Participation: actions that enable all Ontarians to participate in safe, organized amateur sport
Development: actions that help Ontario’s athletes receive the right support as their skills develop
Excellence: actions to help Ontario’s high-performance athletes pursue excellence by facilitating access to the latest training, programs, facilities, resources and technical experts
Game ON builds on a strong existing foundation of sport organizations, programs and investments. It recognizes the many ways in which organized sport can be good for people and communities, from the health benefits of physical activity to the economic benefits of hosting major events.
Progress is already underway on a number of initiatives, including:
Minister’s Advisory Panel: the province has named prominent sport sector leaders and experts to its new Minister’s Advisory Panel to help achieve the priorities set out in Game ON
Roundtable on Women and Girls in Sport: in early 2016, Ontario will gather sector leaders to explore opportunities for women and girls in sport, built around the plan’s priority areas
Ontario Sport Symposium: in spring 2016, the province will bring together leaders in the sport sector to highlight research, trends and issues and to plan the best ways to implement Game ON.
Investing in the development of Ontario athletes and providing them with more opportunities to succeed is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
“Participation in sport improves health and wellness and helps to strengthen people and communities. That’s why, I am proud that we are building on the success of the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games to launch Game ON – The Ontario Government’s Sport Plan. Through this plan, we will collaborate with our sport partners to create a world-class sport system and support our athletes from the playground to the podium,” said Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Minister Responsible for the Pan and Parapan American Games.
“The sport plan will help address the gaps and ensure we have all parts of the system, from government to education to local communities working together to support our athletes and coaches along the pathway. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Advisory Panel to provide guidance on the new plan for Ontario’s sport system in all contexts, ” added Susan Kitchen, Executive Director, Coaches Association of Ontario, Member of Minister’s Advisory Panel.
In Ontario, there are at least 2.1 million registered athletes, supported by 121,000 coaches, 58,000 officials and 363,000 volunteers.
The sport industry contributes an estimated $2.1 billion to Ontario’s GDP and supports 43,730 jobs.
Ontario has almost tripled its support for amateur sport from $8.78 million in 2003 to more than $25 million in 2015-16.
The Ontario government is investing almost $985,000 in 2015-16 to provide Sport Priority Funding to 15 Provincial and Multi-Sport Organizations, supporting services and specialized training for athletes and coaches.
Ontario is committed to providing access and opportunities for our children and students to participate in 60 minutes of physical activity, both in and outside of school. Promoting well-being is a key goal of Achieving Excellence, Ontario’s renewed vision for education.
UXBRIDGE — The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) is very pleased to name the 2015-16 rosters for the Under-17 High Performance Regional Team Program.
The program, which debuted in 2013-14, was well received in its initial season and expanded in 2014-15 from three to five teams. Once again in 2015-16, the program will sport five squads from across the province. The team members were selected based on their 2015 tournament scores, 2015 GAO Order of Merit standing, as well as testing results from GAO Skills Combines held earlier this fall.
The five teams in 2015-16 will be Ottawa, York, Waterloo, Essex-Kent and Niagara. The program will see 54 promising young athletes on the various teams, which will include monthly technical and physical training at a regional centre and a five-day camp during March Break in South Carolina. The teams will also compete in the Team Ontario Cup, with members of the GAO’s provincial team, to be played at Grand Niagara Golf Course in Thorold, April 22-24.
“We are extremely excited about the upcoming season for our five regional teams,” said Mary Ann Hayward, GAO Manager of Sport Performance. “The regional teams continue to be a great feeder system for Team Ontario and the Team Ontario Cup is a great culminating event for our high performance athletes.”
Team Ottawa
Team Ottawa is made up of athletes from Ottawa and surrounding areas in Eastern Ontario. Adam Holden coaches the team and Allen Hicks is the team’s strength and conditioning coach. They will train out of the Kevin Haime Golf Centre in Kanata and the Ottawa Athletic Club.
Team York covers Toronto and the GTA. Jeff Overholt coaches the team and the strength and conditioning coach is Nick Martichenko. Team York will train out of Peak Performance Golf in Vaughan.
Team York Athletes:
Eric Byun (Richmond Hill, Ont.)
Kevin Doran (Sharon, Ont.)
