James Parsons caps off week with 2015 Ontario Juvenile Boys’ Championship
Peter MacKellar
HUNTSVILLE— It was a long day for the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Juvenile Boys’ Championship when it wrapped up on Aug. 20 from Deerhurst Resort Highlands Course in Huntsville. The event saw another suspension in play during the final round, but by the end of the day all players were able to finish the round.
The day belonged to Almonte’s James Parsons. Parsons, from the Mississippi Golf Club, began the day with a one-shot lead. The 16-year-old, Team Ottawa member would see that lead through, finishing the day at even par (72). That brought his three-day total to one-under (71-72-72-215) and earned him the gold medal and juvenile boys’ trophy.
Parsons spoke afterwards about the win. “It feels pretty great! I was confident coming into the tournament that I could be a contender and to be in the final group was a great feeling. At the start of the day I was a little shaky, but heading into the last few holes I had a good lead, which calmed me down.”
The field and Parson battled tough conditions all week, but he said they didn’t really affect his game. “The weather wasn’t actually too bad, it just affected the first two holes that we played today. Both times that we came in, I knew I was playing well and even with the break, I could go out and perform the same way.”
Earning the silver medal was Thornhill’s Jason Chung. Chung, from the Diamondback Golf Club and a member of Team Ontario, rallied during the final round and was the only player to finish the round under par at two-under (70) for the day. That brought his tournament total to two-over (76-72-70-218).
Taking the bronze medal was another Team Ontario member, Vaughan’s Kelvin Lim. Lim, from Station Creek Golf Club, entered the day one shot off the pace at even for the tournament. However, he would finish the day three-over (75), dropping him to three-over for the tournament (72-72-75-219).
The GAO would like to thank Deerhurst Resort Highlands Course along with their staff and volunteers for helping to run the event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.
The Ontario Juvenile Boys’ Championship is a 54-hole competition that features the province’s best junior golfers under the age of 17 competing for the Mike Weir Trophy. Notable past champions include: Josh Whalen, Brandon Ng, Tim McCutcheon, Peter R. Knechtel, Bob Panasiuk and Gary Cowan.
Jennifer Yoon wins 2015 Ontario Juvenile Girls’ Championship
Peter MacKellar
HUNTSVILLE— It was another soggy day at the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) final round of the Ontario Juvenile Girls’ Championship on Aug. 20 from Deerhurst Resort Highlands Course in Huntsville. At 10:09 a.m. play was suspended for the second time during the event and the players remained in the clubhouse until 12:55 p.m.
The girls began the day on the back nine with two players well ahead of the field. Toronto’s Jennifer Yoon and Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun entered the day with just two shots separating Yoon, who was at three-under, and Chun at one-under. At the end of the day it was Yoon, 16 and a member at Station Creek Golf Club, who would hoist the trophy after a six-over (78) final round.
Yoon was able to limit any damage during the round considering the tough elements. She finished the tournament three-over (72-69-78-219). She spoke about how challenging the week was and what winning the title meant to her. “Winning this is great, it is my first provincial championship and it was just my 16th birthday so this was a very nice present to myself. The weather this week was interesting, but in the end it didn’t matter because my score was great. The two suspensions of play were tough because I was very tired during the second round, especially playing 27 holes, and even today.”
Earning the silver medal was Chun. Chun, a member of Team Ontario and The Summit Golf & County Club, had some strong holes like her eagle on the par-five 14th, but also some struggles and in the end, she was unable to catch Yoon. Chun finished the day six-over (78) to bring her tournament total to five-over (69-74-78-221).
Rounding out the podium with the bronze was Port Credit’s Chloe Currie. Currie, from the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club and a Team Ontario member, had the low round of the day as she carded a three-under (69). That brought her tournament total to seven-over (75-79-69-223).
The GAO would like to thank Deerhurst Resort Highlands Course along with their staff and volunteers for helping to run the event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.
The Ontario Juvenile Girls’ Championship features the province’s best junior golfers under the age of 17 competing for the Sandra Post Trophy. Past champions of the event include Post, Jessica Shepley, Alena Sharp, Stephanie Sherlock, and Rebecca Lee-Bentham.
