TALLAHASSEE, Fla (U.WASHINGTON ATHLETICS) – Behind Maple Ridge’s Charlie Hughes’ 7-under 65, top-seed Washington recorded the best score Friday in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Golf Regional in Tallahassee, Fla. and remains second among 13 teams on the leaderboard.

The Huskies combined to shoot a season-low 13-under 275 and have a two-day total of 551 (-25) through 36 holes of play at Golden Eagle Golf and Country Club. They head to Saturday’s final round trailing fourth-seeded North Florida by two strokes. Host Florida State is third behind the Huskies, trailing by two strokes.

Oregon if fourth at -14, while Georgia Tech and South Florida are tied for fifth at -12. Oklahoma is the only other team under par at -11.

The top five teams from each of six regions and top individual from a non-advancing team after 54 holes of play will move on to compete in the NCAA Championship, May 28-June 2 at the Capital City Club in Atlanta, Ga.

Washington got off to a relatively pedestrian start as a team before kicking it into high gear on the back nine. The four counting golfers were a combined 1-under on the front nine, before combining to shoot 12-under on the back. UW wrapped up the round with three birdies and two eagles on the par-5 18th hole.

“For the most part, the team battled itself for much of the day,” UW Coach Matt Thurmond said from Florida. “We could not get much going and then we had an amazing finish.”

Jonathan Sanders entered the clubhouse first with a birdie, followed by an eagle from Trevor Simsby and birdie from Hughes. Chris Williams finished with his second-consecutive eagle on the hole and was followed by a birdie from Cheng-Tsung Pan.

“It’s unbelievable,” Thurmond said. “That hole is not that easy.”

Golfers have to avoid water both in the fairway off the tee and on their approach shot to the green. Thurmond said, “It takes two really good shots to reach the green safely in two.”

As pleased as Thurmond was with his team’s finish, he seemed most excited about the play of Hughes. The senior shot a bogey-free, career-best 65 to record the lowest score of the day among the field’s 75 competitors.

Hughes was even through eight holes and used an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole to jump-start his round. He would add birdies on 10, three-consecutive on holes 14 through 16, before putting a feather in his cap on 18 with a final birdie.

“I’m really, really happy for him. He went seven under over his last 10 holes,” Thurmond said after Hughes recorded the lowest score of any Husky all season.

“I guess it looks like a big deal because he hasn’t done this very often, but those of us that know him and watch him play every day know that he can do this. I’m just happy he gets to enjoy a great day.”

Hughes is tied for sixth among individuals with a two-day total of 136 (-8).

Among the golfers Hughes trails is his teammate Pan. The sophomore first team All-Pac-12 selection notched his second-consecutive round of 67 and is tied for second at -10 overall. He and Florida State’s Chase Seiffert enter Saturday’s final round chasing MJ Maguire of North Florida, who sits at 11-under.

Pan had seven birdies during the round, including five on the back nine. The only thing keeping him from the top of the leaderboard were bogeys on No.’s 5 and 14.

Next on the leaderboard among Huskies is Williams. The Hogan Award finalist salvaged a 71 thanks to his eagle on 18 and is -5 overall. He is tied for 13th.

Simsby shot even-par 72 and has a total of 142 (-2). The junior honorable mention All-Pac-12 performer was able to erase a 3-over deficit through 14 holes thanks to a birdie-birdie-bogey-eagle finish. He is tied for 26th.

Freshman Sanders shot a non-counting 74. He started his round and finished his round with birdies, but otherwise had to settle for pars, two bogeys and one double-bogey. He is tied for 47th with a score of 147 (+3).

The Huskies will be paired with North Florida and Florida State on Saturday and will tee off starting at 8:45 a.m. ET (5:45 a.m. PT).

The three teams in the group are all double-digit strokes above the cutline for advancing to the NCAA tournament, but Thurmond know his Huskies will need to remain focused on Saturday.

“The way to really screw up in this sport is to worry about a bunch of things and people that you cannot control,” Thurmond said. “No matter where we are playing and what place we are in, my focus will always be on us just doing our deal and playing the best we can. We’re fortunate enough that we are a good enough team and we are talented enough that if we play well we will beat most people.

“So, that’s what we’ll do tomorrow,” he continued. “We won’t look forward or back. We’ll look at ourselves and try to play awesome.”

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Richdale earns an exemption into 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open; Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson finishes in second to earn low amateur honours (photo courtesy of Devin Milner)

Tsawwassen, B.C. (Golf Canada) – Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., carded a final round 1-over-par 73 to capture the season-opening event on the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Tour at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

Richdale, 29, converted three birdies during her final round to finish with a two-day total of 6-under 138. The victory was Richdale’s first CN Canadians Women’s Tour victory and earns her an exemption into the 2013 CN Women’s Canadian Open at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, August 19-25.

“This is pretty awesome, that was my main reason to come out and play at these CN Events was to get that exemption,” said Richdale. “I’m really excited to be able to go play in Edmonton because I used to live in St. Albert so it will be fun to go back there.”

The Kelowna B.C. native now heads to play on the LPGA Symetra Tour this week and will use this win to carry momentum into the rest of her season.

“Hopefully this fuels me to win out there,” she continued. “My goal is to finish in the top five out on that tour so hopefully I’ll have a good year and get my LPGA card back.”

