Exciting Start to Ontario Junior Players Invitational presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach at River Hills G&CC
Golf Ontario
Day one of competition at the Ontario Junior Players Invitational Championship is in the books. In the Girls U19 Overall division of the competition, for the better part of the round, it was a battle for the lead between Station Creek’s Kelly Zhao and Emily McKee out of St. George’s G&CC, with Alexa Ouellet (Weston G&CC), Joline Truong (Trafalgar G&CC) and Nobelle Park (RattleSnake Point GC) following close behind. Ultimately it was Zhao and McKee who finished the day on even par and leading the field into the final day tomorrow.
Over in the Boys U19 Overall division, while he needed all eighteen holes to take the lead into day two, Luke Smith of The Thornhill Club has a one shot lead at plus one over Zachary Smith from Brampton Golf Club. There are nine more players within four shots or better of the leader, including Andreas Diogenous (Whistle Bear GC) at four over par, who had shared the lead with Zachary Smith for much of the round. The final day of competition would appear to be up for grabs with so many players chasing the leader.
Following first round play, Tournament Director Connor Doyle said, “It is great to have so many talented Ontario juniors in Myrtle Beach competing in our inaugural tournament. All the player’s hard work in the off season paid off, as we had many excellent scores showcased on the leaderboard. With a close leaderboard after today, we are in for an exciting final round tomorrow.”
The day began under grey skies and cool 9 degree temperatures, as the fifty one junior golfers from across Ontario trickled in to River Hills Golf & Country Club throughout the morning to get some range time in before the first pairings headed out at 12:30. With no indication of significant wind or rain in the forecast, and gradually warming temperatures that reached a high of 16 degrees, the day unfolded to provide good conditions for the field to test themselves.
Officially kicking off Golf Ontario’s 2023 Championship season, the Ontario Junior Players Invitational presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach is the only event held outside the province, but the Myrtle Beach area feels like home for many of the athletes, coaches and rules officials who spend time in the area in our traditional off-season. Speaking on behalf of the Championship Presenting Sponsor and Official Partner of Golf Ontario, Scott Tomasello said, “We’re thrilled to celebrate our partnership with Golf Ontario and all golfers in Canada with this tournament. We hope to see these juniors play well this week and come back to visit Myrtle Beach in their future endeavors.”
For more information on the 2023 Ontario Junior Players Invitational presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach, including the leaderboard and day two pairings, visit our Golf Genius page.
While today’s forecast is calling for a 90% chance of up to 15mm of rain, which will challenge any players engaged in pre-tournament training, the forecast for Monday and Tuesday looks good with high temperatures of 17 and 13 degrees respectively.
Fifty-one athletes from across Ontario have assembled to participate in this first year event, including fifteen members of Team Ontario, three Next Wave players and a large contingent of Junior Golf Pathway competitors.
Director of Competitions & Performance, John Lawrence said, “We are excited to be here at River Hills Golf Club, with the full support of presenting sponsor Play Golf Myrtle Beach, as we deliver the first ever Ontario Junior Players Invitational. Our strategy over the next four years at Golf Ontario, includes the expansion and enhancement of the performance development pathway, and this new event signals our commitment to that growth.”
Given the breadth of talent involved in the event, any number of players could surface at the top of the leaderboard when play gets underway in the two day tournament on Monday. Certainly the members of Team Ontario will be pushing their way to the top as they will have been be put through their paces under the guidance and support of Provincial Head Coach Reggie Millage, Dr. Charles Fitzsimmons and Dr. Nick Martichenko, as well as staff from Golf Ontario’s Performance team.
Past performance at the tail end of the 2022 season might indicate that Luke Smith, two time member of Team Ontario and the U19 Junior Golf Pathway 2022 number one ranked boy, as well as Kelly Zhao, the U19 JGP 2022 number one ranked girl, a first year member of the Provincial team, could be players to watch for.
For more information on the 2023 Ontario Junior Players Invitational presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach, visit our Golf Genius page.
Golf Ontario Celebrates Women in Golf on International Women’s Day
Golf Ontario
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.
