Mason Cowan, Tournament Director: “I’m looking forward to watching some amazing golf this week. Chedoke Golf Club has provided us with great playing conditions for our championship. This tournament will showcase the outstanding talents of the top U15 golfers in the province, and we get to watch them display their abilities against each other.”
The field consists of 93 of Ontario’s top female golfers aged 50 and over compete in 54-hole stroke play for Champ Flight and ‘A’ Flight titles.
Since 1962, the Ontario Senior Women’s Championship has featured the best provincial senior female golfers that either aim to carve their names onto the walls of greatness or look to cement their legacies as current Ontario Golf Hall of Famers.
Notable past champions include Ontario Golf Hall of Famers Mary-Ann Hayward and Judith Kyrinis, who have both won this championship five times, Terrill Samuel and Ivy Steinberg who have won this championship twice, and Marion Reid,the 2022 Champion.
As well, Canadian and Ontario Golf Hall of Famers, Marlene Stewart Streit and Gayle Borthwick, are both six-time winners of this championship.
Tee-offs begin at 7:40 a.m. tomorrow. For all pairings and start times, CLICK HERE.
Connor Doyle, Tournament Director: “The Ontario Senior Women’s Championship has annually featured many legendary Ontario female golfers who have significantly contributed to women’s golf throughout their careers. The 62nd playing of this championship features multiple past champions and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members, to go along with largest field we have had in this championship in many years. We are in for an exciting week at Lora Bay Golf Club.”
Brad Brown, The Club at Lora Bay Golf Professional: “Lora Bay Golf Club offers a unique atmosphere and challenge to players with its stunning views and total distance of 7,034 yards. We are thrilled to welcome the Senior Women’s Championship, and our team is dedicated to providing an unforgettable experience for all its participants.”
Fun Fact: Judith Kyrinis and Mary-Ann Hayward can tie Marlene Stewart Streit and Gayle Borthwick’s six Senior Women’s Championship titles record with a win.
Dave Mills’ Legacy Being Honoured with Funding for Scholarship through 1000 Ball Challenge
Golf Ontario
Dave Mills has been a giant for decades in the golf industry, and for golf in Ontario in particular, thanks to his contributions to advance golf across the province. This year, Golf Ontario is pleased to award two deserving junior golfers with a scholarship in honour of Dave.
Mills was heavily involved with the Golf Association of Ontario – now known as Golf Ontario – since 1986. He served on the board of directors from 1989-1997, before stepping down from the board and taking over as executive director in 1997.
He is responsible for turning the association from one experiencing financial and administrative challenges, to one of the largest and most successful golf associations in the world.
The passion and contributions Mills brought to Ontario golf has led to the Dave Mills Scholarship being established.
“I can’t count how many times people came up to me and expressed their sincere gratitude for what my dad did for them,” said Dave’s son, Jon Mills, Kent State University’s head men’s golf coach. “He seemed to impact so many people in different ways. He would do anything to help a young player out while at the same time teach them how to be respectful of the game.”
He also led the process to establish the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame and helped to have golf recognized as an “Official Sport” by Sport Ontario/Sport Canada.
Dave had a great love of the game and cherished every moment he played with his wife, family and friends.
Mills’ sons, Jeff and Jon, are using the 1000 Ball Challenge to grow the fund for the scholarship and to ensure his legacy and impact is felt for many generations to come.
“I heard about the 1000 Ball Challenge through a great friend Craig Loughry,” Jon said. “Wanting to honour my dad to continue giving to his scholarship to help the next generation of junior golfers in Canada.”
Their goal is to reach $20,000 by the end of the season, all of it will be put into further funding for the Dave Mills Scholarship. Donations of $20 or more are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
Drewery and Green Win 2024 Ontario Junior Boys & Girls Match Play Championships
Golf Ontario
The final day of the 2024 Ontario Junior Boys and Girls Match Play Championships at Grey Silo Golf Course featured breathtaking finishes.
Taking home the Len Goldson Trophy on the boys’ side is Will Drewery, who faced fellow Whistle Bear Golf Club athlete, Rylan Hall of Team Ontario, in the finals.
It all came down to an extra 19th hole, where Drewery defeated Hall with a Birdie putt to complete a comeback from 3-down earlier.
En route to the finals, Drewery won the Round of 64 8&7, the Round of 32 3&2, the Round of 16 2 Up, the Quarter-Finals 2&1, and both the Semi-Finals and Finals in 19 holes.
Regardless of the outcome, an Ontario Junior Boys Match Play Championship title was in Whistle Bear Golf Club’s hands before the finals even began.
After the two went back-and-forth all afternoon, their match came down to a 21st hole, where Green sunk her Par putt to clinch the victory.
Both contestants were playing in their first Ontario Junior Girls Match Play Championship and went through impressive lengths to make it all the way to the finals.
In the end, Green’s journey to the title included a 4&3 win in the Round of 32, a 3&1 win in the Round of 16, a 4&3 win in the Quarter-Finals, a 3&2 win in the Semi-Finals, and a 21 hole win in the final showdown with Nordman.
