Team Ontario Returns to South Carolina to Defend Junior Can-Am Matches Title
Golf Ontario
Uxbridge, ON – March has arrived, which means it’s time to let the madness begin… Golf madness, that is! As the 2019 defending champions of the Can-Am Junior Team Matches, Team Ontario will start their journey down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on March 4th for just over two weeks of training camp and competition.
Our gracious host, the South Carolina Golf Association, will welcome Team Ontario back to Wachesaw Plantation Club for three days of competition to defend their 2019 title. Following two years of cancelled Can-Am Junior Team Matches, Team Ontario’s Head Coach, Reggie Millage, is excited for the athletes to gain this golf experience. They’ll put their skills to the test against the top eight junior boys and girls from South Carolina. “The Can-Am Matches are always one of the most anticipated events on the calendar for the athletes, coaches and staff at Golf Ontario,” explained Millage. “The last two years have been very challenging, making this year’s Matches even more special. I believe we are even more grateful and appreciative to have these opportunities. I can’t wait to get back to one of my favourite places at Wachesaw Plantation and reconnect with all the wonderful people that make this event happen.”
“The last two years have been very challenging, making this year’s Matches even more special. I believe we are even more grateful and appreciative to have these opportunities.”
Reggie Millage, Team Ontario Head Coach
Starting March 5th, our partner Play Golf Myrtle Beach and the stunning Barefoot Golf Resort will host Team Ontario for thirteen days of training camp. During this time, the Team will work on physical, mental, and technical training, while also going through specific testing measures using tracking technology. Other activities during this trip include attending the General Hackler College Invitational from March 12th to 13th to watch NCAA Division 1 schools in action.
All twenty Team Ontario athletes will attend the training camp and Can-Am Matches. From the girls’ side is, Alessandra Nagayo, Alissa Xu, Ashley Lafontaine, Emma Hansen, Krystal Li, Lindsay McGrath, Nyah Kelly, Peyton Costabile, Sarah Gallagher, and Tara O’Connor. Andreas Diogenous, Cameron Pero, Isaiah Ellis, Isaiah Ibit, Justin Matthews, Luke Smith, Michael Weber, Ryan Somerville, Thomas Latter, and Zach Smith will all be present on the boys’ side.
Head Coach Reggie Millage will join these athletes along with Sports Psychologist Charles Fitzsimmons, Dr. Bradley Murray, Director of Competitions and Performance John Lawrence, Junior Performance Coordinator Evan Arsenault, Regional Coordinator Alexandra Taylor, and Manager of Marketing and Communications Peter MacKellar. In addition, Ontario Golf Academy’s (Whistle Bear Golf Club) Development Coach and former Team Ontario athlete Alyssa Getty, PGA, will also be making the journey to Myrtle Beach.
The Can-Am Junior Team Matches will tee off on March 18th with the Junior Am event, dinner, and opening ceremonies to welcome the athletes to Wachesaw Plantation Club. Juniors will play a round with members and event sponsors in a pro-am style for the Junior Am event. Following this, March 19th and 20th will be best-ball matches and single matches. More details and coverage will be published as training camp and competition gets underway.
To follow along with the Team Ontario’s South Carolina experience and the Can-Am Junior Team Matches, check out the Team’s (@TeamGolfOntario) Twitter and Instagram accounts for live updates and coverage.
About the Can-Am Junior Team Matches (SCJGF)
In the 20 plus years, the Can-Am Junior Team Matches have seen over 125 South Carolina junior golfers who had participated in these matches go on to play competitive golf at the collegiate level. A select few of these youngsters have followed up their Can-Am competitions with NCAA National Championships, a FedEx Cup Title, and President’s Cup Team Member! Read more on their website.
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. For further information, visit our website.
