The women’s NCAA golf championship wrapped up in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday with the University of Southern California’s Doris Chen taking home medalist honours at 6-under par.

Individually, Team Canada’s Augusta James finished as the low Canadian. James, a junior at North Carolina State University ended the championship at 4-over 284 after rounds of 74-70-67-73.

SooBin Kim of Coquitlam, B.C. followed closely behind James, finishing in a tie for 16^th at 5-over par. The Washington University junior recently finished in a tie for fourth at the Canadian Women’s Tour stop in Parksville, B.C.

Team Canada’s Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec and Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., both ended their NCAA careers in a tie for 43^rd at 11-over par. The seniors will both tee-it-up together next for Team Canada on the Canadian Women’s Tour in June.

Kim’s Washington Huskie teammate Jennifer Yang of Coquitlam, B.C., finished in a tie for 59^th.

In the team division, Duke finished in the top spot edging out the University of Southern California by two strokes at 10-over par. Tanguay’s Oklahoma Sooner squad finished in fourth place, while N.C. State took home tenth place. The Washington Huskies closed the championship in 17^th.

For complete scoring and results from the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship click here.

MANAKIN-SABOT, Va – Canada’s Sue Kim, Rebecca Lee Bentham, Jessica Wallace and amateurs Brooke Henderson and Elizabeth Tong qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open on Monday.

Henderson, playing at the qualifier in Manakin-Sabot, Va., totaled a score of 140 through two rounds en route to capturing medalist honours. This year’s U.S. Women’s Open will mark the third LPGA major tournament for the Smiths Falls, Ont. native – she played in the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open and this year’s Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Joining Henderson are Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. and Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Richmond Hill, Ont. Both Kim and Lee-Bentham were recently named to Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad. Kim, 23, carded a 142 and Lee-Bentham, 22, was three strokes behind with a 145.

Wallace, a Langley, B.C. native, became one of three who qualified at the Dunwoody, Ga., event. The 23-year-old finished with a 148 through two rounds.

Tong, a Thornhill, Ont., native, qualified with 148 at the Winnetka, Ill., event. The 21-year-old Indiana University student will join Henderson in the field as an amateur.

Also to note, Canada’s A. Ram Choi of Surrey, B.C., will be listed as an alternate player after carding a 151 at the Seattle, Wash., qualifier. Choi is a junior for the Portland State Vikings.

All five Canadians will head to North Carolina from June 17-22 to tee-it-up at the famous Pinehurst No. 2 golf course.

For all sectional qualifier results, click here.

To cap off the week, Henderson got word on Tuesday that she earned a sponsor exemption to play in the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic for a second straight year. In 2013, the National Squad member fared well with a promising T35 finish.

With the announcement, Henderson becomes the seventh Canadian set to compete at the Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo, Ont., from June 4-8. She will be joined by veteran professionals Lorie Kane, Alena Sharp, and Maude-Aimee Leblanc. Also in attendance will be the three members of the Young Pro Squad – Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Sue Kim and Jennifer Kirby.

ROANOKE, Va. – Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson captured the Scott Robertson Memorial on Sunday with a one-stroke advantage over runner-up Emily Campbell of Carrollton, Tex.

Henderson, a Smiths Falls, Ont., native, carded a four-under 209 (68-72-69), recording nine birdies at the Roanoke Country Club on her way to the title. She was the lone Canadian playing in the girls 15-18 event.

Henderson joins an impressive list of past Scott Robertson champions, including professional stars Paula Creamer, Webb Simpson and Hunter Mahan.

With the win, Henderson adds to an impressive year that features a win at the South Atlantic Amateur and a T26 finish at the LPGA’s Kraft Nabisco Championship.

The 16-year-old entered the tournament as the No. 3 ranked female amateur in the world according to the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). This finish could see her catapult to the top.

For the full leaderboard, click here.

“You know, professional golf is pretty easy. You just go out there, knock a ball around, and then you win.” This, from reigning PGA Tour Canada Order of Merit winner Mackenzie Hughes, elicited laugher from the large crowd assembled at Toronto’s Real Sports on May 5 at the introduction of the Golf Canada Young Pros Program.

However, it was clear that despite the good-natured remark, it was done in jest. Professional golf is difficult, and even with copious resources in place, the best young players in the world sometimes fizzle out.

