CAMBRIDGE — The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) was pleased to present the inaugural NXTee Peewee Preview Tournament on May 2 at Puslinch Lake Golf Club, in Cambridge. The event was a wrap up to the NXTee Youth Golf Training pilot project, funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, which offered off-season training to golfers 12-years-old and under. Participants from the program along with other young players teed it up in a scramble format that gave them a chance to see the course that will host the GAO’s Inaugural Peewee Championship Aug. 6-7.

“This event was a big success!” Said Mike Kelly, GAO Managing Director of Sport. “We had lots of parents, kids, coaches and teams take part and even Corey Conners starting the players off the first tee. It was a great opportunity for the GAO to get parents and kids on the course together and an excellent way to engage and keep them in golf.”

Conners was no doubt a big hit as the players were able to take pictures and ask the 2015 Masters participant questions on what it is like to be a professional player.

In total, 58 players took part in the event. The participation numbers were a welcome sight to NXTee Head Coach Doug Lawrie. “What I really like is that we had participation from as far as Lindsay and London. We had great support from golf development centres, which shows the recognition of the importance of the NXTee program. Seeing the kids participate, who were part of the pilot project this winter, really is a testament for how this program can help kids move forwards and figure out what is next for them in the sport.”

Lawrie also stressed the importance of grassroots youth programming at the provincial level to work with national programs like CN Future Links in relation to Golf Canada’s Long Term Development Plan. “What has been shown is that provincial golf associations can use programs like NXTee because it helps kids find their way in golf and map out a pathway recreationally or competitively. I think it is a great way to get them involved in the sport at an early age.”

The event also served as a building block towards the GAO Peewee Championship by allowing potential competitors to get an early look at the course that will be hosting the event. “Puslinch Lake has hosted our Ontario Bantam Championship in the past, so it is a logical move to hold our Ontario Peewee Championship here,” added Kelly. “It will be a fun and fair set up for everybody and will showcase the talents of these young kids. We owe a big thank you to the Ontario Ministry of Culture Tourism and Sport who helped get the NXTee program off the ground, which will lead into our Peewee Championship.”

While the event put the emphasis on fun and working as a team, and did not award winners, some of the teams finished with impressive scores including -5 and -3 on the boys’ side and -1 and even-par on the girls’ side.

NXTee Peewee Preview Photos

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Niagara Falls — While the golfers needed to brave chilly conditions and tackled challenging winds, the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) inaugural Team Ontario Cup turned out to be a great success. The event, held April 24-26 at the Grand Niagara Golf Club in Thorold, concluded on Sunday with both the boys’ and girls’ Team Ontario 1 teams capturing the trophies.

The GAO’s Team Ontario along with five Regional teams (Ottawa, York, Waterloo, Niagara and Essex-Kent) all took part in the two-round, team-format event.  Team Ontario entered two teams on both the boys’ and girls’ side, while the Regional teams entered two teams of four boys and one team of four girls with the low three scores for each of the two rounds counting towards the team’s total gross score.

The eventual winners, Team Ontario 1 were comprised of Unionville’s Max Sear, Thornhill’s Jason Chung and London’s Jackson Bowery. As for the girls, Team Ontario 1 was made up of Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun, Ruthven’s Alyssa Getty and Ridgeway’s Madeline Marck-Sherk.

In addition to the team championship, the event also recognized the low individuals in three categories: Overall, Juvenile and Bantam. On the boys’ side, the Overall Champion was Sear. The 17-year-old came out blazing during the opening round firing a -10 (62). He finished his second round +2 (74) but still captured the title by seven shots. The Juvenile boys’ division was shared by Chung and Team Ottawa member and Long Sault resident Ty Celone. Both golfers posted similar scores with opening rounds at even-par (72) and -1 (71) second rounds. Taking the Bantam division was Team York member and Whitby resident Brendan Dunphy. Dunphy finished the tournament +9 after rounds of 75 and 78.

After round one, the talk on the girls’ side was on Chloe Currie, as the Port Credit native finished with a -3 (69) and held the lead. Her performance also helped Team Ontario 2 hold the team lead heading into the final round. However, a 79 during round two opened the door for Chun to not only capture individual honours, but help propel her team to the title. Chun, who finished the opening round at +1 (73), had an even-par (72) during round two to capture the Overall, Juvenile and Bantam championships.

Most Valuable Contributor

In addition to the on course championship, the event also featured a banquet for the teams on Saturday night, at the Legends on the Niagara Golf Club, where each team presented their Most Valuable Contributor (MVC) award.

