Successful First Couple of Days at Black Bear Ridge GC for the Provincial Super Camp
Ross Malcolm
Belleville, ON – With fall golf in full swing, players have been enjoying the moderate temperatures during the first couple days at Black Bear Ridge Golf Course, for the 1st Annual Golf Ontario Provincial Super Camp.
The first two days of testing included the Golf Canada National Testing Protocols, a Session with Sport Psychologist Dr. Charles Fitzsimmons, and an Interactive Rules Session with Jim Davidson of the OVGA. Golf Canada National Testing Protocols (NTP) are standardized tests that provide feedback on all parts of the game, which can be compared to other athletes at the provincial and national level, and provide data for coaches and players. The NTP includes separate tests for putting, chipping, pitching, sand bunkers, ball speed, and wedge and long game combine with Trackman.
Players also completed a practice round and competed in a Short Course Competition during the first two days. Winners of the competition on the Boys’ side included a tie between pairings of Justin Matthews (Bigwin Island GC) and Noah Campbell (Coppinwood), and Cameron Pero (Picton G&CC) and Matthew Javier (Scarborough G&CC), at a score of three under par. On the Girls’ side, pairing Emily McKee (Rattlesnake Point GC) and Alessandra Nagayo (Don Valley GC) won with a score of two-under par.
Thank you to Ryan Robillard of Ambassador Golf Club, Doug Lawrie of Focus Golf Group, Jim Davidson of Ottawa Valley Golf Association, and Emily Phoenix of Golf Canada for your amazing support and assistance during the Provincial Super Camp. Also a huge thank you to TaylorMade for providing the Trackmans during our testing, as they were critical during our combines. Moving forward, the Provincial Super Camp will be an integral part of the soon to be launched New Junior Competitive Pathway.
Following round one of competition, the current leaders for the Boys’ are Jordan Hwang (York Downs G&CC) with 72, Ryan Somerville (The Summit G&CC) with 74, and Isaiah Ibit (GreyHawk GC) with 75. On the Girls’ side, the current leaders are Alessandra Nagayo (Don Valley GC) with 74, Rozlyn Rooke (Blue Springs GC) with 75, and Alexis McMurray (Glen Abbey GC) with 76.
The final round begins at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. For future results and information on the Provincial Super Camp, click here for the Boys’ and here for the Girls’.
For photos of the Provincial Super Camp, click here.
Key Provincial Competitions Protocols/Restrictions (subject to change)
No caddies permitted. (all events)
No spectators, including coaches and media, permitted. (**Exception: Players 18 & Under may have one accompanying adult)
All events will be a single tee start – no shotguns or split tees.
Click here for the full version of the Championship protocols. **These protocols are subject to change as new guidance is received from the government.
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
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. Make sure to visit our website for further information.
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca
Golfers Tackle 100 Hole Hike to Raise Over $30k For Youth On Course
Ross Malcolm
Whitby, ON – From sunrise to sunset, participants from Golf Ontario, Golf Canada, TaylorMade, adidas, and 94.9 The Rock walked and played one-hundred holes of golf with proceeds going to support the great new Youth on Course program.
On October 6th, twenty golf lovers took on the formidable challenge to walk one-hundred holes of golf in one day to raise money and awareness for Youth on Course. Now in its 14th year, Youth on Couse currently operates in thirty-eight states/provinces in two countries, serves over 95,000 youth members, and provides access to affordable golf at 1,400+ facilities in North America. The program recently launched into the Ontario market.
Ryan Starr, Director of Golf Lakeridge Golf Club and Partner of Geared to Golf, who participated in the 100 Hole Hike had some very positive feedback following the event. “It was a top shelf event put on by Jason Hraynyk (Manager, Business Development) and the Golf Ontario team. Having twenty players participating in the event was great, as the flow on the course was awesome and everyone kept a really good pace! The radio station and our partnership with 94.9 The Rock has been fantastic, and they really contributed a ton to the radio coverage for this event. For us, it was a lot of exposure for not only the golf course, but for our new pilot project The Joint Restaurant and Ted Reader’s BBQ. Everything Youth on Course is doing for Junior golf is right in our wheelhouse, as Eldorado GC is our largest property in terms of Junior golf camps, clinics, and Programs”.
