At the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, the 13th hole saw the ‘Rink hole’ introduction for the sixth time. It had no space, and according to Mackenzie Hughes, it was a total hair-raising moment. Although Hughes seemed to be at the top of his game as he carded three rounds of 69, 64, and 67, the 13th hole had a different emotion on display. The golfer paid tribute to his friend, and mentor, Bill Bath.

Mackenzie Hughes was seen wearing an old hockey sweater. It was a simple black jersey emblazoned with ‘Durham 360 Painting’’ and belonged to Bath, who was one of the USGTF and CGTF members. The 33-year-old Canadian golfer, Hughes, met him at the age of 11. On April 23rd, Bill Bath, aged 56, passed away. “I’ve been thinking about him a lot the last month or so. His wife and son have been out here watching me. It’s a bit emotional even when I put that on to think about him,” Hughes said. “I know the last time I was here he actually caddied for me. So, a lot of great memories with him and his family. That was kind of the reason behind the jersey.”

His wife, Kerri, reported in Match that Bath was gradually getting ill. He was also taken to a hospital for a month, but the doctors could not identify the particular reason for his falling health. His death was sudden, and the reason was a heart attack. Kerri confessed that Mackenzie Hughes came and spoke at Bath’s funeral.

Hughes had also shared his feelings on Instagram after losing his friend and a short-term caddie who joined him in the 2019 Canadian Open. He wrote, “We celebrated his life today, and that was when it really hit me that he was gone. It was one of the hardest days of my life.” He also reflected that he was happy to have all the memories with him.

Hughes talked about only Bill Bath in a post-round press conference. He said, “I just feel like he was a huge part of my life and my journey to this point. We walked these hills the last time I was here, and it’s just nice to kind of keep him out there with me, if you will.” Continuing the role his friend played in his life, the golfer said, “Yeah, I know we’re in the midst of a lot of chaos and competitiveness on that Rink hole and it’s actually a super hard shot with like a 6-iron or 5-iron, but there are bigger things than golf and he was a really close friend of mine and I’m thinking about him a lot.”

Hughes also talked about how The Rink has been specifically hard to shoot at. He said, “It’s actually a super hard shot with like a 6-iron or 5-iron, but there are bigger things than golf and he was a really close friend of mine and I’m thinking about him a lot.” For Hughes, Bill Bath’s presence in his life meant a lot. At the 2019 RBC Canadian Open in Hamilton Bath caddied for the golfer. But how did the two get to know each other?

How did Bill Bath become a family friend?

Hughes and Bath stayed at the same resort in Cuba on vacation. Meeting him for the first time when Hughes was 11, they instantly recognized each other’s passion for golf. Bath invited Hughes to join him and a friend for some golf, and Hughes instantly impressed them with his skills. Since then, Bill Bath has had his friendship and influence on Mackenzie Hughes’s life.

Bill Bath used to call Hughes a champ even before he made striking contributions on the course. According to his wife, Kerri, he even caddied for Hughes seven to eight times. She also revealed, “They had a really close relationship and he thought of him almost like a son.” Bath also cheered for Hughes immensely after he qualified for the Masters.

After Nick Taylor, do you think Mackenzie Hughes’s play this season can induce hope in Canadians’s hearts? Do you think Hughes can maintain his winning streak as a Canadian citizen yet again? Let us know in the comments below.