GAO Recognizes 2014 Honoured Volunteers at Appreciation Day
Peter MacKellar
MARKHAM — The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2014 Volunteer of the Year, District Volunteer of the Year, Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award, Paul “Fitz” Fitzgerald Award and Len and Went Award. The announcement was made on Oct. 2, at a Volunteer Appreciation Day at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham.
The GAO volunteer recognition program has been designed to recognize outstanding performance and contributions by volunteers who have played an instrumental role in promoting the growth and development of amateur golf throughout the province of Ontario while preserving the integrity and traditions of the game.
Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award — Ian Giles
The Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award is considered the highest honour recognizing individual service to the game of golf in Ontario. The award is named after Richard H. Grimm, who was affectionately known as “Mr. Canadian Open” for his service to the event from 1965 to 1993. Throughout his time in golf, he was known a masterful coordinator, promoter, official, fan, and – most importantly – passionate volunteer who put his heart and soul into making golf better. The GAO’s Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual’s meritorious service to the game of golf in Ontario as a volunteer. Recipients of this award embody the principles of integrity, dignity and commitment, which are central to the volunteer experience and to Mr. Grimm’s persona.
The 2014 recipient, Hamilton’s Ian Giles, has been involved with volunteering in golf for more than 40 years. From 1982-1989 he served as the Men’s Section President at his home club Chedoke Golf Club. During that time he acted as the Host Club Chair for the Ontario and Canadian Junior Boys’ Championship. In 2001, Giles acted as the President of the Ontario Golf Association (OGA) and the next year helped lead the association through the amalgamation with the Ontario Ladies Golf Association. Before becoming President, Giles spent six years as a Director on the OGA board chairing numerous committees including the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame committee in 2007 and 2008.
Giles went on to become a Governor with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada), from 2003-2012, where he chaired many national Tournaments. In 2010, he achieved his certification as a level 4 rules official. Giles continues to serve the GAO as a site coordinator, senior rules official, rules official and tournament official as well as a member of the GAO Officials Development Committee.
Volunteer of the Year — John Turner
The GAO Volunteer of the Year Award has been designed to recognize and honour a GAO volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding performance and contributions while preserving the integrity and traditions of the game. This year the award is presented to Bayfield resident John Turner. Turner has been a volunteer with the GAO since 2008. Turner joined the GAO already with many years of experience as an accomplished rules official and jumped into the role of senior rules official with the association.
Turner has been part of the GAO Board of Directors since 2010 and has served as the Officials Development Chair since 2013. He has also been part of the Finance, Sport and Membership committees. Turner has been active in setting professional standards for GAO officials. He has conducted weekly online educational seminars to help educate and prepare officials for certification or re-certification.
During the season, Turner can still be found at GAO and Golf Canada events as a rules official and taking on the role of senior rules official.
District Volunteer of the Year — Gerry Bower
The District Volunteer of the Year Award has been designed to recognize those volunteers who embody the spirit of volunteerism and have shown dedication by making a significant contribution in promoting, supporting and expanding amateur golf within their district.
Kanata Resident and Greensmere Golf Club member Gerry Bower is the 2014 recipient of the award. Bower has been long-time member of Golf Canada and a GAO member for the past three. He became a rules official in 2007 and has served on the Ottawa Valley Golf Association (OVGA) Board as its Rules Committee Chair for the past five years.
During the winter, Bower conducts weekly Go To Meeting sessions in order to train and prepare the members of the OVGA Rules Committee for their various levels of exams. He works an average of 25-30 days for the district alone on tournaments, plus provides support for the GAO qualifiers as a site coordinator/rules official and at championships as senior rules official. The last two years Bower has participated as a member of the GAO’s Officials Development Committee.
Paul “Fitz” Fitzgerald Award — Bob Heath
The Paul “Fitz” Fitzgerald Award is to recognize Ontario Course Raters that have demonstrated leadership and dedication to the promotion of the course rating system by achieving a combination of the following: completing courses on schedule, tending to extra rating requests, helping to train raters, attending a national course rating calibration seminar and/or instructing at a seminar.
This year, the award goes to Bob Heath. Heath a resident of Newmarket and member of the South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club, has been consistent in completing his schedule in a timely manner. He has always been willing to help, most recently by helping the Niagara team complete their schedule as well as provided additional training to their raters. In 2011, Heath helped train the Waterloo team, from scratch, and they are now one of the strongest rating teams in the province. Heath has attended the national course rating seminar on multiple occasions and presented several items at this year’s provincial seminar.
In addition to achieving all of the benchmarks, Heath has been instrumental in helping the GAO put together a Course Rater Certification Program. Heath has been a huge asset to the course-rating department for several years.
