Nine Canadians, including two members of the Team Canada National Amateur Squad have qualified to play the 119th U.S. Amateur Championship.

Ninety-six sectional qualifiers were held across North America from July 1-24, including one at The Thornhill Club in Thornhill, Ont., on Monday, July 22. Cougar Collins of Caledon, Ont., and Jackson Bowery of London, Ont., earned the two automatic exemptions at The Thornhill Club.

Julien Sale (Reunion Island) produced one of the lowest scores of any qualifier when he carded 10 under 132 at Mendon Golf Club in Rochester, N.Y. on July 8.

Calvin Ross (Fredericton, N.B.) was the low qualifier at The Ledges Golf Club in York, Maine on July 15. The 2017 Canadian Junior Boys champion finished one stroke ahead of Team Canada member Joey Savoie (La Prairie, Que.), with both players earning qualification.

Colwyn Abgrall (Niverville, Man.) finished as the low qualifier at the sectional at Fargo Country Club in Fargo, N.D.

Étienne Brault (Mercier, Que.), Tristan Mandur (Mill Bay, B.C.) and Chris Crisologo (Richmond, B.C.) all finished as runners-up at their respective qualifiers, therefore earning exemptions.

Eight additional Canadians are alternates for the championship; Jacob Presutti (Brampton, Ont.), Étienne Papineau (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.), Tyson Turchanski (Calgary), Kade Johnson (Yorkton, Sask.), Jeevan Sihota (Victoria), Cameron Kellett (Lambeth, Ont.), Josh Whalen (Napanee, Ont.) and Garrett Rank (Elmira, Ont.).

Each qualifier consisted of two stroke play rounds on the same day. Over 7,000 players attempted to qualify for the 312-player field.

The 119th U.S. Amateur Championship is being held at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C., from August 12-18.

Full results from all U.S. Amateur Championship sectional qualifiers can be found here.

Josh Whalen normally tees off as an amateur on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada, but on Saturday, July 20, he’ll be teeing it up for a cause close to his heart.

Whalen’s girlfriend, Jennie Griffin, was diagnosed with a form of Leukemia in March 2018. Jennie won her battle with the disease thanks to a bone marrow transplant with her sister serving as the donor, and has returned to working as a teacher.

With the cancer in remission, Griffin hasn’t forgotten all those who were by her side through the battle and is now giving back.

“It came to me that I wanted to host a golf tournament last year when I was in the hospital,” Griffin said. “Because I wasn’t back at work, I had a lot of extra time, so I decided to host the tournament for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.”

“She just really wanted to find a way to give back to everyone who helped her along the way,” said Whalen, who plays on the Team Canada National Amateur Squad. “From doctors and nurses and all the little things that are set up for people who are going through cancer.”

Both worked at Napanee Golf & Country Club, the same course where Whalen learned the game as a youngster. Hosting the tournament at the nine-hole course just outside of Kingston, Ont., was a natural choice.

The 72 spots available for the tournament didn’t take long to fill up. Napanee Golf & Country Club members, friends of Jennie, her family and some of Whalen’s college teammates from Kent State University will be teeing off at Napanee on July 20.

“I’ve had a lot of support from the golf course and the members,” Griffin said. “It filled up quickly, which was really exciting. It will just be a fun day. Even people who aren’t necessarily golfers are coming out to enjoy it.”

“The members know her and they were behind it right away,” said Whalen. “It was nice to see the members of the club wanting to be involved. Within two or three days it was full, right away.”

In addition to entry fees, a silent auction will take place. All proceeds from the tournament and silent auction are going to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.

“I’m hoping this will become an annual tournament,” Griffin said. “I’m hoping this can continue.”

On an annual basis, there are over 37,000 charitable golf events held in Canada that help raise over $533 million for various causes.

Lakewood, Wash. – Team Canada National Junior Squad member Laurent Desmarchais (Longueuil, Québec) defeated Josh McCollum of Upland, Calif. 3&2 in the final match to win the 118th Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur Championship, held this week at Tacoma Country and Golf Club in Lakewood, Wash.

After starting with 168 players in stroke-play qualifying, split between Tacoma and nearby Chambers Bay, the championship came down to the final match between McCollum and Desmarchais, both of whom survived five matches to reach today’s final match.

Desmarchais threatened to make short work of the scheduled 36-hole final match. McCollum had difficulty off the tee immediately, and Desmarchais took advantage, going 5-up after nine holes and 8-up after 18 holes. During the lunch break, it seemed the match would be over soon.

