Thornton, ON — The players arrived at Tangle Creek Golf Club on a hot and dry day for the second round of the 97th annual Junior Boys Championship. Much like the first round, the day proved to be competitive with strong scoring across the board. No players were able to truly pull ahead for the lead prior to the tournament cut, and it was steady play throughout the field.
Prior to the second round, all eyes were on Noah Campbell (Coppinwood GC) to see if he could maintain his momentum and hold the first place position, but once all was said and done, it was Team Ontario’s Robbie Latter (Credit Valley G&CC) who came on strong to claim the top spot. Latter finished the day with a total score of -5 (139), after an impressive second round which consisted of four birdies and no bogeys.
“A big difference between today and yesterday was the wind,” explained Latter. “The wind was a big challenge yesterday, so without that added difficulty this time around it was easier to stay focused and locked in to have a good round.” Latter also had a few impressive putts that would eventually be the reason he sits at the head of the leaderboard.
“I had a few ten-footers as well, which always makes your round go more smoothly.” The 18-year-old plans to continue his momentum heading into the all important third day by keeping a steady mindset and not getting ahead of himself.
Following closely behind in second was another Team Ontario member, Dylan Henderson (Westmount G&CC). Henderson finished the day with a two day score of -3 (141) all due to some impressive play on his front nine, which consisted of an eagle on the first hole, and back to back birdies on 7 & 8.
In third was Ashton McCulloch (Cataraqui G&CC) with en even par total score. McCulloch has played consistently throughout the tournament so far, rarely finding himself in poor situations. Surely he will be arriving tomorrow to try and take the top spot.
The three leaders will take to the field tomorrow morning for the third round, where the course will see only 60 (plus ties) left from the original 156 players after cuts were made. It’s still anyone’s game as it’s a tight race throughout. Tee time tomorrow is set for 7:30am.
For future results and information on the tournament, visit the official tournament page HERE
For photos of the tournament, CLICK HERE
About the Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Championship
The Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Championship is open to male golfers 18 years of age and under, who have qualified through one of six qualifiers held across the province earlier this season. The Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship was first contested in 1923 at the Summit Golf & Country Club. Past winners of the event include: Gerry Kesselring, Gary Cowan, Stu Hamilton, Mike Weir, Jon Mills and Albin Choi.
Golf Ontario would like to thank Tangle Creek G&CC and their staff for their support of the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook for future updates on the Ontario Junior (U19) Championship.
Ryan MacKenzie
rmackenzie@gao.ca
CAMBRIDGE, ON – Mother Nature tried hard to wreck the third round of the 84th Ontario Junior Girls Championship at the beautiful Galt Country Club, but after an early four and a half hour weather delay, the girls finally hit the course. Once the rain eased up, the sun and smoldering humidity took over for the afternoon making it a challenge for the field.
Ashley Chow (The Lake Joseph Club), hung in there all day through it all and after birdies on 15 and 17, found herself the leader after three rounds with an even par (72) scorecard. Her three day total of -1 (215) allowed her jump ahead of both Sarah Beqaj (Toronto Golf Club), and Victoria Zheng (Granite GC) who both had the lead at one point in the round. Beqaj, the 36 hole leader, stumbled slightly early on but regained her composure to fire a +3 (75), while Zheng also posted an even par (72) round to find herself in second place, one stroke back of Chow. Beqaj (at +1 for the tournament) sits another stroke back in third place.
A happy Chow talked about of her play afterwards. “I don’t feel I had my A-game today but I just banged it out and made a bunch of ups and downs and just tried to make birdies when I had the chance. Compared to day one where I was on my game, today was similar to my round yesterday, where I was just trying to keep scores low and avoid any holes ballooning.”
Chow explained her strategy heading into tomorrow’s final round. “I’m just going to go out and be confident, swing freely and trust in my game.”
