Uxbridge, ON — With less than 2 weeks remaining until the return of the storied Ontario Open golf championship, Golf Ontario announced today that it has extended 3 special exemptions to this year’s event: Daniel Alfredsson, Damon Allen, and Jeremy Taggart. These 3 high-profile players, will join the field of 144 golfers competing for the Ontario Open Championship, one of the world’s oldest golf championships. The 2019 Championship will take place on August 26 – 29th, 2019 at the beautiful Woodington Lake Golf Club, in Tottenham, Ontario and will immediately become one of the premiere Championships on the calendar for 2019.
Daniel Alfredsson – Alfredsson played 18 years in the National Hockey League, and was the long-time captain of the Ottawa Senators. Alfredsson holds the Senators’ franchise records for goals (426), assists (682) and points (1,108). “I am happy to be invited to be invited to compete, and am looking forward to a great week” said Alfredsson.
Damon Allen – Avid golfer Allen is a Canadian Football League legend, having played 23 seasons in the league, winning 4 Grey Cups, with 3 different teams. A Hall of Famer, Allen is pro football’s all-time combined passing and rushing leader with a total of 84,301 yards. “I am excited and nervous, all at the same time” said Allen. “Excited about Golf Ontario’s exemption into the tournament, and nervous as you look at the names of past winners including Sam Snead and Moe Norman”, continued Allen.
Jeremy Taggart – Taggart is the former Our Lady Peace drummer where he was a key member of the band from 2003 – 2014. Taggart is an avid golfer, and a frequent guest on TSN’s Jay and Dan Podcast and has also been a member of the judging panel for the Independent Music Awards. “I’d like to thank Golf Ontario for my exemption into the historic Ontario Open. I can’t wait to play there it is going to be a great time, so come on out to watch this great golf” enthused Taggart.
The Ontario Open has a storied history dating back to 1923, making this Championship one of the oldest Championships in the world. Past champions of this event reads’ like a who’s who of Canadian and International golf, and includes the immortal Sam Snead, Canadian golfing legends George Knudson and Moe Norman, as well as seven-time champion Nick Weslock. A true open Championship, this tournament will attract the best golfers from Ontario, and across Canada and beyond, to Woodington Lake Golf Club.
“Having Daniel, Damon, and Jeremy, three major Canadian celebrities, competing at Woodington Lake Golf Club in a few short weeks is really exciting,” said Golf Ontario Executive Director Mike Kelly. “This is going to be one event to watch for sure, and these three exemptions will give golf fans another reason to get excited about the return of the Ontario Open.”
There are many great partners that are helping to bring the Ontario Open back as a marquee championship. Woodington Lake Golf Club has signed on for 5 years to be the official host club of the event. The Evanov Radio Group is providing key support as the lead media partner for the event. And the list of current sponsors is a strong one, providing key support to help make the event a success. Presenting partners are Moosehead Breweries and TaylorMade Canada. Other great partners include Beattie’s Distillers, Lavazza, Tre Amici Wines, Yamaha Turf Care, Serpa Automotive Group, and Pro Accessibility.
More information about the Ontario Open can be found at www.theontarioopen.ca
For a video from Alfredsson, Allen, and Taggart, please click at https://youtu.be/F4yynLlo1Fc
THE ONTARIO DISABILITY CHAMPIONSHIP
In addition to the Ontario Open championship, Woodington Lake Golf Club and Golf Ontario will also be partnering during the same week in August to present the first ever Golf Ontario Disability Championship. More details can be found at www.gao.ca, but this event will help deliver on a core element of the Golf Ontario strategic plan, says Kelly: “The Golf Ontario Disability Championship is an important first step in building a more diverse and inclusive golf environment in Ontario. Taking part the same week as the Ontario Open will provide strong exposure and good infrastructure as we deliver what we hope to be the first of many, many years of the Golf Ontario disability championship”, continued Kelly.
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 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.
ABOUT WOODINGTON LAKE GOLF CLUB
Woodington Lake Golf Club is home to 36 holes of picturesque golf in Tottenham, Ontario, just north of Toronto. The original course, The Legend Course, opened in 1995 and is built on over 200 acres of rolling terrain. Carved from towering pine forest and nestle around Woodington Lake, this course Is truly legendary. The newest addition to Woodington Lake Golf Club is the Legacy course, a true mix of Links and Stadium styles. With very challenging water hazards, along with fast and undulating greens, the Legacy course will keep golfers of every skill coming back for more.
For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing Communications
Golf Ontario; 905-852-1101 ext. 224 pmackellar@gao.ca
Dave Struthers, Sr. Director, Marketing & Communication
Golf Ontario, 905-852-1101 ext 239 dstruthers@gao.ca