They run out of money. They can’t find a coach. They aren’t mentally strong enough. These are all common stories that golf fans and followers hear about.

Now, thanks to Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada, and the Golf Canada Foundation, there’s hope that stories like the above will become a rarity, as they’ve, in concert, announced Jennifer Kirby, Sue Kim, Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Mackenzie Hughes and Albin Choi as the first batch of ‘Young Pros’ in the Young Pros Program.

“Heroes shape sports,” said CEO of Golf Canada Scott Simmons. “Rather than have heroes develop by chance, we wanted to have a systematic approach.”

Golf Canada engaged such big names as Graham DeLaet and Ian Leggatt to be a part of selection task force.

The task force, according to chief sport officer for Golf Canada Jeff Thompson, was “ruthless in (their) selection process.”

The goal of the program is to bridge the gap between a player’s amateur days and the start of a professional career.

The five players all receive $50,000 in support each, a $250,000 total investment for Golf Canada. Each player receives cash and a plethora of coaching and conditioning opportunities with a team they have been very familiar with.

The money is coming from Golf Canada’s foundation – which drove funding from private investors, corporate donations and from pro-am tournaments. There will be two this year – one before the RBC Canadian Open, and one before the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

To learn more about the Golf Canada Foundation, click here.

Kirby, Kim, Lee-Bentham, Hughes and Choi have all been a part of Golf Canada’s national team in years past, and they’ll receive the same support from coaches Derek Ingram (men), Tristan Mullally (women), and strength coach Jason Glass.

Hearing how difficult it was to select the players for the inaugural program, it appears that now was the perfect time for this initiative to begin.

Various people, players and attendees uttered phrases like: “unbelievable feeling,” and “I’m so excited” on more than one occasion Monday night.

“This program is not just going to make me better, but Canadian golf better,” said Choi. He explained he grew up with his fellow teammates, “like family.”

Hughes echoed Choi’s statement, saying the program just “feels natural” to him.

When asked if he felt more pressure – because there was a spotlight on him – or less – because a financial burden was lifted – the 23-year-old Choi said it was a little of both.

“The support gets me relaxed, but I’m not challenged by anyone. I don’t feel pressure from anyone else, except my own pressure. And that’s a good kind of pressure,” he said.

The players will need to reach certain benchmarks this season in order to continue to be a part of the team moving forward. The men, for example have to reach the top 500 in the world ranking by the end of 2014.

It’s hard to predict the future in golf, in fact, it’s nearly impossible, but, Golf Canada recognized a need for this program in order to build on the success of its national amateur team and as the saying goes: “timing is everything.”

Now, it’s up to the players.

Oakville, Ont. – Golf Canada has announced the names of the athletes who have been selected to the new Team Canada Young Pro program.

In all, five athletes – three female and two male – have been chosen to the inaugural Team Canada Young Pro Squad. Developed in partnership with the PGA of Canada and supported in large part by the Golf Canada Foundation, the Young Pro program was created to bridge the gap between amateur and professional performance on the international golfing stage.

“There has been a critical gap for our top amateur golfers making the difficult jump to professional golf and the launch of the Team Canada Young Pro initiative is designed to bridge that gap,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “We have seen tremendous results for Team Canada amateur athletes at national, international and collegiate competitions. With the launch of Young Pro, we expect those strong results to carry over to the professional ranks including the PGA and LPGA Tours, the various developmental tours and ultimately the Olympic Games beginning in 2016.”

A trio of LPGA players including Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., and Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., will join the new Young Pro squad. All three players are graduates of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Squad and have secured full playing status for the LPGA Tour’s 2014 season. Bentham, 22, was the top-earning Canadian on the LPGA Tour last season after finishing a personal best T-11 at the Evian Championship. Kim, 23, secured her full card by finishing in sixth on the LPGA’s Symetra Tour’s Volvik Race to the Card. Kirby, 23, earned her spot after a fifth place finish at the LPGA’s Final Qualifying in December.

“I feel so fortunate to once again, have the opportunity to be a part of a program that is so dedicated to developing players,” said Rebecca Lee-Bentham. “Golf Canada, without a doubt, has helped me tremendously throughout my amateur career and has led me to where I am today. It is an honour to represent Canada each week on the LPGA tour and having the opportunity to play for Canada at the Olympics would mean more than words can describe.”