The MVC award goes to the person on the team that best exemplifies: leadership, integrity, sportsmanship, team spirit and work ethic. Winning the awards for their squads were: Sear (Team Ontario), Sharon’s Kevin Doran (Team York), Tecumseh’s Adam Nunes (Team Essex-Kent), Almonte’s James Parsons (Team Ottawa), Brantford’s Michael Rizzo (Team Waterloo) and St. Catharines’ Taylor Simoneau (Team Niagara).

Ontario-Quebec Matches

Based on the results from the event, the Ontario team for the 2015 Ontario-Quebec Matches, July 27-29 at Smugglers Glen Golf Club in Gananoque, was also announced. The team is made up of the top two juvenile boys and girls and the top four bantam boys and girls from Regional teams. Team Waterloo coach Mike Martz will coach the 2015 team. The roster includes: Celone, Mississauga’s Lachlan O’Hara (Team York), Dunphy, Windsor’s Shawn Sehra (Team Essex-Kent), Toronto’s Dee Xie (Team York), Waterloo’s Dylan Henderson (Team Waterloo), Toronto’s Cynthia Zhao (Team York), Niagara Falls’ Sukriti Harjai (Team Niagara), Windsor’s Jasmine Ly (Team Essex-Kent), Strathroy’s Haley Barclay (Team Waterloo), Richmond Hill’s Emily Zhu (Team York) and Markham’s Hailey McLaughlin (Team York).

The Golf Association of Ontario would like to thank our volunteers and the staff at both the host club Grand Niagara and Legends on the Niagara for all of their efforts in pulling of this great event.

For complete team and individual results see the tournament site here:http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao15237/contest/21/leaderboard.htm

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UXBRIDGE – The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) U19 Team Ontario and five U17 Regional Teams (Ottawa, York, Waterloo, Essex-Kent and Niagara) are gearing up for the inaugural Team Ontario Cup this weekend, which will see all of the teams compete against one another. The event will take place April 24-26 at the Grand Niagara Golf Club in Thorold.

The athletes will compete in a two-day, 36-hole team-format competition with main emphasis being on team results. Results will be determined by taking the three lowest of four team member scores each day for a team gross total. Low gross individuals will be also be recognized, over the 36 holes, in Juvenile and Bantam age categories for both boys and girls, along with an overall boys and girls champion.

Each regional team will enter two teams of four boys and one team of four girls. Team Ontario will enter one team of three boys (all scores to count each day) and a second team of four boys. For the girls’ team competition, Team Ontario will enter two teams of three girls, each with all three scores counting each day. The regional teams will enter a team of four girls each. At the end of the competition, one boys team and one girls team will be crowned champion.

“This is the first event of it’s kind and we are extremely excited to see all the Team Ontario and Regional team athletes competing in the same event,” said Mary Ann Hayward, GAO Manager of Sport Performance. “They have been training as teams for the past seven months and this is their opportunity to go head-to-head. It is a great kick-off to their competitive season here in Ontario and the preparation they have done leading up to the Team Ontario Cup should help them to be much better prepared for the important event qualifiers that begin in early May.”

The event will also be used to select the team for the Ontario–Quebec Matches that will be held July 27-29 at Smugglers Glen Golf Club in Gananoque. The top two juvenile boys and girls and the top four bantam boys and girls from the regional teams will be selected to the Ontario team that will compete in the matches.

In addition, the GAO will take the opportunity to conduct testing of all Team Ontario and Regional players. Players will go through a trackman analysis, physical combine testing and a putting test. The purpose of this testing is to gage how the athletes have improved over the winter training months.

The highlight of the Team Ontario Cup will be the banquet held on April 25 at Legends on the Niagara Golf Club. All teams will be in attendance and many family members will also attend. Each team has selected their own award winner for Most Valuable Contributor (MVC) and these MVC winners will be recognized at the banquet. The MVC award goes to the person on the team that best exemplifies: leadership, integrity, sportsmanship, team spirit and work ethic.

The Team Ontario Cup will be a great event to kickoff the tournament season in Ontario and will showcase the finest junior golfers in the province. Tee times for the competition will be from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. each day, April 25-26, with play starting on both the first and 10^th tees. Trophy presentations are scheduled immediately following the completion of play on Sunday, which will be approximately 3 p.m.

OTTAWA – The Thunderbird Sports Centre in concert with the Kevin Haime Golf School have announced the launch of the Little Thunderbirds Golf Tour, the first golf program at a public facility aimed at children 10-and-under.