Brooke Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont., finished runner-up to Richdale after a final-round even-par 72.  The Team Canada National Squad member carded two birdies over her final five holes, to finish at 2-under-par for the tournament and earn low amateur honours.

Team Canada’s Augusta James, 20, of Bath, Ont., finished in a tie for third alongside amateur Simin Feng, 18, of Windermere, Fla., at 1-under-par 143.  South Korea’s, Soobin Kim, 19, finished in solo fifth after a final round 1-under 71.

The next CN Canadian Women’s Tour stop takes place June 10-12 at Club de golf Cowansville in Cowansville, Que., while the final Tour event is scheduled for June 17-19 at Ambassador Golf Course in Windsor, Ont. Both events feature a $60,000 (CAD) purse, with $10,000 (CAD) awarded to the winner, along with an exemption into the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open.

Players competing on the Tour also earn points towards the CN Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit. The player with the most points at the end of the season earns the Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year Award. The top three players on the CN Canadian Women’s Tour season-ending Order of Merit will be awarded direct entry into Stage 2 of LPGA Qualifying School. All entry fees will be paid for Stage 2 and, if applicable, Stage 3 (up to a value of $4,000 each).

In addition, the top two competitors on the season-ending Order of Merit not otherwise exempt also earn entry into the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open.

Click here for full scores

Round One Recap

Richdale’s 7-under-par 65 breaks course record as she vies for an exemption into 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open  (Photo Credit: Bernard Brault)

Tsawwassen, B.C. (Golf Canada) – Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C. fired an opening round 7-under-par 65 to lead the CN Canadian Women’s Tour season-opening event by five at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen B.C.

Richdale, 29, posted eight birdies on the opening day to break the course record at Beach Grove Golf Club.  She sank a birdie putt on her final hole to post a 4-under-par 31 on her closing nine.

“I hit 14 greens today and I putted really well,” said Richdale. “I think I only had 26 putts but I hit some really good shots today that ended up really close to the pin and I had a couple of tap in birdies, so that really helped.”

Heading into today’s final round, Richdale, who competes primarily on the Symetra Tour this season, acknowledged how great it is to play in her home province as she vies for an exemption into the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open and the $10,000 (CAD) winners’ cheque the champion receives from this event.

“These CN Canadian Women’s Tour events are amazing and CN is amazing,” she said. “I always try to make an effort to come up to these and it’s nice to be able to come back and play in my home province and have my parents come out, it’s the best part.”

Three players are tied for second behind Richdale at 2-under-par, including Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont. Henderson, playing as an amateur, is tied for second alongside Benjamina Lee, 23, of Los Angeles, Calif., and amateur Simin Feng, 18, of Windermere, Fla.

Team Canada Development Squad member Naomi Ko, 15, of Victoria, B.C., opened with a 1-under-par 71 and currently sits in solo fifth.  Brittany Benvenuto, of Langhorne, Pa., Natalie Gleadall of Stratford, Ont., and Team Canada’s Augusta James of Bath, Ont., posted even-par rounds of 72 to finish in a tie for sixth heading into tomorrow’s final round.

Defending champion and Team Canada National Team member, Jisoo Keel, 17, of Coquitlam, B.C., posted an opening round 8-over-par 80 and currently sits in a tie for 47^th.

The final round will tee-off on split tees (Nos. 1 and 10) beginning at 8:00 a.m. PDT today.

Spectators are admitted free to the tournament and live scoring will be available online at www.cncanadianwomenstour.com.

Preview

Strong field headlines the tour’s season opener in Tsawwassen

Tsawwassen, B.C. (GOLF CANADA) – The 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Tour season-opening event will be held May 13-15 at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C.

This event marks the first of three CN Canadian Women’s Tour events conducted annually across the country, featuring top amateur and professional players – from Canada and abroad – competing in a two-day 36-hole stroke play competition.

A number of notable LPGA Symetra Tour Players headline the field for the first event including Canadians Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., Kirby Dreher of Fort St. John B.C., Danielle Mills of Pointe-Claire, Que., Natalie Gleadall of Stratford, Ont., Ashley Sholer of Hamilton, Ont., and Seema Sadekar of Toronto. Big Break competitors Lindsey Bergeon, Elena Robles, Maiya Tanaka, Christina Stockton and Liliana Alvarez also highlight the field.

Team Canada’s National and Development squads will be well represented at the B.C. Tour stop with Jisoo Keel, the reigning 2012 CN Women’s Tour B.C. Champion, in the field.

Jisoo Keel holding up her trophy after capturing the 2012 CN Women's Tour event at Richmond CC as an amateur

Keel, 17, of Coquitlam, B.C., returns to defend her one-stroke victory last year at the Richmond Country Club in Richmond, B.C. As well, 2012 CN Women’s Tour Quebec champion Brooke Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont., will also play alongside national squad teammates Augusta James, 20, of Bath, Ont., and Brittany Marchand, 20, of Mono, Ont.

Joining the National Team will be Development Squad members, Valérie Tanguay, 17, of St-Hyacinthe, Que, Taylor Kim, 18, of Surrey, B.C., Naomi Ko, 15, of Victoria, B.C., Jennifer Ha, 19 of Calgary, Alta., and Kathy Lim, 15, of Langley, B.C.

