maple Leaf.

Canadian medallists will be sporting a classic track jacket on the podium with the a bold “Canada” wordmark in a colour-blocked band across the chest.

The Canadian kit also features a full complement of sporty hoodies and T-shirts.

“It’s got a very strong and modern and iconic feel, but also has stayed very, very Canadian – and that’s my favourite part about it,” said canoeist Ben Russell.

The apparel and accessories line is priced from $15 to $150. Select items will be available to shop online this week, while the official replica wear will be available at all Hudson’s Bay stores beginning May 4.

The Rio Olympics will take place Aug. 5-21. The Paralympics will be held Sept. 7-18.

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Golf returns to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1904 in Rio. Players on both the men’s and women’s side of the game will be fighting for one of 60 spots in their respective fields.

Players will compete for their country in a 72-hole individual stroke play competition. In the event of a tie for first, second or third place, a play-off or multiple playoffs shall be conducted to determine the gold, silver and bronze medal.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has restricted the International Golf Federation (IGF) to an Olympic field of 60 players. The Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings will be used to determine the Olympics golf rankings. The top 15 world-ranked players will be eligible for the Olympics, with a limit of four players from a given country. Beyond the top 15, players will be eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15. The qualification period ends July 11, 2016.

The Canadian Olympic golf uniform will be unveiled May 11th at Lambton Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

MOKA, Trinidad & Tobago – Team Canada Men’s Development Squad won a one-hole playoff on Friday to finish second place and punch their ticket to the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan this upcoming June.

Canada’s struggles in Friday’s closing round made for an interesting finish down the stretch at St. Andrews Golf Club. The foursome let a seven-stroke advantage slip away to enter a playoff with host nation Trinidad & Tobago, eventually going on to win a nail-biting one-hole playoff.

The Mexican squad also earned a spot in Japan by cruising to a 13-stroke victory with an aggregate total of 652 (+4). They were led by Luis Carrera, who closed at 213 (-3) as the only competitor to score under-par for the tournament.

The Canucks were paced by Coquitlam, B.C., product A.J. Ewart, who led the team at 219 (+3) despite struggling with a final-round 80. Vaughan, Ont., native Tony Gil came in at 220 (+4) while teammate Jack Simpson of Aurora, Ont., ended with a 230 (+14). Quebec’s Charles-Éric Bélanger rounded out the squad, posting a 240 (+24).

The 2016 event will be contested in Japan from June 14–17. It is the world’s only junior golf championship in which 20 national teams—including winners of regional qualifiers held across six continents and 60 national teams—compete for the world championship trophy.

In 2015, the Men’s Development Squad placed sixth 15 strokes behind champion Japan. The best Canadian finish came in both 1994 and 2002 when the team took home runner-up honours.

GULF BREEZE, Fla. – Team Canada Amateur Squad member Hugo Bernard continued his red-hot play on Tuesday, rallying with a final-round 70 (-2) to close out the come-from-behind victory at the Argonaut Invitational.

The Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., product surged up the leaderboard following Monday’s second round at Tiger Point Golf Club, firing a tournament-low 66 (-6) on the day to leapfrog 17 spots up the leaderboard and put him in the driver’s seat for the win.

With his first collegiate victory in sight, Bernard’s final-round 70 was enough to shut the door on the competition and build a three-stroke cushion over second place.

The win highlights a string of impressive results in Bernard’s freshman campaign with the Div II Saint Leo Lions. Prior to Tuesday’s victory, the 21-year-old rattled off three consecutive Top-5 finishes in just four events on the squad.

“Hugo’s been working extremely hard on his game and is progressing nicely,” said Derek Ingram, Team Canada Men’s Head Coach. “I’m really pleased to see that all of his hard work is paying off with some great results across the board.”

Collectively, the Lions finished runner-up at 11-over par, three strokes behind champion Missouri – St. Louis.

Bernard, last year’s Canadian Men’s Amateur runner-up, will look to continue his streak when the Lions tee-it-up next at the Sunshine State Conference Championship from Apr. 17–19.