Kyle McFarlane, Sr. Director at Golf Ontario added his enthusiasm as well: “From Golf Ontario’s standpoint, with all the sponsors on board and delivering a first-class event from top to bottom, we were thrilled with this event and we are definitely looking forward to seeing what the second year of this event will bring. The amazing funds raised will help us deliver affordable golf to junior golfers across Ontario”.
On the overall Team Leaderboard for the 100 Hole Hike, Golf Canada and Golf Ontario have currently raised the third highest amount towards Youth on Course. With over $30,000 dollars raised towards subsidized rounds of golf for junior golfers, Golf Canada and Golf Ontario could not be prouder. “It was such a fun day and an amazing event! After playing one-hundred holes of golf, we all thought we would be in pain, but the overall experience outweighed the 28+km walked and 200 plus swings taken. We are very proud to see the attention the 100 Hole Hike gained from the public and our many supporters. This event was a huge hit thanks to our amazing sponsors, who kept us energized and fueled up, so that we could conquer the task at hand and support Youth on Course and Junior golfers”, added Dave Struthers, Sr. Director at Golf Ontario.
Fun Facts from the 100 Hole Hike
20 Golfers participating
2,000 Holes Played over 9 hours and 20 minutes
Over $30,000 raised towards Youth on Course
Approximately 860,580 steps taken and over 562 km walked
Approximately 62,200 Calories burned
Golf Ontario would like to thank the players, staff, and volunteers for their support of the 1st Annual 100 Hole Hike. To the wonderful Eldorado Golf Club, Bruce’s Golf, Geared to Golf, and Ted Reader’s BBQ, thank you for being gracious hosts for this amazing event. A huge thank you to 94.9 The Rock for the extended promotion of this event and coverage. Lastly, a big thank you to our sponsors and partners, TaylorMade, adidas, BioSteel, HUB, Discovery Dream Homes, All or Nothing Brewhouse, Georgian Bay Spirit Co., Cadence Music Group, Golf Historical Society of Canada, Nikon, Desjardins, MadeGood Foods, Sark Reality, Michael Kelly’s Homemade Cooking and Eatery, OJTBF Non For Profit Group Benefits, and Great Canadian Meat. We are grateful for your support!
Pledges are still open online if you’d like to support the participants who completed the 100 Hole Hike. To support the participants and Youth on Course, you can pledge any amount towards any golfer by visiting https://www.100holehike.org/CanadaOntario.
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. Make sure to visit our website for further information.
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca
Back to back Title’s For Barkley & Stasiuk Following 2020 Ontario Disability Championship, in Partnership With Special Olympics Ontario
Ross Malcolm
Tottenham, ON – Windy conditions ushered in the final round of the 2020 Ontario Disability Championship, at the stunning Woodington Lakes Golf Club, in partnership with Special Olympics Ontario. Even as high winds prevailed throughout the day, player’s scores remained fairly similar to round one.
Taking home the Men’s 2020 Ontario Disability Championship title, for the second year in a row, is Kurtis Barkley (Cedar Glen GC) after an impressive showing of 145 over two rounds. As the wind may have been stronger today, Barkley’s score sure didn’t show that, as he continued to excel and finish just one-over par on the day. Four strokes behind in second place and taking home the silver medal, is Josh Williams (Craigowan G&CC), following a round of two birdie shots and two-over par (148). Winning the bronze medal, Gary Bos (Public Player) experienced a bit of a roller coaster in his round today, after a couple shooting a mix of birdies, bogeys, and double bogeys (157).
Reflecting on the championship win, Barkley said “it feels pretty good, as it was definitely tough out there today and the whole championship really was a grind”. Barkley commented that a highlight of the championship was competing as “me and my caddy Marissa, as it almost felt like a team event. It felt like her and I against the field, and she kept me focused when I lost a few shots”. In closing, Barkley would like to thank “everyone back home, Cedar Glen GC, and the community. A big thanks to Todd Keirstead and Team TK for helping everyone with the journey that we’re on”. Barkley is looking forward to competing in events for the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) in 2021.