“We’re excited to get the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Tour underway this year at Beach Grove Golf Club,” said Tournament Director Cam Crawford. “Last season proved to be an exciting finish with Jisoo Keel capturing her first professional event as an amateur. The talent and depth of field competing in Tsawwassen again this year speaks to the field strength of the three events as players vie for the five exemptions into the CN Canadian Women’s Open.”

Beach Grove Golf Club recently played host to the 2010 CN Future Links Pacific Championship. The club has also hosted the Pacific Northeast Golf Associations’ Senior’s Championship and annually welcomes Canadian and international players to the Beach Grove Men’s Amateur Championship.

“We recognize the value of hosting quality events for our association partners like Golf Canada and British Columbia Golf,” said Gord Sarkissian, General Manager at the Beach Grove Golf Club. “Our members are always looking for ways to give back and grow the game of golf and this event provides this type of opportunity in a meaningful way.”

Five exemptions into the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Open, an LPGA Tour event held August 19-25 at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton are currently available to competitors. Exemptions are given to the winners of each of the three CN Canadian Women’s Tour events with two additional exemptions reserved for the top two competitors on the season-ending CN Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit. Winners of each event will also receive up to three special invitations to compete in 2013 LPGA Symetra Tour Tournaments.

In addition, the top three players on the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Tour order of merit will be awarded direct entry into Stage II of LPGA Qualifying School. All entry fees will be paid for Stage II and if applicable also for Stage III, up to a value of $4,000 each.

Total season prize money for the 2013 season is $180,000 (CDN) for three events. Each 36-hole championship purse will be $60,000 with the champion being awarded a $10,000 winners’ cheque.

The 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Tour schedule also features events at Club de golf Cowansville (June 10-12) in Cowansville, Que., and Ambassador Golf Club (June 17-19) in Windsor, Ont.

Conducted since 2002, many of Canada’s elite female golfers have used the CN Canadian Women’s Tour to hone their skills and develop as athletes both on and off the course. CN Canadian Women’s Tour alumnae Lorie Kane, Alena Sharp, Samantha Richdale, Jessica Shepley, Isabelle Beisiegel, Stephanie Sherlock, Kirby Dreher, Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Sara Maude-Juneau and Maude-Aimée LeBlanc have all used their experiences as Canadians on the Canadian development circuit as a catalyst to future successes. Other CN Canadian Women’s Tour graduates include LPGA notables Yani Tseng, Ryan O’Toole, Candace Schepperle, Sara Brown and Katy Harris.

For more information on the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Tour, visit www.cncanadianwomenstour.com.

Courtenay, British Columbia (GOLF CANADA)– Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Kevin Kwon of Pitt Meadows, B.C., captured their respective titles at the CN Future Links Pacific Championship at Crown Isle Golf Resort on Sunday in Courtenay, B.C.

Kevin Kwon- 2013 CN Future Links Pacific Boys' champion (photo courtesy of Golf Canada/Chuck Russell)

Kwon, 18, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., and a member of the Team Canada Development Squad, soared to the top of the leaderboard after a final round 6-under-par 66 that included six birdies over his final eight holes.

Kwon had previously finished runner-up on two occasions at the CN Future Links Pacific Championship. He finished at 13-under-par for the tournament after rounds of 66-71-66 and was ecstatic to finally capture this title in his home province.

“This is huge, I came second here twice and I remember each of those tournaments,” Kwon said. “Mark [Valliere] and Hugo [Bernard] were playing solid all the way up to the end and I just happened to play well the last five or six holes to win.”

Kwon chipped on the 13th hole to break away from fellow Development Squad teammate and overnight leader Mark Valliere, 18, of Courtenay, B.C. Valliere finished in solo second behind Kwon at 7-under-par after a final round 73.

Cochrane, Alta., native Nicolas Scrymgeour, 17, finished in solo third at 5-under-par after a final round 70, while Team Canada Development Squad members Matt Williams, 17, of Calgary, and Hugo Bernard, 18, of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., finished in fourth and fifth respectively after rounds of 71 and 73.

The junior boys CN Future Links Pacific Champion earns an exemption into the 2013 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, which will be contested July 30-August 2nd at the Timberwolf Golf Club in Garson, Ont.

On the girls’ side, Brooke Henderson, 15, and a member of Team Canada’s National Squad, finished one stroke ahead of teammate Jisoo Keel, 17, of Coquitlam, B.C., after firing a final round 2-under-par 70. She carded four birdies over the final eighteen holes to finish at 9–under-par 207 (70-67-70) for the tournament, one stroke ahead of Keel.

Brooke Henderson- 2013 CN Future Links Pacific Girls' champion (photo courtesy of Golf Canada/Chuck Russell)

Keel kept pressure on Henderson over the closing holes, posting birdies on holes 12, 13, 15, and 17 to finish at 8-under-par for the tournament after rounds of 71-67-70.

“This is awesome, it’s my first CN Future Links Pacific win and my third CN Future Links title,” said Henderson. “I played a solid three rounds to finish at 9-under-par so I’m pretty happy.”

“Jisoo kept me on my toes coming down the stretch,” she continued. “She’s a really great player and made some clutch putts when she needed to.”