Michael Jackson captures his third Investors Group Ontario Senior Men’s Amateur Championship
Peter MacKellar
PETERBOROUGH— Michael Jackson went wire-to-wire at the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) 2015 Investors Group Senior Men’s Amateur Championship that wrapped up on Aug.13, from the Kawartha Golf & Country Club in Peterborough.
Jackson, from Collingwood and the Georgian Bay Club, entered the day with a three-shot lead and would use his consistency to help maintain it. The 62-year-old sank a birdie on the ninth hole, to get to even at the turn. Jackson was three-over on the back nine, which ended his day at three-over (74), bringing his tournament total to five-over (71-73-74-218). The win marked the third time that Jackson has won the Ontario Senior Men’s Amateur Championship. Jackson also earned the 60+ Division title.
A satisfied Jackson spoke about winning the title for the third time. “It’s always a pleasure win and a pleasure to get out with the guys and have our competition. We may call it friendly, but winning is what we come out here to do. I came in with a game plan; I didn’t want to go for par-five greens in two because I knew I would be above the hole. My plan was to put a wedge in my hands on par fives and stay below the hole.”
Jackson said that a key putt on the back nine was what he considered the turning point. “What settled me was making a birdie on the 12th hole. It was downhill and maybe a 25-footer, so that settled me. I knew I had some distance at that point.”
Picking up the silver was Richmond Hill’s Michael Mealia. Mealia, from the Bayview Golf and Country Club, entered the day at eight-over after the first two rounds. After an even front nine, he found himself four-over with two holes to play. However, he finished with birdies on the final two holes to finish second with a tournament total of 10-over (77-73-73-223).
Sharing the bronze at 11-over were Oakville’s Lars Melander (80-69-75-224), from Hidden Lake Golf Club, and London’s Dave Bergeron (74-73-77-224), from Sunningdale Golf Club.
In the 70+ Division it was St. Catharines’ Les Westlake who took home the trophy. Westlake, from the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, finished the tournament at 16-over (76-75-78-229), to grab the title in his first year of eligibility.
Team Ontario for the Canadian Senior Men’s Amateur Championship, Sept. 1-4 at Desert Blume Golf Club in Medicine Hat, Alberta, was named following the round. Joining Jackson and Mealia, after winning a playoff on the 18th hole, was Melander.
In addition, the top eight finishers earned the right to represent Ontario at the 2016 Ontario-Michigan Matches to be hosted by Michigan. Earning a spot on the team were: Jackson, Mealia, Melander, Bergeron, Paris’ Robert O’Hagan, Brampton’s Rick Dodds-Hebron, Whitby’s Barry Fairhurst, and Caledon’s Marty Quincey.
The GAO would like to thank the Kawartha Golf & Country Club, their volunteers and staff for hosting the event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers and title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.
About the Investors Group Senior Men’s Championship
The Investors Group Ontario Senior Men’s Championship is contested annually and features Ontario’s best male amateur golfers age 55 and older. 2015 marks the 80th playing of the event, and notable past champions include Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members Stu Hamilton and Nick Weslock, Herb Carnegie, and Ed Ervasti.
Johnny Travale & Hailey McLaughlin win IG Ontario Bantam Championships
Peter MacKellar
CAMLACHIE— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Investors Group Bantam Championship concluded on Aug. 12 from the Sawmill Creek Golf Resort and Spa in Camlachie. The event began with 56 boys and 29 girls looking to claim the 2015 championships. At the end of the day, Stoney Creek’s Johnny Travale walked away with the boys’ title, while Markham’s Hailey McLaughlin took home the girls’ championship.
Travale, 14, from Glendale Golf & Country Club, came into the final round with a two-shot lead after his opening round of three-under (68). He got off to a blistering start during the final round and was four-under at the turn. However, he would get into trouble early on the back nine with a double bogey on 11 and a triple on 12. He would settle down and got back on track. He finished the day one-over (72) to end the tournament at two-under, taking the title.