CLICK HEREfor all results of the Ontario Junior Girls Match Play Championship.
CLICK HERE for all results of the Ontario Junior Boys Match Play Championship.
The field will feature 144 of province’s top golfers aged 25-and-over competing for a provincial title.
Despite its young history, the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship has seen a number of notable past champions since its first playing in 1993.
Notable past winners include Garret Rank (2015, 2018), as well as Ontario Golf Hall of Famers Stu Hamilton (1993, 1998), Kelly Roberts (1997), and Dave Bunker (2007, 2011, 2014, 2021).
The first two rounds will see morning groups tee off at 8 a.m. and afternoon groups at 1 p.m. until the 36-hole-cut.
For first round pairings and start times, CLICK HERE
The respective events will feature 30 players on the girls’ side and 64 players in the boys’ division. Both divisions will be competing in epic battles against one another in match play format.
While the Ontario Junior Girls Match Play Championship first commenced in 1982, and the Ontario Junior Boys Match Play Championship in 1998, both have seen talented players go head-to-head in tremendous matchups over the years.
The Junior Boys begin their first round matches Monday starting at 7:30 a.m., while the Junior Girls kick off their first round with tee times set for 12:30 p.m. Both the boys and girls events will tee-off from the first and 10th tees.
CLICK HERE to view all matchups and start times for the Ontario Junior (U19) Girls Match Play Championship.
CLICK HERE to view all matchups and start times for the Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Match Play Championship.
Ava Gilbart (Summit Golf & Country Club) recently finished tied for 2nd at the Golf Canada NextGen Atlantic Championship.
QUOTES
Connor Doyle, Tournament Director: “The Ontario Junior U19 Boys & Girls Match Play Championship is a tremendous event on the Golf Ontario Championship Calendar that generates lots of excitement year in and year out. Grey Silo will certainly be an excellent test for the players as the course features many risk-reward opportunities and will lead to many excellent matches and moments for the players this week.”
Bunker entered the final round on top of the leaderboard and finished on top after shooting 2-under-par-70 to finish three strokes ahead of fellow Cherry Hill Club competitor, Adam Creighton, who shot even-par-72 in the third round.
Overall, Bunker shot 209-7-under-par during an amazing week. The Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member can now add a second Ontario Senior Men’s Championship title to his legendary cabinet as part of an incredible Ontario golf career.
The top 156 province golfers aged 55 and over are set to compete for a provincial title.
On July 22, a qualifier will take place with tee times between 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. to determine the final 24 players who will advance and compete in the 70 and over Championship.
Since its inaugural play in 1936, the Ontario Senior Men’s Championship has featured the best provincial senior golfers that either aim to or already have their names carved into the Ontario golfing legacy.
Notable past champions include Stu Hamilton (2001, 2006), Mike Jackson (2010, 2011 and 2013), Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member Warren Sye (2012) and 11-time winner between 1968 and 1980, Canadian and Ontario Golf Ontario Hall of Famer, Nick Weslock.
The first two rounds will see morning start times at 7:30 a.m. and afternoon start times at 12:30 p.m. until the 36-hole-cut after the second round.
For first round pairings and start times, CLICK HERE.
Adam Miller, Head Club Pro – Brockville Country Club: “The Brockville Country Club and its members are extremely proud and excited to be hosting the 2024 Ontario Senior Men’s Championship. We are looking forward to showcasing the best that our great town has to offer and to set the stage on our beautiful and challenging golf course for a fantastic, competitive event featuring some of the best senior players in the province.”
FAST FACTS
Championship Venue: Brockville Country Club
Championship Dates: July 23 – 25
Field: 156 players (Overall: 132, 70 and over Championship: 24)
Format: 54-hole Stroke Play (Overall: 36-hole-cut – low 60 & ties – 70 and Over Championship: 36-hole-cut
Fun Fact: Cherry Hill Club will be represented by six players in this championship (Dave Bunker, Adam Creighton, Gord Henderson, Mark McBride, Joe Miszk, Mark Tomasello).
The Uxbridge, Ontario-based wealth management firm’s partnership with Golf Ontario promises to significantly enhance this year’s event, taking place on September 9 at Granite Golf Club.
The Junior Golf Drive is an unforgettable fundraiser dedicated to advancing Golf Ontario’s junior performance programming. The support from this event enables Golf Ontario to continue nurturing the next generation of high-performance golfers in the province.
Participants in this year’s Junior Golf Drive will enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience, featuring 18 holes of golf alongside Team Ontario and Next Wave athletes. The event includes registration gifts, breakfast, a three-course lunch, prizes, and a silent auction. Funds raised will support Golf Ontario’s Junior Golf programs, including The Junior Golf Pathway, Next Wave Program, and Team Ontario.
For more information about this year’s Junior Golf Drive, visit juniorgolfdrive.ca. Opportunities are still available for those looking to participate or partner in the event.
