Riley Wheeldon has been named the 2020 GJAC Men’s Player Bursary recipient, sponsored by Golf Town, and Selena Costabile has been named the 2020 GJAC Women’s Player Bursary recipient, sponsored by Mackenzie Investments.
Wheeldon, 29, and Costabile, 22, were each given the $3,000 award after a vote of the membership of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.
“I’m extremely humbled and honoured to be recognized in this regard by GJAC, a group that I know understands and follows Canadian golf as closely as anyone,” said Wheeldon, who led the 2019-20 Outlaw Tour money list thanks to a win and three runner-up finishes. “Support like this is beyond appreciated as I pursue my ultimate goal of the PGA TOUR.”
“I am so honoured to have been nominated by some of the most respected individuals in the industry, and to be the recipient of the 2020 GJAC bursary,” said Costabile, who has status on the Symetra Tour but opted to play on the Toronto’s Player Tour this past summer. “This bursary will significantly help the financial stress of playing full time on the Symetra Tour. I am so grateful to everyone involved in the voting process, and to Mackenzie Investments for sponsoring the award.”
Wheeldon, a native of Comox, B.C., was nearly unstoppable on the Outlaw Tour in Arizona, collecting two wins and three runner-up finishes en route to the 2020 Money List title. Wheeldon also holds status on the Mackenzie Tour after a 40th place finish on the money list in 2019, a Tour he has found success on in the past, winning the Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON in 2013.
“Congratulations to Selena Costabile on being named the 2020 GJAC Player Bursary recipient,” said Court Elliott, VP Corporate & Community Engagement, Mackenzie Investments. “In a year that has been so challenging for so many, it’s nice to partner with the Golf Journalists Association of Canada and recognize this exceptional athlete and pay tribute to her hard work and dedication.”
“This year has been a very difficult one for many Canadians and athletes. During the pandemic, the golf industry rallied together and drove unprecedented growth for the game,” said Chad McKinnon, President of Golf Town. “We’re proud to support Riley as the recipient of the 2020 GJAC Male Bursary, and look forward to watching his continued success in his journey and chasing his dreams. Golf’s future in Canada is bright, and we all look forward to the upcoming season.”
Costabile, a Thornhill, Ont. native, elected to stay close to home this summer and compete on the Toronto Players Tour, collecting a victory on July 28 with a 9-under 63, to win by four strokes against a nearly-all male field. After amassing a stacked amateur resume, winning the 2013 CJGA National Junior Golf Championship and qualifying for the 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur, Constabile turned professional in 2018 and claimed a victory that year in a National Women’s Golf Association event held at Dubsdread Golf Course.
“Junior Golf Hub is very pleased to partner with the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour,” commented Danny Dolan, Business Development Executive with Junior Golf Hub. “We are excited to be able to expand our reach and connect with more players and coaches in Canada.”
Junior Golf Hub will also take on Title Sponsorship of a three-event national tournament series on the MJT in 2021. “Partnering with Junior Golf Hub is another benefit we are providing our members who are looking to play post-secondary golf,” commented Trent Matson, National Operations Director for the MJT. “Junior Golf Hub’s recruitment platform is a great fit for our college-bound athletes and will connect these potential recruits with college coaches.”
