With golf making its return to the Summer Olympics all eyes may be looking ahead to 2016. However, there’s one stop on the road to Rio that’s worthy of notice first: the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.
Scheduled for August 16-28 in Nanjing, China, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is an international multi-sport event conducted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for athletes age 14-18. The 2014 edition will be the second-ever summer youth games; the inaugural event was hosted by Singapore in 2010. For the first time, golf will be among the 28 sports featured at the Youth Games. The top 26 countries on the world rankings will each select a male and female athlete to compete over an individual stroke play event as well as a mixed team competition. With the World Amateur Rankings used to determine which countries will compete, Canada is assured of fielding a team.
The Youth Games, along with the recent Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan and the inaugural World Junior Girls’ Golf Championship to be held in Ontario later this summer, provides an opportunity to benchmark the strength of Canada’s golf development program.
“These international events give us a strong indication where Canada stands on the world stage,” says Thompson. “Our boys have performed well at the Junior World Cup over the past few years and we’re excited that the girls now have their own world championship event. We expect them to perform well.”
The objective of the IOC in holding Youth Olympics is more than just conducting a sporting competition for elite young athletes. Its goal is to create a cultural experience and emphasize the power of sport to nurture positive attributes and develop good young citizens.
More than 100 youth from all walks of life have been selected as Young Ambassadors for the Games. As well as promoting the YOG and the Olympic values in their own countries, the role of the Young Ambassadors will be to help the athletes on their national teams get the most out of their YOG experience. They will encourage them to interact with people from different sports and backgrounds, to soak up new cultures and to take part in a unique program of activities and workshops, featuring sessions on healthy eating, injury prevention, anti-doping, careers in sport and media training. The lessons learned will equip the athletes with the sports skills to perform to the best of their ability on the field of play, and the life skills to be true ambassadors of their sport off the field of play, inspiring young people in their communities to get active and embrace the Olympic values. Although many of Canada’s top junior golfers have had the opportunity to compete internationally through Golf Canada’s national team program, the Youth Olympic Games will be an experience unlike any other.
“This is a significantly different competition in that it is a multi-sport games,” says Thompson. “Our team members will stay in an athletes’ village and have the opportunity to live and interact with competitors from all the other sports. They will participate in a number of cultural and educational events and, since they will be in Nanjing for up to 10 days, will really have the chance to soak in the Games atmosphere and enjoy the experience. We feel it will be a great opportunity for our young top-level golfers. One or more of these athletes could potentially be future Olympians.”
nanjing2014.org
TEAM CANADA SELECTION PROCESS
a. 1 spot per gender per country (1 male and 1 female athlete will be selected for Canada).
b. To be eligible for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, athletes must have been born between January 1st 1996, and December 1st, 1998.
c. Athletes must be members in good standing with Golf Canada.
d. Must be a Canadian Citizen and hold a Canadian passport.
e. Athletes must sign and submit the COC Athlete Agreement and Eligibility Conditions no later than June 10, 2014.
f. Have a valid Canadian passport that does not expire on or before December 31, 2014
SELECTION INFORMATION – BOYS
a. Head-to-head results at national championships and other significant tournaments over the past 12 months ( June 1st 2013-June 1st 2014) in the following order of importance: Canadian national championships, USGA events; CN Future Links Championships, AJGA invitational events; Provincial championships; Other events such as Callaway Jr. Worlds, Jr. Orange Bowl and AJGA Open events.
b. Analysis of the golf rankings as of June 1st, 2014 using points accumulated over the past 12 months ( June 1st, 2013 – June 1st, 2014) in the following order of importance: 1. National Junior Boys Order of Merit; 2.National Men’s Amateur Order of Merit.
SELECTION INFORMATION – GIRLS
a. Head-to-head results at national championships and other signifi cant tournaments over the past 12 months ( June 1st 2013-June 1st 2014) in the following order of importance: Canadian national championships, USGA events; CN Future Links Championships, AJGA invitational events; Provincial championships; Other events such as Callaway Jr. Worlds, Jr. Orange Bowl and AJGA Open events
b. Analysis of the golf rankings as of June 1st, 2014 using points accumulated over the past 12 months ( June 1st, 2013 – June 1st, 2014) in the following order of importance: 1. National Junior Girls Order of Merit; 2. National Women’s Amateur Order of Merit.