After the win Travale spoke about how he got back on track during the final round. “I thought that I still had a good shot at winning, even though I didn’t know what my fellow competitors were doing, but I knew if I kept a solid frame of mind I would be able to pull through.”
“There was a lot of hard work that went into winning this,” added Travale. “I worked hard during the winter and continued during the summer so its nice to see it all pay off.”
Sharing the silver medal were Beamsville’s Jason Patrick Maloney and Courtice’s Justin Posteraro at three-over. Maloney, from Twenty Valley Golf & Country Club, began the day seven shots back of the lead after his four-over (75) first round. Thanks to a one-under (70) during the final round, the only round under par for the day, he catapulted into the silver-medal position.
As for Posteraro, he posted a one-under (70) during the opening round to sit two-back of the lead. He would go on to card a four-over (75) during the second round, but was able to hang on to earn a share of the silver.
Things were interesting on the girls’ side as the final round saw multiple lead changes. In the end it would be McLaughlin, from Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club, who emerged victorious. McLaughlin, 13, and a member of the York Regional Team, started the day in the second to last group, three-shots off the pace, after an opening round of seven-over (78). She would go on to have the low round of the day, thanks to five birdies on the final six holes, posting a one-under (70) to capture the title at six-over for the tournament.
Afterwards, McLaughlin spoke about her strong finish to the tournament. “I was one-over through nine but was playing better than I had the day before. I really stepped up my putting and was sinking putts all day.”
“This feels like a dream but it is actually happening! I never thought I would make it this far, but at the same time I kind of did. I just had to have a lot of faith in myself,” said McLaughlin.
First-round leader, and 2015 Ontario Peewee Champion, Alyssa DiMarcantonio picked up the silver medal at eight-over for the tournament. DiMarcantonio from Maple and Station Creek Golf Club finished four-over (75) during the opening round. She duplicated that on day two with another four-over (75).
Three players shared the bronze medal at 15-over for the tournament. The group included Strathroy’s Taylor Kehoe (77-80), Windsor’s Jasmine Ly (81-76) and London’s Isabella Portokalis (78-79).
About the Investors Group Ontario Bantam Championship
The Investors Group Ontario Bantam Boys’ Championship was first contested in 1923 at the Summit Golf & Country Club. The first Ontario Bantam Girls’ Championship was held in 2003. The event is open to players 14-year-old and younger as of Aug. 1. Participants on the boys’ side qualified through one of four qualifiers held earlier this summer. Notable past boys champions include: Tony Gil, Matt LeMay, Bill Hutcheson, Kelly Roberts and Tim McCutcheon. As for past girls’ champions, the list includes: Jennifer Kirby, Augusta James and Christina Foster.
Blazevic and DiMarcantonio win inaugural Ontario Peewee Championship
Peter MacKellar
CAMBRIDGE— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) inaugural Peewee Championship concluded on Aug. 7 from the Puslinch Lake Golf Course in Cambridge.
The championship, open to male and female players under the age of 13, began with 58 of the province’s top young players. At the end of competition, Burlington’s Peter Blazevic and Maple’s Alyssa DiMarcantonio were the first to hoist the trophies.
Things were close coming into the final round on the boys’ side with Toronto’s Nicholas Lin entering the day with the lead at one-under. However, with so many players within striking distance, it was anyone’s title to win. Lin finished the day seven-over and slipped into a tie for fifth. The best round of the day went to Blazevic, 11-years-old and a member at the Trafalgar Golf & Country Club, who finished even. That second round score, along with his opening round four-over (74), earned him the win at four-over for the tournament (74-70-144).
A trio of players all shared the silver medal at five-over. Toronto’s Beni Long finished the second round three-over (72-73-145), Windsor’s Shawn Sehra ended the day four-over (71-74-145), and Richmond Hill’s Jeffery Fang also carded a three-over final round (72-73-145).
