A quick catch-up on a number of events and happenings that took place over the past weekend.
Kurtis Barkley finishes 2nd in Australia
Chesterville, Ontario’s Kurtis Barkley continues to prove his game at a global level. The three-time defending Canadian All-Abilities Golf Champion followed up his tie for 2nd in Dubai at the G4D Tour Finale with another impressive showing. This one came in Australia were he was the leader after 36 holes at the Australian All-Abilities Championship but was derailed by a gusty final round at famed Victoria Golf Club and ultimately second with a second place finish to the #1 ranked player in the world, Kipp Popert.
Maddie Szeryk Advances at LPGA Q-Series
Maddie Szeryk (London, On and Allen, Texas) earned a tied for 6th place in the first of two, four-round events that make up the LPGA Q-Series. Szeryk posted rounds of 71, 64, 67, and 72 (-12) in Mobile, Alabama and will head into the second half of the 144-hole cumulative tournament in a nice spot.
At the end of play this coming week in Dothan, Alabama, the top-45 and ties with the best cumulative scores over two weeks of competition will receive LPGA Tour status for 2023.
Players finishing in the top-20 and ties will earn category 14 status, while those from 21-45 will earn category 15 status and category C Epson Tour status. Those who finish outside the top 45 but compete in all rounds of the tournament will receive Epson Tour status for 2023.
Unfortunately fellow Canadian Selena Costabile did not finish in the top 70 in Mobile (she missed by a single shot) and will not advance to Dothan.
Celtic Golf Centre Hosts Grand Opening
The Celtic Golf Centre in Kemptville, Ontario held their Grand Opening on Saturday night. It was quite a success for proprietor Anndy McWilliams with a nice turnout at the simulated golf and training centre that feature five bays all equipped with TrackMan systems. The bays are accented by a nice bar area, The Wee Dap. The event also acted as a fundraiser for Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue (OSCatR), an organization dear to McWilliams and his wife, Cindy McKinley. A closest to the pin contest was running throughout the event, with proceeds marked for the charity.
The new indoor golf centre was hopping all evening long as community members came from as far as Orleans and Kingston to check out the new amenities.
Creighton is Low Canadian at Argentine Open
Digby, Nova Scotia’s Myles Creighton has quite a weekend in Argentina. Creighton, who was the top Canadian last year on the PGATOUR Latinoamerica continued the fine form with his play at the 116 VISA Argentine Open. The tournament is the first of the season for the circuit and Creighton, 27, started the week with rounds of 74 and 70 to barely get into the weekend of play. He shot up the leaderboard on Saturday with a score of 67 and gained another 15 spots on Sunday with a round of 65. That gave him a tie for 3rd place at the end of 72 holes and a nice start to the campaign.
Two other Canadians also made the cut, Max Sekulic of Alberta and Calvin Ross of New Brunswick. They both were part of a share of 41st place at -1 overall.
Cockerill Tames The Beast In South Africa
After a solid year on the DP World Tour Manitoba’s Aaron Cockerill has his first cut made of the new season. Cockerill earned a t-35 at the Investec South African Open Championship in Johannesburg. He posted -5 total this week on the beastly 8161-yard Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate.
