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Introducing the 2021 DCM Power Up Bursary winners

August 30, 2021

Introducing the 2021 DCM Power Up Bursary winners

The final round: Introducing this year’s DCM Power Up Bursary winners

The field was fierce, but these seven golfers captured our attention and admiration. Through hard work, perseverance, and unwavering commitment, this year’s recipients grip it and rip it both on and off the course.

Quotes:

“The DCM Power Up Bursary lends a helping hand to female golfers pursuing their dreams of being the best they can be. At the end of the day, if DCM can play a small part to help these athletes accomplish their goals, then it has been well worth supporting their hard work and determination.”

Greg Cochrane
Vice Chairman, DC

“At adidas, our core belief is that ‘Through sport we have the power to change lives’. The DCM Power Up Bursary program provides a hand up to female golf professionals who are striving for more in both their professional lives and the greater golf community. We are honoured to partner with these women as they aspire to new heights.”

Lesley Hawkins
General Manager of adidas Golf Canada
DCM Power Up Bursary Committee Member

Our 2020-2021 Recipients

Bursary winner: Casey MacNeil

Casey has been playing golf since the age of six and has dreamed of competing against the best golfers in the world. In 2018, she missed advancing to the second stage of LPGA qualifying by a single shot over 72 holes, however, her score earned her a spot on the Symetra Tour for the 2019 season. At the end of that season, a serious car accident put Casey’s golfing career on hold. Through hard work and determination, she is now back to peak performance and will be competing for her tour card.  

In her application, Casey wrote, “During the pandemic, I became a teaching member of the PGA of Canada. One of the main things I learned throughout my golfing journey, as a player and teacher, is you cannot do it alone even though it is an individual sport. This bursary would help as I progress to the next chapter of my career.” Casey MacNeil’s perseverance and dedication to the sport is the embodiment of the DCM Power Up Bursary. We are honoured to name Casey as one of our bursary recipients.

Bursary winner: Diana McDonald

Diana was introduced to golf at the age of 12, and after her second year of competing, she was selected to play on a Provincial Development team where she received professional coaching and the opportunity to practice in the off-season. Her love of the game led her to a scholarship at Wingate University. This season, Diana is playing in the LPGA’s Q-School Stage 1 tournament and intends to focus solely on her professional golfing career in the next few years.   

When asked about how the bursary would help her, Diana replied, “I really feel my game will improve even more with just the sole focus on golf. My parents are supportive of my plans, and they have helped me so much in the past. My dad has a small farm, and my mom works in retail, and they do their best to support me. However, this bursary would help me so much with tournament entry fees and, hopefully, with entry into Q-School Stage 2.” We are proud to name Diana McDonald as one of the DCM Power Up Bursary recipients. Here’s to Q-School Stage 2!

Bursary winner: Megan Osland

Megan is in her fifth season as a touring professional. While the pandemic put her plans to rise through the ranks of the Symetra Tour and into the LPGA on pause, Megan has made the 2021 golfing season her own. With a top 10 finish of the WAPT tour, a win on the NWGA Tour, and a second place finish in the US Women’s Open Qualifier, Megan is currently preparing for Stage 1 of the LPGA’s Q-School.

In her bursary application, Megan wrote, “This bursary would greatly ease the financial impact of Q-School and provide me with some incredibly valuable tools that would help me develop not only as a professional golfer, but as a person as well.” We are proud to support Megan Osland’s development on and off the course—we know she will make Canada proud!

Bursary winner: Belinda Lin

Belinda has been playing competitive golf since the age of 15. In her senior year at Simon Fraser University, she led the Women’s Golf Team to a Conference Championship victory and to a berth in the NCAA DII West Regionals Championship. After taking a break from golf in 2019 to focus on her education, Belinda was ready to get back in the swing of things. In early 2020, she flew to Taiwan to play on the TLPGA, but the tour was cancelled due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Belinda is currently playing on the Vancouver Golf Tour and seeks to compete in the LPGA’s Q-School, and one day, the Olympics.

In her own words, “I am giving everything I have to work my hardest to go as far down the road as I can. This will be a long journey, but I have the determination and grit to chase my dream. To get the ball rolling, this bursary will play a huge part in my journey.” We are proud to announce Belinda Lin as one of our bursary recipients and help her chase all of her dreams.

Bursary winner: Josee Doyon

When COVID-19 hit, Josee was competing on the Women All Pro Tour in Louisiana and had to make the difficult decision to come home or remain in the U.S. to continue to play on the Symetra Tour. She stayed, which meant she couldn’t return to Canada until now. The 2021 DCM PGA Women’s Championship was her first time back in Canada since January 2020.

Josee explains, “As we know, golf is all about money. I work in a golf club and for a roofing company. Probably the hardest work I have ever done in my life! 2021 is almost ending, and I am motivated more than ever to reach the LPGA. I really hope to receive the bursary as it will tremendously help me out financially and allow me to represent Canada the best way I can. It was a hard choice to not come back to Canada, but one thing is certain—I am always proud to be Canadian.” We’re proud to name Josee Doyon as one of the DCM Power Up Bursary recipients. Welcome back, and bon boulot!

Bursary winner: Kate Johnston

After tearing two ACLs as a competitive ski racer, Kate started playing golf seriously and worked hard to earn a golf scholarship to the University of British Columbia. By her second year, Kate became captain of the golf team, and upon graduation, was the number one ranked NAIA player and led her team to a NAIA National Championship victory. While Kate is considered a new player, she has raised her game to a high level in a short amount of time (she’s already qualified for the US Amateur), but the pandemic temporarily paused her climb, until now.

“I feel that the financial and resource support from DCM will be instrumental in allowing me to play a robust U.S. and Canadian schedule. Secondly, I am exceptionally excited about the potential to receive media training. Turning professional will be a drastic change and will require a lot of physical and financial effort. Any and all support I receive will be critical in allowing me to focus on my golf and pursue my dreams!” Kate Johnston has definitely earned our support and is one of our 2021 DCM Power Up Bursary recipients.

Bursary winner: Jacklynn Miller

After graduating from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Jacklynn joined the PGA of Canada, playing competitively in events across the country, including the Nike Women’s Championship, PGA Championship of Canada and numerous Zone events. Currently in her second year as head professional at South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club, Jacklynn balances her professional duties with her competitive golfing career. This season, she returned to play in the PGA of Ontario Team Matchplay and is competing in the PGA of Ontario Women’s Championship in September.

“Outside of competition, I am a firm believer in growing the game and giving back to our community. Last year, I started a foodbank donation drive to support those most in need during the pandemic. I was shocked and humbled by the response from PGA colleagues across the country and am building on this initiative. This bursary would allow me the opportunity to pursue more competitive golf, upgrade my teaching equipment, and continue my professional development with the PGA.” As one of our DCM Power Up Bursary winners, we are proud to support Jacklynn Miller in all of her initiatives on and off the course.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients. Their dedication to the sport and their game are exemplary, and we are honored to help them achieve their dreams. The DCM Power Up Bursary supports women golfers who are pursuing their dreams of competing at the sport’s highest level. Chosen athletes receive a $5,000 bursary they can put toward entry fees to the LPGA Tour’s Q-School or other tournament expenses. Bursary winners also enjoy a wealth of valuable resources and training offered by our Power Up Bursary partners.

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