Mary-Ann Hayward wins 2023 Canadian Women’s Senior Championship

The 51st playing of the Canadian Women’s Senior Championship wrapped up today with a battle to the very end, with Mary-Ann Hayward securing the title at Mill River Golf Resort.

Heading into play on Friday, Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont., shared the lead with Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont. Today’s final round saw a back-and-forth battle, with both golfers tied through 11 holes.

Hayward and Kyrinis both held the solo lead during the final seven holes. Hayward’s birdie on No. 17, combined with Kyrinis’ bogey, put Hayward ahead by one heading to the final hole, and that would be what separated them, giving Hayward her fourth Canadian Women’s Senior Championship.

“I’ve never seen so many two-shot swings; we had three in four holes on the back nine over a five-hole stretch. It’s a difficult golf course, the pins are difficult, and you can’t beat yourself up over those three-putts out there. I made a couple of key birdies on Holes No. 14 and 17, you have to remember the good and the shots you take under pressure. The competition is very tough, you have some of the best senior golfers in the world here in Canada, it's not easy to win, so you cherish each one,” said Hayward.

Hayward shot a final round of 4-over 76 to finish the tournament at 11-over. Two-time champion Kyrinis shot a final round of 5-over 77 to finish second.

This marks Hayward’s fourth Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, having previously won in 2010, 2011 and 2013. In addition to today’s win, Hayward has earned exemptions into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur Championship, 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, 2024 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2024 U.S. Women’s Senior Open.

Hayward also won the Super Senior Championship, which ran concurrently throughout the tournament.

Two-time champion, Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont., placed third overall in the Senior Championship after shooting a final round 3-over 75 on Friday. Samuel also placed second in the Super Senior and Marie-Thérése Torti of Candiac, Que., shot a 3-over 75 to place third.

Team Ontario won the Inter-Provincial Team Championship on Thursday with an impressive 14-stroke victory over runner-up Team British Columbia. Terrill Samuel of Etobicoke, Ont., Mary-Ann Hayward of St. Thomas, Ont., and Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., shot a collective 13-over for Team Ontario to earn the team championship.