The program is designed to provide a place for younger golfers – who may not be able to access other golf courses on a regular basis – with a place to have fun while playing golf at Thunderbird’s par-3 layout. The program is designed to give children instruction and an introduction into the competitive aspect of golf.

“We are excited to be partnering with Kevin and his junior golf initiative to give young golfers the same opportunity that older junior golfers have,” explained Rob Knights, VP, TMSI Sports Management. “The focus will be on fun and giving the kids a taste of competition.”

Over 12 weeks, beginning May 16th, participants will compete in a variety of nine-hole competitions. Prizes will be awarded each weekend in two age groups: 7-and-under and 8-and- over. Participants will also be provided with a golf shirt, hat and sleeve of golf balls at the beginning of the season. Parents will also be encouraged to caddy for their children.

It’s just another way the Thunderbird Sports Centre is committed to growing the game of golf by connecting with youth in the Ottawa area.

In 2014, Thunderbird was the first course in Eastern Ontario to introduce FootGolf at its facility, along with being the first course in Ottawa to introduce larger, 8-inch cups. Thunderbird is also the only course in Ottawa where golfers of all ages can play golf after dark, with an innovative “night golf” program.

“It’s important for golf courses and the golf industry to be flexible and try new ideas to help bring more people to the game,” Knights said. “Getting kids involved and providing affordable, consistent access to golf is another way we feel we can help grow the game of golf.”

Instruction for the Little Thunderbirds Golf Tour will be provided by a group of qualified PGA of Canada professionals at the Kevin Haime Golf Centre in Kanata, Ont.

Haime, the 2000 Canadian PGA national teacher of the year, has lead a junior golf initiative in Ottawa for the past eight years. In that time, he has helped nearly 500 junior golfers join golf clubs and help them to realize their golfing dreams.

The Little Thunderbirds Golf Tour is another way Haime is excited to get involved with the golf lives of youth in Ottawa.

“Growing the game has always been a high priority for me,” said Haime. “We’re giving so many lessons and clinics to kids as young as four years old. Those kids need to have a place to play and even to learn to score and compete. Thanks to TMSI and the Little Thunderbirds Golf Tour, now they do!”

Parents interested in signing their children up for the Little Thunderbirds Golf Tour, or, interested in learning more, can do so at www.thunderbirdsportscentre.com. The Tour begins May 16, and will sell out shortly.

Via: Golf Canada

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – It was a fitting end to the storied amateur career of Corey Conners, as the Listowel, Ont., native was the top performing amateur at the 2015 Masters — a tournament he has dreamed to play in ever since first learning to swing a club.

On the heels of his remarkable performance at Augusta, the 23-year-old will debut as a professional this week at the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage by way of sponsor exemption.

Now in his fifth season with Team Canada, he now transitions from the National Amateur Team to the Young Pro Squad, joining Surrey, B.C., native Adam Svensson as new additions mid-way through the season.

Conners, a graduate of Kent State University, makes the leap to the professional ranks after winning numerous amateur events, including the Lake Macquarie Championship (2015), the Jones Cup (2014) and the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship (2010). He was holding the No. 21 spot on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) before making the jump.

The actuary mathematics major notched five individual collegiate victories with the Golden Flashes, along with being named to the Ben Hogan Award watch list twice (’13, ’14) and sharing Co-Mid-American Conference Player of the Year honours (2014) with good friend and fellow Team Canada member, Taylor Pendrith.

The calm, collected Conners also earned the Merle Wagoner Award, given to Kent State’s most outstanding athlete who demonstrates leadership, positive image, athletic ability and academic performance.

“The experience and relationships I have built with Team Canada has given me a leg-up on the competition and has allowed me to comfortably make this decision,” said Conners. “I’m very excited to transition to the Young Pro Squad in the next stage of my career.”

Team Canada Men’s Head Coach, Derek Ingram, was with Conners last week at the Masters and couldn’t be more supportive with the decision.

“He’s clearly proven to be one of the best amateurs in the world over the last three years, with results very appropriate of turning professional,” said Ingram. “What a way to go out—finishing with a 3-under at Augusta National, the timing is perfect for him.”

Conners signed with International Sports Management (ISM) back in September of 2014.

UXBRIDGE— It was another good showing for the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) at the 2015 Manuel Prado and Carlos Raffo A. Cups in Lima, Peru, April 6-11. The GAO was represented by Woodbridge’s Dave Bunker and Wellesley’s Rob Cowan and managed to finish in a tie for 12^th for the Manuel Prado Cup at a combined +16. Meanwhile, Bunker finished in a tie for 10th in the Carlos Raffo A. competition at -1.

