June 28, 2023
Belleville, ON– Perfect conditions provided an opportunity for low scores during round three of the 101st Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship at Black Bear Ridge Golf Resort. Prince Edward County’s own Cameron Pero (Picton Golf & Country Club) catapulted himself up the leaderboard firing a tournament-best score (65), to take over the top position at 11 under par. Eight Team Ontario players and alumni are now sitting in the top 12, including Kingston’s own Ashton McCulloch who maintained his strong play to stay within striking distance.
Looking to follow in the footsteps of his father Mike Pero, who won the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship in 1989, is his son Cameron Pero (Picton Golf & Country Club). Pero said his putter got hot today and he looks to continue hitting the ball solid.
The day began with play resuming to complete round 2 as players fought to get inside the cut line for the final 36 holes of play. By mid-morning the third round kicked off with sixty-one players remaining to etch their name on the Gary Cowan trophy.
Alongside in a tie for second with McCulloch, was the biggest mover of the day. 2018 champion Garrett Rank (Westmount Golf & Country Club) improved by ten strokes from his previous round shooting a six-under-par (66).
The shot of the day came late in the afternoon on the 183-yard, par 3, 15th hole by Dylan Rouse (Golf Canada Public Player). Rouse stepped up to the tee and played a perfect iron shot to the green for a hole-in-one.
The fourth and final round of the 101st Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship will begin at 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning. For more information on the championship and to follow the leaderboard, click here for the official tournament website.
About the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship
The Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship was first played in 1923 at Lakeview Golf and Country Club. Featuring the best amateur golfers in the province, it is arguably the most prestigious event in the country. Many players have kick-started their journey to professional golf through the event.
Since the inaugural event, the Ontario Amateur has enjoyed an illustrious history of great champions including highly decorated amateur golfer and NHL referee Garrett Rank (2018), 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. Cowan holds the record for the most Ontario Amateur Championships with nine (1964, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981 & 1984).
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 most significant 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:
Greg Mitchell, Coordinator; Brand, Communications & Marketing Golf Ontario,
Rob Watson, Tournament Director
For tournament results, click here
For tournament photos, click here