The round of the day belonged to Taylor Kehoe (West Haven G&CC) who fired a brilliant -3 (69) and climbed into fourth place. With eight players, including five Team Ontario members and one National Junior squad member, within 9 strokes, tomorrows final round should be an exciting one. Final round action resumes Thursday morning with tee times commencing at 7:30am.
For future results and information on the tournament, visit the official tournament page CLICK HERE
For pictures of the tournament CLICK HERE
About the Ontario Junior Girls (U19) Championship
The Ontario Junior (U19) Girls Championship is contested annually and features Ontario’s best amateur female golfers age 18 and under. Established in 1927, The event has a wealth of notable past champions including: World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit, Sandra Post, Sue Hilton, Alena Sharp, Jennifer Kirby and Brooke Henderson in 2010 and 2011.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook for future updates on the Ontario Junior (U19) Championship.
Thornton, ON — 156 players took to the beautiful Tangle Creek G&CC on Tuesday, July 16th for the first round of the Ontario Junior Boys Championship. The warm and dewey morning that welcomed the competitors quickly became hot and windy, making it a challenging day for everyone on the course. Despite the tough conditions however, the field came out to play with little sign of fatigue from the weather. The first day was overly competitive, with no clear leader until the last hole few holes.
After 18, it was Noah Campbell (Coppinwood GC) who was able to take the lead heading into the second round. Campbell had an impressive showing with a final score of two-under (70) after a stretch of five birdies in six holes midway through his round. With some impressive play, Campbell was able to stay within reach of the first place position throughout the day and even though at times it looked like others were going to pull ahead, the 16-year-old continued to persevere.
“I hit the ball pretty well and was able to stay competitive through the first couple of holes before I hit my hot stretch midway through the round,” said Campbell. “I was just trying to focus and take it one hole at a time. I knew I was playing well after that stretch but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself, so I just kept a modest mindset throughout the rest of the round.” Campbell leads the charge heading into round two and plans to change nothing about his game.
“My mindset is what will help me continue my solid play, so I’m just going to keep doing the same thing. One hole at a time.”
Trailing closely in second was a three way tie for second. Robbie Latter (Credit Valley G&CC), Jeffrey Fang (Station Creek GC), and Gerry Mei (Granite GC) all ended the round with a final score of -1 (71). The three players played a strong round and never seemed to be able to seperate each other from the pack. All three will be looking to take the lead from Campbell tomorrow before the all important third day.
Tee time for the second round is set for 7:30am. For future results and information on the tournament, visit the official tournament page HERE
For photos of the tournament, CLICK HERE
About the Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Championship
The Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Championship is open to male golfers 18 years of age and under, who have qualified through one of six qualifiers held across the province earlier this season. The Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship was first contested in 1923 at the Summit Golf & Country Club. Past winners of the event include: Gerry Kesselring, Gary Cowan, Stu Hamilton, Mike Weir, Jon Mills and Albin Choi.
Golf Ontario would like to thank Tangle Creek G&CC and their staff for their support of the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook for future updates on the Ontario Junior (U19) Championship.
Ryan MacKenzie
rmackenzie@gao.ca
CAMBRIDGE, ON – The second round of the 84th Ontario Junior Girls Championship began on another beautiful morning from Galt Country Club but saw the weather turn windy and rainy causing higher scores than yesterday’s opening round.
The weather may have changed but the leader after both rounds did not. Sarah Beqaj (Toronto Golf Club), a National Junior Squad member, didn’t score as well as her course record 66 yesterday, but did play well enough with a +4 (76) to hang onto the lead.
A relieved Beqaj spoke of her challenging round afterwards. “Today was a little different, after my first bogey free round yesterday, I was nervous out there and knew I wasn’t going to shoot as well. Putts weren’t going in today that were in round one.”
Beqaj talked about the remaining golf that is still left to play this week. “There is still lots of golf left to play especially when you see the changing scores from day to day, and personally I need to capitalize better on the par 5’s.”