Len and Went Award
The “Len and Went Award” is presented annually to individuals who have achieved National (Level 4) Certification in the Rules of Golf. Achieving the level this year are:
Blake Wimperis
Brad Elliot
Mike O’Neill
The GAO congratulates all of the 2014 award winners and thanks all of the volunteers who put in countless hours to make GAO events successful.
TEAM USA WINS WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Peter MacKellar
Americans finish with team-total, 17-under par 559 for wire-to-wire gold medal finish at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
Sweden wins team silver medal and Canada captures bronze
Team USA’s Mika Liu (-9) wins individual gold medal by three shots over teammate Megan Khang (-6) with Sweden’s Emma Svensson (-3) capturing the bronze medal
MARKHAM, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Team USA got out to an early lead and never let it go, finishing with a team-total score of 17-under par 559 for the wire-to-wire victory at the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Angus Glen Golf Club (South Course) in Markham, Ont.
The Americans (137-141-137-144—559) began Wednesday’s final round with a commanding 16-shot lead and went on to shoot a team-total, even-par 144 to capture top spot on the medal podium.
Team USA counted matching rounds of even-par 72 by 16-year old Megan Khang (67-73-70-72—282) and 15-year old Angel Yin (73-72-73-72—290) while 15-year old Mika Liu (70-69-67-73—279), who finished as individual gold medalist, rounded out the scoring with a round of 1-over 73.
For Team USA non-playing captain Courtney Myhrum, the victory capped a special week that left her beaming with pride for her young squad.
“They’re my dream team, it’s been wonderful it’s been a great week and a real team effort; I couldn’t be more proud of the three of them, the way they conducted themselves on the course and off the course,” said Myhrum. “Go play and have fun, there is really not much else I can say to these three. They had great course management and are really easy to captain because they know how to get around the golf course – they didn’t really need me this week.”
Sweden, which began the day tied for fifth, five shots back of a podium placing, vaulted into the silver medal by counting the low team-total of the final round – 5-under par 139. Leading the way for the Swedes was 18-year old Emma Svensson (76-70-72-67—285) who counted the low round of the day on the South Course at Angus Glen, a sizzling 5-under 67. Seventeen year old Filippa Mork (81-75-77-72—305) saved her best round – even-par 72 – for the final day to count the second score while 18-year old Michaela Finn (74-72-72-75—295) rounded out the scoring for Sweden.
Team Canada (144-146-141-149—580) was looking to build on their team-best score from Tuesday but it wasn’t meant to be as the host country shot a final-round, team-total 5-over 149 to claim the bronze medal. The Canucks counted final-round scores of even-par 72 by Brooke Henderson (17) of Smiths Falls, Ont. (70-73-71-72—286) and 5-over 77 by Grace St-Germain (16) of Ottawa (74-73-78-77—302) while teammate Naomi Ko (17) of Victoria (77-79-70-81—307) completed the scoring with a non-counting 81.
Rounding out the top-five in the team competition at the inaugural World Junior Girls Team Championship was Team Denmark (149-143-141-150—583) in fourth at 7-over 583 followed by Spain in fifth (147-146-142-152—587) at 11-over 587.
Canada’s second team in the competition comprised of Jaclyn Lee (17) of Calgary (72-77-75-75—299), Selena Costabile (16) of Thornhill, Ont. (78-74-74-76—302) and Alisha Lau (14) of Richmond, B.C. (83-80-75-74—312) shot a final-round, team-total 5-over 149 (150-151-149-149—599) to finish tied for 13th position.
In the individual competition, 15-year old American standout Mika Liu (70-69-67-73—279) shot a final-round, 1-over 73 to win the gold medal by three shots over her USA teammate Megan Khang (67-73-70-72—282). Liu came into Wednesday’s final round with a four-shot lead over Khang and was more excited to contribute to the team victory than capturing individual gold.
“Yes, I am extremely happy that my team won first and that I did too – it is a total celebration,” said Liu, the no. 48 ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. “To be able to share the podium with my teammates who were out there on the course with me and my captain and manager makes me extremely happy and proud because we came here together and we are able to leave as champions together.”
Sweden’s Emma Svensson (76-70-72-67—285) saved her best play for the final round, firing a 5-under 67 and tournament-total 3-under 285 to edge out Canada’s Brooke Henderson (70-73-71-72—286) by a single stroke and capture the bronze medal. Team USA’s Angela Yin Angel Yin (73-72-73-72—290) and Ireland’s Olivia Mehaffey (77-67-74-72—290) tied for fifth at 2-over for the tournament.
