Golf Ontario is launching an exciting new raffle that every golfer will want to be a part of.
For a donation of just $20 to the 1000 Ball Challenge, you can enter for a chance to win 1,000 TaylorMade TP5/X golf balls—a prize valued at $7,000! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to stock up on top-quality golf balls while supporting a great cause.
What is the 1000 Ball Challenge?
The 1000 Ball Challenge is Golf Ontario’s bold fundraising initiative designed to drive golf participation across the province. This unique challenge inspires golfers to rally their friends and family, hit 1,000 golf balls in a single day, and raise much-needed funds to support the growth of the game. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting started, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact while having fun. Learn more and get involved at 1000 Ball Challenge.
How to Enter:
Supporting the 1000 Ball Challenge is easy and rewarding! For every $20 donation, you’ll receive one entry into the raffle for the grand prize of 1000 TaylorMade TP5/X golf balls.
You can donate directly to a team or individual taking part in the challenge or contribute to the overall campaign at www.1000ball.ca/raffle.
Remember, the more you donate, the better your chances of winning.
The lucky winner will be announced after at season’s end.
Don’t wait—make your donation today and take your shot at winning 1,000 TaylorMade TP5/X golf balls!
Special Olympian Fundraising for Adaptive Golf in Ontario Through 1000 Ball Challenge
Golf Ontario
Mikey “Rocco” DiRaddo, a Special Olympian golfer, is making waves by launching Golf Fore All Abilities earlier this year—a vision he’s held for a long time.
Golf Fore All Abilities aims to bring golf opportunities to youth in schools across the Niagara region, with plans to continue expanding for weeks and months to come.
Now, Rocco is taking the next step to support Golf Fore All Abilities by launching a fundraising initiative through the 1000 Ball Challenge and the Golf For All Fund.
His goal is to raise $5,000 by the end of the golf season to help kickstart golf programming in the Niagara area.
“Reaching this goal would mean a lot to me and to the nonprofit organization I’ve started,” Rocco shared. “It would help us get the ball rolling for future events and allow us to positively impact others through sport. It would also support both my program and Golf Ontario’s work in adaptive golf.”
The 1000 Ball Challenge invites individuals or teams to support the expansion of golf opportunities in Ontario while testing their endurance by hitting as many golf balls as possible. Meanwhile, the Golf For All Fund focuses on increasing access to golf and introducing the game to a wider audience, with funding allocated for programs supporting Girls and Women, Indigenous communities, Adaptive Golf, and Junior Performance.
“My idea for this challenge came from my experiences as a Special Olympic golfer in Ontario,” Rocco explained. “In June, I had the opportunity to play in a tournament in Uxbridge, where I met incredible people with various disabilities. That experience inspired me to do more.”
Proceeds from the 1000 Ball Challenge will be split equally, with 50% going to the Golf For All Fund and the other 50% supporting summer programming for Golf Fore All Abilities in the Niagara Region.
“Golf Fore All Abilities will use these funds to continue running our adaptive golf program and reach more people with various disabilities,” Rocco added.
Rocco will be taking on the 1000 Ball Challenge at Lookout Point Country Club on Saturday, October 12. You can support his efforts by visiting Mikey Rocco’s Golf Fore All Abilities 1000 Ball Challenge page to make a donation.
For any questions or assistance with creating or joining teams, please reach out to Raphael Root at rroot@gao.ca.
LPGA Amateur Golf Association Growing Women’s Participation in Golf Through 1000 Ball Challenge
Golf Ontario
LPGA Amateurs is made up of over 15,500 women of all golf abilities and provides playing and learning opportunities for women of all ages through local and national events.
The association is taking further action to grow women’s participation programs by raising money through the 1000 Ball Challenge and the Golf For All Fund.
The 1000 Ball Challenge allows individuals or teams to support expansions of Ontario golf opportunities and experiences while testing their endurance by hitting as many golf balls as possible.
The Golf For All Fund aims to increase access to the game of golf and introduce it to a wider audience by funding for the participation and programing of Girls and Women, Indigenous, Adaptive and Junior Performance.
LPGA Amateurs have set an ambitious goal they hope to achieve before the end of the golf season. They have divided four regional teams and 20 different representatives, all with their own 1000 Ball Challenge pages.
One team that has stood out is Team HamBurGirls, who represent the Hamilton-Burlington region. Their team goal was to raise $5,000, but the current total at $6,001 tops that goal drastically.
“Our Association has the relationship it does with both Golf Canada and Golf Ontario, and supporting women in golf is such an important issue for us,” said Deb Kucheran, LPGA Amateur of Hamilton-Burlington region president.
If the LPGA Amateurs’ goal is reached, 50 percent of funds will go directly to all LPGA Chapters, while the other 50 will go toward the Golf For All Fund.
Both the LPGA Chapter and Golf For All Fund will put the raised money towards expanding women’s golf opportunities across the province, which according to Kucheran includes adding more women’s golf programs to more regions and educating golf courses to accept women in golf.
“It’s time for equality in golf,” she said.
When Kucheran and the rest of the LPGA Amateurs Ontario governing body learned that each Chapter would get back 50 percent of what they donated, the thought of making her own regional team was instant.
“I set up Team HamBurGirls and then recruited team members by advertising in our newsletters, social media and just asking members,” she said.
With $1,000 more than the team goal raised, Kucheran hopes the money will make it easier to provide members with golf experiences.
“As our LPGA Amateurs’ seven Chapters in Ontario depend only on member fees for income, fundraising is extremely important to be able to provide the members value for their membership dollar,” she said.