For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing Communications – Golf Ontario pmackellar@gao.ca
Early Wins in Singles Secures Win for GAM Team over Team Ontario in International Senior Matches
Peter MacKellar
Golf Association of Michigan Team wins first 2 rounds in International Senior Matches
DEARBORN, Michigan. – The Golf Association of Michigan won four of the first five singles matches to top the team from Golf Ontario in the 8th International Senior Matches Thursday at TPC of Michigan.
The GAM built a 3-1 lead in foursomes or best-ball play Wednesday, and then wins by Bill Zylstra, David Bartnick, Matt Wiley and Rick Herpich in singles matches Thursday insured the 7 ½ – 4 ½ victory.
The GAM and Golf Ontario alternate hosting the matches that are presented annually to promote international sportsmanship. Each four-ball match was worth one point, and each singles match was worth one point. Halved matches earned each team one-half point.
Zylstra, Bartnick and Wiley helped with points on both days in the competition.
RESULTS
Wednesday, May 23, Four-Ball Matches
Christopher Kertsos/John Taylor (GAO) d. Steve Maddalena/Rick Herpich (GAM) 3 and 1
David Bartnick/Bill Zylstra (GAM) d. Joe Miszk/John Murphy (GAO) 1-up
Mitch Wilson/Randy Lewis (GAM) d. Robert Gibson/Larry Cooper (GAO) 3 and 2
Matt Wiley/Craig Adams (GAM) d. Kerry Short/Charlie Burke (GAO) 4 and 3
UXBRIDGE — Six players are returning to Team Ontario (U19) in 2018 and will be joined by eight new faces as Golf Ontario is pleased to announce the newest installment of the squad. The 2018 team will see an even split of seven boys and seven girls.
Leading the returning players for 2018 is Markham’s Victoria Zheng who captured the 2017 Ontario Juvenile Girls’ title at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort in Camlachie. Zheng will be joined by fellow returnees: Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj, who represented Ontario at the Canada Summer Games, Mississauga’s Matthew Anderson, Mississauga’s Robbie Latter, Markham’s Hailey McLaughlin, and Tillbury’s Hailey Katona.
The new members of the squad bring some impressive credentials from this past season. Sudbury’s Tristan Renaud won the Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship, Fonthill’s Freddy D’Angelo was the Ontario Juvenile Boys’ Champion, Aurora’s Vanessa Chychrun captured the Ontario Junior Girls’ Match Play title, and Caledon’s Raesa Sheikh was the Ontario Bantam Girls’ Champion. Also new to the team are: Waterloo’s Dylan Henderson, Windsor’s Shawn Sehra, Waterloo’s Bennett Ruby, and Windsor’s Jasmine Ly.
Entering his fifth season as the Head Provincial Coach is Milton resident Reggie Millage. Millage is joined by Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Martichenko and Mental Skills Coach Charles Fitzsimmons. Delaney Howson will act as the Team Coordinator.
“The start of a new season is always exciting but this year even more so,” said Millage. “This group is filled with talented, young athletes that are striving to be better and willing to do the work necessary to achieve their goals. I expect one of the hardest working teams this year and I have no doubt that they will show their off-season work next spring.”
