Canadian Amateur Championship

The Canadian Amateur Championship, begun in 1895, is the men's amateur golf championship of Canada. It is staged annually by Golf Canada. It was played at match play until 1968, went to stroke play beginning in 1969, and reverted to match play in 1995.[1] It then returned to stroke play in 2008.

Founding and early years

The Royal Canadian Golf Association was founded in June 1895, at a meeting held in Ottawa by ten charter member clubs, hosted by the Ottawa Golf Club (later the Royal Ottawa Golf Club), and the new organization was granted the prefix 'Royal' in 1896. In conjunction with the meeting, the first men's amateur championship was staged, at match play, with the Governor General, Lord Aberdeen, donating a trophy, the Aberdeen Cup, to the champion. Thomas Harley of Kingston, Ontario won the first championship.[1]

This makes the Canadian Amateur slightly older than the U.S. Amateur, which was first staged later in 1895, and hence the third oldest national amateur championship in the world, after the British Amateur Championship, which began in 1885, and the Australian Amateur in 1894.

The Aberdeen Cup was granted in perpetuity to George Lyon, after he won three straight titles from 1905 to 1907. The original cup was retained by Lyon, but was eventually lost. A new trophy was then provided, the Earl Grey Cup. Lyon would win a total of eight Canadian titles, which is still a record,[1] and he also won the gold medal at golf in the 1904 St. Louis Olympics.

The tournament was held annually until 1914 inclusive, but then was cancelled from 1915 to 1918 because of World War I. It resumed in 1919, and then was staged annually until 1939 inclusive, being cancelled again from 1940 to 1945 because of World War II. It has been held annually since 1946.[1]

Willingdon Cup

In 1927, the interprovincial team matches, which had begun in 1882, and held 27 times until 1921, between teams from Ontario and Quebec, but then dropped,[2] were resumed with the start of the Willingdon Cup competition, playing for a cup donated by the Governor General, Lord Willingdon. The Willingdon Cup features teams of four top players from each province, and is held on the first two days of the Canadian Amateur, which are also the qualifying days for the balance of the tournament. The Willingdon Cup was also not played from 1940-45.[1]

Rotation around country

The Canadian Amateur stayed in Ontario and Quebec until 1921, when it went to Manitoba. It went to Alberta for the first time in 1929, to British Columbia for the first time in 1932, to Atlantic Canada for the first time in 1949, and to Saskatchewan for the first time in 1950.[3] Since then, it has rotated around the country's top courses, with the current format allowing each of the six major golf regions (Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia) to have its turn on approximately a six-year cycle. Among Canada's ten provinces, only Newfoundland and Labrador has yet to host it.

Dominant players

The Canadian Amateur was dominated in the 1920s and 1930s by Ross Somerville, who won six titles, finished runner-up four times, and had several more near-misses. Moe Norman won back-to-back titles in 1955 and 1956. Nick Weslock waited until age 40 to win the first of his four titles in 1957. Although Gary Cowan was consistently the best Canadian amateur from the late 1950s into the mid-1970s, he managed to win only one Canadian title, in 1961, but lost in the finals four more times, as well as finishing runner-up twice in stroke play. Doug Roxburgh won his first of four crowns in 1972. Jim Nelford won two in a row from 1975–1976, then narrowly missed a third in 1977, when he lost to Rod Spittle, who won two in a row. Brent Franklin won three in a row from 1985–1987, a feat not seen since Lyon did it some eighty years earlier.[1] Richard Scott won the Canadian title in three years out of four from 2003 to 2006. Cam Burke won two straight from 2008 to 2009.[4]

From the late 1920s into the 1970s, the Canadian Amateur often attracted many of the top American amateurs, several of whom carried the trophy south, including Dick Chapman, Frank Stranahan, Don Cherry, Harvie Ward, Allen Miller, Dick Siderowf, and George Burns. Other leading Americans who competed but fell short include William C. Campbell, Jay Sigel, and Nathaniel Crosby. The Canadian title has also been won by South African Reg Taylor (1962), New Zealanders Stuart Jones (1967) and Gareth Paddison (2001), Mexican Rafael Alarcon (1979), and Australian Gary Simpson (1993).

To date, four players have won both the U.S. Amateur and Canadian Amateur titles: Ross Somerville, Dick Chapman, Harvie Ward, and Gary Cowan. Chapman and Ward also won The Amateur Championship of Great Britain, a title which no Canadian has yet taken.