This was the seventh time that the 49-year-old Bunker participated in the event. He got off to a blistering start during the first round, finding himself at -2 after nine. He would finish the round -4 (68) and was just one shot off the lead. He remained in contention after the second round, shooting a -2 (70) and remained in second, one back.  Bunker hit a rough patch during the third round and fell back after a +2 (74). His final round was similar as he carded a +3 (75) to finish the event at -1, good enough to secure his top-10 finish.

As for Cowan, 50, he was making his fourth appearance at the event. He finished his opening round with a +3 (75). He ran into a rough second round and ended it at +5 (77). Cowan capped off his third round with late birdies on 17 and 18 and finished +4 (76). His final round ended at +5 (77) bringing his tournament total to 17-over, good enough for a share of 44^th to close out the event.

The event, sanctioned by the Peruvian Golf Federation, is hosted annually by the Lima Golf Club and has been running since 1988. The tournament is open to players with three or less handicaps and draws amateur golfers from all across the Americas and Europe. The players had two practice rounds (April 6-7) before the first round began on April 8.

The team competition took the two members’ scores over the four days and the lowest aggregate was declared the winner. Winning the 2015 Manuel Prado Cup was the Argentinian team of Matias N. Lezcano and Andres G. Gallegos at -8. For the individual competition, the lowest score after 72 holes was declared the winner. Patricio Alzamora, from the host club in Lima won the event at -8.

For more information on the event and round by round results see: www.limagolfclub.org.pe.

By Brent Long

TORONTO, ON – If you have ever dreamed of what it might be like to try to make a 30-footer on No. 18 at Augusta National Golf Club with the Sunday pin placement for the Masters, you might want to ask Vanessa Borovilos for some advice.

The eight-year-old from Toronto has been there and done that, in last Sunday’s Drive, Chip and Putt Championship. Along the way, she learned valuable lessons about never giving up and what it takes to become a champion.

Vanessa stroked her first putt on No. 18 at Augusta National to within two feet of the hole from 30 feet away. Then she edged her second put from the 15 foot marker to just under 18 inches from the cup to finish third out of 10 in the putting portion of the challenge for girls nine and under.

“There’s some pressure” she says, but it’s “an exciting feeling” more than it’s “scary” and that’s probably why the Grade 3 St. George’s Junior School student was able to move from last place to fourth overall in what she says was an “amazing experience.” “Everything was fun. I’m pleased with my overall performance and I really want to go back next year and win it,” she says with a big grin on her face. It’s the smile on her face and the look in her eyes that tell you this was an amazing journey.

It all started by travelling to and winning three qualifying tournament in the United States last summer with her father Dino, who acted as her caddy during the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National. Check outwww.drivechipandputt.com for details on how to sign up for this summer’s qualifiers. For the national championship, Vanessa, her mom, dad and brother flew to Augusta and they stayed together at a Marriott hotel for four nights with a great pool, which is important to eight-year-olds!

She had two practice sessions at a nearby golf club with many of her other fellow competitors on the Saturday to get used to being outdoors again after a long winter of training indoors with coach Doug Lawrie from the Focus Golf Group in Burlington and many nights at a nearby indoor golf dome.

On Saturday night, the 80 Drive, Chip and Putt competitors attended a welcome reception and dinner in downtown Augusta. Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National GC and the Masters Tournament, expressed his pride in the accomplishments of the Drive, Chip and Putt finalists. “I truly hope you realize that you have already achieved what millions of others dreamed,” Payne said. “You’re the astronauts who walked on the moon, you’re the pitcher who tossed a no-hitter in the World Series, you’re the golfer who made a hole-in-one on the very first par 3 they ever played. But most importantly, you’re the kids who have been given this unbelievable opportunity because your parents love you, and they have made considerable sacrifices to give you this great opportunity.”

Vanessa was up bright and really early the next morning for a breakfast of waffles and waiting for the 9:15 am shuttle drive to take the nine-and-under girls to Augusta National. After the drive down Magnolia Lane, being warmly greeted and welcomed by Augusta members and an hour to warm up, it was off to the stadium at the practice range for the first event – just two balls for two drives!

“I hit my first drive really hard, but hooked it,” Vanessa said noting that it went out of bounds. She let up on her second drive to try and keep it in play, which she did, but it left her in last place among the 10 competitors.

“When we got to the chipping area, Vanessa was feeling good about being there, but not so good about the driving,” says her father Dino, who tried to lift her spirits. “Vanessa didn’t watch the other girls chip like she did with the driving. I really think she wanted to focus on what she wanted to do. I think she got into her zone.”