With this win, Henderson carries momentum into the CN Women’s Tour B.C. event in Tsawwassen, B.C., May 13-15. She will also look to defend her title later this summer at the Royale Cup Junior Girls Championship July 30-August 2nd at Cherry Downs Golf and Country Club in Pickering, Ont.

Team Canada Development Squad member, Taylor Kim, 18, of Surrey B.C., finished in a tie for third at 8-over-par alongside fellow Surrey B.C. native, Jamie Oleksiew. Kathy Lim, 15, of Langley B.C., and Michelle Kim, 15, rounded out the top five finishing at 10-over-par for the tournament.

For complete scoring and results click here

For round 3 photos, please click here

Round Two Recap

Courtenay, British Columbia (GOLF CANADA)–Development Squad member Mark Valliere, 18, of Courtenay, B.C., and National Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., both sit atop the leader board after day two of the CN Future Links Pacific Championship at the Crown Isle Golf Course in Courtenay, B.C.

Mark Valliere after posting a 36-hole total of 136 at CN Future Links Pacific

A member of Team Canada’s Development Squad, Valliere, 18, of Courtenay, B.C., had a superb round shooting 5-under-par 67 to overtake the lead previously held by teammate Kevin Kwon, 18, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., who shot a 1-under-par 71, and now sits at 8-under-par 136 for the tournament. Valliere had six birdies and 1 bogey on Saturday. Kwon now sits in second place at 7-under-par 137 after two days. Fellow teammate Hugo Bernard, 18, of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., sits in third after posting a second round 2-under-par 70 and now has a two-day score of 4-under-par 140.

Nanaimo B.C., native, Zach Anderson, 16, the 2012 CN Future Links Pacific champion, posted a 3-over-par 75 in day two and now sits in 25th with an overall score of 4-over-par 148 for the tournament..

On the junior girls side, 15-year-old Brooke Henderson, of Smiths Falls, Ont., holds on to her one shot lead after a second round 5-under-par 67 that included six birdies and one bogey. She now sits at 7-under-par with a two day shot total of 137. Henderson, a Team Canada National Squad member, is the reigning 2012 Royale Cup Junior Girls Champion and finished third at this event last season.

Brooke Henderson and Jisoo Keel practice putting together following their second rounds at CN Future Links Pacific

Team Canada’s Jisoo Keel, 17, of Coquitlam, B.C., equalled Brooke’s performance with a 5-under-par 67 of her own to remain one shot behind her Team Canada teammate at 6-under-par 136. In 2012, Keel captured the CN Women’s Tour B.C. stop, a professional event as an amateur.

Development Squad member Naomi Ko, 15, of Victoria, B.C., had a solid second round shooting 1-over-par 73 and now sits tied for third alongside Madison Easterbrook, 17, of Burlington, Ont., who shot a 1-under-par 71. Team Canada member Kathy Lim, 15, of Langley, B.C., shot a second round seven-over-par 79 to sit in a tie for ninth alongside teammate Valérie Tanguay, 17, of St-Hyacinthe, Que., who shot 6-over-par 72 in day two. Taylor Kim, 18, of Surrey B.C., shot a 7-over-par 79 and is now tied for 12th.

Starting time, post-round results and a full field list are available online here

Round One Recap

Courtenay, British Columbia (GOLF CANADA)–Kevin Kwon of Pitt Meadows, B.C., and Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., both fired under-par rounds to sit atop the leaderboard after day one of the CN Future Links Pacific Championship at the Crown Isle Golf Course in Courtenay, B.C.

Kevin Kwon fires a 6-under-par 66 to take first round lead

A member of Team Canada’s Development Squad, Kwon, 18, had seven birdies on his card during his opening round 6-under-par 66. He currently leads by two over Logan Yanick, 16, of Courtenay, B.C who carded a bogey-free round of 68. Development Squad members Mark Valliere, 18, of Courtenay, B.C., and Hugo Bernard, 18, of Mont-St-Hilaire, Que., sit third and tied for fourth respectively after posting rounds of 69 and 70.

Nanaimo B.C., native, Zach Anderson, 16, the 2012 CN Future Links Pacific champion, posted a 1-over-par 73 and currently sits in a tie for 18th.

On the junior girls side, 15-year-old Brooke Henderson, of Smiths Falls, Ont., leads by one after an opening round 2-under-par 70 that included four birdies and two bogeys. Henderson, a Team Canada National Squad member, is the reigning 2012 Royale Cup Junior Girls Champion and finished third at this event last season.

Jisoo Keel sits a single stroke back from lead after round one at CN Future Links Pacific

Team Canada’s Jisoo Keel, 17, of Coquitlam, B.C., posted a 1-under-par 71 to sit closely behind Henderson in second. In 2012, Keel captured the CN Women’s Tour B.C. stop, a professional event as an amateur.

Development Squad member Kathy Lim, 15, of Langley, B.C., opened with a 1-over-par 71 to sit in solo third one stroke ahead of teammates, Taylor Kim, 18, of Surrey B.C., and Valérie Tanguay, 17, of St-Hyacinthe, Que., who both fired 2-over-par rounds of 74. Naomi Ko, 15, of Victoria, B.C., is currently tied for sixth alongside Surrey, B.C., native Jamie Oleksiew, 18, at 3-over-par.

