Nobelle Park and Gabriel Mainella Winners at Ontario Junior Players Invitational
Golf Ontario
A perfect day for golf in Myrtle Beach, S.C., was underscored by the thrilling final round of the Ontario Junior Players Invitational at the scenic Moorland Course of Legends Golf Resorts.
In the girls’ competition, Nobelle Park of RattleSnake Point Golf Club, leading after the first round, proved unbeatable. The Team Ontario athlete sailed through her even-par final round to clinch the title. Her Team Ontario teammate, Aryn Matthews of Bigwin Island Golf Club, closely followed throughout the round but couldn’t narrow the gap despite posting a strong 72 on her scorecard. Alexa Ouellet of Weston Golf & Country Club, another Team Ontario member, finished in third place.
Park’s performance on the back nine, featuring birdies on the 15th and 16th, secured her victory at one-over par for the tournament.
On the boys side, Gabriel Mainella of Summit Golf & Country Club emerged victorious after a day-long battle with Bode Stephen from Cataraqui Golf & Country Club, claiming the boys division title. Jordan Hwang of Emerald Hills Golf & Country Club took third place, achieving the tournament’s lowest score of 69 in his final round.
Mainella’s win was highlighted by five birdies, including a two-under par on the back nine, enabling him to win by a single stroke over Stephen, with both players scoring 69 on the final day. Mainella shared his excitement about the victory, saying, “obviously a big tournament and my first win… it’s a tough stretch of holes down the back and I kind of got nervous…but excited I got the win.
Tournament Director, Connor Doyle, highlighted the excellent start to the season, noting the excitement of the tournament’s conclusion.
Golf Ontario expressed gratitude towards Legends Golf Resort and its staff for their outstanding hospitality during the past week.
The 77-player field featured many of Ontario’s top junior golfers, all of whom were looking to take home the championship title from the challenging and beautiful Moorland Course at the Legends Golf Resorts.
This year’s event saw an extension to 54 holes, an increase from last year’s 36 holes. Furthermore, participants have the opportunity to earn points towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking and Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings.
For the full leaderboard and final round tee times, CLICK HERE.
FAST FACTS
Seven of the Top 10 girls are Team Ontario members.
The lowest girls’ score was 69, achieved by Alexa Ouellet (Team Ontario).
Six of the Top 10 boys are Team Ontario members.
The lowest boys’ score was 69, achieved by Jordan Hwang (Team Ontario).
The 12th hole was the toughest, with an average score of 4.88.
The 7th hole was the second toughest, averaging 3.65.
The easiest hole was the 16th, with an average score of 3.94.
The course’s scoring average was 78.27.
The Moorland Course was once ranked as the 37th toughest golf course in America by Golf Digest.
Ontario’s Top-Ranked Juniors Tee Off in Myrtle Beach
Golf Ontario
Golf Ontario kicked off its 2024 championship schedule with the Ontario Junior Players Invitational Monday in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Team Ontario’s Nobelle Park of Rattlesnake Golf Club and last year’s second-place finisher, leads in the girls’ division thru 36 holes. Park delivered commendable scores of 74 and 73, securing a two-stroke advantage over her Team Ontario teammate Aryn Matthews of Bigwin Island Golf Club, who posted scores of 72 and 77, finishing at 3-over par.
In the boys’ division, Next Wave athlete Gabriel Mainella of the Summit Golf & Country Club, climbed to the top of the leaderboard with solid rounds of 74 and 73, bolstered by eight birdies on the first day. He enters the final round with a one-stroke lead over Team Ontario’s Bode Stephen of Cataraqui Golf & Country Club, who carded rounds of 72 and 75 to stand at 5-over.
The 77-player field features many of Ontario’s top junior golfers, all of whom are looking to take home the championship title from the challenging and beautiful Moorland Course at the Legends Golf Resorts.
The competitions biggest change this year is the extension to 54 holes, an increase from last year’s 36 holes. Furthermore, participants have the opportunity to earn points towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking and Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings.
“It was great to see how well the players handled the 36 holes today, we should be in for an exciting finish,” Ontario Players Invitational Tournament Director Connor Doyle says.
The tournament concludes on Tuesday with the final 18 holes, starting at 8 a.m. from both the 1st and 10th tees.
For the full leaderboard and final round tee times, CLICK HERE.