Winners who won PGA Tour events

To date, eleven players who won the Canadian Amateur have also won events on the PGA Tour. These eleven (in chronological order of their Canadian Amateur wins) are: Fred Haas, Ken Black, Frank Stranahan, Bunky Henry, Allen Miller, George Burns (golfer), Richard Zokol, Garrett Willis, Dillard Pruitt, Nick Taylor, and Mackenzie Hughes.

Rod Spittle, Canadian Amateur champion in 1977 and 1978, later won an event on the Champions Tour, the 2010 AT&T Championship in San Antonio.

Most championships hosted

The Toronto Golf Club (1898, 1901, 1903, 1905, 1909, 1913, 1926, 1995, and 2017) and the Royal Ottawa Golf Club (1895, 1899, 1906, 1911, 1914, 1925, 1951, 1991, and 2016) have each hosted nine. Next are Royal Montreal Golf Club with seven (1897, 1900, 1902, 1904, 1908, 1912, and 1931) and Hamilton Golf and Country Club with six (1922, 1927, 1935, 1948, 1977, and 1994).

Winners
YearVenueWinnerCountryScoreRunner-up
2020Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic[5]
2019Glen Arbour Golf Club, NSWilliam Buhl Norway273 Calvin McCoy 281
2018Duncan Meadows, BCZach Bauchou United States266 Philip Knowles 269
2017Toronto Golf Club & Islington Golf Club, ONTZach Bauchou United States272 Shintaro Ban 273
2016Royal Ottawa Golf Club, QUEHugo Bernard Canada271 Andy Zhang 273
2015Weston Golf and Country Club, ONTBilly Kennerly United States275 Hugo Bernard 281
Garrett Rank 281
Jake Shuman 281
2014Elmhurst Golf Club, MANJames Beale New Zealand276 Jonathan Garrick 276
Taylor Pendrith 276
2013Royal Colwood Golf Club, BCEli Cole United States276 Corey Conners 277
Taylor Pendrith 277
2012Camelot Golf Club, ONTMackenzie Hughes Canada276 Brian Churchill-Smith 277
Chris Hemmerich 277
2011Niakwa Country Club, MANMackenzie Hughes Canada274 Albin Choi 276
2010London Hunt Club & Redtail G&CC, ONTAlbin Choi Canada271 Eugene Wong 274
2009Club de golf Le Blainvillier, QUECam Burke Canada275 Mitch Sutton 276
2008Paradise Canyon Golf & Country Club, ALTACam Burke Canada274 Scott Stiles 278
Eugene Wong 278
2007Riverside, SASKNick Taylor Canada38 holes Michael Knight
2006Mississaugua Golf & Country Club, ONTRichard Scott Canada2 & 1 Todd Halpen
2005Bell Bay Golf Club, Baddeck, NSRichard Scott Canada10 & 8 Jay Snyder
2004Beaconsfield GC, QUEDarren Wallace Canada5 & 3 Marc Bourgeois
2003Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, BCRichard Scott Canada4 & 3 Chris Baryla
2002Fraser Edmundston Golf Club, NBDillard Pruitt United States6 & 5 Michael Mezei
2001Credit Valley G&CC, ONTGareth Paddison New Zealand8 & 7 Graham Cooke
2000Glendale G&CC, ALTAHan Lee United States5 & 3 Blair Buttar
1999Rivershore Estates & Golf Links, BCHan Lee United States1 up Wes Heffernan
1998Hillsdale G&CC, QUECraig Matthew Canada2 & 1 Steven Davies
1997The Links at Crowbush Cove, PEIDale Goehring Canada1 up David Anthony
1996Glendale G&CC, MANRob McMillan Canada4 & 3 Craig Matthew
1995Toronto Golf Club, ONTGarrett Willis United States3 & 2 Stu Hamilton
1994Hamilton Golf and Country Club, ONTWarren Sye Canada280(P) Bryan DeCorso 280
1993Victoria Golf Club, BCGary Simpson Australia281 Stu Hamilton 282
1992Riverside CC, NBDarren Ritchie Canada282 Mike Weir 284
1991Royal Ottawa Golf Club, QUEJeff Kraemer Canada283 Rob Anderson 285
Steven Davies 285
Mike Weir 285