Things were a little less dramatic on the girls’ side as DiMarcantonio, 12, from Station Creek Golf Club, entered the day with a nine-shot lead after an opening round of one-over (71). She would improve on that impressive performance during the second round with an even par (70) to win the title by 16 shots (71-70-141).
Finishing second was Pickering’s Ava Koukofikas. Koukofikas finished the opening round 13-over (83), but rebounded nicely in the second round with a four-over (74) to earn the silver (83-74-157).
Taking the bronze was Brampton’s Brooke Rivers. Rivers shot an eight-over (78) during the second round, adding to her 10-over (80) first round (80-78-158).
The GAO would like to thank Puslinch Lake Golf Course, their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.
The Ontario Peewee Championship is making its debut in 2015. The championship is hosted by the Puslinch Lake Golf Course, which has a history with the GAO, hosting the Ontario Bantam Championship from 1999 to 2012. The tournament is open to males and females who are younger than 13 years of age as of Aug. 1.
Kelsey Sear captures 2015 Women’s Match Play Championship
Peter MacKellar
TOTTENHAM— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Women’s Match Play Championship wrapped up on August 6, at the Woodington Lake Golf Course – Legend in Tottenham, with Kelsey Sear taking the 2015 title.
The event began on Aug. 4 with a stroke-play qualifying round, which narrowed the field down to 16 players for four rounds of match-play competition.
Outlasting that field was Unionville’s Sear. Sear, from the York Downs Golf & Country Club, recently competed in the PGA of Canada’s Women’s Championship and was able to use the momentum from that experience to lift her to victory.
Sear, 20, topped Picton’s Casey Ward in the final 1up on the 18th hole. The match was neck and neck throughout. Sear held a 1up lead on the front nine, only to see Ward draw even on the seventh hole. Ward would take the lead on the next hole, but watch it evaporate after the ninth. With Ward 1up again, Sear sank a critical 13-foot putt on the 11th to remain just one down. Sear would birdie the 12th to even the match. Sear’s putter saved her again on 16 as she sank a 10-foot putt to again draw even. Then on 18, Ward hit her approach shot left and needed to chip in to keep the match going, she was unable to and Sear was able to putt out for the win.
After the win, Sear spoke about winning the final match. “It feels awesome! It was really back and forth. I was up then she was up and then I made that big putt on 11 and I knew at that point I had the momentum. Walking up 18 I had lots of confidence and I was able to make a nice chip shot to get up and down.”
Sear spoke about what was going on in her head throughout the round. “I just tried to stay focused. I try to keep my mind off golf, to be honest, and just go with the flow. I don’t get too down or too excited and just play my game.”
For Sear, her road to the title began as the fourth seed and eliminated Welland’s Stefani Markovich in the opening round in 19 holes. She drew Toronto’s Ana Peric in the quarterfinal round and won by a score of 3&2. That put her into the semi finals against Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg, who she beat 2up, to earn her spot in the finals.
As for Ward, a member of the Picton Golf & Country Club and recent winner of the GAO’s Investors Group Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, she began as the number seven seed after the qualifying round. She opened the tournament with a 2&1 win over Toronto’s Madelyn Piccininni. Then, she picked up a dominant win in the quarterfinals by beating Komoka’s Alex Amos 6&4 to move on to the semi finals. In the semi finals, Ward topped Mississauga’s Michelle Ruiz 3&1 to earn the right to play for the championship.
Trevor Ranton caps off great week by winning the 2015 Investors Group Junior Boys’ Championship
Peter MacKellar
PORT HOPE – The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Investors Group Junior Boys’ Championship wrapped up on July 24 from the Dalewood Golf Club in Port Hope. The four-round event was dominated from start to finish by Waterloo’s Trevor Ranton who hoisted the trophy at the end of the day with a final round two-under (69).
Ranton, 18 from the Whistle Bear Golf Club, gained his momentum during the first round when he shot six-under (65). He opened up a four-stroke lead that he used to see out the win during the remaining rounds.
On the final day, Ranton, a member of the Golf Canada Development Squad, started strong with a birdie on the second hole. He would give it back but was even through the turn. On the back nine, Ranton, sealed it with an eagle on the 14th, to secure the win. He finished the tournament five-under (65-72-73-69-279).