Brendan Dunphy (Whitby, Ont.)
Daniel George (Richmond Hill, Ont.)
Zack Mason (Toronto, Ont.)
Nicklaus Naumovski (Halton Hills, Ont.)
Tristan Renaud (Sudbury, Ont.)
Vaijayanti Bharkhada (Brampton, Ont.)
Madelin Boyd (Oshawa, Ont.)
Logan Hackett (Oakville, Ont.)
For more information on the team and it’s athletes visit the Team York page at: https://gao.ca/team-york/
Team Waterloo
Team Waterloo is made up of players from the Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding area. Mike Martz coaches the team and their strength and conditioning coach is Angella Lee. They will train out of the Golf Performance Centre at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge.
Team Waterloo Athletes:
Luca Carestia (Ancaster, Ont.)
Dylan Henderson (Waterloo, Ont.)
Eli Mathew (Waterloo, Ont.)
Noah Romeo (Puslinch, Ont.)
Bennett Ruby (Waterloo, Ont.)
Carter Snowden (Kitchener, Ont.)
Matt Sommerville (Baden Ont.)
Cole Tondeur (London, Ont.)
Jillian Friyia (London, Ont.)
Joy Liu (Kitchener, Ont.)
Kyra Vandervoort (Kitchener, Ont.)
Abby White (Simcoe, Ont.)
For more information on the team and it’s players visit the Team Waterloo page at:
Team Niagara is comprised of golfers in the Niagara region, which includes Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and surrounding area. John White coaches the team and the strength and conditioning coach is Wayne Oliver. They will train out of Beechwood Golf & Country Club, in Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls Sportsplex.
Team Essex-Kent is made up of golfers from the Windsor and South-Western Ontario area. Randy McQueen coaches the team and the strength and conditioning coach is Ryan Carlone. They will train out of Roseland Golf & Curling Club, On The Green Indoor Golf (OTG), Dominion Dome, Silver Tee, and Tecumseh Golf.
The Regional Team Program is designed for golfers under the age of 17. A combination of skills combines results, tournament results and current Order of Merit standings, determine the players that are selected for each team. Team members take part in an eight-month training program with a PGA of Canada certified head coach and strength and conditioning consultant. They participate in multiple local winter indoor training sessions before a March break training camp in Myrtle Beach and the Team Ontario Cup competition to be held in Niagara at the end of April.
BARRIE, Ontario – The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) and its industry partners hosted the inaugural Golf Barrie Summit on November 16th at Innisbrook Golf Course. Golf stakeholders from across Barrie and the surrounding area were invited to attend and learn about the new Golf Barrie community golf initiative. In attendance were representatives from 20 different golf courses/facilities and five industry partners, including Golf Canada’s CEO, Scott Simmons.
Golf Barrie was conceptualized in 2015 and will be launching and rolling out into the community with the goal of growing the awareness and participation of golf in 2016. The approach is based on the philosophy that golf has a role to play in community development. Golf Barrie will address our national needs to develop the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model at the grassroots level.
The Golf Barrie events team will be out in the community at 40 community events this coming winter and summer promoting the opportunity for individuals to try golf and providing them with information on where to learn and play throughout the region. The initiative will bring golf to the community with the goal of bringing the community into golf.
UXBRIDGE— The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) is delighted and disheartened to announce the retirement of Manager of Sport Performance Mary Ann Hayward, with her final day being January 29, 2016.
Hayward has been with the GAO since May of 2009 when she came onboard as Sport Performance Coordinator. Hayward brought with her a long list of accomplishments as a competitive golfer including: numerous provincial and national championships; a member of the Canadian Women’s National Team for multiple years between 1990 and 2006, as well as being part of the Canadian World Amateur Team on eight occasions. Hayward, a Canadian, Ontario and Quebec Golf Hall of Famer, also served as a volunteer on the GAO’s sport committee before joining the staff.
Looking back, Hayward says that it was her role in the Team Ontario and Regional Team programs that she will remember most. “The athletes, families and coaches that have been a part of these programs have been phenomenal. I have learnt even more about golf and performance from them over the past six years.”