The team will train throughout the winter at Peak Performance Golf in Vaughan. They will have a pair of local camps, followed by three winter warm weather camps including the Can/Am Matches, during March Break with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association at the Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
2018 Team Ontario
Name
Age (2018)
Hometown
Club
Coach
Graduation Year
Dylan Henderson
17
Waterloo
Whistle Bear GC
Dave Smallwood
2019
Shawn Sehra
15
Windsor
Roseland Golf & Curling Club
Randy McQueen/Joye McAvoy-Sinn
2020
Matthew Anderson
18
Mississauga
Credit Valley G&CC
Alf Callowhil
2018
Bennett Ruby
17
Waterloo
Westmount G & CC
Dave Smallwood
2019
Robbie Latter
17
Mississauga
Credit Valley G&CC
Nick Starchuck
2019
Tristan Renaud
17
Sudbury
Idylwylde G&CC
Reggie Millage
2019
Freddy D’Angelo
17
Fonthill
Lookout Point CC
Scott Cowx
2019
Jasmine Ly
17
Windsor
Kingsville G&CC
Joye McAvoy-Sinn
2019
Victoria Zheng
14
Markham
Station Creek GC
Dong Hee Lee
2021
Hailey McLaughlin
16
Markham
Cedar Brae G&CC
Reggie Millage
2019
Vanessa Chychrun
16
Aurora
Beacon Hall GC
Reggie Millage
2020
Raesa Sheikh
15
Caledon
Cedar Brae GC
Gord Burns & Reggie Millage
2021
Hailey Katona
16
Tilbury
Tilbury Golf Club
Dave Vanloozen
2020
Sarah Beqaj
16
Toronto
Toronto Golf Club
Ann Carroll
2020
About Team Ontario
Golf Ontario’s Team Ontario program is a high performance training program for the top junior aged golfers in Ontario. Athletes are selected in the fall each year and the program runs during the winter into the Ontario golf season. Team Ontario athletes receive the very best in coaching services, training/competitive opportunities, and sport science support. Being selected to Team Ontario is a tremendous accomplishment and offers unparalleled support and guidance to the participating athletes and their families. New for 2018, Team Ontario will be piloting a number strategic initiatives with Golf Canada and its National Team program focused on ensuring identified Next Generation players are getting opportunities and programming to best prepare them for high performance golf.
Golf Ontario set to host Canada Summer Games Prep Camp
Peter MacKellar
UXBRIDGE— From August 6-12, Winnipeg, Manitoba will host the 2017 Canada Summer Games. More than 4,000 athletes are set to take part in 16 sports, including Golf, during the course of the week. Southwood Golf and Country Club will play host to golf during the games. Each province and Territory can send a team of three boys and three girls, under 19 years of age, to compete in the individual and team 72-hole competitions.
Golf Ontario has outlined its selection criteria, which will include a Prep Camp, April 22-23 at Grand Niagara Golf Club in Niagara Falls. This invitational camp will be used as the first look at the potential athletes that can be selected to the 2017 Canada Summer Games team for Ontario. The two-day camp will consist of physical and technical testing along with two rounds of 18 holes.
In addition to the camp, the rest of the selection criteria includes results from: the 2017 Ontario Junior Spring Classic, Future Links Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, Ontario Junior Boys’ and Girls Championships, International Invitational Events, and Ontario Order of Merit rankings up to July 20th.
A long list of athletes have the potential to make up Team Ontario at the 2017 Canada Summer Games. Names will be submitted to the selection committee on June 23rd. The final team will be chosen no later than July 7th.
Callens and Ward top inaugural Ontario Spring Break Challenge
Peter MacKellar
MYRTLE BEACH, SC— The competitive season in Ontario may still be a few weeks away but for 77 of the province’s top juniors, they got a head start with Golf Ontario’s inaugural Spring Break Challenge, March 16, at Whispering Pines Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The event featured three categories on both the boys’ and girls’ sides and at the end of the day the overall winners were Langton’s Peyton Callens on the boys’ side and Niagara Falls’ Emily Ward on the girls’ side.
While conditions were less than ideal, the players still put forth strong efforts during the round. “It was great once again to host the Ontario juniors in Myrtle Beach. Unfortunately, the weather was very cold and playing conditions were extremely difficult. However, we look forward to hosting again next year, hopefully under much better weather!” Said Keith Stanzel, Marketing Director at Whispering Pines.
In the Junior Boys’ division, Callens, a member of Golf Canada’s National Development squad and past Team Ontario member, earned the win with a three-over (75). Rounding out the top three were a pair of current Team Ontario members Long Sault’s Ty Celone (77) and Toronto’s Zack Mason (78).
The Juvenile Boys’ title went to Team Ontario member and Stoney Creek resident Johnny Travale who ended the day seven-over (79). As for the Bantam Boys’ title, it was won by Burlington’s Peter Blazevic who carded a six-over (78).