After the win, Ranton spoke about how his opening round set the tempo for the rest of the tournament. “It really allowed me to play freely, knowing that I had that cushion. When my game wasn’t going as well during the second and third day, I was still in a positive mindset because I knew that I had done that the first day and knew I could do it again.”
Ranton is no stranger to winning big events. Just last year he was crowned the GAO Junior Boys’ Match Play Champion and earlier this year he walked away with the CN Future Links Pacific title. Ranton spoke about where this win ranks for him. “It’s awesome to win this, it has been my goal since I started playing in these events. It is really nice to get it in my final junior year. I’ve been lucky enough to have a couple victories in the last year and a bit and this one is right up their at the top, with it being one of the most prestigious events in Ontario.”
Earning the silver medal was Shelburne’s Kyle Johnston, from the Shelburne Golf & Country Club. Johnston, 18, came into the final round at two-over and went on to post a two-under (69) to earn sole possession of second. He ended the tournament at even par (69-72-74-69-284).
The bronze medal was won by Peterborough’s Sam Meek, from the Kawartha Golf & Country Club. Meek, 16, was consistent throughout the tournament and finished three-over (69-73-72-73-287).
Ranton, Johnston and Meek also earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial team competition at the Canadian Junior Boys’ Championship Aug. 3-6 at the Summerlea Golf & Country Club in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec. The top 34 finishers, excluding players already exempt, also received a quota spot for the Canadian Championship.
The GAO would like to thank Dalewood Golf Club, along with their staff and volunteers for helping to run the event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers and title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province. For complete tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1520/index.htm
About the Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship
The Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship is open to male golfers 18 years of age and under, who have qualified through one of 10 qualifiers held across the province in June and early July. The Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship was first contested in 1923 at the Summit Golf & Country Club. Past winners of the event include: Gerry Kesselring, Gary Cowan, Stu Hamilton, Mike Weir, Jon Mills and Albin Choi.
Casey Ward goes wire-to-wire to win 2015 Investors Group Women’s Mid-Amateur; Gail Pimm takes Ontario Senior Women’s title in playoff
Peter MacKellar
BATH— There may not have been much drama when it came to the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Investors Group Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, but the same could not be said for the Investors Group Senior Women’s Championship, which was being played simultaneously. The two events wrapped up on July 23 from the Loyalist Country Club in Bath. Any of the competitors who fell into the senior age bracket (50 and over) were also eligible to compete for the Ontario Mid-Amateur title.
Picton’s Casey Ward entered the day with the lead for the Mid-Amateur title. The Picton Golf & Country Club member quickly added to it thanks to birdies on the fourth and fifth holes. Ward, 25, would go on to be uncontested during the round and finished the day two-under (70) to capture the Mid-Amateur Championship with a three-day total of three-under (71-72-70-213).
After the win, Ward spoke about her strong performance during the week. “My play was very steady this week. It was a lot of fun to play with Mary Ann Hayward and Judith Kyrinis. I really loved the atmosphere here, it was very social and very different from the amateur, just a fun week.”
She went on to talk about how she mastered her mental game and where the win ranks. “I haven’t played all that much this season, but I think that has helped keep my head out of my game for the most part. This win is on the top of my list, I haven’t won anything bigger than this!”
Ward said she will now turn her attention to the Ontario Women’s Match Play Championship, the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur, Aug. 26-28 at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort and Spa in Camlachie, Ontario, and to qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.
The Investors Group Senior Women’s Championship was where things were more interesting. Heading into the round it looked like Aurora’s Mary Ann Hayward, from The Club at North Halton, was on her way to a fourth consecutive title. However, she carded a five-over (77), which opened the door for others to have a shot at the title. At the end of the round there was a three-way tie at five-over between Hayward, Uxbridge’s Gail Pimm, from the Whitevale Golf Club, and Mississauga’s Debbie Court, from the Toronto Golf Club. Pimm was two-under (70) on the day, while Court finished one-under (71).
