ALBERTON— Windy conditions dominated the day as the Women’s and Senior Women’s Champion of Champions tournaments were contested at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton on May 18.
While the wind wreaked havoc on all of the scores, St. Catharines’ Chris Critelli and Strathroy’s Jane Hedges-Mckinnon were able to withstand the gusts and their competition to capture their respective titles.
Much like the men’s event, which was contested two days earlier at Heron Point, the Women’s Champion of Champions needed a playoff to decide a winner. After 18 holes both Critelli and St. Thomas’ Mary Ann Hayward shared the top spot at 10-over (80).
After Hayward, from St. Thomas Golf & Country Club, missed her par putt during the playoff, Critelli, a St. Catharines Golf & Country Club member, had a par putt of her own for the win. She would sink the putt to seal the victory.
“It was a crazy day out there. It was tough to play and I am sure that everybody had a tough round. I can’t believe I won! I am a little speechless. This is a great group of women to play with. They are all very supportive and I am glad to be a part of it.”
Hayward, who won the event in 2015, took home the silver while Markham’s Sunmi Ko, from Station Creek Golf Club, finished with the bronze, thanks to a round of 14-over (84).
In the Senior Women’s Champion of Champions, it was a familiar face who took home the top prize. Hedges-McKinnon, from Bear Creek Golf & Country Club, was the inaugural winner of the tournament back in 2015. Thanks to her round of 14-over (84), Hedges-McKinnon became the first two-time champion of the event.
“I’ve never been the first person to win anything twice!” Said Hedges-McKinnon after her win. “I am really happy because it was really a question of just sticking in there and not getting disappointed by things. They (the windy conditions) were going to happen to everyone. My long shots were actually ok; it was around the green where it was most difficult. I knew I would make some bogies, but if I slipped a couple pars in, it would all be good.”
Finishing in second place, and earning the silver was Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg. The Granite Golf Club member carded a 15-over (85) to narrowly miss the top spot. Rounding out the podium was London’s Theresa Flanagan from Highland Country Club. Flanagan finished 19-over (89) during the round.
For more information, including the final leaderboard for the Women’s Champion of Champions visit the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao17127/index.htm. For complete information on the Senior Women’s Champion of Champions visit: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao17126/index.htm.
Golf Ontario would like to thank Heron Point Golf Links and Clublink, along with their staff, for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.
About the Ontario Women’s Champion of Champions and Senior Women’s Champion of Champions
Since 2006 the Ontario Women’s Champion of Champions event has been contested annually and features female club champions from Golf Ontario member clubs across the province. Past champions include: Brittany Marchand, Stefani Markovich, Julia Hodgson, Elizabeth Tong and Mary Ann Hayward.
The Senior Women’s Champion of Champions made its debut in 2015 and has been played in conjunction with the Women’s Champion of Champions for the past two years. Kathy Pilkey is the only other past champion.