The following are final team scores from the World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Angus Glen Golf Club (South Course / par 72 / 6,298 yards):
1. United States of America – Megan Khang, Angel Yin, Mika Liu *137-141-137-144-559 -17
2. Sweden – Emma Svensson, Filippa Mork, Michaela Finn *150-144-144-139-577 +1
3. Canada 1 – Brooke Henderson, Naomi Ko, Grace St-Germain *144-146-141-149-580 +4
4. Denmark – Puk Thomsen, Line Hansen, Marie Lund-Hansen *149-143-141-150-583 +7
5. Spain – Nuria Iturrios Servera, Alejandra Pasarin Olalla, Ana Pelaez Trivino *147-146-142-152-587 +11
6. Czech Republic – Kristýna Frýdlová, Karolína Kohoutová, Hana Ryškova *153-143-143-149-588 +12
7. Ireland – Mary Doyle, Olivia Mehaffey, Annabel Wilson *155-140-149-147-591 +15
7. England – India Clyburn, Alice Hewson, Inci Mehmet *148-149-143-151-591 +15
7. Belgium – Diane Baillieux, Clarisse Louis, Elodie Van Dievoet *150-145-146-150-591 +15
10. Italy – Lucrezia Colombotto Rosso, Martina Flori, Carlotta Ricolfi *147-145-146-154-592 +16
11. Australia – Hannah Green, Karis Davidson, Soo Jin (Jenny) Lee *154-145-144-153-596 +20
12. Finland – Anna Backman, Ellinoora Moisio, Sandra Salonen *145-149-152-152-598 +22
13. Canada 2 – Jaclyn Lee, Selena Costabile, Alisha Lau *150-151-149-149-599 +23
13. Mexico – Isabella Fierro, Maria Fassi, Monica Dibildox Hassaf *151-154-147-147-599 +23
15. New Zealand – Alanna Campbell, Julianne Alvarez, Wenyung Keh *156-147-157-148-608 +32
16. Norway – Sandra Nordaas, Dorthea Charlotte Forbrigd, Renate Grimstad *151-153-149-156-609 +33
The following are final individual scores from the World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Angus Glen Golf Club (South Course / par 72 / 6,298 yards):
1. Mika Liu, United States of America, *70-69-67-73-279 -9
2. Megan Khang, United States of America, *67-73-70-72-282 -6
3. Emma Svensson, Sweden, *76-70-72-67-285 -3
4. Brooke Henderson, Canada 1, *70-73-71-72-286 -2
5. Olivia Mehaffey, Ireland, *77-67-74-72-290 +2
5. Angel Yin, United States of America, *73-72-73-72-290 +2
7. Hana Ryškova, Czech Republic, *74-71-70-76-291 +3
7. Ana Pelaez Trivino, Spain, *73-73-71-74-291 +3
7. Puk Thomsen, Denmark, *73-76-69-73-291 +3
10. Michaela Finn, Sweden, *74-74-72-75-295 +7
11. Kristýna Frýdlová, Czech Republic, *79-72-73-73-297 +9
11. Clarisse Louis, Belgium, *74-73-76-74-297 +9
11. Alejandra Pasarin Olalla, Spain, *74-74-71-78-297 +9
14. Diane Baillieux, Belgium, *76-76-70-76-298 +10
15. Martina Flori, Italy, *76-70-75-78-299 +11
15. Jaclyn Lee, Canada 2, *72-77-75-75-299 +11
15. Line Hansen, Denmark, *76-67-72-84-299 +11
18. Hannah Green, Australia, *78-72-70-80-300 +12
18. Anna Backman, Finland, *71-73-73-83-300 +12
18. Carlotta Ricolfi, Italy, *74-75-74-77-300 +12
21. Alice Hewson, England, *78-73-68-82-301 +13
22. Inci Mehmet, England, *76-76-78-72-302 +14
22. Lucrezia Colombotto Rosso, Italy, *73-80-72-77-302 +14
22. Selena Costabile, Canada 2, *78-74-74-76-302 +14
22. Wenyung Keh, New Zealand, *76-75-79-72-302 +14
22. Grace St-Germain, Canada 1, *74-73-78-77-302 +14
27. India Clyburn, England, *72-77-75-79-303 +15
27. Isabella Fierro, Mexico, *76-78-76-73-303 +15
29. Soo Jin (Jenny) Lee, Australia, *77-77-74-76-304 +16
30. Karis Davidson, Australia, *77-73-78-77-305 +17
30. Filippa Mork, Sweden, *81-75-77-72-305 +17
30. Renate Grimstad, Norway, *78-73-74-80-305 +17
33. Elodie Van Dievoet, Belgium, *77-72-76-82-307 +19
33. Mary Doyle, Ireland, *78-73-75-81-307 +19
33. Alanna Campbell, New Zealand, *80-72-79-76-307 +19
33. Naomi Ko, Canada 1, *77-79-70-81-307 +19
37. Annabel Wilson, Ireland, *82-76-76-75-309 +21
37. Maria Fassi, Mexico, *75-87-71-76-309 +21
37. Sandra Nordaas, Norway, *73-80-77-79-309 +21
40. Ellinoora Moisio, Finland, *82-76-79-73-310 +22
40. Monica Dibildox Hassaf, Mexico, *84-76-76-74-310 +22
42. Alisha Lau, Canada 2, *83-80-75-74-312 +24
43. Nuria Iturrios Servera, Spain, *81-73-81-78-313 +25
44. Sandra Salonen, Finland, *74-82-79-79-314 +26
45. Julianne Alvarez, New Zealand, *80-79-78-79-316 +28
46. Dorthea Charlotte Forbrigd, Norway, *84-83-75-77-319 +31
46. Marie Lund-Hansen, Denmark, *79-80-83-77-319 +31
48. Karolína Kohoutová, Czech Republic, *86-98-85-89-358 +70
NOTES FROM ROUND 4:
• Angus Glen’s 10th hole – a 380-yard par 4 – played as the most difficult hole Wednesday, with players averaging more than a 1/2 (0.58) of a stroke above par (4.58).
• The 325-yard, par 4 15th and the 485-yard, par 5 16th holes played as the easiest holes Wednesday, with players averaging 0.03 of stroke below par.
• Team USA’s Mika Liu and Emma Svensson of Sweden led the field in birdies this week with 18 each.
• All three members of Team USA finished in the top-5 in the individual competition.
• Wednesday’s low round of 5-under 67 was recorded by Emma Svensson of Sweden.
• Wednesday’s final-round scoring included 2 eagles; 105 birdies; 499 pars; 210 bogies; 36 double bogies; and 12 other scores.
• The average final-round score among the 48 competitors was 76.31, up from the third-round scoring average of 74.41.
• Weather in Markham, Ont. today: High of 15°, low of 14° (Celsius). Fog, overcast with winds gusting up to 13 km/h.
• Angus Glen Golf Club hosted the World Junior Girls Golf Championship as a test event for the 2015 golf competition of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games. The Pan Am Games will run July 10-26, 2015 with the golf competition running July 16-19, 2015.
TRANSCRIPTS & PHOTOS:
• Audio and video transcripts from the World Junior Girls Golf Championship are available online.
• Photo galleries from the World Junior Girls World Championship are also available online.
ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP:
The inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship – contested on the South Course at Angus Glen Golf Club – was conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario. The championship featured three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19 representing 15 countries. As host country, Canada fielded two teams in the competition.
The 16-team field competed over 72 holes for both individual and team honours. The event – which is supported by the International Golf Federation, received grant funding by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Other funding partners include the Golf Canada Foundation (Women’s Golf Fund) and the R&A as well as Central Counties. Funding was also provided from the Federal and Provincial governments in preparation for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.
CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event to Kick-off Inaugural World Junior Girls’ Golf Championship, September 27th
Peter MacKellar
25 players from across Canada to compete in the Skills Challenge at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., site of the 2014 World Junior Girls Championship
Markham, Ont. (Golf Canada) – The World Junior Girls Golf Championship won’t be the only major junior golf competition taking place this week at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
Twenty-five competitors from across Canada will converge at Angus Glen Golf Club on Saturday, September 27th for the sixth annual CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event.
The Junior Skills Challenge National Event is one of the many activities planned around the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship which runs September 26 to October 1 at Angus Glen Golf Club.
WHAT:
CN, Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada will host the national finals for the 2014 CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge on Saturday, September 27th at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
The National Junior Skills Challenge event is delivered in the same format as the CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge Qualifiers. As determined by their standing on the National Leaderboard, the top 25 juniors in the country will compete in a four part skills challenge (putting, chipping, driving and iron play) with one overall winner per age group and gender.
WHO:
CN Future Links participants who qualified from various golf facilities across Canada – boys and girls qualifiers within each age group (age groups: 9-11; 12-14; and 15-18).
A total of 25 competitors who achieved the highest skills challenge scores from events across Canada during the 2014 golf season will travel to Angus Glen with the hope of becoming a CN Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Champion.