Starting time, post-round results and a full field list are available online here

Preview

Canada’s top junior golfers headed to Courtenay, B.C., May 9-12

Courtenay, B.C. (Golf Canada) – The Crown Isle Resort in Courtenay, B.C., will play host to the first of six CN Future Links Championship events in 2013 – the CN Future Links Pacific Championship – which will be held May 9-12, with a practice round being staged on Thursday, May 9.

The 54-hole stroke play championship will feature the country’s top junior golfers aged 11-18. Players will vie for titles in a Junior Boys and Junior Girls division, respectively.

“Golf Canada is excited to host the CN Future Links Pacific Championship at the Crown Isle Resort,” said Golf Canada tournament director Madeline Small. “This event boasts an extremely strong field this year and it will surely showcase plenty of Canada’s top junior talent.”

Crown Isle Resort in Courtenay, British Columbia is the 2013 CN Future Links Pacific Host Venue (Photo courtesy of Crown Isle)

The Crown Isle Resort previously played host to the 2008 CN Future Links Pacific Championship as well as the 2000 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The club has hosted other notable events such as the Canadian Tour Crown Island Open and the BCPGA Championships in 2009 and 2012.

“We take pride in our club and we are excited to host juniors and their parents who wouldn’t otherwise visit Crown Isle,” said Rod Prieto, the Director of Golf at Crown Isle. “Our local community is looking forward to hosting the CN Future Links Pacific Championship and are very supportive of local events, as many like to be involved either as spectators or volunteers.”

The top six competitors in the Junior Boys division of each CN Future Links Championship will earn exemptions into the 2013 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, which will be contested July 29 – August 2 at the Timberwolf Golf Club in Garson, Ont., while the Junior Girls champion from each CN Future Links Championship will earn an exemption into the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship which runs July 29 – August 2 at the Cherry Downs Golf and Country Club in Pickering, Ont.

In 2012, Nanaimo B.C.’s Zach Anderson captured the Junior Boys title at the CN Future Links Pacific Championship at the Morningstar Golf Club in Parksville, B.C. Anderson returns this year to defend his title, while 2012 Junior Girls champion, Anna Kim of Toronto is absent from the field.

Team Canada’s Development Squad will be well represented at Crown Isle in both the Junior Boys and Junior Girls divisions.

Kevin Kwon, 18, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., the runner-up at the 2012 Canadian Junior Boys Championship will play alongside Development Squad teammates Mark Valliere, 18, of Courtenay B.C., and Hugo Bernard, 18, of Mont-St.-Hilaire, Que., who finished fourth and sixth respectively at the 2012 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. Also joining will be Matt Williams, 17, of Calgary, the 2012 CN Future Links Ont., champion and Matt Scobie, 18, of Ajax, Ont., a semi-finalist at the 2012 USGA Junior Amateur Championship.

On the girls’ side, two Team Canada National Squad members headline the field. Brooke Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont., the reigning Royale Cup Junior Girls and CN Women’s Tour Que., champion, will play alongside Jisoo Keel, 17, of Coquitlam, B.C., the winner of the 2012 CN Women’s Tour B.C. stop.

Team Canada Development Squad members Taylor Kim, 18, of Surrey, B.C., who finished fourth at the 2012 Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship and Naomi Ko, 15, of Victoria, B.C., the runner-up at the 2012 CN Future Links Pacific Championship will join Valérie Tanguay, 17, the 2012 Québec Junior Girls Champion from St. Hyacinthe, Que., and Kathy Lim, 15, of Langley, B.C.

The CN Future Links Junior Golf Championships are part of CN’s ongoing partnership with Golf Canada and their commitment to junior golf. Focused on supporting safe and fun activities that have a positive impact on children’s health and well being, CN’s investment into CN Future Links is helping to increase grassroots junior golf participation in communities across Canada.

The 2013 CN Future Links tournament schedule also includes the CN Future Links Ontario Championship (May 23-26 at Listowel Golf Club in Listowel, Ont.), the CN Future Links Prairie Championship (June 6-9 at Elmwood Golf and Country Club in Swift Current, Sask.), the CN Future Links Quebec Championship (July 8-11 at Club de golf Royal Estrie in Asbestos, Qué.), the CN Future Links Western Championship (July 8-11 at Wolf Creek Golf Course in Ponoka, Alta.) and the CN Future Links Atlantic Championship (July 15-18 at Antigonish Golf and Country Club in Antigonish, N.S.).

For more information on the 2013 CN Future Links Pacific Championship, including starting times, post-round results and a full field list visit here

British Columbia Golf/Golf Canada members can now post scores quickly and conveniently from their mobile devices.

British Columbia Golf’s/Golf Canada’s new Score Centre Mobile App, developed by Golf Canada in partnership with GolfNet for use by its provincial association members, provides more than 55,000 British Columbia Golf members the option to post and track their scores on the go.

Over seven million scores were posted across Canada last season and with the new app, British Columbians can continue post scores from their online profiles or from the kiosk at their local club. The SCAN-dicap feature on all British Columbia Golf/Golf Canada membership cards will also continue to allow users to access their handicap factors from any smartphone with a barcode scanner.

