Liam Courtney competes with a heavy heart while Adam Hadwin faces some long odds, writes John Grainger.
1Last week’s Q school wasn’t just your average golf tournament for Saskatoon’s Liam Courtney. With the Humboldt bus tragedy weighing on him, he decided to put his birdies to work for the people involved. While at Q school on Vancouver Island, Courtney fired 11 birdies and raised more than $4,500 for Humboldt. That was aided by contributions to Courtney’s initiative from others who were keenly watching Courtney’s Q school progress. It was a personal mission for Courtney; his sister was dating Jaxon Joseph, a Bronco who died in the crash.
2Bodog released its odds on who might win the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass this week. Canada’s Adam Hadwin is listed at 100-to-1 to win, slightly better odds than last year’s event winner, Si Woo Kim, who is listed at 101-to-1 to repeat. Hadwin is grouped with Americans Scott Piercy and Nick Watney. Other Canadians playing the Players — often referred to as the fifth major — include Mackenzie Hughes and Nick Taylor. The bigger question is, how many balls will end up in the water on the 17th hole. Canadian Stephen Ames won this tournament in 2006. He’s now enjoying success on the Champions Tour.
3The DeLaet Foundation announced this week that its annual fundraising Graham Slam Gala and Tournament is scheduled for July 11-12 at The Willows. Funds raised will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities as well as the development of junior golf across Canada. That includes juniors participating in the DeLaet Cup, which brings 24 of the country’s top junior golfers to Saskatoon to compete in a Ryder Cup format. Since 2013, the event has raised more than $1 million for charitable organizations in the province.
4The Web.Com Tour kicks into gear this week at the Knoxville Open. Several Canadians are there, including Adam Svensson, Roger Sloan, Albin Choi and Ryan Yip.
5The LPGA takes a week off to dry out after the rain-soaked Volunteers of American LPGA Texas Classic was shortened to 36 holes. Canadian Brooke Henderson finished T23 in the event won by South Korean Sung Kyun Park. Other Canadians who played were Brittany Marchand, Alena Sharp, Anne-Catherine Tanguay and Lori Kane. Maude-Aimee Leblanc withdrew after the first round.