For more information on the selection process contact Golf Canada’s Jeff Thompson at jthompson@golfcanada.ca.
With golf making its return to the Summer Olympics all eyes may be looking ahead to 2016. However, there’s one stop on the road to Rio that’s worthy of notice first: the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.
Scheduled for August 16-28 in Nanjing, China, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is an international multi-sport event conducted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for athletes age 14-18. The 2014 edition will be the second-ever summer youth games; the inaugural event was hosted by Singapore in 2010. For the first time, golf will be among the 28 sports featured at the Youth Games. The top 26 countries on the world rankings will each select a male and female athlete to compete over an individual stroke play event as well as a mixed team competition. With the World Amateur Rankings used to determine which countries will compete, Canada is assured of fielding a team.
The Youth Games, along with the recent Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan and the inaugural World Junior Girls’ Golf Championship to be held in Ontario later this summer, provides an opportunity to benchmark the strength of Canada’s golf development program.
“These international events give us a strong indication where Canada stands on the world stage,” says Thompson. “Our boys have performed well at the Junior World Cup over the past few years and we’re excited that the girls now have their own world championship event. We expect them to perform well.”
The objective of the IOC in holding Youth Olympics is more than just conducting a sporting competition for elite young athletes. Its goal is to create a cultural experience and emphasize the power of sport to nurture positive attributes and develop good young citizens.
More than 100 youth from all walks of life have been selected as Young Ambassadors for the Games. As well as promoting the YOG and the Olympic values in their own countries, the role of the Young Ambassadors will be to help the athletes on their national teams get the most out of their YOG experience. They will encourage them to interact with people from different sports and backgrounds, to soak up new cultures and to take part in a unique program of activities and workshops, featuring sessions on healthy eating, injury prevention, anti-doping, careers in sport and media training. The lessons learned will equip the athletes with the sports skills to perform to the best of their ability on the field of play, and the life skills to be true ambassadors of their sport off the field of play, inspiring young people in their communities to get active and embrace the Olympic values. Although many of Canada’s top junior golfers have had the opportunity to compete internationally through Golf Canada’s national team program, the Youth Olympic Games will be an experience unlike any other.
“This is a significantly different competition in that it is a multi-sport games,” says Thompson. “Our team members will stay in an athletes’ village and have the opportunity to live and interact with competitors from all the other sports. They will participate in a number of cultural and educational events and, since they will be in Nanjing for up to 10 days, will really have the chance to soak in the Games atmosphere and enjoy the experience. We feel it will be a great opportunity for our young top-level golfers. One or more of these athletes could potentially be future Olympians.”
nanjing2014.org
TEAM CANADA SELECTION PROCESS
a. 1 spot per gender per country (1 male and 1 female athlete will be selected for Canada).
b. To be eligible for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, athletes must have been born between January 1st 1996, and December 1st, 1998.
c. Athletes must be members in good standing with Golf Canada.
d. Must be a Canadian Citizen and hold a Canadian passport.
e. Athletes must sign and submit the COC Athlete Agreement and Eligibility Conditions no later than June 10, 2014.
f. Have a valid Canadian passport that does not expire on or before December 31, 2014
SELECTION INFORMATION – BOYS
a. Head-to-head results at national championships and other significant tournaments over the past 12 months ( June 1st 2013-June 1st 2014) in the following order of importance: Canadian national championships, USGA events; CN Future Links Championships, AJGA invitational events; Provincial championships; Other events such as Callaway Jr. Worlds, Jr. Orange Bowl and AJGA Open events.
b. Analysis of the golf rankings as of June 1st, 2014 using points accumulated over the past 12 months ( June 1st, 2013 – June 1st, 2014) in the following order of importance: 1. National Junior Boys Order of Merit; 2.National Men’s Amateur Order of Merit.