QUOTABLES
“I’m nervous for tomorrow … but I hope play wel l… it’s tough competition.” — Nobelle Park, Team Ontario Athlete,
“Today was definitely fun. I started off the day really well with an even par… but quickly kind of on the back stretch … lost a little bit in the second round.” — Aryn Matthews, Team Ontario Athlete
“The conditions were tough, it was windy and cold in the the start of the morning. Feel like I did really good at the start. Pushed through the windy conditions.” — Gabriel Mainella, Next Wave Athlete
FAST FACTS
Seven of the Top 10 Girls are Team Ontario Athlete
Lowest Girls Score of the day: Team Ontario’s Alexa Ouellet, 69
Six of the Top 10 Boys are Team Ontario
Lowest Boys score was 72: By 5 players
Course scoring average was 81.6
Team Ontario athlete and third-place finisher at last year’s Junior Players Invitational, Jordan Hwang of Emerald Hills Golf & Country Club, currently sits third again.
The 77-player field features many of Ontario’s top junior golfers, all of whom are looking to take home the championship title which will be contested March 11-12 at impressive Moorland Course at the Legends Golf Resorts.
This year marks the event’s second installment, featuring significant updates. Notably, the competition will extend over 54 holes, an increase from last year’s 36 holes. Furthermore, participants will now have the opportunity to earn points towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking and Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings.
John Lawrence, Golf Ontario’s Director of Competitions and Performance, expressed enthusiasm about this year’s enhancements to the events. “Launching our championship season with the Ontario Junior Players Invitational is thrilling,” Lawrence says. “Expanding the championship to 54 holes and including ranking points elevates the players’ experience, mirroring the collegiate competition atmosphere.”
The invitational will see players take on 36-holes on Monday, with the final 18-holes coming on Tuesday.
This year’s field includes all 16 Team Ontario members as well as 10 Next Wave athletes. The field is rounded out by an impressive group of players who were offered invites based on their 2023 performance.
Among the 78-players in the 2024 Ontario Junior Players Invitational, there are:
Team Ontario: All 16 members of Team Ontario are in the invitational’s field. They are: Alexa Oueullet; Angela Cai; Aryn Matthews; Bridget Yu; Kaprice Park; Nobelle Park; Shelby Hardwick; Wendy Li; Ben Sheridan; Bode Stephen; Chase Jerome; Dawson Lew; Graydon Laughlin; Jordan Hwang; Nathaniel Yoo; Rylan Hall.
Brampton Golf Club’s Manav Bharani, winner of the 2023 Ontario Bantam (U15) Boys Championship makes his Players Invitational debut.
2023 Ontario Super Camp and Junior Tour Champion, and Team Ontario athlete Alexa Ouellet of Weston Golf and Country Club.
Last year’s runner up, the No. 2-ranked player on the 2023 Junior Golf Pathway Rankings and Team Ontario athlete Nobelle Park of Rattlesnake Golf Club.
Team Ontario athlete and third-place finisher at last year’s Junior Players Invitational, Jordan Hwang of Emerald Hills Golf & Country Club.
FAST FACTS
Championship Venue: The Moorland Course at The Legends Resort
Golf Ontario Announces Next Wave Junior Development Program
Golf Ontario
Golf Ontario proudly introduces the 2024 Next Wave Junior Development Program, designed to nurture and elevate the skills of Ontario’s young golfers.
This thoughtful initiative aims to blend specialized training with ongoing support, providing a solid foundation for the province’s future stars to shine in the competitive golf landscape.
“We’re so proud and excited to introduce the Next Wave Junior Development Program and all the 15 young athletes who will be part of the program in 2024,” says Golf Ontario’s Chief Sport Officer, Ryan Finn. “We truly believe this program aligns with everything we’re already doing with the Junior Golf Pathway, but also adds another layer of development that is directly aimed at junior golf athletes who are looking to advance in their competitive journey.”