To download the app, click here (iPhone) or search “British Columbia Golf” in the App Store/Play Store

Eighteen teams automatically qualified for the 19th annual championship after winning a team title in one of the NAIA’s conference, independent or unaffiliated group tournaments, while nine individual qualifiers help make up the 144-player field.

The Vikes women finished third at the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) conference championship after carding a team score of 615. Veterans Megan Woodland and Brynn Tomie led the charge, as the pair tied for ninth place with a two-round score of 149. The UBC Thunderbirds dominated the conference championship, sweeping the standings with a team score of 576 to earn the A.I.I.’s lone automatic berth to nationals.

Joining the Vikes and Birds from the A.I.I. will also be California State-San Marcos, who qualified for the No. 2 at-large berth.

Woodland and Tomie will not be alone in Nebraska, as the rest of the Vikes contingent is made up of Michaela Misener, Michaela Abey and Emily Nicol. Misener finished 14th at the regional championship, while Abey and Nicol finished tied for 17th and 19th, respectively.

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In 2012, the UBC Thunderbirds defeated SCAD Savannah by two strokes to win the national title, while Woodland was the individual champion after a three-round score of 73-70-76. SCAD Savannah returns to the tournament after earning a ticket via their win at the Sun Conference Tournament. They have also been the top-ranked team for the NAIA golf coaches’ polls for the past four polls.

Name: Christina Proteau

How old are you: 30

What is your hometown: Port Alberni, British Columbia

What is your home golf club: Port Alberni Golf Club

Which way do you swing the golf club: Right

Christina Proteau at the 8th Annual PNGA Cup Matches in Boise, Idaho

How many years have you been playing: 24

After all of these years playing, what remains your favourite shot to hit: Anything out of the trees where I have a chance to get on the green…

What is your lowest score ever: 66

What is your highest score ever: Not important enough to remember!

How are you preparing for the season: Mental and physical training, short game practice, and focusing on relishing future pressure situations to come

What are your goals for 2013: Relish the pressure, stay committed to my process plan and pre-shot routine, and walk with a quiet confidence on and off the golf course

How many wins have you had in your career: 5 provincial and 5 national, along with a number of local events

How many PNGA Cup matches have you played in representing British Columbia: 5th year of matches (2009-2013)

What were your thoughts going into this years event: They were all very positive looking at the potential strength of the team

Christina Proteau poses before her PNGA Cup matches at Gorge Vale in May 2012.

Strengths of your team, can you elaborate: We had really experienced players across the board in every category

How might you have changed your mentality going into a team event versus an individual event? Did any changes work: Not really – I tried to be a supportive teammate but also focused on making sure my game was ready so I could do my part for the team – taking care of your own business first for the team

Obviously this strategy was successful as your pulled off a comeback for the win. What activities did you do as a team to help bond during the matches: I thought we had a fun practice round, kept things light, and I played in advance on the island with my partner Shelly to prepare.

What were your favourite aspects of the PNGA Cup matches this year: The great competition during the day and the collegial atmosphere after the rounds with our competitors

What was your most difficult hurdle to overcome at the PNGA’s: Stress of the playoff…things were a little tight ! (Christina halved both of her playoff holes to help the team to victory)

What other events are you planning on playing in this year: US Open qualifier, BC’s/US Open, PNGA Am, Canadians, US Mid-Am, maybe US Am, and a number of local events

Is there added pressure being a defending Canadian Mid-Amateur champ: No, it makes it more fun actually

The victorious PNGA Cup Team from British Columbia with Barry Petrochenko (Non-Playing Captain) and Kris Jonasson (Executive Director)

Switching gears a bit, how do you juggle working for a living and playing competitive golf: It would not be possible without support from my husband, family, friends and coworkers…and being organized at home and in the office to the best of my ability.

What message do you have for younger girls leaving college looking to continue playing golf competitively: Make sure you want to do it for yourself, because its a ton of work and a grind – have a backup plan to take the pressure off playing professionally but when you do go for it, surround yourself with people who love you no matter what you shoot, and give it your all…

If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be: An eagle

205 carry, over water and you are up by one with one hole to go. The player chasing you is 10 feet for birdie. Go for it or lay up: GO FOR IT!

Somewhat of a redundant question but are you glass half full or half empty: Half full indeed!

Washington State Golf Association and British Columbia Golf needed two playoff holes to decide the overall winner

Richmond, British Columbia (BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF)- After heading into the final-day singles matches 1.5 points back from the Washington State Golf Association (WSGA), British Columbia Golf stormed back to capture the 8th Annual PNGA Cup matches at Crane Creek Country Club in Boise, Idaho.

The 12-player team representing British Columbia, consisting of four women and eight men, trailed a day-one momentum charged WSGA team by a match and a half to start the day. All four teams were close in total points, promising an entertaining finish for those in attendance.

All team members were in action for singles matches with early, convincing points being put-on-the-board by two senior men in Vancouver’s Doug Roxburgh and Nanaimo’s Sandy Harper. Roxburgh easily handled Paul Lodge of the Idaho Golf Association (IGA) by winning 6&5 while Harper won 8&7 over Chuck Conn of Idaho.