SELECTION INFORMATION – GIRLS
a. Head-to-head results at national championships and other signifi cant tournaments over the past 12 months ( June 1st 2013-June 1st 2014) in the following order of importance: Canadian national championships, USGA events; CN Future Links Championships, AJGA invitational events; Provincial championships; Other events such as Callaway Jr. Worlds, Jr. Orange Bowl and AJGA Open events
b. Analysis of the golf rankings as of June 1st, 2014 using points accumulated over the past 12 months ( June 1st, 2013 – June 1st, 2014) in the following order of importance: 1. National Junior Girls Order of Merit; 2. National Women’s Amateur Order of Merit.
For more information on the selection process contact Golf Canada’s Jeff Thompson at jthompson@golfcanada.ca.
LANCASTER, Pa – Canadians Josee Doyon and Delaney Howson have been eliminated from the Women’s Western National Amateur Championship after both advancing to Friday’s semifinals at the Lancaster Country Club.
Doyon, a Beauceville, Que., native, topped Allison Emrey of Charlotte, N.C. 1up in the round of 16. The Kent State sophomore later went on to take down Florida’s August Kim in the quarterfinals, 4 and 3. Her streak ended after losing to Mika Liu of Beverley Hills, Calif.
Howson, a recent Murray State graduate, advanced through to the round of 16 by defeating American Sierra Sims in 22 holes. The Newmarket, Ont., native then defeated Aliea Clark of Carlsbad, Calif. in the quarterfinals, 2 up. The 22-year-old also lost in the semifinals, losing 1up to Cammie Gray of Northport, Ala.
Naomi Ko, the lone remaining member of Team Canada’s Development Squad, fell in the earlier round of 16 to Cammie Gray.
Mika Liu and Cammie Gray will square off in tomorrow’s final matches, beginning at 7:30 am.
Click here for the full leaderboard.
TOYOTA CITY, Japan – Team Canada’s Development Squad members collectively finished seventh after play came to a close on Friday at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup.
Together, the Canadians fired a 3-under 213 on Friday’s final round to finish at 9-under par for the tournament. The team’s three lowest scores for the day were contributed by Matt Williams of Calgary (67), Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont. (71) and Etienne Papineau of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu (72).
Williams stellar round also included an ace of the par 3, 6th hole.
Carter Simon (Sutton, Ont.) posted a final round of 75, which was discounted as the team’s highest for the day.
In the end, the Canadians trailed champion Norway by 11 strokes, who took home top spot with a four-stroke margin over runner-ups United States and Venezuela.
Individually, Carter Simon and Etienne Papineau finished tied for 15th at 1-under. Matt Williams came in tied for 33th at 3-over par and Tony Gil finished tied for 37th at 5-over par.
The Canadians climbed the leaderboard in the end, having been as high as 10th throughout the four stroke play rounds.
Click here for the leaderboard showing all 15 national team scores.
LANCASTER, Pa. – Three of the five Canadians have advanced through to the match play round of 16 at the 114th Women’s Western National Amateur Championship on Thursday.
Naomi Ko, 16, of Victoria, B.C., bested Liz Breed of Waynesboro, Pa., 6 and 4. She now acts as the lone representative of Team Canada’s Development Squad, as both Taylor Kim (Surrey, B.C.) and Sabrine Garrison (Calgary) lost their respective matches.
Also moving on was Delaney Howson of Newmarket, Ont. The Murray State senior knocked off Niki Schroeder of Avon Lake, Oh., 3 and 2.
The third Canadian moving on is Josee Doyon of St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que. Doyon, a sophomore at Kent State, defeated Celia Kuenster of Mendota Heights, Minn., 3 and 1.
Play will resume tomorrow with the round of 16 beginning in the morning and the round of 8 to follow in the afternoon.
Click here for the full leaderboard, including results from all other flights.
SANDWICH, KENT, England – Team Canada’s Anne-Catherine Tanguay and Augusta James have been eliminated from the Ladies British Amateur after losing their matches on Thursday morning at the Royal St. Georges Golf Club.
Tanguay, 23, of Québec City, came in as the 9th seed after the qualifying rounds but was unable to pass Germany’s Laura Fünfstück, losing 2&1.
James, a junior at N.C. State University, lost to 5th seed Noemi Jiminez of Spain, 5 & 3. The Bath, Ont., native narrowly made the cutline as the 60th of 64 seed.
