Dominant performances at the 2026 Canadian University/College Championships

Jack Keller / Golf Canada

LÉVIS, QC – The UBC Okanagan Heat men’s team captured their first national golf championship and the UBC Thunderbirds women’s team continued their historic run winning their ninth straight title at the 2026 Canadian University/College Championship presented by BDO on Friday at Golf La Tempête in Lévis, Que.

The UBC Okanagan Heat claimed their first national championship after shooting a collective 19-under (285-274-286). The Heat were represented by Ryan Gillis of Calgary, Alta., Chris Jo of Oakville, Ont., Oakley Mayner of Kelowna, B.C., Andrew Rouble of Wellesley, Ont., and Ryan Vest of Vernon, B.C.

“Extremely proud, seven years in the making, it’s something that we always dreamed for and worked towards. It’s why we go to the gym early and train hard,” said Clay Stother, UBC Okanagan Head Coach and General Manager. “I am extremely appreciative of the players buying into this system and our program and what we’re about, so it’s nice to see them get rewarded for it.

“In these conditions, if you looked at our greens in regulation and fairways hit, we were 85 per cent on both, so the ball control in these conditions were elite,” added Stothers.

“This is the first national championship for our university so massive would be an understatement. We did something today our school has never done,” said Stothers on what the national championship means to UBC Okanagan.

The Montreal Carabins finished in second place at 9-under, 10 shots behind the Heat. The defending men’s champions, UBC Thunderbirds made the podium, finishing in third at 6-under.

The UBC Thunderbirds women’s team have now won nine consecutive national titles and their 19th national golf championship. The Thunderbirds were led by Katherine Hao of Burnaby, B.C., Sienna Harder of Langley, B.C., Keira Hou of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Jessica Ng of Vancouver, B.C. The Thunderbirds collectively finished the tournament at 2-over, winning by 17 shots over the UBC Okanagan Heat, with the Laval Rouge et Or finishing third.

“First of all, I am really proud of them all, they not only played great but bonded and had a great attitude all week and that was imperative,” said Cory Renfrew, Program Advisor, UBC Thunderbirds. “They came off a disappointing NAIA finish, and I think they all were pretty determined to end on a great note.

“I think the key to success was definitely the ball striking, we made specific targets both off the tees and then into the greens, and that just freed them up to have lots of putts or easy chips,” added Renfrew. “I think we just made a good gameplan and they just looked like they were sticking to it, and they didn’t start firing at flags over water if they didn’t want to, they just went to the side and played smart from there.”

Hao shot an even par 72 on Friday to finish the tournament at 1-under (72-71-72) to win the women’s individual championship by two strokes over last year’s champion Julia Alexander-Carew (UBC Okanagan Heat). Hao was tied for second after the first round on Tuesday, she then fired a 1-under 71 on Wednesday and held the lead through the final round on Friday.

“I started off pretty slow today, none of my putts were dropping but my iron game was really good today,” said Hao. “ I bogeyed 17, and I was bummed about that, but then on 18 our men’s team were standing near the green, and I had 160 in for my second shot on the par five, so I stuck to five feet and made an eagle which was really nice cause they were there to support me.

“It was a great experience, it was really well hosted and well organized, I enjoyed everything here. The course was amazing, the conditions were amazing, I didn’t play for most of this term because I had just got three fractures in my foot a month ago, so I was out for over a month. This is my second tournament back, so it means a lot that I was able to win it,” said Hao.

“I’m most proud of our performance of being able to stay stable throughout the week, I know that after our rounds we were just trying to stay positive and make sure that we could shoot low the next day and keep going, and not think about what happened the previous days or thinking about the other teams. I think we were all very mentally prepared and strong,” said Hao on what she most proud of about her team.

In addition to winning the national championship, Hao has earned an exemption into the 112th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO at The Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont. from July 21-24.

Anthony Jomphe of the Montreal Carabins claimed the men’s individual championship after finishing as the runner-up in 2025 and third in 2024. Jomphe of Chicoutimi, Que. finished at 11-under for the tournament recording rounds of 67-69-69-205. Jomphe has also earned an exemption into the 121st Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO at Heritage Pointe Golf Club and Mickelson National Golf Club in Calgary, Alta. from July 27-30. Mayner (UBC Okanagan Heat) finished second at 8-under with Kaura (UBC Thunderbirds) finishing 7-under and solo third.

“It was eventful! We started very early in the morning [Thursday] in the rain, and it was a real battle all day just to stay in the game despite the rain,” said Jomphe. “I managed to handle it well, stay focused, make some good shots and post a solid score. I was able to finish my round this morning after the rain delays, on a strong note.

“The key for me this week has really been staying focused, making the right decisions, and trusting my game to execute the shots.,” added Jomphe about what the key to success was this week.

“A lot of pride [in having this championship to my name]. It’s my third year with the Carabins, my last one, so every time we come to the Canadian Championship it’s really special.It’s the event of the year for us as a team, and to win it is really great,” said Jomphe on what it means to win the individual championship.

By winning the national championship, the UBC Okanagan Heat men’s team and UBC Thunderbirds women’s team have both earned exemptions into their respective 2026 Canadian Collegiate Invitationals. The men’s tournament will take place September 12 – 15 at Öviinbyrd in MacTier, Ont. and the women’s event will run September 20 – 22 at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ont.

The 2026 Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO was reduced to a 54-hole event following play being suspended for the day just before 12 p.m. local time on Thursday due to heavy rainfall and resumed early Friday morning.

For the final standings from the 2026 Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.

Men’s Team Championship – Top-5

Women’s Team Championship – Top-5

Men’s Individual Championship – Top-5

Women’s Individual Championship – Top-5