Being as close as she was with the athletes, in the various programs, Hayward offered some parting words to the players. “The only advice I can give is to put 100 per cent into everything they do. We do not always achieve the results we want, but there is never any excuse for not putting forth 100 per cent effort in training and preparation.”
“Although Mary Ann continues to have an incredibly decorated, Hall of Fame playing career, her impact on young juniors and their families is right up there,” added Mike Kelly, GAO Executive Director. “I am personally grateful and feel confident speaking on behalf of all staff and volunteers in sincerely thanking Mary Ann for her commitment and dedication to the GAO. We wish her all the best in this exciting, next phase of her life.”
Moving forward, Hayward says she is focused on playing in more competitions and achieving more goals as a golfer. The GAO wishes Hayward all the best and will surely be seeing her at many of the provincial championships in the coming years.
Mike Kelly appointed Executive Director of the GAO
Peter MacKellar
Uxbridge, Ontario – The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) Board of Directors have appointed Mike Kelly as its next Executive Director, following a four month interim role.
“I am very pleased to announce Mike Kelly’s appointment as Executive Director of the GAO. Mike has been an integral part of the GAO for the last decade and has demonstrated a clear ability to lead this organization towards a prosperous future. His enthusiasm, work ethic, knowledge and creativity will enable the GAO to pursue our strategic plan that will serve golf in Ontario. I am very excited at the prospect of continuing to work with Michael,” stated GAO President Christian Osborne.
“It is a true honor and privilege to continue to serve the GAO as its next Executive Director, an opportunity which is very exciting for myself and my family,” said Kelly.
Kelly joined the GAO in 2006 after nine years with ClubLink Corporation and has served in a variety of roles, most recently as the Managing Director of Sport. During his tenure, he helped pioneer golf in schools, Team Ontario, National Junior Golf Development Centres and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship.
After receiving a golf scholarship to Union College in Kentucky, Kelly graduated from the Professional Golf Management program at Georgian College, where he received the Board of Governors Distinguished Alumni Award. A Class ‘A’ member of the PGA of Canada, Kelly is a two-time Zone and National Award winner.
“I’m very lucky to be surrounded by an incredible team at the GAO and look forward to meeting our many opportunities and challenges head on as we collectively work to build golf in every corner of the Province,” added Kelly.
UXBRIDGE— The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) will be hosting an online Level 3 Rules Workshop beginning January 4, 2016. This seminar is being offered to all individuals who have successfully completed Golf Canada Level 2 Certification and are interested in proceeding to Level 3 certification.
For the past several years the GAO has offered Level 3 Rules Education through a weekly online webinar. This program will once again be offered in 2016 for those interested in becoming a Rules Official at the regional and provincial competitions.
The program runs one night per week for 13 weeks starting the week of January 4th, with each session lasting 2 – 2.5 hours.
This year, increased emphasis will be placed on the new code that includes the new rule on anchoring. The USGA and The R&A, golf’s governing bodies, have adopted changes to Rule 14-1 of the Rules of Golf that prohibit anchoring the club in making a stroke. The new rule will go into effect on January 1, 2016, in accordance with the regular four-year cycle for changes to the Rules of Golf.
Five Ontario Golfers named to Golf Canada 2016 National Teams
Peter MacKellar
OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada has announced the athletes who have been selected to represent Team Canada as part of the 2016 National Amateur Squad and Development Squad. In total, five Ontario golfers will be part of the program. Burlington’s Blair Hamilton returns to the Men’s Amateur Squad, Vaughn’s Tony Gil and Aurora’s Jack Simpson will be on the Men’s Development Squad, and Ottawa’s Grace St-Germain and Mississauga’s Chloe Currie, a 2015 member of Team Ontario, are part of the Women’s Development Squad.
In all, ten athletes comprise Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad including five players on the men’s team and five on the women’s. The National Development Squad, primarily a U19 program, will also feature 10 players (five men and five women).
Returning to the men’s Amateur Squad is 2015 Gary Cowan Award (low amateur at the RBC Canadian Open) winner Blair Hamilton, 22, of Burlington, Ont. Hamilton enters his senior year at the University of Houston on the heels of a strong junior year that included two collegiate victories and six other top-20 finishes. He finished T17 at the 2015 Canadian Men’s Amateur and currently boasts Canada’s top-amateur ranking at No. 104 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). This will be his second year on the Amateur Squad and his third in total with Team Canada (Development Squad in 2012).