Click here for the full leaderboard
SANDWICH, KENT, England – Team Canada’s Anne-Catherine Tanguay and Augusta James have been eliminated from the Ladies British Amateur after losing their matches on Thursday morning at the Royal St. Georges Golf Club.
Tanguay, 23, of Québec City, came in as the 9th seed after the qualifying rounds but was unable to pass Germany’s Laura Fünfstück, losing 2&1.
James, a junior at N.C. State University, lost to 5th seed Noemi Jiminez of Spain, 5 & 3. The Bath, Ont., native narrowly made the cutline as the 60th of 64 seed.
Click here for the full leaderboard
TOYOTA CITY, Japan – Carter Simon, of Sutton, Ont., posted a 4-under 67 during Thursday’s third round of the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup, boosting the Canadian contingent up two spots to sit in eighth place.
Collectively, the Canucks fired a 209 Thursday to jump to 6-under par for the tournament, 12 strokes back of leader and defending champion Venezuela.
In addition to Simon’s score, Canada posted respective rounds of 70 and 72 from Development Squad members Etienne Papineau of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. and Matt Williams (Calgary).
Papineau currently sits in 16th place individually, while Williams is tied for 45th.
Tony Gil’s score of 74 on Thursday was discounted as the team’s highest for the day. The Vaughan, Ont., native currently sits T38 overall.
The individual boys lead is held by Venezuela’s Jorge Garcia, who currently holds a steady eight-stroke lead over second place at 17-under par (64-68-64).
The final round of the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup tees off Friday at 8am, UTC.
Click here for the full leaderboard.
TOYOTA CITY, Japan – Carter Simon, of Sutton, Ont., posted a 4-under 67 during Thursday’s third round of the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup, boosting the Canadian contingent up two spots to sit in eighth place.
Collectively, the Canucks fired a 209 Thursday to jump to 6-under par for the tournament, 12 strokes back of leader and defending champion Venezuela.
In addition to Simon’s score, Canada posted respective rounds of 70 and 72 from Development Squad members Etienne Papineau of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. and Matt Williams (Calgary).
Papineau currently sits in 16th place individually, while Williams is tied for 45th.
Tony Gil’s score of 74 on Thursday was discounted as the team’s highest for the day. The Vaughan, Ont., native currently sits T38 overall.
The individual boys lead is held by Venezuela’s Jorge Garcia, who currently holds a steady eight-stroke lead over second place at 17-under par (64-68-64).
The final round of the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup tees off Friday at 8am, UTC.
Click here for the full leaderboard.
Niagara Falls, Ont. – Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson kept the momentum going after the U.S. Women’s Open by winning the Canadian Women’s Tour stop at Legends on the Niagara’s Battlefield Course in Niagara Falls, Ont.
With six birdies in Wednesday’s round, Henderson fired a bogey-free 6-under 66 to claim her second Canadian Women’s Tour title – she won the Canadian Women’s Tour Quebec stop in 2012 at age 14.
Henderson finished the tournament with a final score of 9-under-par 135, five strokes ahead of Stephanie Connelly after rounds of 69-66.
“Yesterday I was tied for the lead, so I knew I had to get a good round together.” Henderson said. “Coming in through nine I was 3-under and the girl ahead of me was 4-under for the day. I realized I needed to get in gear and was able to get four more birdies on the back nine.”
Henderson, 16, of Smiths Falls, Ont. is coming off of a successful month of play, finishing tied for 10th in the U.S. Women’s Open and claiming the Porter Cup title earlier in June.
Her win at this week’s event earns her an exemption into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, taking place at the London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. in August.
“It’s definitely cool to get the exemption, I know I deserve it now instead of someone just giving me one, which I’m very grateful for too and I’ll take those anytime,” Henderson said. “I’m looking forward to going to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open and seeing Lorie Kane as well as some other Canadian professionals out there.”
At the end of yesterday’s opening round, Henderson shared first place with Connelly of Fleming Island, Fla. Connelly finished at 4-under-par 140 to claim first place prize money. Simin Feng of Windermere, Fla. finished in solo third at 3-under 141, with Samantha Richdale of Kelowna B.C. at 2-under. Emily Childs finished in a tie for 5th at 1-under 143 with Australia’s Emma de Groot.