On the Women’s side, also taking home the 2020 Ontario Disability Championship title for a second year in a row, is Natasha Stasiuk (Heron Point Golf Links) (171). Stasiuk was much happier with her round today, after finishing the final round with an eleven-over par (83). Taking home the silver medal with 205 on the championship is Public Player Tessa Trojan.
Very pleased with her second championship title, Stasiuk had the following to say. “It feels pretty good. I know I didn’t shoot the best yesterday, so heading into today’s round I was just focused on shooting better. I think the birdie on the last hole made me feel a lot better, knowing that I can do it even though I struggled a little bit this week. I loved playing with Tess, as she always makes me happy and it’s really nice to know somebody here. I’d say my putting was the biggest struggle today, in addition to the wind, but I was more prepared to deal with those conditions today”. Stasiuk would like to thank “Woodington Lakes GC, Special Olympics, and Golf Ontario for putting on this wonderful championship. It makes me feel included and I don’t feel judged when I play here”.
Golf Ontario would also like to highlight those who placed in the Men’s and Women’s Net Stableford division. For the Men, taking home a gold medal with 109 points is Gary Bos (Public Player), a silver medal with 101 points is Glenn Babcock (Richmond Hill GC), and a bronze medal with 100 points is Edward Urquhart (Public Player). On the Women’s side, capturing the gold medal with 85 points is Tessa Trojan (Public Player), and a silver medal with 81 points is Natasha Stasiuk (Heron Point Golf Links). Congratulations to all players who competed!
Golf Ontario would like to thank the players, staff, and volunteers for their support of the 2nd Annual Ontario Disability Championship. To the wonderful Woodington Lakes Golf Club, John Chetti (General Manager), Phil Hidden (Head Golf Pro), Rob Sloan (Superintendent), and Olivia Traetto (Food and Beverage Manager), thank you for being gracious hosts on such a well-conditioned course. A big thank you to the officials and volunteers, as you are extremely valuable and we appreciate the time you take out of your week to assist. Lastly, a huge thank you to our sponsors and partners, Special Olympics Ontario, Adidas, Taylor Made, Modern Golf, Dormie Workshop, Durham Artificial Grass, Humber College, Barcelo Bavaro Grand Resort, Baka Mobile, and Play Golf Myrtle Beach. We are grateful for your continued support!
For future results and information on the Ontario Disability Championship, click here.
In 2019, Woodington Lake Golf Club hosted the inaugural Ontario Disability Championship. Played over a 36-hole competition for Men and Women, the Ontario Disability Championship is an inclusive event in which athletes with disabilities compete in a provincial championship environment. The championship promotes awareness and participation for golfers with disabilities and provides a platform for future talent identification. The Ontario Disability Championship is a counting event on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD).
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
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. Make sure to visit our website for further information.
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca
Defending Champs Barkley & Statsiuk Lead After Round 1 of the Ontario Disability Championship, in Partnership With Special Olympics Ontario
Ross Malcolm
Tottenham, ON – A beautiful day greeted the players for round one of the 2020 Ontario Disability Championship, at the gorgeous Woodington Lakes Golf Club, in partnership with Special Olympics Ontario. As the warm weather continued into the day, winds began to pick up around noon, giving the later groups more of a challenge on the back nine.
Leading the Overall Men Gross following round one, is defending champion Kurtis Barkley (Cedar Glen GC), with an even-par round after shooting an eagle on the first hole and four birdies for the day. Following just two strokes behind in second place (74), is Josh Williams (Craigowan G&CC), who followed suit with Barkley in shooting an impressive eagle on the first hole. Holding third place with a five-stroke lead over fourth is Public Player Gary Bos.