The girls’ divisions were not as fortunate as their event was cut to just nine holes, due to darkness. Ward, a Team Ontario member, finished her round at even par (36) to take top honours over former Team Ontario and current Golf Canada National Development squad member Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun (38) and teammate Hailey McLaughlin (39), from Markham.
In the Juvenile Girls’ division, Chun’s 38 would allow her to walk away with the title. Meanwhile, a five-over (41) clinched the Bantam Girls’ championship for another Team Ontario member: Maple’s Alyssa DiMarcantonio.
Golf Ontario would like to thank all of the competitors for participating in the inaugural event. Thanks also to Whispering Pines and their staff for hosting the Ontario Spring Break Challenge. For complete tournament information, including the final leaderboards please visit the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao1733/index.htm
Team Ontario prepares for Can/Am Matches and to host Ontario Spring Break Challenge
Peter MacKellar
MYRTLE BEACH, SC — March Break is approaching and for many kids it is a welcomed break from their classes. But for Golf Ontario’s U19 Team Ontario it brings an annual tradition, the Can/Am Matches with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association (SCJGA).
With the matches, Team Ontario also takes the opportunity to conduct their third training camp of the winter. They train throughout the week in preparations for the Matches, which will be held this year on March 18-19. In addition to their week of training, the team is introducing a new event this year: the Ontario Spring Break Challenge.
“The event came together when we learned that many Ontario juniors were heading to train in Myrtle Beach during March Break,” said Delaney Howson, Golf Ontario Community Play and Compete Coordinator. “Many players were already going to be there with their personal coaches, so we thought it would be a great way to bring everyone together with a preseason competition.”
The Ontario Spring Break Challenge, is a new 18-hole, stroke-play event that Golf Ontario will run on March 16 at Whispering Pines Golf Course in Myrtle Beach. The tournament will see 83 players from Ontario, ranging in age from 12 to 18, compete in six divisions (Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Juvenile Boys, Juvenile Girls, Bantam Boys and Bantam Girls). The competition will feature all of the members of Team Ontario.
“We were blown away by the number of players who registered. We figured we might get about half of what we did. From our perspective, this is a great opportunity for us to get a first look at some of the top Ontario junior golfers before summer tournaments begin,” added Howson.
While Golf Ontario is happy to be running this event, Keith Stanzel, Marketing Director at Whispering Pines is just as pleased to welcome the juniors. “I have been working spring events for Canadian juniors for more than 20 years at Myrtlewood Golf Club, the TPC of Myrtle Beach and now Whispering Pines. I have enjoyed watching some of Canada’s top juniors but more so, truly value the friendships acquired over the years. I look forward to another event and hope there will be even more in the future!”
After the challenge, Team Ontario’s sights will turn to the Can/Am Matches. In addition to the current members, Team Ontario will welcome back Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun and Langton’s Peyton Callens, who are both currently on Golf Canada’s National Development Squad. Ontario will look to defeat South Carolina for the first time since 2010.
The Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina will once again play host to the Matches, which have been running in their current form since 2010. Before that, the Matches were a junior boys competition. Day one will see the teams compete in four-ball, team matches. Day two will feature singles matches.
In addition to Whispering Pines and the Wachesaw Plantation Club, Team Ontario will also train and play at The Dunes and True Blue Plantation. Make sure to follow Golf Ontario (@TheGolfOntario) and Team Ontario (@teamontariogolf) for updates throughout the week.
Team Ontario completes second training camp with solid finishes at SDJGA tournament
Peter MacKellar
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA — Golf Ontario’s Team Ontario recently completed their second winter training camp of 2017 with positive results in the San Diego Junior Golf Association’s (SDJGA) Chris Riley Junior Championship.
The team was in California from Feb. 6-13 and had the opportunity to widen their skill set by playing three courses (Twin Oaks Golf Course, the Crossings at Carlsbad and The Legends Course at La Costa), enjoy a unique experience at the TaylorMade Kingdom and participate in the SDJGA tournament, also at Twin Oaks.
