Golf Ontario’s in-province 2024 Championship schedule kicks off on Tuesday with the Ontario Champion of Champions event.

This championship features a field of 247 players—the largest of the season—drawn from over 100 clubs throughout Ontario. Each participant is a club champion from their respective home club. 

The event will take place on the north and south courses at The Club at Bond Head, with competitors vying for titles in various divisions including men’s, women’s, junior boys’, senior men’s, senior women’s, and junior girls’.

“The Ontario Champion of Champions is set to be an exciting showcase of some of the best golfing talent from across the province,” says John Lawrence, Golf Ontario’s Director of Competitions and Performance. “This championship is particularly special as it celebrates the achievements of club champions from our incredible member facilities all over Ontario.”

For the full player roster and more championship details, CLICK HERE.

FAST FACTS:

Championship Venue: The North and South Courses at The Club at Bond Head.

Championship Date: May 14.

Field Size: 247 players.

Golf Ontario Member Clubs Represented: 122.

Format: 18-hole stroke play, with six divisions.

Pairings: CLICK HERE

The First: The first Ontario Champions of Champions took place in 1946.

Impressive List: Past champions include Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members Mary Ann Hayward, Bill Morland, Gerry Kesselring, Warren Sye, and Stu Hamilton.

Hall of Famer: Newly inducted Ontario Golf Hall of Famer Ashley Chinner (Coppinwood Golf Club) tees it up in the senior division.

Record Holder: Patrick Suraj won the senior men’s division championship a record six times.

The Next Wave: Next Wave Junior Development members in the field include Sierra Kowalyshyn (Sawmill Golf Course), Ava Gilbert (Summit Golf and Country Club) and Cole Thompson (Lookout Point Country Club). 

The Club at Bond Head: When the South Course opened in 2005, it was named as one of the “Top New Courses” by Golf Digest. A year later when the North Course opened, The Toronto Star named it as the “Top Public Golf Course in the GTA.”

Social Handles: @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook and X.

Last week, more than 125 dedicated volunteers joined forces for the Golf Ontario Official Days, which were held across the province.

These days marked the beginning of the 2024 championship season, uniting Golf Ontario staff and volunteers in celebration of the year’s start.

“Our volunteers are essential to our team; they’re the foundation of our mission. Their unwavering dedication allows us to continue shaping lives and offering enriching experiences through golf,” says Golf Ontario CEO Kyle McFarlane. “We’re honoured to acknowledge the significant influence our volunteers wield within the Golf Ontario community.”

The Official Days—which were hosted by member facilities Galt Country Club; Barrie Country Club; Copper Creek Golf Club and Cataraqui Golf and Country Club—saw participation from volunteers across three main roles: Tournament Officials, Referees, and Course Raters.

Tournament Officials:
These key volunteers oversee more than 100 qualifiers and championships annually. Their responsibilities include managing registration, overseeing starts, scoring, and maintaining the pace of play.

Referee:
Referees at provincial events must have completed at least Level 2 of the Golf Canada rules of golf education program. They should possess a deep understanding of the Rules of Golf and demonstrate the capacity to make decisions collaboratively under pressure.

Course Rater:
Upon affiliation with Golf Ontario, clubs receive an initial rating, which is re-evaluated as courses mature or undergo design modifications. Up to 70 courses annually may be appraised by a specialized Course Rating Team. Course raters need to be adaptable, methodical, and have a penchant for math or statistics. Comprehensive training is provided, encompassing both classroom and on-course instruction.

Interested in becoming a part of the Golf Ontario volunteer community? Discover the various opportunities and their benefits on our Volunteering Resource page HERE. To join our volunteer team, please complete the application form.