Reflecting on the round, Barkley said “today I just played my own game, and tried to hit fairways and greens. I lost two balls, a tee shot and an iron shot, and I putted okay on the greens. I found that the greens are very tough, in terms of around them for chipping, and the wind was also a challenge when it started to pick up on the back nine”. Very happy to start the day with an eagle, Barkley commented that “on the tee shot I was just trying to avoid the water, so my drive went down the left side, leaving me witha good yardage and nice little club. I was able to land it about five feet out from the flag, and I watched Josh roll his in from about twenty feet. It’s nice to start that way!” Overall, Barkley found that “each green is very tough, as the angulation of the greens is quite challenging. You had to chip it perfectly to make the ball land nicely beside the hole”.
Currently in first for the Overall Women Gross is another defending champion, Natasha Stasiuk (Heron Point GL), with an 88 after round one. Sitting in second place, just 13 strokes behind Stasiuk, is Public Player Tessa Trojan.
Following the round, Stasiuk said “my strategy was to keep the ball in play and to not get into trouble, even though I was in trouble a lot of the time. My direction was a challenge today, as I often found myself behind the trees. Overall, I would say that my long game was stronger today and I was using mostly my wood and driver”. Reflecting on which holes were the most challenging, Stasiuk commented “holes number two and fifteen were the most challenging for me today, as there was a crosswind when I was trying to get it over the water”.When asked if the wind had an effect on her game today, Stasiuk replied quickly with “oh yes. The last couple of rounds I’ve played haven’t been in the wind, so I wasn’t really prepared for it I guess”. Stasiuk and Trojan will tee off at 10:21 a.m. tomorrow.
The final round of the Ontario Disability Championship will begin at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. For future results and information on the championship, click here.
In 2019, Woodington Lake Golf Club hosted the inaugural Ontario Disability Championship.Played over a 36-hole competition for Men and Women, the Ontario Disability Championship is an inclusive event in which athletes with disabilities compete in a provincial championship environment. The championship promotes awareness and participation for golfers with disabilities and provides a platform for future talent identification. The Ontario Disability Championship is a counting event on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD).
Key Provincial Competitions Protocols/Restrictions (subject to change)
No spectators, including coaches and media, permitted. (**Exception: Players 18 & Under may have one accompanying adult)
No motorized carts permitted. (**Exception: Single rider carts only for Senior & Disability Championships)
All events will be a single tee start – no shotguns or split tees.
Restricted field numbers. (see individual championships)
Qualifiers will have limited field sizes. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
Click here for the full version of the Championship protocols. **These protocols are subject to change as new guidance is received from the government.
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
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. Make sure to visit our website for further information.
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications. Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca
2nd Annual Ontario Disability Championship Takes the Stage at Woodington Lake GC, in Partnership with Special Olympics
Ross Malcolm
Tottenham, ON – After a very successful launch in 2019, the Ontario Disability Championship will return to the beautiful Woodington Lake Golf Club from September 28th to 29th. The Championship will showcase some of the world’s top athletes with a disability, competing in a provincial championship environment. Focusing on player development, this inclusive event will ensure a proper pathway and better competition opportunity for some of the highest performing disabled athletes. This event will be included in the list of events eligible for world ranking points and will see both Men and Women compete in both low gross and net stableford categories.
As part of this year’s event, Special Olympics Ontario is pleased to partner with Woodington Lake Golf Club to help support and promote the event.
The beautiful course features rolling terrain, carved from towering pine forest and lush natural environment. General Manager of Woodington Lake, John Chetti, is very happy to be supporting this event. “Woodington Lake Golf Club is honoured to again be hosting the Ontario Disability Golf Championship. The 2019 event was extremely special and we saw some incredible competition. Having a new partnership with Special Olympics Ontario will enable us to take this event to the next level. Our facility is well suited to host the regions’ best athletes with disabilities for this Championship and we look forward to again having a front seat to witness some amazing golf at this Championship”.
The Ontario Disability Golf Championship is a marquee event on the championship calendar. Returning to the field to defend their title, is Natasha Stasiuk (Oakville, ON) in the Women’s Division and Kurtis Barley (Chesterville, ON) in the Men’s Division.
We are also excited to have introduced a Front Line Workers donation program this year as part of our registration process, to give back to the local communities we will be playing in. The Front Line Workers’ donations from the Ontario Disability Championship will be donated to Stevenson Memorial Hospital.
