Rio 2016 golf test event to go ahead in early March
The Olympic Golf Course (Buda Mendes/ Getty Images)
SAO PAULO – The Olympic golf course that welcomes the sport back to the Games in Rio de Janeiro will have a test event for nine Brazilians in an exhibition that will be closed to the public.
Rio 2016 organizers confirmed that the March 8 event will have no more than nine players – five men and four women – in a stroke-play format.
Brazil has little tradition in golf, a sport that has not been part of the Olympic program since 1904. The top-ranked player among those invited is Alexandre Rocha, who is No. 588. Two other Brazilians ahead of him in the world rankings play on the European Tour (Adilson da Silva) and the PGA Tour (Lucas Lee).
The best Brazilian female is Miriam Nagl at No. 482.
The PGA Tour had tried to arrange for some of the world’s best to play in the exhibition and could not find anyone to go to Rio because of the schedule. A World Golf Championship in Miami ends on March 6, and the LPGA Tour event concludes that day in Singapore.
Jordan Spieth, the No. 1 player in the world, is defending his title at the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida, that week.
Rio’s Olympic golf course was handed to organizers in November after a series of delays involving environmental lawsuits and land ownership disputes.
The course, designed by American golf architect Gil Hanse, covers 970,000 square meters and will have room for 15,000 fans. A delegation from the International Golf Federation (IGF) will be present to observe, Rio 2016 said in a statement.
There will be 104 volunteers in the test event and players will be in groups of three. Claudia Guedes, the Rio 2016 sport manager for golf, said that the main tests are for the course itself and the results system.
“It’s a tough course, there is quite a lot of wind, so it will bring the best out of the players,” Guedes said.
RIONEGRO, Colombia – Team Canada’s Corey Conners had a dream start to the season Thursday morning in Colombia. Starting off No. 10 at 7:20 a.m., the 24-year-old put together a string of five consecutive birdies on his way to a bogey-free 9-under 63. His record-setting performance secured the outright lead at the Avianca Colombia Open presented by BBVA.
Exempt on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, where he won the Qualifying Tournament played in Sebring, Fla., in January, Conners finished the day enjoying a two-shot lead over the U.S. duo of Brian Richey and Justin Hueber, who carded 65s.
The top 5 includes seven other players who shot 67 to finish in a tie for fourth. That group includes the leading Colombians Álvaro José “Toté” Arizabaleta, who won last Monday’s open qualifier, and Omar Beltrán.
The remaining 67s were posted by Gerardo “Jerry” Ruiz and José de Jesús “Camarón” Rodríguez of Mexico, Wil Bateman of Canada and Case Cochran and Ken Looper of the U.S.
“I’ve been playing good golf for a while, so I was really excited to get the season started. To start with a round like that is fantastic,” said Conners, an up-and-coming Canadian who claimed runner-up honors at the 2014 U.S. Amateur and turned pro after playing the 2015 Masters.
The streak of five birdies he put together to start his day between 10 and 14 was the best birdie string of the day. “Five pretty simple birdies from hitting some nice shots. I kind of kept giving myself chances, could have made a few more putts, but I’m not going to complain at all,” added the young man who got to 9-under with four more birdies on 17, 2, 7 and 8.
With the Club Campestre de Medellin Llano Grande undergoing a major redesign that was completed about 18 months ago, the previous record of 8-under 64 had been set by Juan Sebastián Muñoz when he won the CC de Medellin Open last August and then tied by Álvaro Arizabaleta during last Monday’s open qualifier.
Playing at 6,900 feet above sea level here in Rionegro, a beautiful countryside area in the highlands located 45 minutes above Medellin, was quite amusing for Conners.
“For me the ball is flying a lot further than normal due to the high elevation, so it’s fun to hit some long drives I guess… I’m pretty good at math, so I enjoy converting the yardage into what I would hit back at home in Canada or the U.S. at sea level. I’m just having a lot of fun with it,” added Conners, who studied actuarial mathematics at Kent State University.
A total of 75 players from a 144-man field were able to shoot in red numbers on this opening day, which sets up a low scoring battle to make the 55 and ties cut on Friday.
TALAHASSEE, Fla. – Team Canada Amateur Squad member Maddie Szeryk fired a final round 70 (-2) on Sunday to capture medalist honours at the Florida State Match-Up at the Don Veller Seminole Golf Course.