Barbara allan, volunteer -golf ontario & golf canada
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”
krystal li, team ontario 2023
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.
Emma Hansen (right) Team ontario 2023
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.
swetha sathish, 2022 ontario jr. (u19) girls champion
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!
leslie ferrari, golf ontario president
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.
nancy bertrand, golf ontario board director
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.
Aja crawford, golf ontario cfo
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.
Amanda cookson, director of golf – Firerock & regional manager, golf ontario
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.
Uxbridge, ON – The Board of Directors of Golf Ontario (GO) today announced that Kyle McFarlane will replace Mike Kelly as the next CEO of the organization beginning on March 1st, 2023.
Dr. Susan Vail, President of the Board, said, “Following the completion of a comprehensive search process which included a deep field of talented candidates, it is my distinct pleasure to share the exciting news that Kyle McFarlane will assume the leadership of Golf Ontario.”
Since 2004, Kyle has demonstrated tremendous dedication to the organization across his multiple roles most recently as Chief Sport Officer. Over the course of his career with the association he has been directly involved in significant growth in the operational and financial breadth of Golf Ontario. He has helped strengthen core and value-added services to members, led the development of new initiatives to introduce more golfers to the game and supported the launch of systems for our best athletes to achieve their highest potential.
Kyle brings a breadth of knowledge and experience that is valued within the sector. As a respected member of the industry, Kyle has developed credibility and in turn strong relationships with Golf Ontario members and industry partners alike. He is well positioned to work collaboratively with partners to positively impact the health of the game and the industry.
In accepting the role, Kyle shared that “For almost two decades, I have had the pleasure to be involved in the evolution of Golf Ontario into a recognized world class operation. This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time as I’m fully prepared for a new challenge, and am energized to take on the responsibility of leading Golf Ontario through the 2023-26 Strategic Plan.”
Kyle’s passion for golf started at an early age and continues to this day. He is a sports enthusiast and actively involved in his community. Kyle graduated from the University of Memphis with a Master’s degree in Sport Commerce. He currently resides in Whitby with his wife Lisa and their three children Nolan, Jake and Maya.
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.
For more information please contact:
Nick Taylor, Chief Marketing & Development Officer, Golf Ontario,
Golf Ontario is proud to announce Owen Rigg as Regional Manager for Northern Ontario
Owen joined Golf Ontario February 7, 2023 as we expand our reach across the province in the delivery of our Regional Support Strategy (RSS). As a Director with the Northern Golf Association (NGA), Owen understands the unique challenges faced by Northern Ontario facility operators. He will be able to leverage the many relationships he has built over the years to ensure the successful introduction of the RSS with facilities and stakeholders in the region.
In welcoming Owen to the team, Chief Sport Officer Kyle McFarlane said; “Golf Ontario is extremely excited to welcome Owen to our team. He has played such a huge role in the development of golf in Northern Ontario and we look forward to the launch of the Regional Support Strategy in the region under his leadership. We are extremely confident that Owen brings the experience and skillset necessary to the role.”
Owen is not only an accomplished golfer as the Northern Ontario Amateur (2010) and Junior (2004) Champion, but is also a member of the Northern Ontario Course Rating team and served as Tournament Chair for the 2021 Golf Canada NextGen Fall Series East Championship. A member of Hollinger Golf Club, Owen brings a wealth of golf experience to the role. Away from the golf course he is the Referee in Chief for District One of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, a Hockey Canada Regional High Performance Hockey Official and President of the Timmins U18 Hockey League.
“My passion for golf is undeniable and to have the chance to help the development and delivery of Golf Ontario’s vision and mission in Northern Ontario is amazing,” Owen shared. “The Regional Support Strategy is a great way for us to work with facilities to ensure the delivery of programs and initiatives designed to support the growth and sustainability of golf in the Region.”
ABOUT THE REGIONAL SUPPORT STRATEGY
The Regional Support Strategy was designed to build and strengthen relationships with facilities and amongst facilities in the same region. Golf Ontario is committed to the health and sustainability of golf in all regions across the province. Built on trust and collaboration, our collective business success, as well as our ability to grow the game, will far exceed what any one of us can do alone.