Ages 9-11
Girls
Boys
Theodora Jucan, Copper Creek, ON
David Subotic, Copper Creek Golf, ON
Clara Levesque, B2golf, QC
Connor Munro, Braeben, ON
Sarah Gallagher, Braeben, ON
Ben Hirasawa, Copper Creek Golf, ON
Ella Gifford, Edmonton Girls Club, AB
Thomas Carrier, B2golf, QC
Claire Sheppard, Links at Montague, NS
Braxton Kuntz, Breezy Bend Country Club,MB
Nicole Hogan, Gowan Brae, NB
Ages 12-14
Girls
Boys
Taylor Cormier, Blomidon G&CC, NL
Nathan Hogan, Gowan Brae Golf Club, NB
Laura Wong, Seymour Golf Club, BC
Simon Isabelle, Vallée Du Richelieu, QC
Megan Colbourne, Blomidon G&CC, NL
Finn Lawlor, Seymour Golf Club, BC
Sara Albert, Edmunston Golf Golf, NB
Sean Buckles, Seymour Golf Club, BC
Ages 15-18
Girls
Boys
Molly McDermaid, Gowan Brae Golf Club, NB
Tyler Leclair, Seymour Golf Club, BC
Juliana Pouliot, The Links at Montague, NS
Olivier Racine, Vallée Du Richelieu, QC
Brooklyn Ward, Bacovan Golf Club, ON
Andrew Wong, Seymour Golf Club, BC
WHEN:
Saturday, September 27, 2014
9:00am – 10:30am: Practice & Warm-up
10:45am – 11:00am: Opening Address
11:00am – 1:00pm: Skills Challenge
Following completion of skills challenge will be a complimentary BBQ and awards presentation.
Driving: Each competitor receives three drives. Points are awarded and dependent on distance and aim of the drive. The drive must land within the 30-yard width to qualify for points. The number of points is dependent on the distances completed.
Chipping: Each competitor receives three shots from their distance. Points are awarded and dependent on the distance of the iron shot from the target.
Putting: Each competitor receives two putts each from each distance of 3, 5 and 8 feet. Points are awarded for holing the putt.
Iron Play: Each competitor receives three shots from their distance. Points are awarded and dependent on the distance of the iron shot from the target.
Prizing for CN Future Links Junior Skills National Event is provided by Titleist and Footjoy. In addition, the winner of the male and female 15-18 categories will earn an exemption into their local 2015 CN Future Links Championship events.
Inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship set for Angus Glen Golf Club
Peter MacKellar
Championship field to feature 48 players from 15 countries including the world’s no. 1 ranked amateur golfer, Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont.
Practice round scheduled for Saturday, September 27th with tournament rounds running Sunday September 28th to Wednesday October 1st
CN Future Links Skills Challenge National Event to take place on Saturday, September 27th
Markham, Ont. (Golf Canada) – The world’s best female junior golfers are set to compete in a showcase international competition as the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship will run September 26th to October 1st at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario Canada.
An elite field of female junior golfers will compete at the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship which will be conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario.
In all, 48 of the world’s top female junior golfers representing 15 different countries worldwide will compete in both a team and individual competition on the South Course at Angus Glen.
The championship features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition.
In addition to a 72-hole competition, the World Junior Girls Golf Championship will include an international golf coaches’ summit, golf clinics and a fundraising golf tournament conducted by the Golf Canada Foundation in partnership with TORONTO 2015. The World Junior Girls Golf Championship will also include the sixth annual CN Future Links Skills Challenge National Event.
Everything you need to know about the World Junior Girls Golf Championship:
The Event:
The inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship
Brooke Henderson (Canada) – no. 1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; Runner-up at 2014 US & Canadian Amateur; Low Amateur at 2014 US Women’s Open; Low Individual at 2014 World Amateur
Megan Khang (USA) – no. 40 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; two-time US Open competitor
Mika Liu (USA) – no. 48 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
Karis Davidson (Australia) – no. 53 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Australian Amateur runner-up
Angela Yin (USA)– no. 57 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; medalist at 2014 US Junior Girls
Nuria Iturrios Servera (Spain) – no. 61 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2012 silver medal & 2013 bronze medal at European Girls Team Championship
Alice Hewson (England) – no. 75 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; quarter-finalist at 2014 British Amateur
Alejandra Pasarin Olalla (Spain) – no. 108 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
Inci Mehmet (England) – no. 113 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
Puk Lyng Thomsen (Denmark) – no. 129 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
Ana Pelaez Trivino (Spain) – no. 131 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
Hannah Green (Australia) – no. 156 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
So Jin (Jenny) Lee (Australia) – no. 179 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
Olivia Mehaffey (Ireland) – no. 227 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; Irish Girls U18 Open Stroke Play champion
Julianna Alvarez (New Zealand) – no. 260 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; T10 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
Naomi Ko (Canada) – no. 279 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 British Columbia Junior champion
Jaclyn Lee (Canada) – no. 423 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Alberta Amateur & Junior champion
Selena Costabile (Canada) – no. 426 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 GAO Spring Classic champion
Maria Fassi (Mexico) – no. 459 on World Amateur Golf Rankings; T13 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
Sandra Salonen (Finland) – T20 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
Grace St-Germain (Canada) – no. 472 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Canadian Junior Girls champion
Canadians in the Field:
Brooke Henderson, Smiths Falls, Ont. (17)
Naomi Ko, Victoria, B.C. (17)
Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, Ont. (16)
Jaclyn Lee, Calgary (17)
Selena Costabile, Thornhill, Ont. (16)
Alisha Lau, Richmond, B.C. (14)
As the host country, Canada will field two team in the competition – one team will featuring Brooke Henderson, Grace St-Germain and Naomi Ko while the second team includes Jaclyn Lee, Selena Costabile and Alisha Lau. Click here for a listing of Team Canada player bios.