Szeryk, a 19-year-old dual citizen from Allen, Tex., posted six birdies on Sunday en route to a four-stroke victory over Florida State’s Kim Metraux and South Carolina’s Katelyn Dambaugh. The win marks Szeryk’s first collegiate victory and the fifth time she finished a 54-hole tournament at 5-under or better—the only Texas A&M golfer to accomplish that feat.
Collectively, the Aggies finished with a score of 898 (+34) to finish fifth. Florida State took home the title with a final score of 871 (+7).
Szeryk, last year’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Year, will tee-it-up again with the Aggies on Mar. 11–13 at the Forest Hills Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., for the 3M Augusta Invitational.
Team Canada’s Blair Hamilton finishes runner-up at Jones Cup
Blair Hamilton
SEA ISLAND, Ga. – Blair Hamilton’s best efforts to become the third consecutive Amateur Squad member to win the Jones Cup came up short on Sunday, carding a final round 76 to finish runner-up at the Ocean Forest Golf Club.
The Burlington, Ont., native held a share of the lead heading into Sunday’s final but could not hold off the surging world No. 5 ranked Beau Hossler of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., who fired a 2-under 70 to leapfrog Hamilton for the victory. With the win, Hossler earned the largest margin of victory for any champion in Jones Cup history (six strokes).
Hamilton, a senior at the University of Houston, finished at 4-over par (71-73-76) to share runner-up honours with Matthew NeSmith of North Augusta, S.C.
Fellow Team Canada members Stuart Macdonald (Vancouver) and Hugo Bernard (Mont-St-Hilaire, Que.) were also in action, finishing T35 and 77th, respectively.
Former Amateur Squad member and dual citizen Austin Connelly of Irving, Tex., and Young Pro Squad member Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., were past champions in 2015 and 2014.
Team Canada looks for third straight victory at Jones Cup
SEA ISLAND, Ga. – Four of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad members are set to tee-it-up on Friday at the Jones Cup Invitational at the Ocean Forest Golf Club.
Blair Hamilton (Burlington, Ont.), Eric Banks (Truro, N.S.), Hugo Bernard (Mont-St-Hilaire, Que.) and Stuart Macdonald (Vancouver) will each look to become the third consecutive Canadian to win the event. Former Amateur Squad member and dual citizen Austin Connelly of Austin, Tex., took home the honours in 2015, with current Young Pro Squad member Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., winning the hardware the year before.
The Canadian foursome will tee-it-up against a strong international field when the 54-hole stroke-play event kicks off Friday morning. Jared du Toit (Kimberley, B.C.), the fifth member of the Amateur Squad, is competing in Hawaii for Arizona State’s first event back after the break.
First contested in 2001, the Jones Cup boasts an impressive list of past participants including PGA TOUR stars Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Brandt Snedeker and Bubba Watson.
Team Canada’s Tristan Mullally wins Ben Kern Coach of the Year award
Tristan Mullally
Team Canada Women’s Head Coach, Tristan Mullally, added another trophy to the shelf on Thursday, winning the PGA of Canada’s Ben Kern Coach of the Year award at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.
The PGA of Canada awards the Ben Kern Coach of the Year based on a professional’s overall performance in coaching; unusual, innovative and special coaching programs initiated or implemented; articles published; as well as outstanding golfers the professional has coached.
Entering his sixth season at the helm of the women’s program, Mullally has coached many of Canada’s brightest young stars including Canadian sensation Brooke Henderson. A native of Ireland, Mullally has played a key role in developing a record number of Canadian amateurs to positions inside the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) top-100.
Mullally has also been heavily involved with industry-leading initiatives including Long-Term Player Development 2.0 and the Golf Association of Ontario’s high performance program.
Since 2013, PGA of Canada national award winners have been honoured during PGA of Canada Night. The PGA of Canada national award winners for the 2015 season are:
Danny King (The Performance Academy at Magna), Mike Weir Player of the Year;
Dean Manz (Wascana Country Club), Pat Fletcher Retailer of the Year;
Cory Southon (Henry Brunton Golf), Moe Norman Candidate for Membership of the Year;
Adam Werbicki (The Derrick Golf & Winter Club), George Knudson Teacher of the Year;
Adam Boge (Golf Mentor), Jack McLaughlin Junior Leader of the Year;
Tristan Mullally (Golf Canada), Ben Kern Coach of the Year;
Judy Forshner (Glencoe Golf & Country Club), Murray Tucker Golf Professional of the Year;
Liam Mucklow (The Golf Lab), Tex Noble Award for Professional Development;
Daryl MacLean (Cherry Hill Club), Stan Leonard Class “A” Professional of the Year;
What a proud moment for me to win this award,to have my dad,wife and kid here makes it all the more special #blessedpic.twitter.com/KVXgb8OBOw
Golf Canada announces 2016 Team Canada Young Pro Squad
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six athletes – two female and four male – who have been selected to the 2016 Team Canada Young Pro Squad.