The 2024 Next Wave Junior Development Program includes members (with their personal coaches in parentheses):
Sierra Kowlayshyn, Sawmill Golf Course (Travis Glass, PGA of Canada)
Ava Gilbert, Summit Golf & Country Club (Sean Burke, PGA of Canada)
Kirsten Lee, Brampton Golf Club (Sean Casey, PGA of Canada)
Cole Thompson, Lookout Point Country Club (Adam Steinschifter, PGA of Canada)
Ben Julie, Sawmill Golf Course (Doug Lawrie, PGA of Canada)
Matthew Simpson, Lambton Golf & Country Club (Sean Casey, PGA of Canada)
John Yang, Summit Golf & Country Club (Trevor Wallman, PGA of Canada)
Tristan Zhang, Summit Golf & Country Club (Trevor Wallman, PGA of Canada)
Josh Ye, Summit Golf & Country Club (Trevor Wallman, PGA of Canada)
Aiden Pavey, Hidden Lake Golf Club(David Banks, PGA of Canada)
Bo Dong, Angus Glen Golf Club (Dong Hee Lee)
Sadie Wu, Station Creek Golf Club (Dong Hee Lee)
Gabriel Mainella, Summit Golf & Country Club (Tyler Marchand, PGA of Canada)
Landon Van Loon, Upper Canada Golf Course (Tristan Mullally, PGA of Canada)
Michael Vivone, Royal Ottawa Golf Club (Derek MacDonald, PGA of Canada)
Targeted towards junior-aged athletes competing in local, regional, and provincial championships, the program is dedicated to helping them fulfill their aspirations of becoming members of Team Ontario, Team Canada, and earning spots on collegiate golf teams. The program is centered around the mental, physical, technical, and tactical facets of golf, the program offers early access to specialized team training; setting the stage for their future achievements.
Next Wave athletes will enjoy exclusive benefits, such as: Coaching support from Team Ontario Head Coach, Reggie Millage; sessions with Team Ontario Mental Performance Coach, Dr. Charles Fitzsimmons, strength and conditioning coaching by Dr. Nick Martichenko; Next Wave athlete clothing from adidas Golf Canada; and access to the TaylorMade Performance Lab.
Additionally, Next Wave athletes can sign up for exclusive Team Ontario programs like Training Days, March Break Training Camp, and the Spring Training Camp.
Selection for the program is based on the athletes’ competitive performances and rankings in the U13, U15, and U17 divisions of the Junior Golf Pathway from the last season.
Golf Ontario looks forward to the prospects the Next Wave Junior Development Program offers to Ontario’s emerging golf stars and the association extends gratitude to TaylorMade Golf Canada, Adidas Golf Canada, and Humber College for their support of this transformative initiative.
The Junior Golf Pathway Webinar Series is an informative web series providing Junior Golfers with access to industry professionals to help them learn and develop this off-season. The 2022 Webinar Series will have a variety of speakers and topics that will be useful to Junior Golfers at each level of the developmental pathway.
Please see below for more details on speakers, dates, times and other important information.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to reach the College golf level? On Friday, February 11th at 6:00 p.m., tune in with JGP & Coach Herb Page
Page served as the Head Men’s Golf Coach at Kent State University for decades and knows what it takes to succeed in college golf. He has also coached big names like Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, and Taylor Pendrith at Kent State.
Golf Ontario Announces Transformative Changes to JR High-Performance Golf Across the Province
Peter MacKellar
New Junior Golf Pathway will deliver clarity for athletes, parents and coaches through a NEW digital platform and consolidated competitive opportunities.
New partnership with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) will feature a season-long points ranking system, AJGA playing status for top ranking juniors, and a new season-ending Tour Championship
Uxbridge, ON
An almost 2-year long collaboration between Golf Ontario and over 10 local junior golf tours in Ontario will culminate in the launch of the new Junior Golf Pathway. This new initiative will help to revolutionize junior golf in Ontario, and will bring all key stakeholders together to deliver benefits in 3 key areas:
To provide clarity in the current competitive junior golf space,
To outline a clear path through the junior golf pathway for aspiring competitive junior golfers.
Connect young golfers and their families with training & competitive opportunities best suited to their skill levels.
At the core of this new initiative is the Junior Golf Pathway website (www.juniorgolfpathway.ca) that includes the newly developed Junior Golf Pathway framework. Athletes, coaches and parents can easily access information and get inspiration to make informed decisions on what training environment, competition or talent ID initiatives they should be participating in.
There will be many great tools available on this new site for young golfers and their families.
Players will be able to complete an online player profile to help showcase them on this resource.
There will be a searchable Coach look up tool that will allow junior golfers to find the appropriate coach for their skills levels
There will be a searchable Tournament tool that allows players to find competitive events at the appropriate level of their development, and bring these into their profile
A Tour navigation page will be set up to significantly help clarify the partner tours that are available for a player to hone their development.
Mike Kelly, Executive Director of Golf Ontario, “This is an exciting innovation and we invite the entire Ontario golf community to be part of it. The mission of the Junior Golf Pathway is very simple: to ensure that competitive junior golfers stay on course to reach their highest potential. Through robust training tools and resources as well as a powerful marketing engine for tour operators and PGA of Canada coaches, the Junior Golf Pathway will simplify access, modernize a new competitive pathway, and ensure a positive experience for athletes and parents.”