From 16 yards away from the hole, Vanessa’s first pitch rolled to within six feet of the cup and then she calmly knocked the second shot to three feet to finish second in chipping. “That felt really good,” Vanessa says, as she moved from 10^thto seventh spot in the standings. She improved to fourth place overall with a third place finish in putting.

“I had a tremendous sense of pride seeing how she finished,” says coach Lawrie, the Head Coach for the GAO NXTee Youth Golf Program, who spent the winter months working with Vanessa on changes to her full swing. “I knew going in there was a good chance if she stuck a drive that she had a really good chance of winning the overall title because her chipping and putting is so good. To perform in that pressure environment on national TV with thousands of people watching and you only get two drives, two chips and two putts, I was absolutely amazed at her performance.”

Jayla Kucy from Camrose, AB finished T8 in the same division at Vanessa as she placed ninth in driving, seventh in chipping and fourth in pitching. The third Canadian in the championship, Ryan Blair from Oakbank, MB, finished ninth overall in the Boys 10-11 age group placing fifth in driving, ninth in chipping and eighth in putting.

The following day, Vanessa and her family returned to Augusta to watch Monday’s practice round. She smiles when talking about following her favourite golfer Rory McIlroy for six or seven holes, meeting Canadian amateur Corey Conners, getting her Masters hat signed by players like Ricky Fowler and JB Holmes and hopefully being able to play all 18 holes at Augusta one day – and not just the 18^th green!

“It’s a beautiful place. I sure hope I’m back next year,” she says. And so does all of Canada!

The She Swings She Scores Girls’ Club hockey program registration is now open! See below for full details and click to sign up!

UXBRIDGE, ON— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) will have another strong entry in the 2015 combined event in Lima, Peru: The Manuel Prado Cup (Team) and Carlos Raffo A. Cup (Individual), April 6-11. This year, Ontario will be represented by Dave Bunker, playing in this event for the seventh time, and Rob Cowan, who will make his fifth appearance.

Bunker, 49, who ranked second in the GAO’s Mid-Am Order of Merit standings, for 2014, resides in Woodbridge and is a member at the Brampton Golf Club. Last season was a particularly good one for Bunker as he captured the Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship, along with the Investors Group Mid-Amateur Championship.  Bunker already sports a long list of provincial championships including: the 2008 Amateur; 2003 and 2010 Match Play; 2007 and 2010 Mid-Amateur; 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012 Mid-Master; and 2009 and 2010 Public Player. His best finish in Peru was in 2007 when he finished second in the individual competition and in 2010 when his team finished seventh.

“It’s always a great opportunity to represent the province and Peru is an awesome place to start the competitive season,” said Bunker. “I’m feeling really positive. I’ve had a good winter, spending a lot of time on my golf fitness. I’ve worked a bit with my coach on a couple of swing mechanic modifications as well. I was in Florida for a vacation two weeks ago and the golf results were showing.”

As for Cowan, 50, he ranked third this past season in the Mid-Am Order of Merit standings and earned an invitation after the top ranked Mid-Am, Garrett Rank, was unable to commit due to his schedule as an NHL referee. However, this will not be a new experience for Cowan, the Wellesley resident and Westmount Golf and Country Club member, is also a veteran of the event. Cowan brings even more experience to the team as they tackle the Lima Golf Club.  Cowan is coming off a strong season of his own in which he captured the Ontario Champion of Champions title. That was his second Champion of Champions title (2010) but he is also a former Ontario Mid-Masters Champion (2008) and Match Play Champion (2002).

“Having Rob as my partner again makes the trip very comfortable,” added Bunker. “We’ve traveled and played together so many times, it’s almost like a well rehearsed routine. Rob is a great player and we’ve had a lot of success as teammates, so both of us are really looking forward to next week.”

The event, sanctioned by the Peruvian Golf Federation, is hosted by the Lima Golf Club and has been running since 1988. The tournament is open to players with three or less handicaps and draws amateur golfers from all across the Americas and Europe. The players will have two practice rounds (April 6-7) before the first of the four rounds begin on April 8.

The team competition takes the two members scores over the four days and the lowest aggregate is the winner. For the individual competition, the lowest score after 72 holes is declared the winner.

For more information on the event and round by round results see: www.limagolfclub.org.pe.

Looking at The GAO’s newest program She Swings She Scores. A program designed to get females currently playing hockey to take up the game of golf in a team environment.