Comprising the team for 2016 is: Sue Kim (Langley, B.C.); Augusta James (Bath, Ont.); Albin Choi (Toronto); Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.) Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.); and Corey Conners (Listowel, Ont.).
The focus of the Young Pro Squad – now in its third year – is to bridge the gap for top graduating amateurs transitioning into professional golf. The program was developed in partnership with the PGA of Canada and is generously funded by founding partners Canadian Pacific and RBC, as well as supporting partners Citi Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation Women’s Fund.
“We are very proud of the Team Canada Young Pro initiative and how it is helping to bridge the gap between amateur and professional golf,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “These fine athletes have demonstrated clear commitment to the game and the results over a short period have been tremendous.”
Heading up the female contingent is long-standing Amateur Squad member Augusta James, who is looking to build on a strong year competing on the Symetra Tour in 2015. Her rookie campaign was highlighted by a victory at the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial and two runner-up finishes. The 22-year-old finished at No. 12 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. A former Canadian Women’s Amateur champion and three-time Amateur Squad member, James will return to the Symetra Tour in 2016 with priority status.
“I’m grateful to be back with Team Canada, which has played a huge role in my development as an amateur athlete,” said James, who currently ranks fourth among Canadians on the Women’s Rolex World Golf Rankings. “Golf Canada has been with me for most of my golfing career and I am honoured to move up to the Young Pro Squad.”
Joining James on the Women’s Young Pro Squad is Sue Kim, who has been with the program since its inception in 2014. The 24-year-old had a win at the Symetra Tour’s Florida Natural Charity Classic to go alongside two additional Top-25 finishes. Kim completed the season at No. 32 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list and will hold priority status on the Symetra Tour for 2016.
“I’m very excited to be a part of this great program once again,” said Kim, a graduate of Team Canada’s Amateur Squad program. “The support I’ve received has been a huge boost for my professional career and I have big hopes for 2016.”
On the men’s side, four members of the 2015 Young Pro Squad will return to the program in 2016.
Taylor Pendrith makes his return to the men’s squad following a breakthrough season in which the 24-year-old compiled three runner-up finishes and two additional Top-10 finishes on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada. The Kent State alumnus also tallied two Top-25 finishes on the Web.com Tour to cap an impressive rookie year as a professional. Pendrith finished third on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit to become one of five athletes to graduate onto the Web.com Tour with granted status for 2016.
“Having the Young Pro program so invested in my future success is very humbling,” said Pendrith. “I’m so happy to have all the guys back and am thankful for the continued coaching and advice from Derek (Ingram) and the sport science team.”
Mackenzie Hughes and Albin Choi, both members of the Young Pro Squad since its inception, will return for a third consecutive year.
Hughes, 25, earned status on the Web.com Tour in 2016 with a T21 finish at stage-three of Qualifying School in December. A former two-time Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, Hughes’ season featured seven Top-25 finishes on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, with his best result a T3 finish at the ATB Financial Classic. The former Kent State Golden Flash finished 13th on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada’s Order of Merit in 2015.
“The ongoing support from Golf Canada and the program supporters is a huge boost for me and my goals to improve my game,” added Hughes. “I’m very thankful for what the Young Pro program has meant to my career and continued development.”
Choi recorded three Top-10 finishes including a victory on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada in 2015 to finish the year sixth on the Tour’s Order of Merit. An Amateur Squad graduate, Choi also added two wins on the SwingThought Tour to his résumé in 2015. The 23-year-old former Canadian Men’s Amateur champion will hold conditional status on the Web.com Tour this season as a result of his T14 finish at stage-three of Qualifying School.
“I’m thrilled to be back on the Young Pro Squad and continue my journey as member of the Team Canada family,” said Choi. “The program has been such a huge help for my career and I’m looking forward to making great strides in 2016 to perform at the highest level.”