Continuing to chip away at the lead created by the WSGA was Port Alberni’s Christina Proteau, Nanoose Bay’s Shelly Stouffer, and Victoria’s Kevin Carrigan, Alison Murdoch and Craig Doell. All five players took whole points off their competitors, highlighted by convincing 4&3 wins by Proteau and Doell.

Capturing what turned out to be the competition-tying point and a half were Penticton’s Cory Hilditch and Greg Koster of Courtenay. Hilditch won a nail-biter 2&1 over Oregon Golf Association’s Daniel Cheremnov while Koster halved his match with Idaho’s Todd Points.

As a result of fine individual match play, British Columbia and Washington would finish tied with a total of 14 points, with Oregon narrowly missing out on what could have been a three-way playoff, by a single point. Idaho would finish with 7 points.

The playoffs would consist of five members from both British Columbia and Washington with each age and gender category being represented. Getting the call to bring home the cup for British Columbia were Carrigan, Proteau, Doell, Harper and Murdoch.

The victorious PNGA Cup Team from British Columbia with Barry Petrochenko (Non-Playing Captain) and Kris Jonasson (Executive Director) (Photo credit: The PNGA)

Playing the par-4 10th hole, Proteau, Doell and Harper would halve their matches with an offsetting win and loss from Carrigan and Murdoch, pushing the sudden-death playoff to a second hole. With nerves mounting, British Columbia would head to the par-4 18th hole and decisively claim the victory.

Murdoch redeemed herself by winning the hole over Lisa Smego, followed by Proteau with a half point. Doell and Harper would each claim a point with Carrigan taking another half, bringing the total to 4 points to 1 point in favour of British Columbia.

This is the second PNGA Cup for British Columbia with their last win coming at the very same Crane Creek Country Club in 2009. This marks the first time in 3 years that the PNGA Cup was not captured by the Oregon Golf Association.

To tweet a congratulations to Team British Columbia Golf, tweet to @bc_golfer using #PNGACup

For full detailed results from day one and two, please click here

Day One Recap

Strong start in morning four-ball matches gave British Columbia one point advantage heading into afternoon foursome matches; Only 1.5 more points gained to close out day one 

Boise, Idaho (BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF)- The 12-player team representing British Columbia Golf at the 8th Annual PNGA Cup at Crane Creek Country Club in Boise, Idaho sits 1.5 points back of the leading Washington State Golf Association (WSGA) team heading into the final day singles matches.

British Columbia Golf got off to a hot start in the morning four-ball matches, getting points from Greg Koster of Courtenay and Victoria’s Craig Doell with a 4&3 victory over David Jacobsen and Steve Robinson of the Oregon Golf Association (OGA). Another pair of islanders in Port Alberni’s Christina Proteau and Nanoose Bay’s Shelly Stouffer put a point on the board by winning 1UP over Idaho Golf Association’s (IGA) Abby Black and Sheryl Scott. Proteau was able to birdie the final hole to create the winning margin.

Not to be outdone were Holly Horwood of Vancouver and Alison Murdoch of Victoria who easily handled the IGA-tandem of Shawna Ianson and Kareen Markle, winning 3&2. The final point of the morning would come from Penticton’s Cory Hilditch and Chris Moore of Vancouver who matched the Horwood/Murdoch margin of victory by winning 3&2 over Sean Packer and Steve Rude of the WSGA.

Chris Moore on Day One at the 8th Annual PNGA Cup (Photo courtesy of the PNGA)

The match of the morning according to British Columbia Golf Executive Director Kris Jonasson was Nanaimo’s Sandy Harper and Vancouver’s Doug Roxburgh. Albeit in a losing effort, Harper and Roxburgh battled neck-and-neck with the OGA’s Patrick O’Donnell and Bryon Patton, trading eagles on the 13th hole and a number of birdies throughout the round, only to eventually lose 2UP.

With a one-point lead over Oregon heading into the afternoon foursome matches, British Columbia Golf looked poised to sustain their momentum and create a sizeable lead going into the final day. Unfortunately, the contingent from the WSGA had other plans for the four-association two-day team event.

Washington was able to march back from a 2.5 point morning total to gain an additional 4.5 points in the afternoon, bringing their team total to 7. British Columbia on the other hand, was only able to muster another one-and-a-half points, coming from a 1UP win by Harper and Roxburgh over Bob Christensen and Doug Potter of Washington and a halved point from Proteau and Stouffer in their match against Rosie Cook and Brie Stone of Oregon.

After day one, British Columbia Golf is well within reach of dethroning Oregon Golf Association as the reigning PNGA Cup champions but they will have to cool off the WSGA. With the 7 point total for the WSGA, British Columbia and Idaho trail by 1.5 points and Oregon by only a single point.

Singles matches begin tomorrow with the eventual champion being determined by the team with the most overall points following all matches.

Full detailed results from day one can be found here

Preview

12 team members set to bring title north of the border

Richmond, British Columbia (BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF)- A 12-player team representing British Columbia Golf is heading to Boise, Idaho to compete in the 8th Annual PNGA Cup at Crane Creek Country Club from May 1-3.