Chasing down Beqaj are three member of Team Ontario sitting in second, third and fourth place. Ashley Chow (The Lake Joseph Club), Victoria Zheng (Granite GC) and Alexis McMurray (Glen Abbey GC), all had solid second rounds with 73, 73 and 77 respectively. Also in the top 10 is fellow Team Ontario member Raesa Sheikh (TPC at Osprey Valley) who sits tied for eighth. 2017 Junior Girls Champion Ellie Szeryk, also a National Junior Squad member, caught fire on the back nine with 5 birdies in that stretch to finish the day T13.
The immense talent in the top 20 here this week can still make this anyone’s tournament to win. Play resumes Wednesday morning for the third round after the field is cut down with tee times commencing at 7:30am.
For future results and information on the tournament, visit the official tournament page CLICK HERE
For pictures of the tournament CLICK HERE
About the Ontario Junior Girls (U19) Championship
The Ontario Junior (U19) Girls Championship is contested annually and features Ontario’s best amateur female golfers age 18 and under. Established in 1927, The event has a wealth of notable past champions including: World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit, Sandra Post, Sue Hilton, Alena Sharp, Jennifer Kirby and Brooke Henderson in 2010 and 2011.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook for future updates on the Ontario Junior (U19) Championship.
CAMBRIDGE, ON – The opening round of the Ontario Junior Girls Championship got underway this morning under gorgeous blue skies from Galt Country Club featuring the best female junior golfer in Ontario.
The weather didn’t take long to warm up and neither did Sarah Beqaj (Toronto Golf Club). Beqaj, a National Junior Squad member, was lights out firing a -6 (66), firing a bogey free, 4 birdie, 1 eagle round.
A thrilled Beqaj spoke of her play after the round. “My up and downs were really good today. It was a weird round but anytime I missed greens or got in trouble I’d find ways to make pars.” Beqaj credits spending time with Team Ontario Coach Reggie Millage last week working on her wedges. “I wanted to improve my short game to compliment the fact I’m hitting the ball farther than last year, and the course set up for a bunch of wedges today because of my longer ball striking.”
As for setting the course record, Beqaj had some flashbacks. “It gives me some Deja Vu from last year at the Junior Girls Championship as I set a course record as well but hopefully this championship ends up going better.”
Following on her heels are three member of Team Ontario, Alexis McMurray (Glen Abbey GC), Ashley Chow (The Lake Joseph Club), and Victoria Zheng (Granite GC) who also shot very well with 69, 70 and 71 respectively. Also sitting at -1 (71) is Erin Kim (Ladies GC of Toronto). The shot of the day however might have belonged to Sydney Foulon (Glen Abbey GC), who aced the 153 yard 16th hole.
The 112 year old course has been a premier private club in southwestern Ontario for many years. With tree-lined fairways, and challenging holes, the course was truly a test to the talented field. Play resumes Tuesday morning with split tees again commencing at 8am.
For future results and information on the tournament, visit the official tournament page CLICK HERE
For pictures of the tournament CLICK HERE
About the Ontario Junior Girls (U19) Championship
The Ontario Junior (U19) Girls Championship is contested annually and features Ontario’s best amateur female golfers age 18 and under. Established in 1927, The event has a wealth of notable past champions including: World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit, Sandra Post, Sue Hilton, Alena Sharp, Jennifer Kirby and Brooke Henderson in 2010 and 2011.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook for future updates on the Ontario Junior (U19) Championship.
Thornton/Cambridge, ON — On July 15th to 19th, Tangle Creek G&CC and Galt CC will host the Junior Spring Classic (U19) Championships. The Championships are open to boys and girls who are 18 and younger, and have qualified in previous tournaments.
Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Championship
The Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Championship is set to kick off at Tangle Creek G&CC on July 16th, where the best junior players in the province will tee off to take home the hardware.
Last year’s champion Nolan Piazza (Grand Niagara GC) won the tournament with a total score of two-under. The 15-year-old played lights out through hot and windy conditions, and was able to lock up the first place position after four days despite being one of the youngest players on the field. With Piazza away at the US Junior Amateur Championship, he will not be returning to defend the title therefore leaving the top spot up for grabs. The talented field will surely be pushing to take over the vacant spot, inlucing 2017 junior champion Tristan Renaud (Idylwilde G&CC), who will be looking to win the championship for the second time in three years.