Joining the team for his first official season is reining B.C. Amateur champion Jared du Toit of Kimberley, B.C. The 20-year-old currently sits as the team’s second-ranked amateur at No. 122 in the WAGR. He played his first two seasons at the University of Idaho before transferring to Arizona State this year for his junior season. During his time at Idaho, du Toit recorded eight top-10 finishes including a win at the Wyoming University Southern to go along with winning Freshman of the Year honours for the Western Athletic Conference.
After a two-year hiatus, Eric Banks of Truro, N.S., makes his return to Team Canada following a summer that featured top-25 finishes at the Northeast Amateur, Canadian Amateur and Monroe Invitational. Banks is also a former Nova Scotia Men’s Amateur champion (2011) and two-time Nova Scotia Junior Boys champion. He enters his fourth year with Team Canada after graduating from the University of Florida where he won the David Toms award—given to the collegiate golfer who most overcomes adversity. Banks, 22, recovered from successful open-heart surgery in June of 2012 that repaired a hole in his heart.
Also returning to Team Canada after a hiatus is Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., native Hugo Bernard. The 20-year-old was runner-up at the 2015 Canadian Amateur and also earned top-five finishes provincially at the Alexander of Tunis, Duke of Kent and the Quebec Men’s Amateur. He captured the Quebec Men’s Amateur title in 2013 as well as the 2012 Quebec Junior Boys championship.
Rounding out the men’s team is Purdue University senior and Vancouver native Stuart Macdonald. The 20-year-old finished runner-up at the 2015 B.C. Amateur, tallied two top-10 finishes in his junior season and finished tied for 13th at the 2015 Canadian Amateur.
On the women’s side, the Amateur Squad is headlined by returning member and dual-citizen Maddie Szeryk who’s 2015 season includes a victory at the Ontario Women’s Amateur and T6 finish at the Canadian Women’s Amateur. In her freshman season at Texas A&M, Szeryk was named to the All-South Eastern Conference team in addition to winning Freshman of the Year honours for the conference thanks to nine top-10 finishes in 12 tournaments played. The 19-year old currently sits as Canada’s top-ranked female on the WAGR at No. 38.
Joining Team Canada is rookie Josée Doyon of St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que. Doyon is coming off a remarkable season that featured a win at the Quebec Women’s Amateur in addition to three collegiate victories for the Kent State Golden Flashes. The 22-year-old’s junior season earned her Mid-American Conference Golfer of the Year honours. Now in her senior year, Doyon currently sits at No. 61 on the WAGR.
Rounding out the women’s team are a trio of graduates from last season’s Development Squad including 18-year-old Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C., who enters her fourth year with Team Canada and first as a member of the N.C. State Wolfpack. In 2015 she finished fifth at the B.C. Women’s Amateur, tied for second at the Ontario Women’s Amateur, third at the Canadian Junior Girls and tied for 24th at the Canadian Women’s Amateur.
Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee, 18, heads into her third year with Team Canada and her freshman season at Ohio State. The 18-year old finished tied for seventh at the B.C. Women’s Amateur, third at the Alberta Ladies Amateur and 16th at the Canadian Women’s Amateur. In 2014, Lee captured both the Alberta Ladies Amateur and Junior Girls titles.
Michelle Kim, an 18-year-old Surrey, B.C., native, moves up to the Amateur Squad after one season the Development Squad. Currently in her freshman year with University of Idaho, Kim won both the 2015 B.C. Women’s Amateur and Junior Girls, while adding a victory at the Canadian Junior Girls and a tie for 38th at the Canadian Women’s Amateur.
“This is always an exciting time of year as we welcome the next group of young men and women selected as members of Team Canada,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “Supporting, developing and nurturing Canada’s future stars remains to be at the core of our primary objectives. We are committed to investing in high performance talent through elite coaching, training, sport science and preparation.”
