Fitzsimmons becomes fourth three-time winner of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur; Derek Dalziel wins Mid-Master division while Team Ontario retaining Inter-Provincial Team title
NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. – Charles Fitzsimmons is a national champion for a third time after holding on to win the 2025 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship by one shot at Seymour Golf and Country Club in North Vancouver, B.C.
Fitzsimmons of King, Ont. shot a 3-over 74 to finish the tournament at 1-over to edge Dustin Franko of Delta, B.C. by one shot. Fitzsimmons posted rounds of 71-72-68-74-285 to become the fourth three-time winner of the national championship.
“Still processing the win, it feels great,” said Fitzsimmons following his win on Friday. “Today was a real challenge, Dustin played solid and he and I were going back and forth, it was just pressure filled for every moment and a really good challenge. My games been close all summer and to be able to get the win here is really special.”
Fitzsimmons got into some early trouble opening with three bogeys from his first four holes but rebounded to grab two birdies on holes 7 and 9 to finish his front nine on a positive stretch. Fitzsimmons opened his back nine with six consecutive pars before a pair of bogeys on Nos. 16 and 17 tightened the leaderboard.
“Ultimately, I’m always trying to come back and hit a golf shot that is what is the most important thing to focusing on the shot you’re trying to hit and letting everything else slide aside. I had lots of thoughts of what could happen, lots of nerves and all kinds of different emotions popping up but really just trying to use my abilities and my skills to re-focus on trying to hit a good golf shot,” he said.
Fitzsimmons grabbed a par on 18 to hold off Franko and win the title. The win marks three Men’s Mid-Am titles for Fitzsimmons tying him with Dave Bunker (2008, 2009, 2010), Garrett Rank (2014, 2015, 2016) and Joseph Deraney (2018, 2019, 2023). The four trail only seven-time winner, Graham Cooke and four-time winner Stu Hamilton on the all-time winners list.
“It’s pretty special to be named amongst that group of players that have won this tournament three times. I probably would have never dreamt I could have done that as a kid so to be here now still kind of feels like a dream. It’s really cool to be part of Golf Canada history that way,” added Fitzsimmons.
Taylor Durham of North Vancouver, B.C. finished third at 3-over while Kyle Gordon of Whitby, Ont. and Wyatt Brook of Heffley Creek, B.C. finished tied for fourth at 4-over.
Derek Dalziel of London, Ont. won the Mid-Master title after finishing 7-over to win by one shot over Mike Landry of Hanwell, N.B. and Mike Aizawa of Richmond, B.C.
Team Ontario was represented by Derek Dalziel, Kyle Gordon of Whitby, Ont. and Stephen Brown of Corunna, Ont. On Wednesday, Dalziel led the team with a 1-under 70 that included a hole-in-one on the par-3 fifth hole, while Gordon’s 1-over 72, highlighted by a hole out for eagle on the par-4 17th, counted towards the team’s total. Each of Ontario’s past three wins have come with new team members each season. Team Nova Scotia finished as runner-up at 5-over while Team Alberta was third at 6-over. Team Quebec (10-over) and Team New Brunswick (12-over) rounded out the top 5.
The 155-player field, comprised of players aged 25 and over, was cut to the low 70 players and ties at 10-over or better following Wednesday’s second round. Players aged 40 and older also competed in the Mid-Master division as well as the Mid-Amateur division as both divisions ran concurrently over 72-holes.
In addition to the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title, Fitzsimmons will receive direct exemptions into the 2025 U.S Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. from September 13 -18, the 2026 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship along with a 10-year exemption into the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
For the final leaderboards following the 2025 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, please click here.