The players will be arriving at Tangle Creek the day before the tournaments official start date. The seventeen year old course is widely acknowledged as not only one of the best in Barrie, but also in the entire Greater Toronto Area. In years past, the course has proved to be challenging for players with its quick fairways and steep elevations. It will be interesting to see how the players adapt to it’s conditions.
Tee time is set for 8:00am. For future results and information on the tournament, visit the official tournament page HERE
Ontario Junior (U19) Girls Championship
The Ontario Junior (U19) Girls Championship is set to kickoff July 15th at Galt Country Club. The best junior golfers in the province will head to the course to decide who the best female junior golfer in Ontario is.
It was Jasmine Ly (Kingsville GC) who was crowned victorious last year, scoring +2 to lead the tournament. Ly had an outstanding showing, never carding a score over 74, and without a doubt being the most consistent player on the course. Tayler Kehoe (West Haven G&CC) trailed Ly throughout the tournament but was never able to make a push for first.
Ly will also be away for the US Junior Championship, therefore not returning to defend her title. Although the first place spot open for the taking, it won’t be an easy path. With competition like Hailey McLaughlin, Ellie Szeryk, Brooke Rivers, and many more, the field will be the most competitive it’s been in years, and there’s no favourite heading into the four day affair.
The players will be arriving at Galt Country Club Sunday afternoon, the day before the first round, to warm up before the tournament gets underway. The 112 year old course has been a premier private club in southwestern Ontario for many years. With tree-lined fairways, and challenging holes, the course will be a test to the talented field. It will be fun to watch them navigate the tricky track.
Tee time is set for 8:00am. For future results and information on the tournament, visit the official tournament page HERE
About the Ontario Junior Boys & Girls (U19) Championship
The Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Championship is open to male golfers 18 years of age and under, who have qualified through one of six qualifiers held across the province earlier this season. The Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship was first contested in 1923 at the Summit Golf & Country Club. Past winners of the event include: Gerry Kesselring, Gary Cowan, Stu Hamilton, Mike Weir, Jon Mills and Albin Choi.
The Ontario Junior (U19) Girls Championship is contested annually and features Ontario’s best amateur female golfers age 18 and under. Established in 1927, The event has a wealth of notable past champions including: World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit, Sandra Post, Sue Hilton, Alena Sharp, Jennifer Kirby and Brooke Henderson.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook for future updates on the Ontario Junior (U19) Championship.
Collingwood, ON — Windy conditions ushered in day four welcoming the 63 remaining players who took to the course to for the 97th annual Men’s Amateur Championship. It was a competitive field throughout the entire week, but it was Matthew Anderson (Credit Valley G&CC) who came out on top to win it all.
Anderson entered the day trailing his former Team Ontario coach Charles Fitzsimmons (Thornhill Club) after a hard fought battle between the two in the third round. Trailing by one heading in, Anderson played with composure not many 19-year-olds have. He started the day off with steady play, never hitting into the rough and never overstepping his abilities in an attempt to take the lead. Instead, he let the game come to him.
The front nine started as a very close race between the two competitors. Both sat at even through the first four holes until Anderson birdied 5 at the same time Fitzsimmons scored a bogey. Anderson would continue to roll and birdie 7 while Fitzsimmons would post another bogey, dropping him four strokes behind Anderson through seven holes.
Just when it was looking like Andersons championship, Anderson went on a four hole bogey streak, allowing Fitzsimmons to tie, and later take the lead. The young player seemed rattled and couldn’t get any of his shots to fall. Nonetheless, even in adversity, Anderson dialed in and focused and returned to his natural state of calm play.