This site has been built so that all of the local tours are incorporated, providing a one-stop shop for junior competitive options. These tours are: The CJGA, Golf Canada, Golf Ontario, Hamilton Halton Junior Golf Tour, Jamieson Junior Tour, Maple Leaf Junior Tour, Niagara District Junior Tour, North Eastern Junior Golf Tour, Ottawa Valley Golf Association, Pepsi-Titleist Junior Tour, Play Junior Golf Tour, Simcoe County Junior Golf Tour, Tee-It-Up Junior Golf Tour, Tyson Tour, and US Kids Niagara.
To learn more, please go to www.juniorgolfpathway.ca to understand all of the key tools that will be available for junior golfers. This initiative will truly help drive clarity in this space and will create a welcome environment for junior golfers to make the right decisions for their individual development.
In addition, and in conjunction with this Junior Golf Pathway launch, Golf Ontario is proud to announce a new partnership with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). This partnership will ensure a stronger connection between the many tours, events, and championships in Ontario and the AJGA organization and ranking system. The AJGA operates on a successful Performance Based Entry (PBE Stars) system, meaning athletes must have past success in order to qualify for AJGA events. Ontario’s Junior Rankings have been revised to better reflect competitive golf in the province and athletes will now be able to gain PBE exemptions and Stars through play in championships across Ontario.
As part of this partnership, in 2021, the top two golfers on each of the U17 and U19 Boys and Girls rankings will earn fully exempt AJGA status for the 2022 season. As well, the top two U15 ranked boys and girls will earn 12 PBE Stars and the top two U13 ranked boys and girls will earn 8 PBE Stars. In 2022 this will increase to ten exempt players per gender for the 2023 season.
Building on the success of the inaugural 2020 Golf Ontario Super Camp, The Tour Championship, will serve as a new, penultimate event of 2021 for Junior golfers to improve their rankings. This transition will add a day of competition to the 2021 Super Camp, making for two days of Golf Canada National Testing Protocols, and three days of Tour Championship tournament play. Qualification for this event will be open to the top 45 Boys and Girls (with at least one year of junior golf eligibility remaining) on the JGP rankings as of August 31st, 2021. In 2022, The Tour Championship will become an official AJGA Open event and provide even more AJGA exemptions and PBE Stars. Ontario invitations will be determined based on Ontario Junior Rankings and will offer the same PBE Stars as the Ontario Junior Championships.
Kelly continued to say that “Thanks to the support of so many passionate tour operators and coaches as well as our facilities, volunteers and Golf Canada, junior competitive golf in Ontario will be incredibly strong for many years to come. As we embark on this new chapter, we appreciate your passion and energy that will drive the sport and junior golf forward.”
“The new Junior Golf Pathway will be a tremendous asset for families with junior golfers of all levels in Ontario,” said Mark Oskarson, AJGA chief operating officer. “The AJGA is grateful to join with Golf Ontario in this initiative and be a part of helping to further inspire those players looking to play college golf.”
About Junior Golf Pathway
The launch of the Junior Golf Pathway represents a collaboration between Golf Ontario and the many golf tours available to junior golfers across the province. The Junior Golf Pathway is an interactive tool and resource to assist junior golfers to reach their highest potential. From what tournaments to play, to finding coaches to assist development, this website with help juniors build their path in junior golf and beyond. Visit www.juniorgolfpathway.ca to learn more.
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @JrGolfPathway
To stay informed on the Junior Golf Pathway information, events, and additional updates, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook. Make sure to visit the website (www.juniorgolfpathway.ca) for further information.
About the American Junior Golf Association
The AJGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 7,000 members from 50 states and 60 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.
TaylorMade and adidas are the AJGA’s National Sponsors, supporting the AJGA for more than 25 years. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016. adidas has been the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA since 2017. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate, and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 900 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Ariya Jutanugarn, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Brittany Lincicome, Anna Nordqvist, Inbee Park, and Lexi Thompson.
About the Participating Local Junior Tours.
15 local junior golf tours will provide the backbone for the new Junior Golf Pathway. Each of these tours provides important opportunities for junior golfers to hone their competitive skills, and all of these tours will work together to provide more clarity and a more cohesive ranking system to identify the best golfers in the province, both female and male. Visit www.juniorgolfpathway.ca/tours to learn more.
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 450-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.
For more information please contact:
Peter MacKellar,
Manager, Marketing and Communications,
Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca