UXBRIDGE — Today, Golf Ontario announced that it is partnering with official host course Woodington Lake Golf Club to launch the first ever Ontario Disability Golf Championship. The 2019 Championships will take place on August 23 – 25, 2019 at beautiful Woodington Lake Golf Club, in Tottenham, Ontario and will be an exciting new addition to the Ontario amateur golf calendar.
This event will showcase some of Ontario’s top athletes with disabilities in a provincial championship environment. Focusing on player development, this inclusive event will ensure a proper pathway and better competition opportunity for some of the highest performing athletes with disabilities. This event will be included in the list of events eligible for world ranking points and will see both men and women compete in both low gross and low net categories.
Mike Kelly, Executive Director of Golf Ontario, is ecstatic to see this event come to fruition following the launch of Golf Ontario’s new strategic plan in December of 2018. “Inclusion and Diversity are two very important themes that are central to our strategic plan. We want to ensure we are working with Ontario golf facilities to promote a more inclusive environment. This Ontario Disability Championship is a critical way for us to raise awareness about golfers with disabilities, and to showcase some of the amazing talent at this Championship. It is particularly exciting that this event will allow participants to accumulate World Ranking Points” said Kelly.
Woodington Lake Golf Club will be the official host of the Ontario Disability Championship and Domenic DiGironimo, GM of Woodington Lake, is very happy to be supporting this event. “Woodington Lake Golf Club is honoured to be hosting the first Ontario Disability Golf Championship. Our facility is well suited to host the regions’ best athletes with disabilities for this Championship, and we are looking forward to having a front seat to witness some amazing golf at this Championship” enthused DiGironimo.
Tony Bennett, President of the European Disability Golf Association, and Head of Disability and Inclusion of the International Golf Federation is also applauding the efforts to introduce this event in Ontario. “With a growing realization of the health-enhancing benefits of physical activity and social inclusion, golf for the disabled is gaining ground as the sport of choice for an increasing number of individuals with a disability. As a still ball game, golf offers even the most profoundly disabled an opportunity to participate and enjoy the thrill of the game. For those who wish to test their skills against others the golf handicap system and modified rules ensure a level playing field regardless of their ability.” said Bennett.
“I offer my congratulations to Golf Ontario for their leadership in bringing to life the Ontario Disability Championship and to the Woodington Lake Golf Club for stepping forward to be the host venue. I am sure all who play in this event will have a wonderful experience, create lasting memories and forge new friendships” continued Bennett.
The Ontario Disability Championship will feature 1 practice round and 36 holes of championship stroke play across 4 open divisions. There will be a low gross and low net for both women and men. The Championship will be open to all ages and will require participants to have an Official Handicap Index Limit of 28 for men, and 36 for women.
More information about the Ontario Disability Golf Championship can be found at www.theontarioopen.ca/disabilitychampionship
In addition to the Ontario Disability Golf Championship, Woodington Lake and Golf Ontario will also be partnering during the same week in August to present the return of the Ontario Open. This true open championship dates back to 1923, making it one of the oldest Championships in the world. The event will be returning from a hiatus since 1996, and past winners include Sam Snead, Moe Norman, George Knudson, and Nick Weslock. This week at Woodington Lake Golf Club will be an extremely important week in the Golf Ontario calendar says Kelly: “Having both the Ontario Disability Golf Championship and the Ontario Open during the same week at Woodington Lake Golf Club, will be a great way to showcase these marquee events at a world-class facility”
ABOUT WOODINGTON LAKE GOLF CLUB
Woodington Lake Golf Club is home to 36 holes of picturesque golf in Tottenham, Ontario, just north of Toronto. The original course, The Legend Course, opened in 1995 and is built on over 200 acres of rolling terrain. Carved from towering pine forest and nestled around Woodington Lake, this course Is truly legendary. The newest addition to Woodington Lake Golf Club is the Legacy course, a true mix of Links and Stadium styles. With very challenging water hazards, along with fast and undulating greens, the Legacy course will keep golfers of every skill coming back for more.