The last four holes proved to be as close of a race as possible. Both competitors were lights out down the final stretch of the tournament and there wasn’t a sure sign of a winner at any point. Anderson birdied the 16th hole to tie them up at 5-under, and then birdied 16 to take the lead. The two hit both scored par on 17, and then finally took to the eighteenth hole.
Anderson hits his tee shot into the bushes on the side of the fairway, and Fitzsimmons used the opportunity to play it safe to set himself up for the rest of the hole. Fitzsimmons then launched a shot onto the lip of the bunker at the same time Anderson miraculously hit it out of the bushes onto the fairway. The two both chip onto the green 15-20 feet away from the hole, and Fitzsimmons then almost steals the hole with an outstanding putt that ends up lipping the cup. It was at that moment, that Anderson knew all he had to do was tap in an easy putt for par to win it all.
The former Team Ontario student bent over the hole to pick up his ball as the crowd cheeeds on the new champion. Fitzsimmons high fived him and congratulated him on his achievement. “Maybe I taught you too well,” he joked. Anderson finished the tournament with a total score of 6-under (278), only one stroke ahead of Fitzsimmons.
“It was a lot of fun playing against Charles,” said Anderson. “I’ve know him for a long time so we all felt comfortable going up against each other.” Anderson also commented on how he kept himself so poised after his rough stretch. “I just tried to tell myself that I was fine. I was still only one behind and I couldn’t change the past, so I had to focus on the future and move on from there.”
Following closely behind the two leaders was Ty Celone (Public Player). Celon had an outstanding showing over the four rounds. Having to battle tough competition like Noah Steele (Cataraqui G&CC), and Daniel George (The Summit G&CC), Celone didn’t have an easy path to the bronze medal placement. The former Team Ontario player finished the week with a total score of 1-under (283).
The three top players also received exemptions to the Ontario Open which will be occurring August 26th-29th, where they will get to play against some of the best competition in the world.
For full scores and information on the entire tournament, please visit the official tournament page HERE
For photos from the tournament, visit our Facebook page HERE
About the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship
The Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship was first played in 1923 at Lakeview Golf and Country Club, and features the best players in the province. Past winners include: 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir (1990 & 1992), Gerry Kesselring (1949, 1951, 1952, 1953), professional players Jon Mills (2001), Corey Conners (2010), Albin Choi (2012), Chris Hemmerich (2014) and Gary Cowan, who holds the record for the most Ontario Amateur Championships with nine (1964, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981 & 1984).
Golf Ontario would like to thank Oslerbrook G&CC and their staff for their continued support of the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook, @TheGolfOntario for updates of future tournaments.
Ryan MacKenzie
rmackenzie@gao.ca
BELLEVILLE, ON – Muggy conditions kicked off the fourth and final round of the 104th annual Ontario Women’s Amateur Championships from Black Bear Ridge Golf Course. The final day would produce both an amazing comeback attempt from Emily Zhu (Team Canada National Junior Squad Member) and also an excellent display of toughness from Brigitte Thibault (Team Canada National Amateur Squad Member). This toughness allowed Thibault, who had been the leader after days two and three, to claim the title.
Zhu (National Pines Golf Club) came out very strong, carding a 4-under par 36 on the front and actually taking the lead after nine holes but Thibault battled back tying things on the 12th with a nice birdie. The two would stay tied until late when Zhu would bogey 16 and 17. Thibault bogeyed 18 but would still claim the title by one stroke firing a final round +1 (73). Zhu would finish with the only under par round of the day, a -2 (70) and claim the silver medal. Hailey McLaughlin (Granite GC) took home the bronze medal after another steady round of +1 (73) to finish 5 strokes back of the leader.
A thrilled Thibault spoke of her win after the round. “I knew my game wasn’t clutch-clutch the past few days, but I just tried to keep my head up” she said. “I knew Emily was playing really well and she wasn’t going to go away, so I just focused on myself and I’m someone who never gives up.” She then mentioned what it means to win this particular trophy. “It’s obviously a honour, I love to see the previous winners that have all took this kind of step to where they are now. I see a lot of names from Team Canada and excited to see where this could take me.”
