Oakville, ON – With many great conversations and amazing guest speakers, Golf Ontario’s 2019 Conference and Annual Meeting was a huge success. Day 2 wrapped up this afternoon after an exciting day yesterday that included the announcement of the Ontario Open returning, the new Disability Championship beginning this year and also the Celebration of Golf in Ontario awards ceremony.
Today the morning was kick started by Golf Ontario’s Executive Director, Mike Kelly, who spoke about this year’s goals and where Golf Ontario wants to spend their time focusing on.
Mike was then followed by more great speakers throughout the day. PGA Tour Rules Official Ken Tackett spoke on the rules of the game, some of the controversies, and even shared a few funny stories from his time officiating the Tiger Woods / Phil Mickelson overtime thriller (one can imagine how stressful that game was to officiate). The morning concluded with CEO of Golf Canada, Laurence Applebaum, speaking on the Golf Canada Strategic Plan for the next few years.
LPGA’s Ashleigh McLaughlin spoke in the afternoon about making the game of golf more women friendly and inviting, concentrating around their campaign #inviteHER. “What was yoga 20 years ago?” McLaughlin asked the crowd. “Now, yoga is everywhere! Golf is going to be the next yoga.” McLaughlin gave many idea’s on how to introduce the sport to women, and gave many marketing tips on how to keep this movement prominent.
Golf Ontario also welcomed their 2019 Board of Directors, where Howard Atkinson was also introduced as the new President of Golf Ontario, and voiced his excitement for the upcoming year.
The day wrapped up with a rules ready panel discussion led by our Manager of Competitions John Lawrence, and featured Ken Tackett, Lee, Griffin, Adam Helmer and Adam LeBrun.
Golf Ontario would like thank all of our speakers, the packed room of attendees, Golf Canada for providing both the RBC Canadian Open and Canadian Women’s Open trophy among other assistance and the staff at Glen Abbey Golf Club for all their help and hospitality.
For more information about Golf Ontario’s 2019 Annual Conference, visit our home page and our social pages @theGolfOntario. Photos from the day can be found here.