The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2016 Amateur Squad:
WOMEN’S NATIONAL AMATEUR SQUAD
Maddie Szeryk, Allen, Tex. (19)
Josée Doyon, St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que. (22)
Michelle Kim, Surrey, B.C. (18)
Naomi Ko, Victoria, B.C. (18)
Jaclyn Lee, Calgary, Alta. (18)
MEN’S NATIONAL AMATEUR SQUAD
Blair Hamilton, Burlington, Ont. (22)
Jared du Toit, Kimberley, B.C. (20)
Eric Banks, Truro, N.S. (22)
Stuart Macdonald, Vancouver, B.C. (20)
Hugo Bernard, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que. (20)
Complete National Amateur Squad bios can be found here.
As part of the National Amateur Team Program, Golf Canada also named the 19-and-under Development Squad that includes five female and five male athletes. The Development Squad is designed to help facilitate the continued development of Canada’s top young talents.
The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2016 Development Squad:
WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, Ont. (17)
Hannah Lee, Surrey, B.C. (15)
Tiffany Kong, Vancouver, B.C. (14)
Kathrine Chan, Richmond, B.C. (15)
Chloë Currie, Mississauga, Ont. (15)
MEN’S DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Tony Gil, Vaughan, Ont. (17)
A.J. Ewart, Coquitlam, B.C. (16)
Thomas ‘Jack’ Simpson, Aurora, Ont. (17)
Alexander Smith, Calgary, Alta. (17)
Charles-Éric Bélanger, Québec, Que. (16)
Complete Development Squad player bios can be found here.
Golf Canada also announced the 2016 Team Canada coaching staff with Derek Ingram returning as Men’s Squad Head Coach, supported by Robert Ratcliffe who will also head up the Development Squad. On the women’s side, Tristan Mullally returns as Women’s Squad Head Coach and will receive support from Ann Carroll, who will oversee the Women’s Development Squad specifically. All coaches are all class “A” professionals with the PGA of Canada.
The athletes named to the 2016 National Amateur and Development Squads are a product of a circle of support that includes personal coaches, parents and high performance activities conducted by the respective provincial golf associations.
Ontario Golf Hall of Famer Gerry Kesselring passes away
Peter MacKellar
The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) was saddened to learn of the passing of Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member Gerry Kesselring on Oct. 16 at the age of 86. Born in Kitchener in 1928, Kesselring began playing golf at an early age. He won the Ontario Junior Championship in 1945, 1946 and 1948.
Kesselring won the Canadian Junior Championship in 1946 and 1947. He was on the Ontario Provincial team for the Willingdon trophy from 1949 to 1953. Kesselring turned professional in October 1953 and in 1960 applied for a return to amateur ranking. Six years later in 1966, his request was granted.
Included in his achievements are the Ontario Open in 1952 and 1953; Ontario Open as a Professional in 1956 and 1957, the Ontario Amateur Championship in 1949, 1951, 1952 and 1953. In addition, the Ontario Sportswriter and Broadcasters Association chose Kesselring as Ontario’s most outstanding athlete in 1952.
The GAO sends its condolences to Kesselring’s family and friends.
Obituary via Canadian Obituaries
KESSELRING, Gerald Simon – Passed away peacefully on October 16, 2015 at Freeport Health Centre at the age of 86.
Loving husband of the late Helga Kesselring (2003). Predeceased by parents William and Erna Kesselring, sons Fred and Marc, daughter-in-law Judy, brothers Fred and Ken and sister-in-law Ruby. He will be missed by nieces and nephews and their families and dear friend Tony Matlock.
Gerald was a life long employee of Kitchener PUC. He enjoyed his lifetime member status at Rockway Golf Club in Kitchener and was one of Rockway’s finest ever. In May of 2008 he was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame.
At Gerald’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place. Interment at Memory Gardens, Breslau.
Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home, 621 King St. W, Kitchener entrusted with arrangements.
Memorial donations to First Baptist Church, Freeport Health Centre or St. Mary’s Hospital would be appreciated.
UXBRIDGE—The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO), is proud to announce the seven boys and five girls that will make up Team Ontario for 2016. The team met in full for the first time, Oct. 2-4 in Foot’s Bay, for their kickoff camp held at OviinByrd Golf Club.
The team is set for a full winter of training, which will include two camps in Florida, along with a camp/the Can-AM Matches during March Break in South Carolina. The camps will all be leading up to the start of the 2016 season, which will begin with the Team Ontario Cup in late April.