From Lone Player to Community Leader: Chief Ted Williams’ Golf Journey
Golf Ontario
Chief Ted Williams is a complex individual, yet his reason for taking up golf nearly 40 years ago—and why he continues to play today—is quite straightforward.
“Golf is enjoyable,” Williams concedes. “Now, what I find most rewarding about the sport is the opportunity to meet new people and cultivate relationships on the course.”
In his youth, Williams was an avid hockey and softball player. He ventured into golf at the age of 28 with a solo round at Lake St. George Golf Club in Washago, Ontario. For the initial six or seven years, Williams exclusively played alone.
“I used to have this pronounced left-to-right shot that I was somewhat self-conscious about, so I’d play alone, early in the morning,” Williams recalls. “I also had a young family and that meant if I wanted to play, I had to be out at dawn and back by breakfast time.”
Eventually, Williams grew increasingly fond of golf and, in 1993, was invited to participate in the club championship at Lake St. George. He had never played competitively, but without any preconceived notions or competitive history, he entered the championship—and won, igniting a remarkable streak of victories and notable finishes that continues to this day.
“The triumph at that first club championship in ’93 spurred my interest in competitive golf,” Williams reflects. “I dedicated myself to improving, to mastering the diverse shots and learning how to score even on off days.”
Williams reclaimed the Lake St. George club championship in 1999. He dominated the Hawk Ridge Golf Club championship for eight consecutive years and won the Horseshoe Valley club championship in 2011. He’s competed in numerous Ontario and Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur tournaments and even attempted to qualify for the PGA TOUR Champions Tour at age 50. While he didn’t qualify, he was the leading amateur finisher that week.
He has also competed in the Indigenous Ontario Championship and is an enthusiastic supporter, planning to participate again this year.
“The Indigenous Ontario Championship is a magnificent event for many reasons,” Williams states. “It celebrates the remarkable talent of Indigenous golfers throughout the province.”
Williams has been a steadfast supporter of Indigenous communities nationwide for many years. He was elected Chief of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation at the age of 27. Now, approaching 70 and with extensive corporate experience, he has returned as Chief of Rama First Nation, serving his community in various capacities.
Once predominantly a softball community, Rama First Nation has embraced golf.
“Just a decade ago, you could count on two hands the number of golfers in our community,” Williams acknowledges. “Today, we have over a hundred people of all ages enjoying the game.”
Williams credits the pandemic with introducing many in his community to golf, but believes there are additional factors that have sustained their interest.
“The pandemic certainly boosted golf’s popularity province-wide, and that’s reflected in our community,” he says. “Yet, our people have kept at it because the game is enjoyable and the golf course feels like a welcoming place, where they can connect with familiar faces from the community.”
As he reflects on a lifetime of achievements, both on the course and within his community, Williams looks forward to nurturing the next generation of golfers, ensuring that the legacy of unity and enjoyment he helped to establish continues to flourish for years to come.
As April marks the observance of Celebrate Diversity Month, it presents Golf Ontario with a wonderful opportunity to share inspiring stories and honour the diverse backgrounds and contributions of our members, volunteers, players, and colleagues.
Golf Ontario is thrilled to invite you to the heart of our community spirit and dedication – the 1000 Ball Challenge!
This year, we aim not just to meet but to exceed our collective potential in supporting the wonderful game of golf across our province. Inspired by our shared passion for golf and commitment to making it accessible to everyone, the 1000 Ball Challenge stands as a testament to what we can achieve together.
Why Your Participation Matters
All funds raised will directly fuel the GOLF FOR ALL FUND, supporting critical areas like:
Women and Girls Golf Youth Development Adaptive Golf Indigenous Golf
How It Works
Reach your fundraising goal of $5,000, then showcase your endurance by hitting 1000 golf balls at your chosen location. Whether individually or as a team, your effort will ripple across our community, inspiring and making a significant impact.
Golf Ontario is excited to announce the continuation of its longstanding partnership with Baka Communications, celebrating 20 years of unwavering collaboration. This renewal underscores Baka’s role as the presenting partner for the Ontario Public Amateur Championship and its support for the Public Player membership program.
Since initiating their partnership in 2004, Baka Communications has passionately supported amateur golf in Ontario, aligning its mission with Golf Ontario’s dedication to nurturing golf’s growth at the grassroots level. The Ontario Public Amateur Championship stands as a pinnacle event in the golf calendar, offering a competitive platform with both gross and net flights, and showcasing Baka’s commitment to fostering competition and sportsmanship within the amateur golf scene.
“Our partnership has not only endured over time but has also adapted to the evolving dynamics of the sport,” says Baka Communications President, John Marion. “Baka is honoured to continue as the presenting partner for the Ontario Public Amateur Championship, support the Public Player membership program, and contribute to Golf Ontario’s broader fundraising initiatives.”
Beyond the championship and membership program, Baka Communications will support Golf Ontario’s 1000 Ball Challenge, aiding in fundraising efforts for golf programs and initiatives across the province. Additionally, Baka will sponsor a yearly Golf Ontario scholarship to assist an aspiring student-athlete golfer from Ontario, demonstrating Baka’s commitment to developing golf talent both on the course and in the classroom.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Baka Communications for the 20th year,” says Golf Ontario’s CEO, Kyle McFarlane. “Their consistent support has been crucial in elevating the quality of our events and programs,” he says, adding, “we anticipate another year of fruitful collaboration, as we work together to promote golf’s growth and positively impact lives through the sport.”
The enduring partnership between Baka Communications and Golf Ontario reaffirms their joint commitment to the advancement of golf, building upon two decades of success, and contributing to a lasting legacy within the Ontario golf community.