The team trained during the week at Twin Oaks in preparation for the two-day tournament that would cap off their camp. “The weather was great for training,” said Reggie Millage, Golf Ontario Head Provincial Coach. “The terrain was different from what we would see on the east coast and I think that having the tournament at the end of the week added some intensity to our practice.”
While the team did have a training camp just a month earlier, Millage noted that there was work to be done to get the players back to their peak performance. “We had a little rust to start but we definitely saw improvements throughout the week. Sunday was by far our best round as a team.”
As part of the team’s training, and thanks to Golf Ontario’s partnership with TaylorMade, the group spent a day at the TaylorMade Kingdom. “This was an unreal experience for the players,” said Millage. “It is a pretty exclusive place. We got to train on Jim Flick’s deck so we had our own area to work on different things. We had a couple of Trackmans along with their mat technology going, which was great for players to see their results. The big highlight had to be each player working one-on-one with TaylorMade’s putting guru Duane Anderson. A big thank you to Cameron Jacobs at TaylorMade for setting it up!”
The day was made even more special for the team when they received their 2017 Team Ontario TaylorMade golf bags. That gave them the opportunity to donate their old bags to the North County Junior Golf Association where they will be used for junior camps and clinics.
As the tournament began, on Feb. 11, the team still looked to rid themselves of the offseason rust. The players also dealt with rainy conditions, which didn’t make things any easier. As the tournament shifted to the second round the team began to pick up momentum. In the end, Stoney Creek’s Johnny Travale earned the top finish, second on the boys’ side (72-71-143), while Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj was the top girl finishing fifth (76-72-145).
In total, three boys finished in the top 10, including Mississauga’s Matthew Anderson who was fourth and had the low round of the second day (75-70-145), and Toronto’s Tyler Nagano who finished T7 (75-72-147).
As for the girls, they also finished with three top 10 finishes as London’s Isabella Portokalis T8 (76-76-152) and Markham’s Victoria Zheng T10 (78-77-155) joined Beqaj.
“Johnny played well and had a chance to win heading to the 18th hole of the second round,” said Millage. “Sarah did very well to earn her top five finish as she was dealing with an injury during the round. I think overall this was a neat experience for the team. This was the second major event for the SDJGA already this season, so it was a true measure of where our game is.”
With the camp complete, Millage offered the team the following advice as they look towards their final camp and Can/Am Matches in March against the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. “I think the results really spoke to how positive our ball striking was during the week, but we definitely need to focus our short game heading into the Can/Am Matches.”
The Can/Am Matches will take place March 18-19 at the Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
Golf Ontario Strengthens Relations with St. Kitts Thanks to Team Ontario Training Camp and 2nd Annual Invitational
Peter MacKellar
FRIGATE BAY, ST. KITTS — It has been a busy start to the year for Golf Ontario. Partnering with the St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA), Golf Ontario recently sent the Junior (U19) Provincial Team to the island for a training camp, followed by a group of guests for the second annual St. Kitts Invitational.
“Having the junior team here was a main event for St. Kitts,” said Raquel Brown, SKTA CEO. “You had Canadian teenagers interacting with kids from St. Kitts, explaining golf and giving them a different perspective on the sport. It was a great way for us to start off the year!”
“I am glad to see that there were even more persons this year for the Invitational. It means that we are growing,” said Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. “I believe that over the years the Invitational will continue to grow. We have a wonderful partnership with Golf Ontario.”
The Ontario contingent on the island began on Dec. 31 with the junior team traveling to St. Kitts for their first winter training camp of the season. The junior team, led by Reggie Millage, Head Provincial Coach, took part in a seven-day camp, which saw them play and train at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club.
“The experience was great,” said Millage. “We received first-class treatment from the moment we got off the plane and the rooms at Royal St. Kitts Hotel were great accommodations for the team.”