The Canadian teams will be coached by Team Canada Development Squad Women’s Coach Ann Carroll, alongside Reggie Millage, the provincial Head Coach for the Golf Association of Ontario.
Supporting Partners:
A special thank you to our partners who have aligned their brand with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship including the International Golf Federation; the R&A; Sport Canada; the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Central Counties; TORONTO 2015; the PGA of Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation.
Katelyn McMahon and Claire Hernandez crowned 2014 Women’s Four-Ball Champions
Peter MacKellar
BARRIE, ON– Another season is in the books for the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) as the 2014 campaign came to an end on Sept. 15 with the final event: the Women’s Four-Ball Championship. There were 19 teams that took to the Highlands Course at Horseshoe Resort in Barrie and at the end of the day it was the team of Katelyn McMahon and Claire Hernandez who captured the title.
The duo posted a two-under (69) during the round to finish with a three-shot win. For Hernandez, 17-years-old from Palgrave and the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto, it is her second consecutive title at the event and third overall. The former Team Ontario member capture last year’s event with Kennedy Bodfied and the 2010 championship with Alina Rogers. For McMahon, 17-years-old from Brampton and the Brampton Golf Club, it is her first Women’s Four-Ball title.
Finishing second was the team of Komoka’s Alex Amos and Kingston’s Diana McDonald. McDonald, a member of the GAO’s Ottawa Regional Team, and Amos finished the day one-over (72).
Taking the bronze medal was the Thornhill sister duo of Eunice and Ellice Hong. Ellice, a member of the York Regional Team and Eunice carded a three-over 74.
In fourth was the team of Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg and Toronto’s Kelly Koselek at five-over (76). rounding out the top five in a tie for fifth was the team of Fort Erie’s Linda Burroughsford and Kitchener’s Denise Schaefer along with London’s Sue Postian and Strathroy’s Jane Hedges-McKinnon who both finished at six-over (77).
As for the net division, it was won by the team of Lynne-Marie Fabris and Marianne Vardon at five-under (66).
First played in 1953, the Ontario Women’s Four-Ball Championship is contested annually and features two-woman teams competing in a better ball format. The Golf Association of Ontario would like to thank the staff and members of Horseshoe Resort for hosting the 2014 event and for their continued support of amateur golf in Ontario.
Sandy Billyard and Michael Jackson capture 2014 Sr. Men’s Better Ball title
Peter MacKellar
ST. THOMAS— As the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) season comes to an end, the final senior men’s event took place on Sept. 11 at the St. Thomas Golf and Country Club. There were 55 teams of senior men, 55-years-old and over, that took to the course in damp, fall-like conditions for the Senior Men’s Better Ball Championship.
With many great teams taking part, it meant there would be many great scores. By the end of the day there were 16 under par in total. None was greater than that of Collingwood’s Michael Jackson and Welland’s Sandy Billyard who posted the low round at seven-under (65). The difference for the duo came on the ninth hole when Billyard, from Hunters Pointe Golf Course, hit a hole-in-one on the par three.
“It really seemed to get us going,” said Jackson. “Up until then we had made eight straight pars. Sandy played a great round of golf today.”
That seemed to galvanize the team as they went on to play the back nine five-under and finished the day seven-under (65).
“Number nine was the nicest shot I hit all day!” said Billyard. “It was a four-iron, 180 yards up hill. It landed just in the right spot and rolled in like a putt. Mike made a clutch birdie on 17 and that was the winner for us.”
It is the first time that either Jackson, Georgian Bay Club, or Billyard have won the Senior Men’s Better Ball title.