First tee off for round one on Monday, September 28th is set for 9:00 a.m. For more information on the championship and to follow the leaderboard, click here.
ABOUT THE ONTARIO DISABILITY CHAMPIONSHIP
In 2019, Woodington Lake Golf Club hosted the inaugural Ontario Disability Championship. Played over a 36-hole competition for Men and Women, the Ontario Disability Championship is an inclusive event in which athletes with disabilities compete in a provincial championship environment. The championship promotes awareness and participation for golfers with disabilities and provides a platform for future talent identification. The Ontario Disability Championship is a counting event on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD).
Key Provincial Competitions Protocols/Restrictions (subject to change)
No spectators, including coaches and media, permitted. (**Exception: Players 18 & Under may have one accompanying adult)
No motorized carts permitted. (**Exception: Single rider carts only for Senior & Disability Championships)
All events will be a single tee start – no shotguns or split tees.
Restricted field numbers. (see individual championships)
Qualifiers will have limited field sizes. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
Click here for the full version of the Championship protocols. **These protocols are subject to change as new guidance is received from the government.
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
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. Make sure to visit our website for further information.
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca
Tsang Takes Home The Title at The 2020 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
Ross Malcolm
Bath, ON – The beautiful weather continued into the final round of the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BioSteel, at the brilliant Loyalist Country Club. With low winds and high competition, the final round was a nail bitter as players looked to climb the board for a podium finish.
Holding his own and leading the way for the entirety of the three days, Ryan Tsang (Cedar Brae GC) takes home his first Golf Ontario Championship title, as the winner of the 2020 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. In an impressive showing over the last few days, Tsang was able to hold his position in the final round after firing three consecutive birdies on the final three holes. The low score of 207 put him three strokes ahead of the two-way tie (210) for the silver medal. Taking home the silver medal are both 2019 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion, Charles Fitzsimmons (Thornhill Club), and David Lang from the Donalda Club. Fitzsimmons was cool and collected, as he played another consistent round to finish with one-under par on the day. Lang had a rocky front nine, shooting a couple of bogeys and double bogeys, but finished the round strong after carding seven birdies on the day to go along with a beauty eagle on the eighteenth.
Reflecting on the final round, Tsang said “I just tried to play normally like I did in the first two rounds, and honestly there wasn’t much of a difference today, besides being able to lay up on the eighteenth and make birdie on the last three holes. Today was a bit tougher as it was a little windy and the nerves were going off a bit, but I held it together and crossed the finish line”. With a commanding lead heading into the final round of eleven-under par, Tsang commented that “the lead was pretty big, but with eleven-under, I thought that any one of these guys could do that as well”. When asked where this win sits in Tsang’s overall golf career so far, he felt that “this win is probably up to par with my Toronto Star win of 2014, but since there’s no Toronto Star anymore, this is probably the biggest win I have”. Ryan Tsang went on to thank Cedar Brae Golf Club, the three players who joined him from Cedar Brae GC (Wesley Kwok, Robert Gibson, and Brett Geiser), and of course his Mom and Dad for the continued support.
Golf Ontario would like to thank the players, staff, and volunteers for their support of the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. To the wonderful Loyalist Country Club, Geoff James (Director of Sales & Marketing, PGA of Canada Head Professional), Austin James (PGA of Canada Assistant Professional), and Jim Burlington (Operations Manager), thank you for being gracious hosts on such a well-conditioned course. A big thank you to the officials and volunteers, as they are extremely valuable and Golf Ontario appreciates the time they take out of your week to assist. Lastly, a huge thank you to the many Golf Ontario sponsors and partners, Adidas, Taylor Made, BioSteel, Modern Golf, Dormie Workshop, Durham Artificial Grass, Humber College, Barcelo Bavaro Grand Resort, Baka Mobile, and Play Golf Myrtle Beach. Your continued support is important to these championships.
For future results and information on the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, click here.