“I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for the Young Pro program,” said Jennifer Kirby. “Golf Canada has always been supportive of my career and I am proud to be an ambassador of this important program in my inaugural season on the LPGA Tour.”

“I know that with the launch of the Young Pro program, I will get the support I need to further my career and be successful on the LPGA Tour,” said Sue Kim. “Even from my time with the Amateur Team, the coaching staff has gone above and beyond to help develop players.”

On the men’s side, Web.com Tour players Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Toronto’s Albin Choi debut as the first two male members of the Team Canada Young Pro program. A two-time Canada Amateur champion, Hughes, 23, finished the 2013 season atop PGA Tour Canada’s Order of Merit after capturing the Cape Breton Celtic Classic. Choi, 22, is also a former Canadian Amateur champion who earned his ticket to the Web.com Tour after a 15th place finish at final qualifying in December.

“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of Team Canada and the new young pro squad,” said Mackenzie Hughes. “The coaching and support staff has played a big role in my development and my transition to pro golf. I also want to thank the Golf Canada Foundation as well as all the sponsors and donors that have made this program possible.”

I am very excited to be back with the national team and part of the program,” added Albin Choi. “I have been with Team Canada for over six years and have always appreciated the support and having a team around me. Most pros lose that support structure from a national or college team as soon as they turn pro and it’s easy to get lost. It’s great to have an opportunity to have a team behind me with my best interests in mind.”

Each member of the Young Pro squad will receive funding as well as access to Team Canada’s coaching staff and sport science experts. Men’s National Squad coach Derek Ingram and Women’s National Team coach Tristan Mullally will provide coaching to their respective Young Pro players. In addition, the athletes will have access to Team Canada’s sport science staff that includes psychologist, Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, strength and conditioning coach, Jason Glass, nutritionist, Nicole Springle and physiotherapist Greg Redman.

“I congratulate Golf Canada on the launch of this exceptional program,” said PGA of Canada CEO Gary Bernard. “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 Team Canada Young Pro initiative has been in the works for more than a year as an extension of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team program. The 2014 launch is a direct result of the fundraising support of the Golf Canada Foundation.

“On behalf of the board of the Golf Canada Foundation, we’re proud to help support these talented young golfers in their pursuit of competitive golfing excellence,” said Golf Canada Foundation CEO Martin Barnard. “In the coming months, we look forward to announcing more fundraising activities as well as donors and corporate partners to extend the program to more Canadian athletes.”

ABOUT THE ATHLETES:

The 2013 LPGA season was a breakout year for Rebecca Lee-Bentham, who currently sits as the highest ranked Canadian at No. 212 in the women’s Rolex Rankings. Last year, Bentham soared up the rankings after earning medalist honours at LPGA qualifying school and posting a T11 major finish at the LPGA’s Evian Championship. This year, the 22-year-old Toronto native has a season best finish T28 at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and sits at No. 91 in the LPGA’s Race to the CME Globe.

As an amateur, Bentham was the 2011 Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion and the 2010 Canadian Junior Girls Champion. She was also a member of Team Canada’s National squad in 2011 and spent four seasons on the Women’s Development team.

Jennifer Kirby vaulted into the spotlight after winning the 2013 Canadian Women’s Tour Québec stop in her professional debut. The 23-year-old followed up her victory with a T3 finish at the season-ending Tour stop in Ontario, which earned her a second place finish on the Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit. In her first season as a professional, Kirby earned an exemption into the LPGA’s 2013 Manulife Classic where she finished T41 and also played in the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open. She earned her ticket to the LPGA Tour by finishing fifth at qualifying school in December of 2013. In seven starts this season Kirby’s best finish is a T36 at the JTBC Founders Cup.

Prior to turning professional, the Paris, Ont., native was a member of the 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Division I National Championship squad. On the national stage, Kirby captured both the 2009 Canadian Women’s Amateur and Canadian Junior Girls titles. She was also a longtime member of Team Canada program, playing for the National Squad in 2012 and 2010 and the Development Team from 2007-2009.