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MOKA, Trinidad & Tobago – Four members of Team Canada’s Men’s Development Squad are set to compete in the qualifying event at St. Andrews Golf Club from Apr. 6–8 to secure one of two available spots into the 2016 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup.

The qualifying format will be a 54-hole stroke-play event, with each team’s three lowest daily scores contributing to the aggregate total. The Canadian foursome will square off against Mexico, Guatemala and Puerto Rico.

The Canucks will be led by Vaughan, Ont., native Tony Gil, who returns to the qualifier for a second straight year after posting Canada’s lowest total score in 2015. He will be joined by teammates Charles-Éric Bélanger (Québec), A.J. Ewart (Coquitlam, B.C.) and Jack Simpson (Aurora, Ont.).

The Canadian contingent will be under the guidance of Lead Development Squad Coach, Robert Ratcliffe.

“We’ve had some strong success in this qualifying event in the past and the boys have practised hard to continue that trend,” said the PGA of Canada Class “A” member. “The course is set up well for our game and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

In last year’s qualifier, Canada cruised to a six-stroke victory and went on to place sixth at the World Cup. The best Canadian finish came in 1994 when the team took home runner-up honours.

The 2016 event will be contested in Japan from June 14–17. It is the world’s only junior golf championship in which 20 national teams—including winners of regional qualifiers held across six continents and 60 national teams—compete for the world championship trophy.

Click here for live qualifier scoring.

Development Squad’s Grace St-Germain has signed a letter of intent to join the Daytona State Falcons in August of 2016.

The Falcons are listed as a Div I school under the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)—an association dedicated to America’s two-year collegiate programs.

“This is a great fit for Grace all-around,” said Ann Carroll, Women’s Development Squad coach. “The training facilities at Daytona are phenomenal and it will compliment her game perfectly as she looks to take her game to the next level.”

Hailing from Ottawa, St-Germain will carry a long list of accomplishments to the Falcons, including a runner-up finish at the 2015 Quebec Women’s Amateur and a pair of victories at the 2014 Quebec Women’s Amateur and Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

She will fall under the guidance of long-serving Head Coach and well-known teaching professional Laura Brown, who has been at the helm for all 16 of the team’s seasons.

Click here to learn more about the Falcons.

Officially a Falcon!So excited to have signed with Daytona State College! Thank you to everyone who has supported me pic.twitter.com/2nXh6nsggD

— Grace (@gracestgermain) April 3, 2016

VANCOUVER – Development Squad member A.J. Ewart birdied his final two holes on Sunday to earn a one-stroke victory in the U19 division at the Canadian Junior Golf Association’s (CJGA) B.C. Junior Open presented by Pacific Rim Intercollegiate Golf.

Holding the 18-hole lead, the Coquitlam product kept up the pace in Sunday’s final round to close out the wire-to-wire victory at 4-under par (70-70). The Team Canada rookie fended off the battling Henry Lee of Coquitlam, who closed the tournament one-stroke back of Ewart at 3-under. Both competitors ended as the only two athletes to finish under-par at the University Golf Club.

The win marks Ewart’s first CJGA victory of his young career. The Pitt Meadows Golf Club member will look to ride his momentum into action next week when he joins Team Canada teammates to compete at the Toyota World Junior Qualifier in Trinidad.

On the girls’ side, Delta native Amanda Minni led the pack with a closing score of 2-over par (73-73) to lock up the victory in the U19 division. She built up a two-stroke cushion over co-runner-ups Mary Parsons—also of Delta—and Ye Ji Lim of Langley.

The Women’s Development Squad were also in action in Vancouver. In the Juvenile group (U17), Richmond’s Kathrine Chan ran away with a score of 1-under par for a five-stroke victory over teammate and Surrey native Hannah Lee. The win also marks the first CJGA win for the 16-year-old Chan, who currently sits at No.14 on the CN Future Links National Junior Order of Merit .

Hometown native and Development Squad member Tiffany Kong finished the U19 division tied for sixth at 7-over par (78-73).

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