Representing British Columbia Golf based on 2012 Titleist Order of Merit standings are Men’s Mid-Amateur representatives Kevin Carrigan of Victoria, Travis Eggers of Fort St. John, Vancouver’s Chris Moore and Penticton’s Cory Hilditch. Carrigan is the reigning British Columbia and Canadian Mid-Amateur champion while Eggers captured the 2012 Zone 8 individual championship.

The Men’s Master-40 selections for team British Columbia Golf are 2012 British Columbia Master-40 champion Greg Koster of Courtenay and Zone 5 champion Craig Doell of Victoria. Rounding out the male representation is 2012 British Columbia Senior Men’s champion Sandy Harper of Nanaimo and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Doug Roxburgh of Vancouver.

On the Women’s side, 2012 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Christina Proteau of Port Alberni and reigning PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Shelly Stouffer of Nanoose Bay will act as Mid-Amateur representatives while PNGA Hall of Fame member Alison Murdoch of Victoria and last years’ PNGA Senior Women’s champion Holly Horwood of Vancouver will round out the team of 12 as Senior Women’s representatives.

Created in 2006 by PNGA President Dr. Jack Lamey as a way of furthering friendship and partnership between the regions’ allied associations, the PNGA Cup pits top amateur players from British Columbia, Oregon, Washington and Idaho in a Ryder Cup-style format of team competition.

Each team will compete over the three days in four-ball and foursome matches with the eventual winner being decided by total team points. With each team member playing three matches, the championship will allow each competitor to play a member from each participating association.

The Oregon Golf Association is attempting to win its fourth consecutive PNGA Cup, having captured last years’ title when it was hosted by Gorge Vale Golf Club in Victoria, British Columbia.

Results of the 8th PNGA Cup will be available daily from www.thepnga.org

Saavedra won the individual title after shooting a 1-over par 73 Tuesday, for a two-day total of 152. For her efforts, Saavedra was named the MCAC Player of the Year.

Natalia Soria, the MCAC Newcomer of the Year, finished in second place overall with a two-day total of 154. She also fired a round of 73 today.

Christina VonRiesen tied  for third place with scores of 81 and 74 while Renee Santoyo recorded rounds of 80 and 77, respectively.

Other Bruin golfers included Izzy Hernandez of Richmond, British Columbia (80-81–161), Taylor Byers(83-80–163) and Jayme Harmelink (86-91–177). Byers and Harmelink both played as individuals as all seven BU golfers finished in the top 10.

Bellevue women’s golf coach Shelly Liddick was also named the MCAC Coach of the Year for the second-straight year.

The Bruins will await their postseason fate as qualifiers for the NAIA National Championship will be announced later this week.

**with files and photo from Bellevue University Athletics**

“I’m so happy we pulled off the win,” said Reagan Wilson, a sophormore from Calgary, Alberta. “This is the best we have played as a team not only this year, but in the last couple of years. To break 290 for a second straight day is pretty amazing.”

“They wanted this so bad,” said assistant coach Keri Moffat. “You obviously want to win, but never come in thinking you are going to win by 13 strokes. We felt a little bit like the underdog coming in, because of the way Cal.State-San Marcos had been playing, but Chris MacDonald (head coach) put in an awesome practice plan over the last three weeks and the girls just executed.”

Reagan Wilson, who led after the first round thanks to a sparkling four under 68, was the only golfer to shoot under par for the two round event, carding a one under 71 on Tuesday to win the individual title by six strokes. She finished at five under par.

“This is the best i’ve played in a couple of years and it feels pretty good,” said Wilson. “Today was pretty hard though, especially when you are trying to follow up your personal best score. Nothing came ease, but I was able to make pars and grind it out when I need to.”

Haley Cameron, a senior from Kelowna, British Columbia, came in second place overall after an one under 71 on Tuesday, finishing one over for the two day event.

Edmonton, Alberta’s Kylie Barros, who has been apart of all three AII Conference Championship teams also fired a 71 in the final round to finish at three over for the event.

Richmond’s Stephanie Wong, a member at Quilchena G&CC, was sitting in second place heading into the day, but a tough back nine on Tuesday saw her card a round of 76 and tied for fourth overall.

Casara Hong of Calgary, Alberta rounded out the group, shooting a six over 78 on Tuesday. She finished alone in 12th place at eight over par.

With the win, the Thunderbirds earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships, May 21-24 in Lincoln, Nebraska. UBC are the defending champs, but have no experience on the course they will be playing.

“This was one of the best events I have seen from this group and hopefully we can carry the momentum all the way to NAIA’s in Nebraska,” said Moffat.

The ceremony took place on Friday April 26th at the storied Seattle Golf Club in Seattle, WA.

Murdoch, who is scheduled to be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame on August 2nd at her home club, was one of five inductees in the joint PNGA/Pacific Northwest Section PGA ceremony.

Murdoch has amassed impressive career highlights, including four Canadian Senior Women’s titles, a British Senior Women’s amateur championship and four Irish Senior Women’s Opens. Alison has also captured the PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur title as well as the PNGA Senior Women’s crown on two occasions. In 2012, Murdoch won the British Columbia Super Senior Women’s and the Alberta Ladies Senior.

The four other inductees to the PNGA Hall of Fame were Bill Wright, Bruce Richards, Jeff Coston and Mike Dowaliby.

To view all photos from the event, please click here

For more information on the event, please click here