A member of the LPGA’s Symetra Tour in 2013, Sue Kim earned her fully-exempt ticket to the LPGA for the 2014 season after a sixth place finish in Volvik’s Race for Card – Symetra’s Order of Merit. As a professional, the Langley, B.C. native captured the Decatur-Forsyth Classic, alongside two top-3 finishes on the Symetra Tour in 2013. In the 23-year-old’s six LPGA starts last season, her best finish was a T34 at the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic. In 2014, Kim’s best finish is a T45 at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.

As an amateur, Kim was a five-year member of Team Canada’s National Amateur and Development Squad program. During that time she was a two-time champion on the Canadian Women’s Tour professional circuit and also recorded two runner-up finishes at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in 2007

Mackenzie Hughes soared into the spotlight after capturing his first professional victory at PGA Tour Canada’s 2013 Cape Breton Classic. Alongside his win, Hughes recorded three other top-10’s that included a T2 finish at The Wildfire Invitational and a T3 at The Players Cup. His strong play secured his playing card for the 2014 Web.com Tour season after finishing in the top spot on PGA Tour Canada’s Order or Merit after starting the season on sponsor’s exemptions.  Last year, the 23-year-old also qualified for the U.S. Open at Merion and the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club. In five starts this season on the Web.com Tour Hughes sits at No. 154 on the money list.

Prior to turning professional, the Dundas, Ont., native had a decorated amateur career that included back-to-back Canadian Amateur titles in 2011 and 2012. Hughes was also a member of Team Canada’s National Squad (2012, 2011) and a Development Squad Member in 2008. As a member of the Kent State Golden Flashes, Hughes picked up three NCAA collegiate victories and was the MAC Freshman of the year in 2009.

Albin Choi notched three top-25 finishes in his rookie season on PGA Tour Canada. The Toronto native finished a season-best T13 at the Cape Breton Classic and secured his full playing card for 2014 after a T17 finish at the season-ending TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial. As a rookie, Choi began his season playing on sponsor’s exemptions and made five of eight cuts to retain his playing card for 2014 after finishing 52nd on the Order of Merit. Choi earned his ticket to the Web.com Tour after finishing T15 at qualifying school in December. Already this season he’s posted three top-30 finishes as a rookie and currently sits at No. 88 on the money list.

Choi had a highlight filled amateur career that included capturing the 2010 Canadian Men’s Amateur and finishing as the low amateur at the 2012 RBC Canadian Open. The 22-year old was also a member of the victorious Team Canada squad at the 2013 Copas de las Americas championship and was a member of Team Canada’s National Squad in 2012 and 2011. Prior to turning professional, Choi amassed nine NCAA victories during his three years at North Carolina State University.

You can find out more about the Golf Canada Foundation and support these young athletes by donating here.

CARMEL, Ind. – Team Canada’s Corey Conners captured medalist honours on Sunday, lifting Kent State to a record sixth consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship title.

Conners, a Listowel, Ont. native, finished at 11-under par (72-67-65-73) thru 72 holes. The 21-year-old’s play was highlighted by a third round hole-in-one on the par 3 12th – the fourth of his young career. The ace boosted Conners to a tournament low 65, good for a six stroke cushion heading into Sunday’s final round.

The Kent State senior went on to shoot 73 and capture his second title in three years (he won it back in 2012). His final year now features three NCAA titles – he won the General Hackler Championship and Davidson Invitational earlier in the season. Along with his NCAA victories, Conners took home the prestigious Jones Cup in February, one of the highest ranked amateur events in the world.

Taylor Pendrith, also a member of Team Canada, finished runner-up behind Kent State teammate Conners at 6-under par. Pendrith, a native of Richmond Hill, Ont., was the only player to shoot under par in each of the four rounds. The long-driving senior won last year’s title, making this the third consecutive year a Canadian has won the MAC medalist honours.

Collectively, the Kent State Golden Flashes ended with a 10-stroke victory over Toledo and Akron to win the conference championship. The Kent State women’s team, featuring three Canadians, also took home the conference championship just one week earlier for the 16^th straight time.

Conners, Pendrith and the Golden Flashes will look to continue their success next week at the NCAA Regionals from May 15-17.

Click here for the full leaderboard.

FISHERS, Ind. – Team Canada’s Jennifer Ha continued her red hot play of late, winning medalist honours at the Mid-American Conference Championship on Sunday.