But McCollum, a recent graduate of Chico State in California, got control of his driver, and gradually worked himself back into the match. After 27 holes, Desmarchais’ lead was just 5-up. Then McCollum birdied the 28th hole, and was just 4-down.

After the 25th hole, no hole was halved until the 34th and final hole.

Then Desmarchais made the putt of the championship. On the par-5 11th hole, he sprayed his second shot against the fence on the right, two feet from being out of bounds. From there he chipped over the green, 12 feet onto the fringe, and faced a 40-foot, downhill, side-hill putt on a green that was rolling 14 on the Stimpmeter. When he drained the putt, increasing his lead to 5-up with seven to play, it looked pretty much over.

Then it was 5-up with five holes to play. But McCollum still didn’t give up. He birdied 14, then stuffed a 9-iron on the par-3 15th to five feet for another birdied that was accentuated by a fist-pump.

On the 16th hole, a par-5, McCollum had just 163 yards left for his second shot, and he hit a wedge to 12 feet. When Desmarchais 2-putted for birdie, McCollum’s attempt at eagle slid by the hole, and the match went to Desmarchais.

“Josh wasn’t playing too well this morning, so I was able to take advantage of some of that,” Desmarchais said. “I kind of let it go in the second round, and he started to make some putts, and kept pushing me out there. He was making birdies, and good on him for doing that. He grabbed the momentum around the 26th hole or so, but I felt at that point all I had to do was make the shots because the pressure was on him. Just make pars, and then he would have to make birdies. This feels really great.”

McCollum said he found out about the Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur from a teammate at Chico State who is from Idaho. “I knew it always has a strong field, and I try to find events where I can compete against the best.”

Laurent just turned 18, and at 6-foot-5, he is long off the tee. He is a member of the Canadian National Junior Team. He spent four months this spring at the Golf Canada National Development Centre at Bear Mountain Resort outside Victoria, B.C. on Vancouver Island. “That’s when I found out about this championship,” Desmarchais said. “My coach told me about it, and that I should play in it.”

Desmarchais had played last week in the Sahalee Players Championship, where he tied for 41st, as the first leg of the Western Swing, and this week played the second leg. His coach on the Canadian National Junior Team, Robert Ratcliffe, caddied for Desmarchais at Sahalee, but went back to Victoria afterward. Desmarchais told Ratcliffe that if he made it to the final match this week, Ratcliffe would have to return to caddie for him. This morning on the first tee, Ratcliffe was on the bag, standing side by side with Desmarchais.

Desmarchais has committed to play for the University of Tennessee, but will not begin there until 2021. Until then, he will continue to play on the Canadian Junior National Team. Next week he will compete in the Pacific Coast Amateur, held at the Championship Course at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

One of the oldest amateur golf championships in the world, Desmarchais’ name now goes on the Macan Cup, which is named after legendary golf course designer A.V. Macan, a member of the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame and winner of this championship in 1913.

Past champions include names such as Tiger Woods, Jeff Quinney, Ben Crane, Jeff Coston, Nick Flanagan, Jim McLean and Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Famers Chandler Egan, Harry Givan, Jack Westland, Bud Ward and George Holland, among many others.

Full results can be found here.

BELLEVILLE, ON – Muggy conditions kicked off the fourth and final round of the 104th annual Ontario Women’s Amateur Championships from Black Bear Ridge Golf Course. The final day would produce both an amazing comeback attempt from Emily Zhu (Team Canada National Junior Squad Member) and also an excellent display of toughness from Brigitte Thibault (Team Canada National Amateur Squad Member). This toughness allowed Thibault, who had been the leader after days two and three, to claim the title.

Zhu (National Pines Golf Club) came out very strong, carding a 4-under par 36 on the front and actually taking the lead after nine holes but Thibault battled back tying things on the 12^th with a nice birdie.  The two would stay tied until late when Zhu would bogey 16 and 17. Thibault bogeyed 18 but would still claim the title by one stroke firing a final round +1 (73). Zhu would finish with the only under par round of the day, a -2 (70) and claim the silver medal. Hailey McLaughlin (Granite GC) took home the bronze medal after another steady round of +1 (73) to finish 5 strokes back of the leader.