On the playoff hole it was Pimm who made a clutch birdie to win the 2015 Ontario Senior Women’s Championship (73-78-70-221).
Pimm, Court (74-76-71-221) and Hayward (74-70-77-221) all shared the silver medal for the Mid-Amateur Championship. Court and Hayward also picked up silver medals for the Senior Women’s Championship. In addition, Pimm, Court and Hayward earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Senior Women’s Championship, also Aug. 26-28 at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort and Spa in Camlachie.
Capturing the Senior Women’s 60+ Division title was Brockville’s Theresa deLuis. The Brockville Country Club member finished her final round five-over (77), which brought her to 14-over (81-72-77-230) for the tournament. That was good enough to clinch the title by four strokes. In the 70+ Division, the champion was Stoney Creek’s Phyllis Bennett (99-91-190), from Rockway Vineyards.
Also, being contested at the event were District Team Championships. Winning the Gross Mid-Amateur District title was the team from Kingston District made up of Ward and Trenton’s Megan Farrow. The duo finished the two-round event 26-over for the win. In the Mid-Amateur Net Championship, the team from Mississauga took top honours. The team consisted of Toronto’s Cindy Wegg and Oakville’s Anne McClure and finished at 13-over. In the Senior District Team Gross Championship, York was declared the winner at 30-over. The team members included: Etobicoke’s Marion Reid and Joanne Noble, Thornhill’s Judith Kyrinis, and Court. Finally, capturing the Senior Women’s Net Championship was the team from London District at 10-over. The team was made up of London’s Sue Postian, Cathy Koszman, Becky Ostrom and Judy Oryniak.
Also announced at the conclusion of the event was the Ontario Senior Women’s team for the 2016 Ada Mackenzie Matches with New York State. Spots for the team went to the top 10 finishers in the Senior Women’s Championship. The team will consist of Pimm, Court, Hayward, Kyrinis, deLuis, Strathroy’s Jane Hedges-McKinnon, Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg, Dundas’ Sarah-Anne Smurlick, Toronto’s Kelly Koselek and Reid.
The GAO would like to thank the Loyalist Country Club along with all of their staff and volunteers for helping to run this event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers and title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in Ontario.
About the Investors Group Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship
The Investors Group Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship has been contested annually since 1989 and features the province’s best female amateurs over 25. Past champions of the event include Gayle Borthwick, Terrill Samuel, Stefani Markovich and Mary Ann Hayward who has captured the trophy 14 times.
About the Investors Group Senior Women’s Championship
The Investors Group Ontario Senior Women’s Amateur Championship has been contested annually since 1962 and features the province’s best female amateurs age 50 and over. Past champions of the event include Ada Mackenzie, Kay Helleur, Gayle Borthwick, Mary Ann Hayward and World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit.
Elliott Whitley cruises to win at Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur
Peter MacKellar
PETERBOROUGH— Heading into the final round of the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Investors Group Men’s Amateur Championship, at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club, Hamilton’s Elliott Whitley held a six-stroke lead.
Whitley, who plays for the Lynn University Fighting Knights in Boca Raton, Florida, came out focused on seeing out the win and got off to a terrific star with a birdie on the first hole. He would finish the turn, two-under increasing his tournament total to 10-under. Meanwhile, others around him struggled. Both of his playing partners in the final group, Thornhill’s Ryan Tsang and Waterloo’s Luke Moser struggled early and dropped out of contention.
On the back nine, Whitley continued to dominate. He added another four birdies and finished the day five-under (66) to bring his tournament total to 13-under (72-67-66-66-271).
After the win, Whitley spoke about what winning the Ontario Amateur meant to him. “It feels great! I have been playing in these events for a long time and to finally win one is a great feeling. Coming into the final round I just knew it wasn’t over and I needed to play well, keep pressing and making birdies because anything can happen out here.”
Whitley credited his victory to his strong wedge play. “My wedges were great! I hit many good, close, three and four-footers from 100-yards in, which really helped my game.”
