Ottawa's own CBC Radio One morning show landed a big interview this week, as newly crowned back-to-back Canadian PGA champion Craig Stefureak sat down with Ottawa Morning host Giacomo Panico to talk through a win that's already being called one for the history books.
A Rare Repeat Win
Stefureak just became only the second golfer ever to win the Canadian PGA Championship in consecutive years, a feat that puts him in some pretty rarefied company in Canadian golf. Back-to-back national titles are hard to come by in any sport, and doing it in professional golf — where a single bad round can undo weeks of good form — makes the accomplishment even more impressive.
On top of the repeat win, Stefureak also made history as the first-ever Indigenous golfer to capture the Canadian PGA Championship title, a milestone that adds real significance to an already remarkable run.
Why Ottawa Got the Scoop
While the tournament itself wasn't played in the capital, it was Ottawa Morning — one of the city's most-listened-to morning radio programs — that got Stefureak on air to walk through what the win meant to him. Giacomo Panico, a familiar voice for Ottawa commuters and coffee drinkers alike, has built Ottawa Morning into a go-to spot for conversations with newsmakers who have a connection to the capital region, and this interview continues that tradition.
For Ottawa's golf community, moments like this matter. The city has no shortage of passionate golfers, from the public courses dotting the Greenbelt to the private clubs along the Ottawa River, and stories of Canadian golfers breaking barriers resonate strongly here. Hearing directly from a champion like Stefureak, in his own words, gives Ottawa sports fans a level of insight they wouldn't get from a wire story alone.
What's Next
Stefureak's win adds another chapter to what's shaping up to be a landmark year for Canadian golf, with more attention being paid to the diversity of talent coming up through the ranks. As Ottawa continues to grow as a hub for local sports media coverage, expect more athletes — Canadian champions and rising stars alike — to make Ottawa Morning a stop on their post-win media rounds.
For now, Ottawa listeners can catch the full conversation between Panico and Stefureak on CBC's Ottawa Morning, where the newly minted two-time champion broke down what the victory means for him and for the sport going forward.
Source: CBC Ottawa / Ottawa Morning