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 540 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.
Uxbridge, ON – Golf Ontario is proud to announce its 2023 championship schedule, featuring the launch of the newly added Ontario Junior Players Invitational presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach, as well as the much-anticipated return of the Ontario Champion of Champion’s event.
The golf season is just around the corner and after a very successful 2022 season, the planning is well underway to continue the momentum into the 2023 season. In what should be another brilliant year for championship golf in Ontario, 2023 will include 11 of the top 100 golf courses in Canada, a number of new venues, and some returning prominent courses to host the best players in the province.
Registration Opening Dates and an updated 2023 Championship Schedule can be accessed by clicking the links below:
“We are proud and excited to announce one of the most diverse and inclusive championship schedules in amateur golf, catering to competitive golfers in Ontario working with many of Ontario’s most renowned golf clubs,” said Golf Ontario Director of Competitions and Performance John Lawrence. “Our 2023 venues are set to showcase an exciting season in communities across the province and we thank those clubs for hosting our events.”
Registration for the 2023 Golf Ontario championship season will begin on Friday, February 17th at 9:00am, with staggered opening dates across the championships. Golf Ontario will continue to make announcements once confirmation of dates are made on the outstanding locations.
Highlights of the 2023 championship schedule:
The 2023 Championship season will kick off with the inaugural Ontario Junior Players Invitational presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach. 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 Champion of Champion’s event returns, taking place May 15th at Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility. The event will be open to Men’s, Women’s, Senior Men’s & Women’s, and Junior Boys’ & Girls’ club champions from the 2022 season.
Burlington Golf & Country Club will host the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur June 20-22, for the second time since 2018, an event that saw past champion Garrett Rank go wire-to-wire winning by 10 strokes.
The 101st running of the Ontario Men’s Amateur shifts to one of eastern Ontario’s top golf courses at Black Bear Ridge Golf Resort, June 26-29.
Following the Canada Day weekend the City of Toronto and Donalda Club will welcome the province’s best female amateurs hosting the 108th Ontario Women’s Amateur & Mid-Amateur July 5-8.
Just a 30 minute drive north in the days following the Women’s event, Summit Golf and Country Club in Richmond Hill will host the 88th Ontario Junior Girls Championship
After two popular and successful events in 2022, South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club and Port Hope Golf and Country Club will once again host the Ontario Peewee (U13) Boys & Girls Championship July 31-Aug 1, and the Ontario Junior Boys & Girls Match Play Championship Aug 8-10 respectively.
The 2nd running of the Indigenous Ontario Championship will increase to a three day championship in 2023 hosted at MontHill Golf & Country Club, in Six Nations, Ontario from Aug 14 to 16. The championship, open to men and women of all ages, will be a 54-hole competition with a cut after 36 holes.
New this season for players looking to compete in the Ontario Senior Men’s Better Ball Championship, players otherwise not exempt will have to earn entry through a scheduled qualifying round. A number of qualifying locations will be made available for players to compete in and earn entry to the championship at Brampton GC, September 28.
Golf Ontario would like to thank those clubs who have committed to hosting championships and qualifiers, and for their continued support heading into the 2023 championship season. Updates regarding the remaining championship dates/locations will be made immediately as they are confirmed.
Golf Ontario is excited to announce the 2023 Team Ontario athletes, which features the top young golfers in the province. Featuring 14 members Team Ontario will have a strong squad heading into the 2023 competitive season. Five members will return from the 2022 team, and will be eagerly joined by nine new athletes.
The five returning athletes include Emma Hansen (Blue Springs Golf Club), Krystal Li (Summit Golf & Country Club), Zach Smith (Brampton Golf & Country Club), Isaiah Ibit (Camelot Golf & Country Club) and Luke Smith (The Thornhill Club) all of whom enjoyed a strong 2022 season. These Team Ontario veterans had some great achievements in 2022, including a win at the Golf Ontario Junior Tour Championship for Zach Smith and Luke Smith finishing the season as the top Ontario Junior Boy on the Junior Golf Pathway Rankings.