A thrilled Thibault spoke of her win after the round. “I knew my game wasn’t clutch-clutch the past few days, but I just tried to keep my head up” she said. “I knew Emily was playing really well and she wasn’t going to go away, so I just focused on myself and I’m someone who never gives up.” She then mentioned what it means to win this particular trophy. “It’s obviously a honour, I love to see the previous winners that have all took this kind of step to where they are now. I see a lot of names from Team Canada and excited to see where this could take me.”

Golf Ontario would like to thank Black Bear Ridge Golf Course and their staff for their support of the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship. A special thank you as well goes out to all the Golf Ontario volunteers.

Full results can be found here.

HARRIS, Mich. – Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont. fired three rounds in the 60s, finishing in a tie for fourth place at the Island Resort Championship on Sunday.

The Team Canada Young Pro Squad member was the only competitor at the event to shoot all three of her rounds in the 60s at Sweetgrass Golf Club, finishing two strokes back of champion Daniela Iacobelli. It was Szeryk’s third top-five finish in his last four starts on the Symetra Tour.

It took 55 holes, but Iacobelli captured her third career Symetra Tour victory with a birdie in the first frame of a sudden-death playoff against Cindy Ha.

Each of Iacobelli’s three wins have come after she missed the cut the week prior.

“It feels good, there are a lot of memories here and this will just add to the list,” said Iacobelli, who also captured the 2012 Symetra Tour Championship and 2015 Tullymore Classic titles. “I think I just get a little upset with myself and come into the next tournament guns blazing.”

When the final round started at Sweetgrass Golf Club, Iacobelli was tied for 13th and looking at a six-stroke deficit. A bogey-free, 7-under par 65 moved the Florida Institute of Technology alumna quickly up the leaderboard.

“Started quick with birdie on the first three and made the turn in 5-under,” said Iacobelli, who finished at 11-under par overall. “I was like, ‘Ok, let’s step on the gas pedal,’ but the wind picked up a little bit and just tried not to make mistakes. The putter was hot this week, which is crazy since I switched grips on Wednesday. The 18th hole, I’m glad the wind was blowing the way it was because I only know how to play it as a two-shot hole. That was a bit advantageous.”

Her finish in Harris, Mich. earns exemption into The Evian Championship next month, the fourth major on the LPGA Tour schedule this year. A 2012 and 2015 Symetra Tour graduate, Iacobelli has spent three years on the LPGA Tour. However, she has never played in The Evian Championship.

“I’m excited, never been to France and looking forward to it,” Iacobelli said. “Get to experience another moment of my career, I can’t wait. That is for sure the crazier part of all this.”

Full results can be found here.

TOYOTA CITY, Japan – Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., fired a 3-under-par 68 in the final round to finish third in the individual boys division at the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup. Canada finished sixth in the team competition.

Vandette’s score of 68 was his third round in the 60s this week. A bogey on the par-4 13th was the lone blemish on the 17-year-old’s scorecard. His score of 63 on Thursday was tied for the lowest round of the competition, helping him finish five shots back of winner Samuel Simpson of South Africa.

Laurent Desmarchais saved his best round for last, as his 4 under performance brought him to 3 under for the tournament. The Longueuil, Que., native was bogey-free on the back nine and finished in a tie for 20th.

Jeevan Sihota of Victoria, B.C. also shot under par, with his 1 under earning him a 34th place finish.

William Duquette of Laval, Que., withdrew from the competition before the final round and finished in 60th.

The quartet of Vandette, Desmarchais, Sihota and Duquette were competing individually, with each nation’s three lowest scores counting towards the team competition.

Canada ranked sixth of 15 teams in the team competition at 14 under, having gained eight shots in the final round. South Africa won the event at 41 under, 11 shots clear of Japan in second.

In the girls division, Japan won the team event with a score of 18 under, three strokes ahead of the United States. Cory Lopez of Mexico, Rose Zhang of the United States and Cassie Porter of Australia finished tied for first in the individual competition at 11 under.

Full scoring can be found here.

TOYOTA CITY, Japan – Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., carded an 8-under 63 on Wednesday at the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup, moving himself into sixth place in the individual boys competition heading into the final round.

Vandette’s 63 is tied for the lowest round of the tournament thus far. He was bogey-free in round three, with an eagle on the par-5 6th highlighting a scorching moving day at Chukyo Golf Club. He sits five shots back of leader Samuel Simpson of South Africa.