Each day the team utilized the nearby beach for their morning training, something that was a big hit with the players. Afterwards, the team took to the course for morning rounds, followed by training at the club’s practice facilities in the afternoon.
“It was refreshing to have the junior Ontario team here in St. Kitts,” said Bruce Wilson, Director of Golf at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club. “They are very disciplined and some of the most respectful and courteous juniors that I have had the pleasure of working with. I wish them the best of luck in their golf careers.”
As part of Golf Ontario’s goal of helping the island to grow the game of golf, the team took part in a two-hour junior golf skills clinic. Thirty local kids from the island took part in the clinic, run by the Team Ontario players.
“It was awesome to see our kids interact with the team. It helps them realize that with some time and effort, they have the potential to reach that level of golf. The St. Kitts kids haven’t had the expose to other young golfers to see what they can become. It was really nice for them to see and it gives them a challenge to work towards,” added Wilson.
As the team departed the island on Jan. 7, the next group of Ontarians arrived ready for the second annual St. Kitts Invitational. The two-day event made its debut in December of 2015. The 2017 tournament saw 22 individuals (11 teams) compete, doubling the field of the inaugural event. They were joined by a pair of teams from the island.
Defending champion Dave Ramsumair, with teammate Sylvia Jones, won this year’s event. Ramsumair, a Canadian now living on the Island, and Jones accumulated 96 points to win the two-day net stableford competition.
Receiving the award for Top International Team were Hamilton’s Jim and Sheila Drury who scored 88 points in the two-day event.
In addition to the tournament, the group enjoyed the accommodations of the St. Kitts Marriott, who hosted the annual awards banquet. During their stay on the island, the group experienced dining at some of the island’s best restaurants, which gave them a true taste of St. Kitts. The trip also included a visit to sister island Nevis for a round at the Four Seasons Nevis Golf Course.
In all, the guests seemed to enjoy what the island had to offer. “The trip has been great!” said London’s Paul and Anita Pouliot. “Lots of nice people, beautiful golf courses and lovely weather. We have had a really good time and are happy we came.”
“It has been seamless!” added Jim and Sheila Drury. “Going from the airport to hotel to golf course it has been a very good experience. The courses and people have been really nice.”
As the group departed on Jan. 14, it was clear that the relationship between Ontario and St. Kitts is helping to grow the game on the island. “I want to say thank you to Golf Ontario for 2017. We want this event to grow and we think golf is the perfect avenue to get Canadians to St. Kitts. Visitors come to golf but get to see the destination in its truest form. The fact that the junior training camp and Invitational did so well gives St. Kitts a different perspective for golf,” added Brown.
Golf Ontario would like to thank the SKTA for their efforts in organizing the trips. Thanks to the Royal St. Kitts Hotel and Marriott Resort for providing accommodations and Royal St. Kitts Golf Club and Four Seasons Nevis Golf Course for use of their facilities. Stay turned for the announcement of the 2018 St. Kitts Invitational.
To vie photos from Team Ontario’s training camp and the St. Kitts Invitational visit our Facebook Photo Gallery Page.
Team Ontario shares unique experience at Variety Village
Peter MacKellar
To open their first training camp as a full squad, Golf Ontario’s U19 Team Ontario visited Variety Village in Scarborough on December 3. The team had a fun morning of team bonding and adaptive games lead by Archie Allison, Director, Access and Awareness at Variety Village.
In addition, the group experienced a special treat as they got to learn the basics of wheelchair basketball by surprise guest Wheelchair Basketball Canada’s Head Coach Steve Bialowas.
“It was an awesome morning that brought the team closer together as they shared experiences they will remember for a long time,” said Team Ontario Head Coach Reggie Millage. “Hopefully it also gave them some perspective on some of the obstacles that other athletes in ParaOlympic sports have to overcome.”
UXBRIDGE — Six players are returning to Team Ontario in 2017 and will be joined by 10 new faces as Golf Ontario is pleased to announce the newest installment of the squad. The 2017 team will see an even split of eight boys and eight girls.