1990Weston Golf and Country Club, ONTWarren Sye Canada281 Jeff Cannon 283
Arden Knoll 283
1989Oakfield G&CC, NSPeter Major Canada279 Harvey Ellsworth 285
1988Gallaghers Canyon, BCDoug Roxburgh Canada285 Orrin Vincent 288
1987Derrick, ABBrent Franklin Canada283 David Ecob 285
1986Mactaquac, NBBrent Franklin Canada286 Jack Kay, Jr. 287
1985Riverside, SASKBrent Franklin Canada283(P) Stu Hamilton 283
1984Sunningdale CC, ONTBill Swartz Canada285 Danny Mijovic 287
1983Capilano, BCDanny Mijovic Canada277 Jay Sigel 284
1982Kaniwaki, QUEDoug Roxburgh Canada287(P) Brian Christie, Jr. 287
Stu Hamilton 287
1981Calgary G&CC, ALTARichard Zokol Canada271(P) Blaine McCallister 271
1980Halifax GC (New), NSGreg Olson Canada290 Stu Hamilton 293
Steve Hayles 293
1979Brantford GC, ONTRafael Alarcon Mexico282 Graham Cooke 286
1978Laval-sur-le-Lac Club, QUERod Spittle Canada276 Gary Cowan 286
Bob Mase 286
1977Hamilton Golf and Country Club, ONTRod Spittle Canada279 Jim Nelford 281
1976Royal Colwood G&CC, BCJim Nelford Canada287(P) Rafael Alarcon 287
1975Riverside, NBJim Nelford Canada280 Doug Roxburgh 284
1974Niakwa Country Club, MANDoug Roxburgh Canada280 Gary Cowan 284
1973Summit, ONTGeorge Burns United States284 Richard Ehrmanntraut 285
Daniel O'Neill 285
1972Earl Grey, ALTADoug Roxburgh Canada276 Dave Barr 280
1971Oakfield G&CC, NSDick Siderowf United States293(P) Doug Roxburgh 293
1970Ottawa Hunt, ONTAllen Miller United States274 Stu Hamilton 284
Billy Kratzert 284
Dick Siderowf 284
Jim Simons 284
1969Westmount, ONTWayne MacDonald Canada284 Dick Siderowf 285
Leonard Thompson 285
1968Mayfair, ALTAJim Doyle Canada4 & 3 Gary Cowan
1967Royal Colwood, BCStuart Jones New Zealand3 & 2 Ross Murray
1966Summerlea, QUENick Weslock Canada1 up William Brew
1965Pine Ridge, MANBunky Henry United States1 up William C. Campbell
1964Riverside, SASKNick Weslock Canada1 up Gary Cowan
1963Riverside, NBNick Weslock Canada7 & 6 Bert Ticehurst
1962Sunningdale CC, ONTReg Taylor South Africa4 & 2 Tom Draper
1961Edmonton CC, ALTAGary Cowan Canada1 up Ted Homenuik
1960Ottawa Hunt, ONTKeith Alexander Canada4 & 3 Gary Cowan
1959Marine Drive, BCJohn Johnston Canada1 up Gary Cowan
1958Scarboro, ONTBruce Castator Canada1 up Eric Hanson
1957St. Charles Country Club, MANNick Weslock Canada9 & 8 Ted Homenuik
1956Fraser Edmundston Golf Club, NBMoe Norman Canada5 & 4 Jerry Magee
1955Calgary G&CC, ALTAMoe Norman Canada39 holes Lyle Crawford
1954London Hunt, ONTHarvie Ward United States5 & 4 William C. Campbell
1953Kaniwaki, QUEDon Cherry United States1 up Don Doe
1952Capilano, BCLarry Bouchery United States37 holes William C. Campbell
1951Royal Ottawa Golf Club, QUEWalter McElroy Canada2 & 1 Phil Farley
1950Saskatoon GC, SASKBill Mawhinney Canada6 & 4 Nick Weslock
1949Riverside, NBDick Chapman United States38 holes Phil Farley
1948Hamilton Golf and Country Club, ONTFrank Stranahan United States9 & 7 C.J. Stoddard
1947Royal-Quebec Golf Club, QUEFrank Stranahan United States6 & 5 Bill Ezinicki
1946Mayfair, ALTAHenry Martell Canada6 & 5 Ken Black
1940-45: No Championships due to World War II
1939Mount Bruno, QUEKen Black Canada8 & 6 Henry Martell
1938London Hunt Club, ONTTed Adams United States37 holes Ross Somerville
1937Ottawa Hunt, ONTRoss Somerville Canada2 & 1 Phil Farley
1936St. Charles Country Club, MANFred Haas United States8 & 7 Bobby Reith