“The win means a lot to me because I haven’t won a provincial event since 1973,” added Billyard. “I’m thrilled! For Mike it is just another notch in his belt.”
“It is always nice to win a tournament but it was especially nice to win with Sandy. We didn’t make a bogey all day and just played a solid game,” said Jackson.
Finishing second was a team from the host St. Thomas Golf & Country Club, Stephen Brodie and John Scott. The two used their hometown knowledge of the course to their advantage finishing six-under (66).
Rounding out the top five was a tie for third between three teams. Richard Evoy (Sault Ste. Marie Golf Club) & Tom Hossfeld (Hylands Golf Club), Ian Montgomery (Weston Golf & Country Club) & Richard Lockwood (London Hunt and Country Club) and Kerry Short & Les Westlake (St. Catharines Golf and Country Club) all ended the day at three under (69).
The Senior Men’s Better Ball Championship was first contested in 1982. The trophy was donated by the Oakdale Golf & Country Club, who annually host the GAO’s Men’s Better Ball Championship. Notable champions include Ontario Golf Hall of Famers Nick Westlock and Stu Hamilton. 2014 marks the first year that St. Thomas Golf & Country Club has hosted the event. The GAO would like to thank St. Thomas Golf & Country Club for their support of amateur golf in Ontario.
Canadian teams announced for Inaugural World Junior Girls’ Golf Championship
Peter MacKellar
Brooke Henderson, Grace St-Germain and Naomi Ko to represent Team Canada along with Jaclyn Lee, Selena Costabile and Alisha Lau
Inaugural international junior girls’ championship to be conducted September 26th to October 1st at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
Markham, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario is pleased to announce the six players who will represent Team Canada’s two squads at the inaugural World Junior Girls’ Golf Championship September 26th to October 1st at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
Representing the first of two Canadian squads competing are Brooke Henderson, 16, of Smiths Falls, Ont., Grace St-Germain, 16, of Ottawa, Ont. and Naomi Ko, 17, of Victoria, B.C. Canada’s second team in the event will include Jaclyn Lee of Calgary, Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont. and Alisha Lau of Richmond, B.C.
The Canadian contingent will be coached by Team Canada Development Squad Women’s Coach Ann Carroll, alongside Reggie Millage the provincial Head Coach for the Golf Association of Ontario.
The inaugural international junior girls championship – which will be contested on the South Course at Angus Glen Golf Club – will be conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario.
The championship features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19 representing 15 countries. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition. A full listing of rosters for each country can be found here. and full bios for the Canadians selected can be found below.
The 16-team field will compete over 72 holes for both individual and team honours. Qualifying countries for the inaugural championship were invited based on their performances at the 2012 World Amateur in Turkey.
The 2014 World Junior Girls’ Golf Championship will mark the first official playing of a female junior championship of its kind – the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup is a boys’ only event that has been contested for almost 20 years.
The event – which is supported by the International Golf Federation, received grant funding by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Other funding partners include the Golf Canada Foundation (Women’s Golf Fund) and the R&A as well as Central Counties. Funding was also provided from the Federal and Provincial governments in preparation for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.
In addition to a 72-hole competition, the championship will include skills competitions, an international golf coaches’ summit and golf clinics outside of tournament play in the spirit of establishing an interactive junior golf festival around the championship.
The Angus Glen Golf Club will also play host to the debut of golf at the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games from July 16-19, 2015. The World Junior Girls’ Golf Championship will provide training opportunities for officials and volunteers registered for the historic event that is set for the south course at Angus Glen.
The event gets underway with Opening Ceremonies at Angus Glen beginning at 5:30pm on Saturday, September 27th.
Admission to the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free for all spectators for the duration of the championship. For more information visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com
TEAM CANADA PLAYERS BIOS
Squad # 1
Brooke Henderson
As the No. 1 ranked amateur in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, the Smiths Falls, Ont. native has captured seven amateur titles this season and two professional titles (Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario and PGA Women’s Championship of Canada). A member of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad, Henderson recently won the individual medal at the World Amateur Championship. Additionally, she finished runner-up at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and also finished T10 at the U.S. Women’s Open. She also earned Low Canadian and Low Amateur honours at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open where she finished T46 and while also finishing T45 at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic.
Grace St-Germain
A native of Ottawa, Ont., St-Germain captured the 2014 Canadian Junior Girls Championship by seven strokes. The 16-year-old was also victorious at the Quebec Women’s Amateur Championship and earned medalist honours at the GAO’s Junior Girls’ Match Play Championship. Recently she added another win to her season at the Graham Cooke Junior Invitational.