Since 1993, the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur championship has proven to be one of Ontario’s most sought after and important Championship titles. The 54-hole competition caters to Ontario’s best golfers age 25 and older that have gained entry into the event through qualifying tournaments or an exemption.
Despite its young history, the championship has developed a notable list of past champions including Garrett Rank (2015, 2018) and Golf Hall of Fame members Stu Hamilton (1993, 1998), Kelly Roberts (1997), Dave Bunker (2007, 2011, 2014).
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
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. Make sure to visit our website for further information.
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications. Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca
Tsang looks to Cruise to Finish at the 2020 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
Ross Malcolm
Bath, ON – Another beautiful day greeted the players at round two of the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, present by BioSteel, at the Loyalist Country Club. While the low scores continued, high winds picked up in the early afternoon, giving the later groups more of a challenge.
Maintaining his position atop the leaderboard, Ryan Tsang (Cedar Brae GC) now holds an extraordinary lead at eleven-under par (133) after shooting seven birdies, to put him a whopping six strokes ahead of second. Holding onto second with a three-way tie and two-under par for the day (139), Charles Fitzsimmons (Thornhill Club), David Lang (Donalda Club / pictured above), and Scott Rutgers (Roseland G&CC), will be battling for the silver and bronze titles.
Reflecting on the round, Tsang said he kept his strategy the same from round one, which is “to just go out there and have fun, and if I play how I normally do, I shouldn’t have any issues”. When asked if he relies more on his short or long game, Tsang commented my “my long game is usually better, but my putting was exceptionally better today”. Heading into the final round, his strategy is to “play like I usually do and hopefully cruise to the finish line”.
This evening, Golf Ontario will cut the field down to 42 plus ties. The final round of the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship will begin at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. For future results and information on the championship, click here.
Since 1993, the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur championship has proven to be one of Ontario’s most sought after and important Championship titles. The 54-hole competition caters to Ontario’s best golfers age 25 and older that have gained entry into the event through qualifying tournaments or an exemption.
Despite its young history the championship has developed a notable list of past champions including Garrett Rank (2015, 2018) and Golf Hall of Fame members Stu Hamilton (1993, 1998), Kelly Roberts (1997), Dave Bunker (2007, 2011, 2014).
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
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. Make sure to visit our website for further information.
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca
Tsang Sets Pace After Impressive Round 1 at 2020 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
Ross Malcolm
Bath, ON – Summer like conditions ushered in round one of the 2020 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BioSteel, at the Loyalist Country Club. While temperatures may have been high, the opposite can be said for the scores, as players took to the course and used the warm weather to their advantage.
Holding the leader position after round one with an impressive score of five-under par (67), Ryan Tsang (Cedar Brae GC) shot four birdies and added an eagle on eighteen to finish off the low scoring round. Sitting in second with three-under for the day (69) and currently in a six-way tie is Scott Rutgers (Roseland G&CC), David Lang (Donalda Club), Darren Shaw (Twenty Valley G&CC), Derek McGrath (Galt CC), Taylor Tyminski (Lookout Point CC), and 2019 Men’s Mid-Amateur champion Charles Fitzsimmons (Thornhill Club).
Heading into round two, in which Golf Ontario will be making cuts to forty-two plus ties following the round. The second round of the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship will begin at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. For future results and information on the championship, click here.
Since 1993, the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur championship has proven to be one of Ontario’s most sought after and important Championship titles. The 54-hole competition caters to Ontario’s best golfers age 25 and older that have gained entry into the event through qualifying tournaments or an exemption.
Despite its young history, the championship has developed a notable list of past champions including Garrett Rank (2015, 2018) and Golf Hall of Fame members Stu Hamilton (1993, 1998), Kelly Roberts (1997), Dave Bunker (2007, 2011, 2014).
Key Provincial Competitions Protocols/Restrictions (subject to change)
No caddies permitted. (all events)
No spectators, including coaches and media, permitted. (**Exception: Players 18 & Under may have one accompanying adult)
No motorized carts permitted. (**Exception: Single rider carts only for Senior & Disability Championships)
All events will be a single tee start – no shotguns or split tees.
