Gormley, ON – As summer slowly slips away, we prepare to tee up the Ontario Public Amateur Championship, presented by Baka Mobile, at Meadowbrook Golf Club from September 1st to 2nd. For many competitors, this is their first experience competing in a Golf Ontario championship while others are seasoned veterans. The Baka Public Championship provides the perfect opportunity for those interested in trying a competitive tournament, while providing gross and net flights which provide similar handicap groupings.
Open only to players of the Golf Ontario Public Player Program and members of a semi-public golf course, the championship will see players compete in three separate flights. Players in the A flight will compete in a gross competition, while the B and C flights will compete in a net competition. Players in the B flight will also be eligible for the overall A flight, as they play off the same tees.
The classic championship parkland golf course is a great experience for golfers of all levels, as the 153 acre property features flawless bentgrass greens, tactically placed bunkers, and a series of flowing brooks and dangerously positioned water hazards. Head Professional of Meadowbrook Golf Club, Sheldon Friske, describes the course as “a first shot golf course. If you put the ball in the fairway off the tee, you have a clear shot to the green. Miss the fairway by a little bit and there’s some bunkering and trees around the greens that you’ll have to deal with. The rough is also thick enough that it will affect the second shot, even if only off by a foot”. Right off the start, players can expect “a challenging tee shot as we flipped the nines this year, making for a very challenging first hole”.
With three previous Public Amateur Champions returning to the field, they will be battling for the chance to add another name plate to the trophy. Returning players include 2013 winner, Dan Kavanagh (Scarborough), 2014 winner, Peter Willis (Aurora), and 2011 and 2015 winner, Arnold Johnson (Brampton).
We are also excited to have introduced a Front Line Workers donation program this year as part of our registration process, to give back to the local communities we will be playing in. The Front Line Workers donations from the Baka Public Amateur Championship will be donated to Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation.
First tee off of the day for round one on September 1st is set for 7:30 a.m. To follow the leaderboard, click here.
About The Baka Public Amateur Championship
The Baka Public Amateur Championship was first played in 1958 at Don Valley Golf Club. Past winners include: Ken Trowbridge (1970), 2018 Ontario Golf Hall of Fame inductee Dave Bunker (2009, 2010) and Craig Loughry who has won a record four times (1997, 2001, 2005, 2006). Play of the tournament was suspended from 1984-1995. Mill Run Golf and Country Club (Uxbridge, ON) has hosted the tournament a record 9 times.
The Baka Public Amateur Championship provides the perfect opportunity for those interested in trying a competitive tournament while providing gross and net flights. This allows higher handicap players to play against players in their handicap grouping.
Key Provincial Competitions Protocols/Restrictions (subject to change)
- No caddies permitted. (all events)
- No spectators, including coaches and media, permitted. (**Exception: Players 18 & Under may have one accompanying adult)
- No motorized carts permitted. (**Exception: Single rider carts only for Senior & Disability Championships)
- All events will be a single tee start – no shotguns or split tees.
- Restricted field numbers. (see individual championships)
- Qualifiers will have limited field sizes. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
Click here for the full version of the Championship protocols. **These protocols are subject to change as new guidance is received from the government.
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For more information please contact:
Brianna Christopher, Assistant, Marketing Communications.
Golf Ontario
BChristopher@gao.ca
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario
PMacKellar@gao.ca
