The new Senior and Super Senior Champions were crowned on Sunday at the 2024 Canadian Mens Senior at Saugeen Golf Club in what was an exciting finish.
Miles McConnell of Florida started the final day four shots back of Stephen Jensen of England but, in the end, was the winner of the Senior title (55 and older) in a playoff.
“I lived just north of Toronto in Stouffville for my first ten years before moving to Florida,” said McConnell, “but I am Canadian in my heart, so winning as a Canadian means a lot to me. Just to have my name on the trophy along with legend Jack Hall is really something.”
Jack Hall of Savannah, Georgia defeated Doug Hanzel, also of Georgia, in a two-hole playoff to win the Super Seniors title (players 65 and older).
In third place was Luke Gilbeau of Drummondville, Quebec.
The Inter-Provincial team championship was won once again by Team Alberta for the fourth consecutive time.
Organizer Ken Dunlop attributed much of the success to the course maintenance. “Enough cannot be said about our Superintendent Mike Palloran and his staff. Four years ago, I approached Golf Canada to ask if we could host this tournament as it was the Club’s 100th anniversary. It was a tough sell as we were an unknown, unrated course. When we hosted the Canadian Jr. Championship, we invited Golf Canada to the club and they were impressed. The result is this tournament that will put Saugeen on the map.”
David Atkinson of Golf Canada said, “The 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO & hosted by Saugeen Golf Club has been a first-class National Championship from start to finish. From the excellent conditions of the golf course to the community involvement, the event was a tremendous success for everyone involved. We want to thank all the Host Organizing Committee members for bringing this Championship and Festival to life and making it one that the players will not soon forget. We are truly thankful and appreciative for all the hard work and dedication that was put into this event. Saugeen Golf Club and Saugeen Shores is a special place that lived up to the hype.”
Many of the players also expressed their admiration for the course. “This is a wonderful course,” said champion, Miles McConnell. “It’s definitely one of the best and I look forward to coming back to play again.”
Ken Dunlop, Event Chair also said that the community of Saugeen Shores, the members and staff of Saugeen Golf Club, the volunteers, the sponsors, and the players created a week full of memories. “The players did not know about this area or about the course before, but they are impressed because of the volunteers and the community.”
“The funds raised at this event,” said Dunlop, “will go toward course improvements, such as a new putting green, and junior programs.”