Restricted field numbers. (see individual championships)
Qualifiers will have limited field sizes. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
Click here for the full version of the Championship protocols. **These protocols are subject to change as new guidance is received from the government.
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
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. Make sure to visit our website for further information.
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca
Championship Season Continues With the 2020 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur at Loyalist CC, Sept 22-24
Ross Malcolm
Bath, ON – With fall golf season almost upon us, Golf Ontario is excited to welcome the 2020 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BioSteel, to the Loyalist Country Club from September 22nd to 24th. As championship season is close to conclusion, we would like to thank all players for respecting and continuing to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols.
The beautiful Loyalist Golf and Country Club, designed by Ted Baker, features colourful natural watercourse, strategic bunkering, and native grasses. As one of the most well maintained courses in the area, Assistant Professional Austin James, says the players can expect “a tight front nine through the trees, with more scoring opportunities and wedge shots on the back. As we are located close to the lake, players can anticipate strong winds out of the southwest for majority of their round. There are water hazards through about half of the course, so players will need to precisely place their shot”. Additionally, players may experiences a challenge on “number three and nine, as they are really tight tee shots. Depending on the tee placement, if number twelve is set all the way back, It will be very tough as it’s usually into the wind.”
The Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship will consist of athletes from the following four qualifiers: Rebel Creek GC (September 14), Meadowbrook G&CC (September 15), Cataraqui G&CC (September 17), and Wildfire GC (September 17). For leaderboard information on qualifiers, please click the golf course name. The strong field has a number of players returning to defend their title, with those included being three-time champion and 2020 Ontario Senior Men’s Champion, Dave Bunker (Cherry Hill Club), 2013 champion, Tyler McDannold (Kawartha G&CC), 2016 champion, Matthew Sim (Mississaugua G&CC), and 2019 champion Charles Fitzsimmons (Thornhill Club).
We are also excited to have introduced a Front Line Workers donation program this year as part of our registration process, to give back to the local communities we will be playing in. The Front Line Workers donations from the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship will be donated to Lennox and Addington County General Hospital.
First tee off for round one on Tuesday, September 22nd is set for 8:00 a.m. For more information on the championship and to follow the leaderboard, click here.
About the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
Since 1993, the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur championship has proven to be one of Ontario’s most sought after and important Championship titles. The 54-hole competition caters to Ontario’s best golfers age 25 and older that have gained entry into the event through qualifying tournaments or an exemption.
Despite its young history the championship has developed a notable list of past champions including Garrett Rank (2015, 2018) and Golf Hall of Fame members Stu Hamilton (1993, 1998), Kelly Roberts (1997), Dave Bunker (2007, 2011, 2014).
Key Provincial Competitions Protocols/Restrictions (subject to change)
No caddies permitted. (all events)
No spectators, including coaches and media, permitted. (**Exception: Players 18 & Under may have one accompanying adult)
No motorized carts permitted. (**Exception: Single rider carts only for Senior & Disability Championships)
All events will be a single tee start – no shotguns or split tees.
Restricted field numbers. (see individual championships)
Qualifiers will have limited field sizes. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
Click here for the full version of the Championship protocols. **These protocols are subject to change as new guidance is received from the government.
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
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. Make sure to visit our website for further information.
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications. Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca
Bunker & Samuel Take Home The 2020 Ontario Senior’s Men’s & Women’s Titles
Ross Malcolm
Gravenhurst, ON – Overcast conditions continued into the final round of the 2020 Ontario Senior Men’s and Women’s Championship, presented by Durham Artificial Grass, at the elegant Taboo Muskoka Resort and Golf. The dew covered course had dried up a bit from previous days of rain, giving players a new challenge as the greens began to roll quicker, leaving little to no room for error.