After the 2016 season, the provincial team program was pleased to hear that a pair of team members had been selected to move up to Golf Canada’s National Development Squad. Golf Ontario is proud to see Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun and Langton’s Peyton Callens take the next step in their playing careers. Chun had been a member of the team since 2013, while Callens was a 2016 team member. Chun had numerous top finishes in 2016 including a win at CN Future Links Quebec. As for Callens, he too had a great season, highlighted by a win at the Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship.
Returning to the team in 2017 are: Dunrobin’s Jake Bryson, Long Sault’s Ty Celone, Ontario Junior Girls’ Match Play Champion Markham’s Hailey McLaughlin, CN Future Links Ontario winner London’s Isabella Portokalis and Ontario Bantam Girls’ Champion Maple’s Alyssa DiMarcantonio. Also rejoining the team is Toronto’s Tyler Nagano who was a member in 2014.
New to the team in 2017 on the boys’ side will be: Ontario Juvenile Boys’ Champion Stoney Creek’s Johnny Travale, Mississauga’s Matthew Anderson, Mississauga’s Robbie Latter, Toronto’s Zack Mason and Guelph’s Anthony Occhiuto. As for the girls, new to the squad are: Ontario Peewee Champion Markham’s Victoria Zheng, Niagara Falls’ Emily Ward, Tilbury’s Hailey Katona, Toronto’s Cynthia Zhao and Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj.
Once again Reggie Millage will coach the team, his fourth season as Head Provincial Coach. He is joined by Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Martichenko, Athletic Therapist Andrew Hoermann, and Mental Skills Coach Charles Fitzsimmons.
The team will once again be training throughout the winter at Peak Performance Golf in Vaughan. They will have a pair of fall camps, followed by winter warm weather camps and will conclude their off season with the Can/Am Matches, during March Break with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association at the Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
“Golf Ontario is excited to put forward this year’s Team Ontario squad,” said Andrew Moss, Golf Ontario Director of High Performance. “Our expanded support of junior golf through Team Ontario activities builds on the ongoing local development being delivered by home PGA Professionals and personal coaches.”
2017 Team Ontario
Name
Age (2017)
Hometown
Club
Coach
Johnny Travale
17
Stoney Creek
Hamilton G&CC
Scott Cowx
Tyler Nagano
18
Toronto
York Downs Golf & Country
Jon Roy
Matthew Anderson
17
Mississauga
Credit Valley G&CC
Alf Callowhill
Jake Bryson
18
Dunrobin
Public Player
Kevin Haime
Robbie Latter
16
Mississauga
Credit Valley G&CC
Nick Starchuck
Ty Celone
18
Long Sault
Upper Canada GC
N/A
Zack Mason
18
Toronto
Donalda Club
Dave Woods
Anthony Occhiuto
18
Guelph
Cutten Fields
Scott Cowx
Victoria Zheng
13
Markham
Station Creek GC
Dong Hee Lee
Hailey McLaughlin
16
Markham
Cedar Brae G&CC
Reggie Millage
Isabella Portokalis
16
London
West Haven G&CC
Reggie Millage
Emily Ward
17
Niagara Falls
Public Player
Ann Carroll
Hailey Katona
16
Tilbury
Tilbury Golf Club
Chris Kucera
Cynthia Zhao
17
Toronto
Station Creek
Gord Burns
Alyssa DiMarcantonio
14
Maple
Station Creek
Reggie Millage
Sarah Beqaj
15
Toronto
Toronto Golf Club
Ann Carroll
About Team Ontario
Golf Ontario’s Team Ontario program is a high performance training program for the top junior aged golfers in Ontario. Athletes are selected in the fall each year and the program runs during the winter into the Ontario golf season. Team Ontario athletes receive the very best in coaching services, training/competitive opportunities, and sport science support. Being selected to Team Ontario is a tremendous accomplishment and offers unparalleled support and guidance to the participating athletes and their families.