Uxbridge, ON – Golfers return to Don Valley Golf Course for the 8^th time to compete in the 2023 Ontario Public Amateur Championship Presented by Baka Mobile from September 11th to 12th. Ninety-nine golfers will compete over 36 holes of championship stroke play, male players will be in competition for three flights of championship titles and women golfers will play in Gross and Net Competition.

Don Valley, the seven-time host, located in the heart of Toronto offers a variety of holes with a reputation for its exciting natural setting. With its highly sought-after tee times and year-round beauty, Don Valley Golf Course sets the stage for another year of fierce competition.  Last year’s overall men’s champion Michael Naus, will be returning to defend his title.

This tournament is open to players of the Golf Ontario Public Player Program and members of a semi-public golf course. Golfers will compete in three separate flights of competition, with the A flight competing in a gross competition, while the B and C flights will play in a net competition. Golfers in the B flight will also have an opportunity to compete in the overall competition.

Tee times begin at 8 am September 11th off the 1st tee. For more information on the championship and to follow the leaderboard, click here for the official tournament website.

About the Ontario Public Amateur Championship Presented by Baka Mobile

The Ontario Public Amateur Championship was first played in 1958 at Don Valley Golf Course. Past winners include Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Member Dave Bunker (2009, 2010), Robert Mclean (2021), Arnold Johnson (2015, 2011), Peter Willis (2014), Gail Pimm (2015) and Nobelle Park (2022). Mill Run Golf Club (Uxbridge, ON) has hosted the tournament a record nine times.

The Ontario Public Amateur Championship Presented by Baka Mobile 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.

About Golf Ontario

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial sports organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 500 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world.  From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to Shaping Lives Through Golf.

Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario

To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

For more information, please contact:

Greg Mitchell, Coordinator; Brand, Communications & Marketing Golf Ontario,

GMitchell@gao.ca

Connor Doyle, Tournament Director

CDoyle@gao.ca

Golf Ontario, the Provincial Sport Organization for Golf, is currently seeking interested individuals to serve on the Board of Directors for a three-year term commencing February 2024.

If you have a strong passion for the sport of Golf and believe that it can contribute to building healthy communities, we would like to hear from you.  We are searching for strategic thinkers with demonstrated expertise and experience in Community Development through Sport and/or Government Relations. Knowledge of the amateur sport system in Ontario, including the infrastructure of golf, would be highly valued. We are committed to making golf more accessible and welcoming to diverse populations and would encourage like-minded individuals to apply. 

Our Vision is a simple but powerful statement:  Golf for All. This Vision is brought to life in our Strategic Plan, through unique participation initiatives such as the Regional Support Strategy. We are committed to building trusting relationships with our facilities and our golf partners so that together we can expand participation opportunities not only for current players but also for those who have never had the opportunity to play the game.

The role of a Golf Ontario Board member is to act as a trustee, always serving the best interests of the organization with integrity and an open mind.  The Board is responsible for upholding our by-laws, determining policy, developing and evaluating strategic priorities, and approving annual budgets.

The Board currently consists of 11 directors serving staggered three-year terms, with an option to extend for a second three-year term.  We will welcome 3 new directors in 2024. In-person Board meetings are hosted quarterly (travel and accommodation reimbursement provided), while quarterly Board committee and work group meetings are held virtually.

Expressions of Interest must include the following:

•   Online application form and

•   Current CV (Instructions for uploading your documents are included on the application form).

The application deadline for the coming year is October 31, 2023.   

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO APPLY.

With over 80 years of history and tradition, serving 100,000 members, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world.  We strive to align with all golf stakeholders through a connected golf community while encouraging both youth and adults to play more golf, more often. Our Mission is to shape lives through golf by connecting people to positive golf experiences.

Golf Ontario is an equal-opportunity organization committed to providing accessible practices. We will make all reasonable accommodations for applicants with varying abilities to support their full participation in this process. We thank all individuals for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All Expressions of Interest will be kept in confidence.

About Golf Ontario

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 500 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world.  From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to Shaping Lives Through Golf.

Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario

To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

We caught up with just some of the passionate girls and women across our community recently, and asked them to share what it means to them to be a woman in golf in Ontario, and if there was a moment in their golf experience that made a major impact on them.

We know that sport has the power to change lives. Girls who play golf tend to learn teamwork, self- reliance, resilience and confidence. All powerful skills that can create great leaders. I love watching young women playing golf and I’m very proud to be associated with both Golf Ontario and Golf Canada who provide so many opportunities for both young and older women to learn the sport, compete in the sport and to support the sport. We are so fortunate in Ontario to have many excellent female role models as players, as coaches, as volunteers, as golf course owners and even as golf course architects. And, as we all know, “if you can’t see, you can’t be it”. So on March 8th, let’s celebrate all that International Women’s Day means to golf and to all the opportunities that we have and can continue to create for female golfers. “Play like a Girl”

Growing up, media coverage for the LPGA tour was not very big. Only recently, it started to change and women in golf are beginning to gain the attention and recognition they truly deserve. As a woman in golf, I believe I have the opportunity to represent this community to further develop the game for future generations. The sport has given me many new opportunities to grow and learn invaluable skills. I hope to inspire other girls to become more involved in sports and continue the progress we are making for female athletes today.

I always felt like golf was always a very male dominated sport, I didn’t know many other female golfers and women’s golf was almost never broadcasted on TV. I’m glad to say that female golf is gaining its proper recognition now, and it means the world to me that I am a part of the generation where female golf is growing immensely. Golf means the world to me, and I am so proud that I am able to represent females in golf for Ontario. I hope that my fellow female competitors and I can continue being role models for the female golfers in the making.

Women in Sports have come a long way in the last few years with pay raises, more tournaments/tours, and more recognition on television. One of the sports that I have seen the most improvement in is golf. There is so much talent for women in sports and in golf right now, and I think we can prove to the world that we should be recognized. Women in Golf is an awesome movement to bring more women into this sport and help them feel belonged, and I think Golf Ontario is doing a great job by promoting this event every year and helping it grow. The more we can teach and get women interested in golf, the more we can help this sport grow in all parts of the world for everyone!

In my family tree, I am the only female athlete to have come far enough to play in provincial, national, and international tournaments at a junior age. I have tremendous support from my whole family and our friends. But, the most support I get is from my little cousins! They love to ask me about my tournaments and find out if I have won, and watch me play. They are so interested to learn and play golf when they grow up and go play in these high-level tournaments. When they ask me if I can teach them golf, and they say “I want to be like you when I grow up,” it inspires and motivates me to become better every day. I think to myself that one day I will be inspiring many more little girls to start playing golf, and grow this sport for the girls out there that can truly bring out their talent!

I joined my golf club shortly after graduating and I didn’t know a soul. Over the past 47 years, I have participated in many events, draws and competitions. I started without a handicap and I’m now a single digit golfer. Most importantly, I have met hundreds of people through golf some I include in my family circle. These lasting connections will last a lifetime.

I think it is very important for women in business to participate in golf. Personally I started to golf when I first started at a law firm and the men left to go golfing but the women were not invited. Many women miss out on important business development and mentoring opportunities when they don’t know how to golf. Learning to golf is not only enjoyable but can be very helpful in a woman’s longer term career objectives.

Golf has and continues to play a significant role in my life, in wonderful and meaningful ways. Starting back as a student, I fondly recall enjoying the landscape and sunshine of Ontario summers outdoors on the golf course on a beverage cart. In my professional career as a finance professional, I have had the fortune of occupying leadership roles at member golf facilities, and at present here at Golf Ontario. Our vision of Golf for All and mission to shape lives by connecting people to positive golf experiences are statements that resonate, and are congruent with my personal values and philanthropic desires. Our association’s path forward is exciting!

As a Woman working in Golf, I am driven to be a positive influence and supporter of others in both the accounting profession and in business management, particularly in sport. In my personal life, golf talk continues – my husband also works in the golf industry as a Turfgrass Professional, we met nearly 20 years ago on course, sharing many friends in this wonderful industry. Today we raise our two young children with an active lifestyle, and cherish the memories we make as a family together, often on the golf course.

For me this means so much more than just women playing the great game of golf. I would love to see in future years more women in the business of golf, whether that be reporting, managing or even creating golf courses. I am most excited to see Golf Ontario venture into creating hype over working in golf and all the benefits that come along with the game!

I will never forget the time when we hosted the 2019 University College National Championship and a players parents came up to me to say how their daughter couldn’t believe that it was a woman in charge of running the facility. Throughout the week I had many young ladies ask me about my career path and how I came to hold my position in golf. This was encouraging for me as they now can see someone who they can relate to in a senior leadership position as well as opening the conversation surrounding female empowerment in sport.

This International Women’s Day, Golf Ontario celebrates and acknowledges all the many contributions made by these young girls and women that are just a small part of the fabric of our golf community across Ontario. We thank them for being part of our mission to shape lives by creating positive golf experiences for all.

Golf Ontario is proud to announce the addition of the Ontario Junior Players Invitational presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach to the 2023 Golf Ontario Championship Schedule. The tournament scheduled March 13-14 at River Hills Golf & Country Club in Little River, South Carolina, is exclusively for 60 Junior (U19) Boys & Girls from Ontario.

The Ontario Junior Players Invitational provides Ontario junior players an opportunity to participate in a competition to prepare them for the upcoming golf season. Tournament invitations will be sent to the top players on the 2022 Junior Golf Pathway Rankings.  There will also be an opportunity for juniors outside the rankings to participate through a performance based application process.

For more information about the championship, please go to the Official Tournament Website or contact Tournament Director Connor Doyle at cdoyle@gao.ca

APPLY TO THE TOURNAMENT HERE

In addition to the tournament on March 13-14, Golf Ontario will be offering a limited training experience with Team Ontario athletes and coaches during the 2023 March Break. Details will be announced on tournament website on January 30^th.

Brockville/Uxbridge, ON – On May 18th to 20th, Brockville Country Club and Wooden Sticks Golf Club will host the Junior Spring Classic (U19) Championships. The Championships are open to boys and girls who are 18 and younger, and have qualified in previous tournaments.

Junior Spring Classic (U19) Boys Championship

Over the long weekend, Brockville Country Club will be hosting the Junior Spring Classic (U19) Boys Championship. The Brockville Country Club was founded in 1914, and with considerable elevation changes, many narrow fairways, and challenging par 3’s, the 18-hole course can be deceptively challenging.

“It’s an old course with lots of twists and doglegs,” said Doug Wark, Director of Sport Operations at Brockville. “It’s a course golfers have to understand due to the importance of positioning. It’ll be exciting to see how the players adapt.”

Last year, Matthew Anderson of Credit Valley Golf & Country Club took home the gold medal, shooting -2 (214), while Cameron Kellett of St. Thomas Golf and Country Club, Laurent Desmarchais of Vallée du Richelieu, and Brendan Dunphy of Whitevale Golf Club finished in a three-way tie for 2nd with a total score of -1 (215).

With Anderson moving on past the junior ranks, the top spot is up for grabs. Dunphy will be returning in the 2019 tournament, looking to turn his previous second place finish into a championship run.

Another notable golfer playing over the long weekend is Michael Ikejiani from Barrie Country Club. Ikejiani is coming off a hot start to the season, winning the Junior Boys division of the Ontario Champion of Champions Tournament on May 14th. Ikejiani led the charge, shooting -3 (68), which was the most commanding lead in the entire tournament. It is safe to assume he is hoping to continue his success at the Junior Spring Classic.

Players will be facing off on the difficult course for a chance to win the WD Randolph Millage Trophy. The top 3 Ontario boys will get exempt into the Ontario Junior Boys Championship, and the low Ontario boy will get a spot in the Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The Canadian Junior Boys Championship is set to take place on August 12th-15th, and will be held by Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club in Hartland, New Brunswick.

Tee times are set for 12:00pm, with split tees starting at the first, and tenth hole.

Junior Spring Classic (U19) Girls Championship

While the U19 boys are out in Brockville, the Junior Spring Classic (U19) Girls Championship will be held at Wooden Sticks Golf Course in Uxbridge. Wooden Sticks has brought together some of the most recognizable golf landscapes from the PGA and sculpted them into the scenery of the local area to produce 18 holes that will challenge all competitors. With golf holes inspired by Augusta, St. Andrews, Pine Valley, Carnoustie, TPC Sawgrass, and Oakmont, it is surely a course that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“We’ve hosted this event over the past couple of years for the boys, so we are excited to host the girls this year,” said Steve Wilson, Head Golf Professional at Wooden Sticks. “There’s so much talent in this tournament, it’s without a doubt going to be an exciting weekend.”

Last year, the Girls Spring Classic was a tight race. Emily Zhu from National Pines Golf Club, finished in first with a score of +8 (224). Zhu was closely trailed by Team Ontario member Hailey McLaughlin from Granite Golf Club who finished +9 (225), and then Taylor Kehoe from West Haven Golf & Country Club who finished +11 (227).

With both Zhu and Kehoe not returning to the tournament, McLaughlin is the only medal winner from last year returning this season, giving her a good opportunity to claim the top spot.

The girls will be facing off at Wooden Sticks for a chance to win the WD Randolph Millage Trophy.

Tee times are also set for 12:00pm, with all players starting at the first hole.

To read more about both the boys and girls results last year, CLICK HERE

About the Junior Spring Classic (U19) Championships

The Junior Spring Classic (U19) Championship is contested annually over the Victoria Day long weekend and features many of Ontario’s best male and female junior golfers.  The field of competitors gained entry to the competition through a qualifying process earlier in the season.

The three day tournament will challenge the focus, stamina, and skills of all the participating golfers. We wish all attending both Brockville and Uxbridge good luck, and we’ll see you on the course!

About Golf Ontario

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 95,000 individual members and 400 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to shaping lives through Golf.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @thegolfontario for live updates on the Junior Spring Classic (U19) Championship and other tournaments this season.

Ryan MacKenzie

rmackenzie@gao.ca

UXBRIDGE, ON – Golf Ontario is excited to announce its 2018 tournament schedule featuring the best provincial championships in the country hosted at some of Ontario’s finest golf courses.

 

Heading into its 96^th season, the Golf Ontario tournament schedule will be highlighted by the addition of member/guest events, the Ontario Summer Games and the Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships.

 

“Golfers in Ontario will have no shortage of opportunities to compete next summer” said John Lawrence, Manager of Competitions. “Through the feedback of our members we are pleased to add some new championships and changes to our existing tournaments. I would like to thank our member clubs as a schedule of this magnitude could not have been done with out their support.”

 

The championship season officially begins on May 10^th with the Men’s Better-Ball hosted annually at Toronto’s Oakdale Golf & Country Club. Next season will also mark the playing of the Ontario Summer Games, as golfers will compete for the gold medal. The games will be hosted by the City of London and Thames Valley Golf Club will welcome golfers August 3-5.

 

Of course all eyes will be on the Investors Group Ontario Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships. The men will return to the historic St. Thomas Golf Club (July 10-13) for the first time since Master’s Champion Mike Weir’s victory in 1992. Meanwhile, the Ontario Women’s Amateur will come together with the Mid-Am competition and embark on beautiful Seguin Valley Golf Club in Parry Sound, which will host the event for the first time.

 

New to the schedule will be the addition of provincial Member/Guest Championships for both men and women providing a bonus opportunity to those winning their clubs member/guest championship. “After an overwhelming response from our member clubs we decided to add another playing opportunity for golfers in Ontario” said Lawrence. “These member/guest events will provide a fun yet competitive environment for golfers of all skill levels.”

 

The complete schedule including tournament formats and entry eligibility will be available February 1^st, 2018 when tournament registration opens. Early bird pricing will be available depending on tournament entry deadlines.

 

For more information or comments on the tournament schedule please contact John Lawrence at jlawrence@gao.ca.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW
THE CHAMPIONSHIP & QUALIFIER SCHEDULE

 

 

UXBRIDGE— Golf Ontario is proud to announce the return of The 12 Days of Golf in support of the Future Links Golf In Schools program. In 2016, the fundraising campaign debuted and was met with overwhelming support, managing to raise more than $30,000.

With the holiday season right around the corner, Golf Ontario is ready to again help shoppers find the perfect gift for the golfer on their list. The 12 Days of Golf will once again officially begin on December 1st and run until December 12^th.

 

“The 12 Days of Golf gives all Ontario golfers the chance to purchase exclusive tee times and play some of the best courses in the province,” said Mike Kelly, Golf Ontario Executive Director. “This is a great way to treat the golfer on your holiday list and it is all thanks to the generosity of our great member clubs!”

Angus Glen, Copper Creek Golf Club and Muskoka Bay Golf Club are just some of the exciting courses that will be up for grabs. Golf Ontario has made it their goal to make the 12 Days of Golf online auction a one-stop shop for people looking for gifts for golf enthusiasts. Once a foursome has been purchased it will be sent directly to the purchaser in time for the holidays.

The best part about the campaign is that all of the proceeds will go towards the Future Links Golf In Schools Program in Ontario.

“The Future Links Golf In Schools program is a great grassroots program that Golf Canada and Ontario run in the province. Introducing young people to all that golf has to offer helps to shape our youth by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance,” added Kelly.

When the 12 Days of Golf begins on December 1, multiple foursomes will be available for auction every three days. The items will only be in the auction for those three days before being replaced by a new set of foursomes. Bidders are encouraged to check back regularly to see what foursomes are available. All items will have a minimum bid, depending on the course, and will have a Buy It Now feature, in case there is an item that is a must have.

Golf Ontario would like to thank the participating courses for supporting this outstanding initiative.

The auction will be accessible through Golf Ontario’s main webpage (gao.ca/12days) and will also be live on Golf Ontario’s eBay page at: http://www.ebay.ca/usr/golfontario.

About Golf In Schools

The national Future Links Golf in Schools program is offered in the province by Golf Ontario in partnership with Golf Canada, PGA of Canada, and Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada).

The goal of Future Links Golf in Schools is to introduce students and teachers to the game of golf in a fun and exciting environment, and to link them to local golf facilities where they can transition into the sport.

Future Links Golf in Schools includes equipment and programming that can be delivered by school teachers, community golf coaches, and local golf professionals at schools or golf facilities.

Highlights from the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Senior Men’s Championship, July 25-27 at Cedar Brae Golf Club in Scarborough, won by Orillia’s John Murphy.

Highlights from the 2017 Ontario Juvenile Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, Aug. 15-17 at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort in Camlachie. The titles were won by Fonthill’s Freddy D’Angelo and Markham’s Victoria Zheng.