Jose de Jesus Rodriguez
OAKVILLE, Ont. - Mexico's Jose de Jesus Rodriguez is the Canadian Tour's 2011 player of the year.
He is the first Mexican-born golfer to capture the honour.
Rodriguez began the Canadian Tour season with wins in his native land of Mexico at the Mexican PGA Championship as well as the first Canadian event on the schedule at the Times Colonist Island Savings Victoria Open. He finished the season with three top-10 results as well as two top-15 showings.
"2011 was a real break through year for me and I hope that I can build on the momentum from what I consider to be my best season as a Professional," said Rodriguez, who will make his debut on the newly created PGA Tour Latino America later this year.
"My goal is to get to the PGA Tour and if I can keep playing well on the Canadian Tour I think it will definitely help me accomplish that."
The 30-year-old Mexican won just over $80,000 in 10 events in 2011.
Matt Hoffman of Thornhill, Ont., was named Canadian rookie of the year, edging Comox, B.C. native Riley Wheeldon for the honour, while American Joe Panzeri was named the top international rookie.
Danny Sahl of Sherwood Park, Alta., captured the Gordon Brydson Most Improved Player of the Year Award while Dustin Risdon of Strathmore, Alta., won the Srixon Stroke Average Award.
Sahl picked up his first win in 79 tries after claiming the inaugural Syncrude Boreal Open while Risdon was a specimen of consistency, making eight of eight cuts and posting four top 10's and finishing sixth on the Order of Merit.
Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report