Rounding out the male contingent is three-time Amateur Squad member Corey Conners. In 2015, the 24-year-old recorded two Top-10 finishes on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada, two Top-25 results on the Web.com Tour and a T3 finish on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica. Conners – who competed in the 2015 Masters because of a runner-up finish at the 2014 U.S. Amateur, finished his rookie year as a professional at No. 37 on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit. He recently earned medalist honours at PGA Tour-Latino America Qualifying School to secure his playing status on that Tour in 2016.
“This will be my fifth year with the Team Canada program which has become a strong bond – almost like a family,” reflected Conners. “I’m thrilled to be back on the Young Pro Squad and am looking forward to a successful 2016 season.”
Men’s National Squad coach Derek Ingram and Women’s National Team coach Tristan Mullally, both PGA of Canada Class “A” members, will provide coaching to their respective Young Pro athletes. In addition to funding and coaching support, the athletes will have access to Team Canada’s sport science staff, which includes Psychologist Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, and Physiotherapist & Strength Coach Greg Redman.
“I’m excited to see these young athletes further their progress through the professional ranks as they build upon their careers,” said Gary Bernard, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Canada. “The commitment Golf Canada has shown in collaborating with the PGA of Canada in our world class teaching and coaching certification programs is commendable.”
The continued success of the Young Pro Squad is due in large part to a focused fundraising effort on the part of the Golf Canada Foundation.
“Now entering our third year of support, generating funds for the Young Pro program remains a top priority for the Golf Canada Foundation,” said Foundation CEO Martin Barnard. “We look forward to the continued success of the Golf Canada Young Pro Squad in developing the next wave of professional Canadian golfers to inspire golfers of all ages and abilities.”
Throughout the season, Golf Canada will closely monitor the performance of elite Canadian amateurs transitioning to professional golf with the possibility of program expansion.
Click here to read Team Canada Young Pro Squad player bios.
LIMA, Peru – Four members of Team Canada’s Development Squad are set to play in the 11th edition of the South American Amateur this week from Jan. 21–24 at the Lima Golf Club—a three-time host of the event.
The men’s side will be represented by the duo of Charles-Éric Bélanger (Québec) and Jack Simpson (Aurora, Ont.), while Grace St-Germain (Ottawa) and Hannah Lee (Surrey, B.C.) will tee-it-up on the women’s side. All four Canucks are set to compete in the 72-hole stroke-play event for their first time when competition kicks off Thursday.
In 2015, American Scott Harvey took home the trophy for the men, with Team Canada member Blair Hamilton taking home top-Canadian honours in a tie for twelfth. Sofia Garcia of Paraguay won the women’s title.
Corey Conners captures medallist honours at PGA Tour Latinoamérica Q-School
Corey Conners (Josh Schaefer/PGA TOUR)
SEBRING, Fla. – Young Pro Squad member Corey Conners fired a 2-under 70 to earn medallist honours in Saturday’s rain-delayed final of PGA Tour Lationamérica Qualifying School at the Sun ‘N Lake Golf Course.
Conners, a Listowel, Ont., product, finished at 10-under (74-67-67-70) for a two-stroke victory over a trio of Americans at 8-under par. With the win, the 24-year-old Kent State graduate earns fully exempt status on tour.
Heading into the 2016 season, Conners will split events between the PGA Tour Latinoamérica and the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada.
Team Canada’s Adam Svensson wins Minor League Golf Tour event
Adam Svensson (Minor League Golf Tour)
PALM CITY, Fla. – With the Web.com Tour season opener just two weeks away, Young Pro Squad member Adam Svensson added another trophy to the shelf on Thursday with a win at the Palm City Classic—a Minor League Golf mini tour event.
Just one month removed from earning medalist honours at Web.com Tour Qualifying School, the 22-year-old fired an 8-under 63 for a one-stroke victory over Syracuse, N.Y., product Dan McCarthy in Thursday’s 18-hole event at the Martin Downs Osprey Creek in Palm City, Fla.
The Surrey, B.C. native will take home $1000 (USD) from the win, his first Minor League Golf Tour victory in two starts. He tied for sixth earlier in the week on Tuesday at Fountains Country Club in Lake Worth, Fla.
Sharp and focused, Svensson will embark on the next step in his career at the Panama Claro Championship from Jan. 29 – Feb. 1 at the Panama Golf Club.