1935Hamilton Golf and Country Club, ONTRoss Somerville Canada7 & 6 Gordon Taylor, Jr.
1934Laval-sur-le-Lac Club, QUEAlbert Campbell United States1 up Ross Somerville
1933Shaughnessy Heights, BCAlbert Campbell United States3 & 2 Ken Black
1932Lambton Golf Club, ONTGordon B. Taylor Canada5 & 3 Jack A. Cameron
1931Royal Montreal Golf Club, QUERoss Somerville Canada3 & 2 Arthur Yates
1930London Hunt Club, ONTRoss Somerville Canada11 & 10 J. Wood Platt
1929Jasper Park Golf Club, ALTAEddie Held United States3 & 2 Gardiner White
1928Summerlea, QUERoss Somerville Canada3 & 2 William K. Lanman, Jr.
1927Hamilton Golf and Country Club, ONTDonald Carrick Canada9 & 8 Frank Thompson
1926Toronto Golf Club, ONTRoss Somerville Canada4 & 3 C.C. Fraser
1925Royal Ottawa Golf Club, QUEDonald Carrick Canada5 & 4 Ross Somerville
1924Rosedale Golf Club, ONTFrank Thompson Canada3 & 1 Ross Somerville
1923Kaniwaki Golf Club, QUEW.J. Thompson Canada3 & 2 Redvers Mackenzie
1922Hamilton Golf and Country Club, ONTC.C. Fraser Canada37 holes Norman Scott
1921Winnipeg GC, MANFrank Thompson Canada38 holes C.W. Hague
1920Beaconsfield GC, QUEC.B. Grier Canada5 & 4 Tom Gillespie
1919Lambton Golf Club, ONTWilliam McLuckie Canada6 & 4 G.H. Turpin
1915-18: No Championships due to World War I
1914Royal Ottawa Golf ClubGeorge Lyon Canada8 & 7 Brice Evans
1913Toronto Golf Club, ONTG.H. Turpin Canada1 up Gerald Lees
1912Royal Montreal Golf Club, QUEGeorge Lyon Canada6 & 5 A. Hutcheson
1911Royal Ottawa Golf ClubG.H. Hutton Canada39 holes A.E. Austin
1910Lambton Golf Club, ONTFritz Martin Canada37 holes George Lyon
1909Toronto Golf Club, ONTE. Legge Canada1 up G.F. Moss
1908Royal Montreal Golf Club, QUEA. Wilson, Jr. Canada1 up Fritz Martin
1907Lambton Golf Club, ONTGeorge Lyon Canada3 & 2 Fritz Martin
1906Royal Ottawa Golf ClubGeorge Lyon Canada5 & 4 Douglas Laird
1905Toronto Golf Club, ONTGeorge Lyon Canada12 & 11 R.S. Strath
1904Royal Montreal Golf Club, QUEJ. Percy Taylor Canada5 & 3 George Lyon
1903Toronto Golf Club, ONTGeorge Lyon Canada10 & 8 M.C. Cameron
1902Royal Montreal Golf Club, QUEFritz Martin Canada1 up R.C.H Cassells
1901Toronto Golf Club, ONTW.A.H. Kerr Canada38 holes J. Percy Taylor
1900Royal Montreal Golf Club, QUEGeorge Lyon Canada38 holes Gordon W. McDougall
1899Royal Ottawa Golf ClubVere C. Brown Canada5 & 3 Stewart Gillespie
1898Toronto Golf Club, ONTGeorge Lyon Canada12 & 11 G.H.F. Pattison
1897Royal Montreal Golf Club, QUEW.A.H. Kerr Canada5 & 4 R.T. Henderson
1896Royal-Quebec Golf Club, QUEStewart Gillespie Canada4 & 3 W.A. Griffith
1895Royal Ottawa Golf ClubThomas Harley Canada7 & 5 A. Simpson
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References
  1. Golf in Canada: A History, by James A. Barclay, Toronto, McClelland and Stewart, 1992.
  2. History of Golf In Canada, by Lawrence Vincent Kavanagh, Don Mills, Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1973, p. 163.
  3. History of Golf in Canada, by Lawrence Vincent Kavanagh, Toronto, Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1973, pp.160-161.
  4. http://www.rcga.org, the Canadian Amateur results archive.
  5. "Golf Canada's 2020 National Amateur Championships cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic". Golf Canada. June 15, 2020.
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