“The coaching staff and I are very excited to begin training with this very talented group of young athletes,” said GAO Manager of Sport Performance Mary Ann Hayward. “Several of the players already hold national and age category provincial titles and we are looking forward to raising their games to the next level and hopefully putting more Ontario players onto the National Development Team.”
This year’s team again highlights the quality of the GAO’s high performance programs as eleven members of the team are either returning to Team Ontario or are products of the GAO’s Regional (U17) Team Program.
With each new installment of the team, there are departures. Three 2015 members have graduated from the program and are furthering their career in the ranks of the NCAA. Unionville’s Max Sear is attending the University of West Virginia; Ruthven’s Alyssa Getty is at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Ridgeway’s Madeline Marck-Sherk is at Florida Gulf Coast University.
The 2016 version of team Ontario will feature five returning players:
Jason Chung, 16, from Thornhill and Thornhill Golf & Country Club, coached by Charlie Woo.
Monet Chun, 14, from Richmond Hill and The Summit Golf & Country Club, coached by Don Lee.
Jackson Bowery, 17, from London and Greenhills Golf Club.
Jake Bryson, 16, from Dunrobin and Eagle Creek Golf Club, coached by Kevin Haime.
Isabella Portokalis, 14, from London and West Haven Golf & Country Club
Joining the returnees, are the following graduates of the GAO Regional Team Program:
Lachlan O’Hara (Team York), 15, from Mississauga and Credit Valley Golf & Country Club, coached by Jeff Overholt and Jon Roy.
Ty Celone (Team Ottawa), 16, from Long Sault and the Upper Canada Golf Course.
Peyton Callens (Team Waterloo), 15, from Langton and Delhi Golf & Country Club, coached by Ralph Bauer.
Sam Meek, (Team York – 2014), 17, from Peterborough and Kawartha Golf & Country Club, coached by Henry Brunton.
Hailey McLaughlin (Team York), 14, from Markham and Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club, coached by Gord Burns.
Alexandra Naumovski, (Team York – 2014), 18, from Halton Hills and Brampton Golf Club.
Rounding out the team is: Alyssa DiMarcantonio, 12, from Maple and Station Creek Golf Club, coached by Thomas Youn.
GAO Head Provincial Coach Reggie Millage, a Class ‘A’ PGA of Canada professional from Milton, leads the Team Ontario coaching staff. Millage enters his third season with the team. Also returning this year are Athletic Therapist Andrew Hoermann, Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Martichenko and Mental Skills Coach Judy Goss.
The team is already an accomplished group and they will look for even more success in 2016. Some highlights from the 2015 season included: Chung – CN Future Links Quebec Champion and silver in the Ontario Juvenile Boys’ Championship; Callens – AJGA Junior All-Stars at Ravenwood Champion; Celone – CJGA Mizuno National Champion; McLaughlin – Ontario Bantam Girls and Women’s Four-Ball Champion; DiMarcantonio – Ontario Peewee Girls’ Champion, Bantam Tour Hidden Lake Champion and silver at the Ontario Bantam Girls’ Championship; Chun – Ontario Junior Girls’ Match Play Champion, silver at the Ontario Juvenile Girls’ Championship and bronze at the Spring Classic; Naumovski – silver at the Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship; Meek – Bronze at the Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship; Bowery – Bronze at the Spring Classic; and Portokalis – bronze at the Ontario Bantam Girls’ Championship.
Looking ahead Team Ontario will train indoors during the winter months at Peak Performance Golf in Vaughan. ClubLink’s TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, Florida will host Team Ontario training camps in January and February. During March-break, the team will head to the Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina for a training camp as well as to take part in the Can-Am Matches, an annual team-match event between the top junior golfers from Ontario and South Carolina.
About Team Ontario
The GAO Team Ontario program is a high performance training program for the top junior aged golfers in Ontario. Athletes are selected in September each year and the program runs from October through August. Team Ontario athletes receive the very best in coaching services, training/competitive opportunities, and sport science support as they strive to make Golf Canada’s National Development Team. Being selected to Team Ontario is a tremendous accomplishment and offers unparalleled support and guidance to the participating athletes and their families.
