The Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational returns to Öviinbyrd Golf Club this weekend

Kent State University, Penn State University and University of Notre Dame headline talented field teeing off for 54-hole competition.

MacTier, Ont. – For the second time in as many years, the Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational heads to Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont., September 14-16.

The 54-hole tournament will feature 11 teams and 62 collegiate players from Canada and the United States competing for the top spot in each of the event’s two competitions. An individual and team competition will run concurrently over 54 holes, with the top four scores from each team counting towards their final score following each of the three rounds.

The individual champion of this year’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational will earn a coveted exemption into the 2026 RBC Canadian Open set to return to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. Additionally, the top five finishers in the individual competition will also each receive exemptions into next year’s Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

“We are excited to kick off the second playing of the Canadian Collegiate Invitational after a successful debut last fall,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Director, Amateur Championships and Rules, Golf Canada. “We’d also like to extend our appreciation to Kent State University and Penn State University for co-hosting this event that will gather a talented list of programs and players from across the NCAA at the hospitable Öviinbyrd Golf Club,” she added.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish collectively shot 17-under in last year’s team event to successfully claim the first-ever Men’s Canadian Collegiate Invitational. The leaderboard in last fall’s individual competition was headlined by Team Canada member Hunter Thomson of Calgary, Alta. who edged out current Team Canada – NextGen member Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. by a pair of strokes. Ibit will be returning to represent Kent State University this year. Also in the field is 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. McCulloch finished third last year while representing Michigan State University.

Having debuted in 2024, the Canadian Collegiate Invitational features NCAA Division I male golf programs with prominent Canadian ties from both a player and staff level. Co-hosted by Kent State University, Penn State University and their respective Canadian head coaches, Jon Mills and Mark Leon, the tournament aims to showcase the best of collegiate golf from both Canada and the United States with an emphasis on bringing competing players together for three days of exciting competition.

In addition to Kent State University and Penn State University, the Canadian Collegiate Invitational will also feature players from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Miami University (Ohio), University of Missouri, George Mason University, University of North Carolina – Wilmington, Rutgers University and the defending champions from the University of Notre Dame.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds will also tee off in this year’s event, having secured their place in the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Invitational through their victory at the 2025 Canadian University / College Championship, presented by BDO, that took place in Kamloops, B.C. earlier this season. It will be UBC’s second trip to Öviinbyrd Golf Club in as many years.

Öviinbyrd Golf Club is one of Canada’s premier golf courses, designed by Thomas McBroom and opened in 2004 in Muskoka, Ont. The 7,118-yard layout is set amongst the forests and exposed granite of the Canadian shield in Ontario’s famous cottage country and will create a challenging and memorable experience for the players.

“On behalf of the membership and management team at Öviinbyrd, we are delighted to once again host the Canadian Collegiate Invitational,” said Jeff Paterson, Öviinbyrd. “It’s an honour to welcome back elite NCAA athletes, the reigning Canadian University/College Champion and top Canadian junior boys to our club. Building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural event, we’re proud to carry this tradition and offer a world-class experience, in the heart of Muskoka.”

In addition, the Team Canada Selection Camp will run concurrently with the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Öviinbyrd Golf Club as Canada’s best junior boys will also be competing for one secured spot on the 2026 Team Canada – NextGen roster.

The 2025 Canadian Collegiate Invitational gets underway on Sunday, September 14. To view the full field, tee times and live leaderboards throughout the week, please click here.