Golf Ontario would like to thank Black Bear Ridge Golf Course and their staff for their support of the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship. A special thank you as well goes out to all the Golf Ontario volunteers.
For the official tournament website final results, CLICK HERE
For pictures of the tournament CLICK HERE
About the Women’s Amateur Championship
First played in 1904, the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship is being contested for the 104th time in 2019. The event features the best female golfers from across Ontario in a 72-hole stroke play format, with the field cut to the low 54 golfers and ties after 36 holes. Past winners include 1968 LPGA Championship winner Sandra Post (1964), LPGA player Alena Sharp (1989), Team Canada members Jennifer Kirby (2009, 2010), Augusta James (2011), Brittany Marchand (2012) and Brooke Henderson (2014). World, Canadian and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit holds the record for the most titles with 11 (’51, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’72, ’74, ’76, and ’77).
About the Women’s Mid Amateur Championship
Open to female golfers aged 25 and over, the Women’s Mid-Amateur event was first contested in 1989. Past champions of the event include Samuel (1991, 2000 and 2010), Borthwick (1992 and1993) and Hayward, who has won the event a record 14 times. The event consists of 54 holes of stroke play competition with the field cut after 36 holes.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook, @TheGolfOntario for upcoming updates all Golf Ontario Championships.
BELLEVILLE, ON – The third day of the 104th annual Ontario Women’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships got underway from Black Bear Ridge Golf Course on a cool beautiful morning. This was the final round for the Mid-Amateur and the third round for the Amateur, with the final round coming tomorrow.
The Mid-Amateur final round did not disappoint for excitement under some hot and tough conditions producing higher scores.
Sarah Dunning (Westmount G&CC) would come from behind and then overcome the see-saw battle with Mary Ann Hayward (St. Thomas Golf & Country Club) to claim the Mid-Amateur Championship. Dunning shot a +4 (76) to better Hayward who struggled today in her third round with a +9 (81). Julia Hodgson (Donalda Club), the 2018 Mid-Amateur Champion captured third place after firing a +8 (80) on the day.
A very excited Dunning spoke of her game after the round. “Today was a bit of a struggle and I was nervous playing against Mary Ann” she said. “However the turning point of the day came on 12 where I hit the fairway and green where she didn’t and that provided some momentum.” She also mentioned what a thrill it was to win this particular trophy. “Well Mary Ann’s name is on there a few times and some other big ones and I can’t wait to look at them.”
Almost all the Amateur leaders struggled as well but second round leader Brigitte Thibault, a member of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad, hung on to lead the way again with a +4 (76) despite not being happy with her round. “I lot of the round didn’t go as planned but I stayed patient because I knew it was an off day.” said Thibault afterwards. “I’m very happy the day is over but I’m looking forward to analyzing my day and learn for tomorrow.”
Emily Zhu (National Pines Golf Club), shot a solid even par (72) to jump into second place, 4 strokes back of Thibault. Hailey McLaughlin (Granite GC), the leader after round one, came in with a +5 (77) to now sit in third place.
Final round action of the Women’s Amateur gets underway Thursday morning at 7:30am with split tee starts. Spectators are always welcome at the beautiful host course.
For the official tournament website for this years pairings and results, CLICK HERE
For pictures of the tournament CLICK HERE
About the Women’s Amateur Championship
First played in 1904, the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship is being contested for the 104th time in 2019. The event features the best female golfers from across Ontario in a 72-hole stroke play format, with the field cut to the low 54 golfers and ties after 36 holes. Past winners include 1968 LPGA Championship winner Sandra Post (1964), LPGA player Alena Sharp (1989), Team Canada members Jennifer Kirby (2009, 2010), Augusta James (2011), Brittany Marchand (2012) and Brooke Henderson (2014). World, Canadian and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit holds the record for the most titles with 11 (’51, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’72, ’74, ’76, and ’77).