Taking home his first Ontario Senior Men’s Championship title, Dave Bunker (Cherry Hill Club) completed the final round two strokes ahead of silver medalist Ashley Chinner (Coppinwood). Sitting in second place after round two, Bunker managed to shoot a solid one-over par round that included three birdies, putting him atop the final leaderboard at three-over par (216) on the championship. Already a three-time winner of the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships, Bunker adds another title to his belt following his first Senior Men’s Championship win. Taking home the silver medal after leading after both the first and second round, Chinner had a difficult final round leaving him at five-over par for the Championship (218). Bronze medalist, Tom Henderson (Public Player), had a consistent championship with totals of 73, 76, and 73 (221).
Reflecting on the win, Bunker said “to be a rookie in this event and play well enough to beat a lot of really good players that were here, it feels good. I haven’t won an event in a few years, so it’s great to play well enough to compete with these players”. In the final round, Bunker knew he’d have to step up his game against competitor and friend Ashley Chinner, however “he struggled today which kind of opened the door for me. I didn’t play as well as I would’ve liked, but from looking at the scores it seems like a lot of players struggled today. I’m happy to finish on top even though it wasn’t exactly the way it was supposed to go, but it was nice to take the win”. Watch for Dave Bunker as he competes for another title at the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship September 22nd to 24th.
Having a fantastic season after recently finishing second-place in the Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, Terrill Samuel (Weston G&CC) takes home her second Ontario Senior Women’s Championship title. Playing her lowest round of the championship (70) on the final day, Samuel posted the low round of the day to finish 6 strokes ahead of the silver medalist, to leave her at four-over for the week (217). Rounding out a star studded top 3 were five-time champion Mary Ann Hayward, who finished at ten-over par to take home the silver medal (223), while three-time champion Judith Kyrinis (Granite GC) takes home the bronze medal (225).
All smiles and thrilled to add another title to her belt, Samuel had a few words of appreciation to say during the awards ceremony. “Thank you Nigel Hollidge for stepping up to the plate and hosting the championship at Taboo Muskoka, as I know we were originally set to compete at Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course. To Golf Ontario, we can’t do this without you, so thank you very much! You don’t know how much fun we get to have all because you volunteer and come up and work long hours here. It’s fabulous and I can’t thank you enough. To my fellow competitors, thank you for the great competition. We got two championships in this year, some of you maybe only one, but that’s what’s fun about it because I get to come and play with all of you, so thank you for coming out. The course was great given the circumstances and we had a great time this week”.
Golf Ontario would like to thank the players, staff, and volunteers for their support of the Ontario Senior Men’s and Women’s Championship. To the beautiful Taboo Muskoka Resort and Golf, Managing Director Nigel Hollidge, Director of Operations Lori Reynolds, and Superintendent Ryan Kerr, thank you for being gracious hosts on such a well-conditioned course. A big thank you to the officials and volunteers, as you are extremely valuable and we appreciate the time you take out of your week to assist. Lastly, a huge thank you to our sponsors and partners, Adidas, Taylor Made, Modern Golf, Dormie Workshop, Durham Artificial Grass, Humber College, Barcelo Bavaro Grand Resort, Baka Mobile, and Play Golf Myrtle Beach. We are grateful for your continued support.
For future results and information on the championship, click here for the Men’s and here for the Women’s.
Conducted since 1936, The Ontario Senior Men’s Championship event features Ontario’s best male amateur golfers age 55 and over competing over 54 holes of stroke play competition.
Canadian and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member Nick Weslock, one of Canada’s greatest amateurs of the century, won the event a record 11 times between 1968 and 1980. Other notable past champions include Stu Hamilton (2001, 2006), Mike Jackson (2010, 2011 and 2013) and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member Warren Sye in 2012.
About The Ontario Senior Women’s Championship
The inaugural Ontario Senior Women’s Championship was conducted in 1962 and since then has been contested annually featuring the province’s best female amateurs age 50 and over.
The event has had several notable past champions including World, Canadian and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit, who captured the title six times. Also, Canadian and Ontario Golf Hall of Famer Gayle Borthwick, who also picked up the trophy six times. Recent winners include Ivy Steinberg (2008 and 2009), Terrill Samuel (2011) as well as Golf Ontario Hall of Fame members Mary Ann Hayward (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2019) and 2017 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Champion Judith Kyrinis (2016, 2017,2018).
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