Sihota also shot in the 60s in round three, shooting a 3-under 68. The Victoria, B.C., product is in a tie for 37th after 54 holes.

Desmarchais carded even-par 71, holding steady in 33rd at 1 over on the tournament, while Duquette shot 8 over and is in 58th.

The Canadian quartet features Vandette, Laurent Desmarchais, Jeevan Sihota and William Duquette. The players are competing individually, with each nation’s three lowest scores counting towards the team competition.

Canada ranks ninth of 15 teams in the team competition at 6 under par, having gained three spots in the third round. South Africa are the leaders at 38 under, nine shots clear of Japan in second.

In the girls division, Japan holds a three-stroke lead over the United States and Mexico. Cassie Porter of Australia and Siwoo Chung of South Korea are leading the individual competition at 8 under par.

Full scoring can be found here.

TOYOTA CITY, Japan – Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que. shot even-par 71, but Canada fell to 12th place in the team competition during the second round at the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup.

The Canadian quartet features Vandette, Laurent Desmarchais, Jeevan Sihota and William Duquette. The players are competing individually, with each nation’s three lowest scores counting towards the team competition.

Coming off an opening-round 69, Vandette was sitting at 4 under for the tournament heading into the final four holes of round two. The 17-year-old struggled after posting two bogeys on the par-5 16th and the par-4 18th, bringing him back to even par on the day. The bogey on No. 16 was uncharacteristic for Vandette, who had made birdie on each par 5 in the tournament to that point.

Vandette is T16 after 36 holes, eight shots back of leaders Abel Gallegos Caputo of Argentina and Gustav Andersson of Sweden.

Desmarchais shot 1-over 72 and is T28, while Sihota is 6 over in a tie for 43rd .

William Duquette is 57th at 14 over.

Canada ranks 12th of 15 teams in the team competition at 5 over par. South Africa are the current leaders at 19 under.

In the girls division, the United States hold a one-stroke lead over Japan. Rose Zhang of the United States and Siwoo Chung of South Korea are leading the individual competition at 5 under par.

Full scoring can be found here.

TOYOTA CITY, Japan – The Team Canada boys are sixth of 15 teams following the opening round of the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup. Christopher Vandette of Beaconsfield, Que., is the top-ranking Canadian in a tie for 8th at 2 under par.

The Canadian quartet features Vandette, Laurent Desmarchais, Jeevan Sihota and William Duquette. The players are competing individually, with each nation’s three lowest scores counting towards the team competition.

Vandette made birdie on all three par 5s in the opening round, en route to carding a 2-under-par 69. The 17-year-old sits three strokes back of leaders Abel Gallegos Caputo of Argentina, Gustav Andersson of Sweden and Albert Boneta of Spain.

Desmarchais shot even-par 71 in his first round. The Longueuil, Que., product made a seven on the par-5 ninth, but recovered by carding a bogey-free back nine to finish T16.

Sihota sits T24 after the first 18 holes. His 1-over par 72 is six shots behind the leaders.

Duquette shot 6-over par and is T55.

Canada ranks sixth in the team competition at 1 under par. Spain are the current leaders at 9 under.

In the girls division, Mexico holds a 3-stroke lead over Sweden and the United States. Spain’s Carla Tejedo is leading the individual competition at 3 under par.

Full scoring can be found here.

LEWISTON, NY – Brigitte Thibault of Rosemère, Que. and Mary Parsons of Delta B.C. each shot rounds in the 60s, finishing third and fourth, respectively, at the Porter Cup at Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, NY.

Thibault, a member of Team Canada National Amateur Squad, finished at 5-under par 211 over the 54-hole tournament. A final round 69, aided by four birdies on the front nine, helped her to a third-place finish. Thibault finished three shots back of leaders Jackie Rogowicz of Yardley, Penn. and Australian Isabelle Taylor.

Parsons was leading after the first round after carding a 69. Three birdies on her final five holes catapulted her into first place after 18 holes, but she would ultimately finish four-strokes back of the leaders.

Strathroy, Ont.’s Taylor Kehoe finished T8 at 1-over par for the tournament. Kehoe won the 2018 Future Links, driven by Acura Ontario Championship.

A total of 33 Canadians were among the 75 competitors, including Team Canada National Junior Squad members Emily Zhu (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Ellie Szeryk (London, Ont.), Céleste Dao (Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que.) and Monet Chun (Richmond Hill, Ont.).

Full results can be found here.