Naomi Ko
A member of Team Canada’s National Development Squad, Ko is the reigning 2014 B.C. Junior Girls champion. Additionally, the 17-year-old Victoria, B.C. native won the CN Future Links Ontario title and finished fourth at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship.
Squad # 2
Jaclyn Lee
Lee is a three-time winner this season after victories at the CN Future Links Prairie Championship, Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship and Alberta Junior Girls Championship. The Calgary native is also a member of Team Canada’s National Development Squad.
Selena Costabile
A native of Thornhill, Ont., Costabile captured the 2014 GAO Junior Spring Classic and the CJGA World Junior Challenge. The 16-year-old also finished runner-up at the CN Future Links Ontario Championship and notched a pair of third place finishes at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and the AJGA/CJGA’s Junior Championship.
Alisha Lau
A native of Richmond, B.C., Lau was victorious at the CJGA’s Nike Golf Junior Series at Hazelmere, finished second at the CN Future Links Prairie Championship and fourth at the CN Future Links Pacific Championship. Additionally, the 15-year-old posted a third place finish at the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship.
Aurora’s Peter Willis wins Baka Wireless Public Player Championship; Sarnia’s Nick Powell and Markham’s Fred Bowler win Net flights
Peter MacKellar
INNISFIL, ON— After finishing the opening round at one-under, Aurora’s Peter Willis looked to hang on to his lead during the final round of the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Baka Wireless Public Player Championship, Sept. 9, at National Pines Golf Club in Innisfil.
It would not be easy for the 36-year-old Willis who had to fend off challengers from his final group along with the second to last group. Willis remained calm and despite all the moves going on around him, was able to tap in for par and the win on the 18th, finishing the day two-over (74) and the tournament one-over.
“I played well during the opening round before a slip up at the end,” said Willis. “I think over the two days my ball striking was very good. I was able to make a lot of up and downs to save par, which is pretty much what kept me going.”
Two shots back of Willis were a pair of players: Burlington’s Barrett McCarthy and Oakville’s Derek Dalziel. Barrett finished the day at even par (72), while Dalziel was one-over (73) resulting in them each earning a share of the silver medal at three-over for the tournament.
“It was a good battle between myself and the two guys I was playing with. But I was able to grind out the win in the end. I was just taking some deep breaths out there and tried to finish off the round,” added Willis.
Rounding out the top five were Etobicoke’s John Contini at five-over for the tournament and Port Perry’s Shea Varty at six-over.
“This win is definitely one of the tops for me so far. A GAO win is always a good win, as Rob Cowan said at the Champion of Champions. I am honoured to win this event with all of the great public players who have won it.”
In the Net A flight, Sarnia’s Nick Powell was able to capture the title after his second straight round of two-under (70). In second was Mississauga’s David Nelson at even par, Erin’s Roland Hill was third at one-over, Oakville’s Bogdan Szybalski finished fourth at two-over and Bolton’s David Hynd and Peter Pusitz tied in fifth at three-over.
Nick Powell won the Net A Flight and receives the gold medal from GAO Executive Director Steve Carroll.
As for the Net B flight, Markham’s Fred Bowler fired an eight-under (64) during the final round to move to five-under for the tournament to take the win. Second was Toronto’s Rizalde Cuachon at four-under for the tournament, third was Toronto’s John Boyack at two-under, fourth was Mississauga’s Mark Blake at one-over and completing the top five was Allan Gregorio from Toronto and Toronto’s Peter Corbett at two-over.
Fred Bowler captured the Net Flight B division and receives his gold from GAO Tournament Manager Larry Longo.
The Baka Wireless Public Player Championship has been contested since 1958. It was suspended between 1984 and 1995. This year’s event is a two-round competition with a Championship and Net A and B flight. Former champions include: Ontario Golf Hall of Famer Gerry Kesselring, Ken Trowbridge, Dave Bunker and Lucas Kim. Craig Loughry holds the record for the most victories with four.
The Golf Association of Ontario would like to thank the volunteers and staff from National Pines Golf Club, along with event sponsor Baka Wireless for their support of golf in Ontario.
Collingwood’s Michael Jackson named co-winner of Senior Porter Cup
Peter MacKellar
LEWISTON, NY– Collingwood’s Michael Jackson was announced as the co-winner of the 2014 Senior Porter Cup on Sept. 8 after thunderstorms made the Niagara Falls Country Club course in Lewiston, New York, unplayable. The tournament was reduced to a 36-hole event. Jackson, a member of the Georgian Bay Club, will share the honour with Steve Hudson after the pair both recorded scores two-over (142) after two rounds. Jackson shot an opening round of two-over (72) before his second round of even-par (70). Oakville’s Lars Melander was just one shot back at three-over (143) for the tournament.