About the Women’s Mid Amateur Championship
Open to female golfers aged 25 and over, the Women’s Mid-Amateur event was first contested in 1989. Past champions of the event include Samuel (1991, 2000 and 2010), Borthwick (1992 and1993) and Hayward, who has won the event a record 14 times. The event consists of 54 holes of stroke play competition with the field cut after 36 holes.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook, @TheGolfOntario for upcoming updates of the Ontario Women’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships.
Collingwood, ON — Only 63 players remained heading into day three of the 97th annual Men’s Amateur Championship, and warm weather and beautiful greens welcomed them as they set their sights on the top spot coming out of round three and heading into the final day. Oslerbrook GC has proven to be a challenge for the players throughout the week, but the field continued to attack the narrow fairways with confidence.
After three rounds, it was Charles Fitzsimmons (Thornhill Club) who came out leading the pack going into the fourth and final day. It was a back and forth affair between Fitzsimmons and his former Team Ontario student Matthew Anderson (Credit Valley G&CC) the entire round. The two entered the third day tied at 4-under, and refused to solidify a leader until the very last hole of the day.
Fitzsimmons started the round out strong with a birdie off the first hole and continued his great play throughout, but Anderson matched every stroke Fitzsimmons took. The two ended the first four holes at 1-under each, but Fitzsimmons then bogeyed the fifth hole, allowing Anderson to take the lead. Despite the bogey on the previous hole, in Fitzsimmons style, the 31-year-old didn’t let it bother him and kept his composure to birdie the next two holes to take the lead.
Fitzsimmons led by one over Anderson for the next seven holes, until he found himself in some trouble on 13. Fitzsimmons missed a tough putt, giving Anderson the opportunity to tie the score. Anderson would then do just that, collecting two birdies in a row on the next two holes to even the score. The two sat at 7-under up until the 18th and final hole. The two teed off and for a moment it looked like Anderson would take the lead, after his drive landed centre of the fairway over 30 feet further than Fitzsimmons’. But right after, Anderson would slightly miss his second shot to land in the rough to the side of the green, while Fitzsimmons hit a perfect shot that lead to him sitting just inches from the green. At that point, it was clear who was going to take the lead heading into the final round.
“It’s funny, I had no idea that was the winning shot,” said Fitzsimmons. “I knew it was close but I always try to ignore the score.” He also commented on what it was like playing with Anderson and Celone, his former students.
“It was great playing against those two. They’re such great players and it’s always a great battle. I look forward to playing with them again tomorrow and hopefully be able to teach them another thing or two at the same time.”
Fitzsimmons finds himself at the head of the field with a score of 8-under (205), while Anderson enters round four at 7-under (206).
Ty Celone, who was the third player in the group alongside the two leaders, also had himself a spectacular day. After the third round, the former Team Ontario player sits in third place with an even-par score (213). Celone tailed the two ahead of him by only a single stroke at one point, but unfortunately triple-bogeyed the fourteenth hole. He still has the chance to catch up to the leaders, but it will be a bigger hill to climb then he was probably expecting.
The leaders and the rest of the field will return to Oslerbrook tomorrow to hopefully catch fire and heat up on the final day. Spectators are welcome at the beautiful course.
For full scores, tee times, and information on the tournament, please visit the official tournament page HERE
For photos from the tournament, visit our Facebook page HERE
About the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship
The Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship was first played in 1923 at Lakeview Golf and Country Club, and features the best players in the province. Past winners include: 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir (1990 & 1992), Gerry Kesselring (1949, 1951, 1952, 1953), professional players Jon Mills (2001), Corey Conners (2010), Albin Choi (2012), Chris Hemmerich (2014) and Gary Cowan, who holds the record for the most Ontario Amateur Championships with nine (1964, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981 & 1984).
Golf Ontario would like to thank Oslerbrook G&CC and their staff for their continued support of the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook, @TheGolfOntario for updates of the Ontario Men’s Championship.
Ryan MacKenzie
rmackenzie@gao.ca
