Ladies’ GC of Toronto to Host DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada
The Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto has been pegged to host this year’s DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.
Taking place July 3-5 at the impressive Stanley Thompson-designed venue, the championship will feature a solid mix of LPGA Tour players, up-and-coming Canadian talent and a number of PGA of Canada members.
“The PGA of Canada is very excited to return to the Ladies' Golf Club of Toronto, past host of three DCM PGA Women’s Championships,” said PGA of Canada president Steve Wood. “Not only has this first-class facility shown tremendous support for this event over the years, they have also been a great proponent of the PGA of Canada as well.”
The Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto hosted the inaugural DCM PGA Women’s Championship in 1987, which was won by PGA of Canada Hall of Fame member Cathy Sherk. The club also hosted the event in 1999 (won by Lorie Kane) and for the third time in 2007 (won by Salimah Mussani).
Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto is North America’s only remaining private golf club established by women for women and was founded in 1924 by Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Ada Mackenzie. Designed by famed Canadian golf course architect Stanley Thompson, the course was officially opened for play in 1926.
“As North America’s only golf club created by women for women, we are thrilled to host the DCM PGA Women’s Championship,” said Ladies' Golf Club of Toronto PGA head professional Padraig Kelly. “We are so proud of our club and are excited to showcase it for this great championship. The golf course will be a great test and the membership is looking forward to watching the professionals take on their home course.”
The DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada was first played in 1987 and past champions include Sherk, Gail Graham, Nancy Harvey, Kane, Alena Sharp, Jessica Shepley, Brooke Henderson and last year’s winner Brittany Marchand.
“Once again DCM is delighted to sponsor the 2018 DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada,” said DCM president Greg Cochrane. “Our involvement and support of women's golf in Canada directly ties into our belief of giving back to our local communities across Canada and in the United States,” he said, adding, “providing women with the chance to compete at the highest level is inspiring for all of us at DCM.”
As if it were scripted, two best friends were part of a three-person playoff at last year’s DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada.
In the end, it was Brittany Marchand of Mono, Ont., outlasting her old pal Augusta James of Bath, Ont., rolling in a 25-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole at Scarboro Golf & Country Club.
“Some of the best Canadian golfers ever have won this championship before and it’s cool to have my name right there along with them too,” Marchand said after the win.
Marchand’s win at the DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada was her second major title of 2018, winning the Symetra Tour’s PHC Classic earlier in the summer.
The winner of this year's championship will earn an exemption into the CP Canadian Women's Open at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Aug. 20-26.
The PGA of America announced recently the formation of an international event, the Women’s PGA Cup – a first-of-its-kind team competition for Women PGA members from around the world.
The PGA of Canada is pleased to be taking part in this landmark event. The inaugural competition will be played October 21-26, 2019 in the United States.
The five members of the inaugural PGA of Canada team will be determined based on the performance of eligible finishers at the 2018 and 2019 DCM PGA Women’s Championship.
Those eligible to represent their country in the Women’s PGA Cup must be members in good standing with their respective Professional Golfers Association (PGA). They must also be active in the game, be it as a teacher, coach or working as club professional/assistant. Tour professionals who primarily compete for a living are not eligible to participate.
Admittance to the DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada is free and spectators are encouraged to attend the 36-hole championship play.
To follow the DCM PGA Women’s Championship of Canada online throughout tournament week, visit pgaofcanada.com, twitter.com/pgaofcanada, instagram.com/thepgaofcanada and facebook.com/pgaofcanada