Joining the team on the female side are five elite players, who all had a top level 2022 championship season. The top ranked Ontario Junior Girl in 2022, Kelly Zhao (Station Creek Golf Club), and 2022 Ontario Women’s Four Ball Champion, Alexa Ouellet (Weston Golf and Country Club) will be joining the program. Alongside them is Joline Truong, Aryn Matthews (Bigwin Island Golf Club) and Emily McKee (St. George’s Golf and Country Club) who capped off her season in the same fashion as teammate Zach Smith with a win at the Ontario Junior Tour Championship.
New athletes to the Team on the boy’s side include four players with some strong achievements over the course of this past season. Perhaps, the most impressive end to the season was from Marshall Bath (Oshawa Golf and Curling Club) finishing his season with a top 4 at the Ontario Juvenile Boys Championship and a T3 at the Ontario Junior Tour Championship. Also joining the team are Graydon Laughlin (Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club), who was runner up at the Ontario Junior Tour Championship, as well as Jordan Hwang (Emerald Hills Golf & Country Club) and Ryan Zhao (Bayview Golf & Country Club) who both found themselves finish the season inside the top 10 of the Under 17 Junior Golf Pathway Rankings.
Team Ontario will be led by Head Provincial Coach, PGA of Canada Class “A” professional Reggie Millage. With a focus on the team’s vision, mission, and values aimed at inspiring lifelong excellence. This is Coach Millage’s 10th season as Coach of Team Ontario and he had this to say about the new team. “This year we had a large number of athletes move on to focus on NCAA golf and that opened the door for 9 new Team members. Every new cycle comes with excitement and energy but this group of athletes come to Team O with strong results already. That makes myself and the coaching staff very excited about helping this team reach new levels of performance. We have already witnessed at our first camp how much potential this group has. We think this might be one of the best squads we’ve seen.”
Coach Millage will work to help team members grow as golfers while also instilling habits that will lead to success throughout life. Additional support from the Integrated Support Team comprised of Dr. Nick Martichenko; Strength & Conditioning Coach and Dr. Charles Fitzsimmons; Sport Psychologist will help enhance the athletes’ skills through fitness, nutrition, and development of the mental side of the game.
With a heavy focus on training and athlete development, the Team Ontario program has been built to maximize the success of these athletes. This year, Team Ontario will be taking on a new off-season schedule aimed at providing more green grass training opportunities. Along with the Team’s first away camp at the International Junior Golf Academy at Bishop’s Gate, outside Orlando Florida from January 11th – 17th. Two more green grass camps will be introduced in February and March, with the Can Am Matches in South Carolina wrapping things up for the team as they look ahead to spring 2023.
Congratulations to all of the 2023 Team Ontario members. Golf Ontario, along with our members, volunteers, and partners, look forward to cheering the team on throughout the 2023 competitive season.
About Team Ontario
The Team Ontario program is a unique opportunity for identified athletes in Ontario. These athletes can expect to receive the very best in coaching services, training/competitive opportunities, and peer support as they continue their journey towards excellence in golf and life. Being selected to be part of the Team Ontario program is a tremendous accomplishment but the hard work and dedication doesn’t end at selection. The Team Ontario program places considerable emphasis on developing life long excellence in all facets. As such, athletes in the program will receive guidance on themes like time and self-management, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, tactical strategies, and technical feedback.
Vision: Team Ontario will inspire lifelong excellence on and off the golf course
Mission: Leading the development of junior golfers to succeed in golf and in life
2023 Team Ontario Values: Respect, Commitment, Hard Working, Supportive
Team Ontario would like to thank partners TaylorMade and adidas, as official equipment and clothing providers.
Registration Now Open for the Inaugural Ontario Junior Players Invitational
Golf Ontario
Registration Now Open for the Inaugural Ontario Junior Players Invitational
Presented by
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.
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 30th.
Registration Now Open for the Inaugural Ontario Junior Players Invitational Presented by
Golf Ontario
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.
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 30th.