Ha kept her foot on the gas heading into Sunday’s final round, shooting a round-low 74 to sneak from behind to capture the win. The 20-year-old finished one stroke ahead of runner-up and Kent State teammate, Natalie Goodson.

Ha put herself in a great position to win after Saturday’s 3-under 69, highlighted by eight birdies. The Kent State junior is also fresh off of winning the Women’s Golfer of the Week for the Mid-American Conference just one week earlier. This was in large part due to her win at the Lady Buckeye Invitational that same week.

Other Canadians in the field included, Jenna Hague of Burlington, Ont. who finished in solo fifth at 11-over, while Kent State’s Josee Doyon of St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que. finished T6 after rounds of  73-79-77.

Collectively, the Kent State Golden Flashes dominated the competition with a 19-stroke victory. Ha, Goodson and Wad Phaewchimplee finished 1,2,3 respectively, with Doyon finishing tied for sixth and Erin Hawe finishing 18^th.

The Golden Flashes will look to ride their momentum into the NCAA Regionals from May 8-10.

Click here for the full leaderboard.

COLOMBUS, Ohio – Team Canada’s Jennifer Ha captured medalist honours at the Buckeye Invitational on Sunday with a one-stroke victory over Kelly Grassel of Michigan State.

Ha, a junior at Kent State, grabbed a share of the lead with Kent State teammate and fellow Canadian Josée Doyon of St-Georges-de-Beauce, Qué., following Friday’s opening round.

Ha maintained her advantage by shooting a 3-over 75 Saturday. On Sunday, the Calgary native slammed the door on the competition by firing a final round 71, her best score for the tournament. She finished with a 2-over par 218.

Doyon faltered down the stretch, falling to a tie for 10^th place after going 79-77 to close out the tournament.

Collectively, the Kent State Golden Flashes lost their second round lead to the Ohio State Buckeyes, who closed with final round of 291, the lowest score for any team through three days of competition. The Golden Flashes finished in a tie for second with Michigan State, eight strokes back of the host Buckeyes.

Kent State will look to build off this performance as they head into the Mid-American Conference Championship this upcoming Friday.

Click here for the full leaderboard.

DADE CITY, Fla. – Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C. has led the NCAA Div. II No. 1 ranked Barry Buccaneers to the Sunshine State Conference Championship title on Tuesday, taking home medalist honours in the process.

Svensson, 20, opened with two rounds of 70, leaving him at 4-under par – one stroke ahead of the pack heading into Tuesday’s final round. The Barry University sophomore came out firing, shooting a 3-under 69 – his best round of the tournament. He finished at 7-under par, two strokes ahead of runner-up Joey Savoie of St. Leo University.

This marks the seventh win of the season for Svensson. He continues to make his case for this year’s Jack Nicklaus award, given to the top golfer in his division. Svensson is also climbing up the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), he currently sits at No. 34.

Collectively, the Buccaneers finished at 17-under par for a convincing 18-stroke win over runner-up Leo University. They will tee-it-up for their second-last tournament on May 5^th at the NCAA South Super Regional in Savannah, Ga.

For the full leaderboard, click here

VICTORIA, B.C. – Canada has qualified for the World Junior Boys Championship by capturing one of two available spots through a qualifier being held at Victoria Golf Club.

Collectively, the boys stormed back Wednesday to steal first place honours from Mexico with a final round combined score of 3-under par. As a team the boys finished 11-over par, two strokes ahead of Mexico, who slipped down the leaderboard with a closing round of 9-over par.

Development Squad member Matt Williams was a model of consistency throughout the event, finishing at even par 210 (73-71-66). The 17-year-old Calgary native carded six birdies Wednesday en route to a 4-under 66 to finish as leading Canadian in 2^nd place.

Development Squad teammates Étienne Papineau (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qué.), Carter Simon (Sutton, Ont.) and Tony Gil (Vaughan, Ont.) also had strong final rounds. They finished tied for third, fifth and seventh respectively.

Team Mexico earned the second qualifying spot via the event. They were led by Alvaro Ortiz, who was the overall leading individual scorer with 4-under 206 (70-69-67).

Canada and Mexico will tee-it-up at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup this June along with 10 other nations.

For the full leaderboard from the qualifying event being held at Victoria Golf Club, click here.