Now he will turn his attention to the Canadian Men’s Amateur, Aug. 10-13, at Weston Golf & Country Club and Lambton Golf & Country Club in Toronto, something that he is quite excited about. “I’ll be gearing up for the Canadian Amateur. I’d really like to win that and have a good finish there.”
Finishing second was Napanee’s Josh Whalen. The Napanee Golf & Country Club member shot a four-under (67) during the final round to claim the silver medal at six-under for the tournament (70-72-69-67-278).
Finishing in a three-way tie for third at one-under for the tournament were: Unionville’s Max Sear (69-69-75-70-283), Woodbridge’s Dave Bunker (71-74-70-68-283) and Shanty Bay’s Mitch Macleod (69-74-72-68-283).
After a playoff, Macleod joined Whitley and Whalen as representatives for Ontario in the inter-provincial team competition at the Canadian Men’s Amateur.
The GAO would like to thank the Peterborough Golf & Country Club, along with their staff and volunteers for helping to run the event. Thanks also to all of the GAO volunteers and title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.
The Investors Group Ontario Amateur Championship was first played in 1923 at Lakeview Golf and Country Club, and has a rich history of former champions. Past winners include 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir (1990 & 1992), Gerry Kesselring ( ‘49, ‘51, ‘52, ‘53), professional players Jon Mills (2001), Corey Conners (2010), Albin Choi (2012), Chris Hemmerich (2014) and Gary Cowan, who holds the record for the most Ontario Amateur Championships with nine (’64, ’68, ’71, ’74, ’74, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’81 & ’84).
Chloe Currie wins playoff to capture 2015 Investors Group Junior Girls’ Championship
Peter MacKellar
KANATA— Heading into the final round of the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Investors Group Junior Girls’ Championship, at Loch March Golf & Country Club, it looked like it was a formality and that Port Credit’s Chloe Currie would walk away with the trophy. However, Hornby’s Alexandra Naumovski had other plans.
Beginning the day, Currie, from the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club, held a six-stroke lead and Naumovski, from the Brampton Golf Club, was seven shots back. However, Currie, a member of Team Ontario, would shoot a five-over (77), opening the door for Naumovski. Naumovski finished her final round, two-under (70) and forced a playoff with the two players tied at 13-over for the tournament.
During the playoff, Currie landed her approach shot to within four-feet of the hole, while Naumovski overshot the green. That led to Currie sinking her birdie putt to survive the charge and hang on to win the Junior Girls’ Championship (75-73-76-77-301).
After the win, Currie talked about her week. “I felt good about my game, I was striking my irons well and hitting my three wood and hybrid consistently. The first round went well and then I built a big lead after the second. The third round played out normally and then today, well the front nine was interesting but I pulled it together on the back nine.”
Currie went on to talk about the late charges from her competitors. “Both Alex and Kristen played really well today. The playoff was definitely a highlight because I put it close to the hole and was able to make the birdie putt. Standing on 18 for the playoff I was nervous. I had never been in one before and I knew how close I was to winning a major tournament. It is just an honour to win because of all the great past champions. ”
While her charge fell just short, Naumovski still had a strong tournament and captured the silver medal (79-80-72-70-301). Rounding out the top three was Richmond Hill’s Kristen Wong at 16-over (78-78-74-74-304). Both Naumovski and Wong will join Currie on Team Ontario for the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Junior Girls’ Championship, Aug. 4-7, at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
The GAO would like to thank the host club Loch March, along with their staff and volunteers for helping to run the event. Thanks also to all of the GAO volunteers along with title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province. For all tournament information and the final leaderboard see the tournament site at: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1521/index.htm
About the Investors Group Junior Girls’ Championship
The Investors Group Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship is contested annually and features Ontario’s best amateur female golfers age 18 and under. Established in 1927, the championship is being played for the 81st time this summer and 2015 marks the first time Loch March Golf & Country Club has hosted. The event has a wealth of notable past champions including World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit, Sandra Post, Sue Hilton, Alena Sharp, Jennifer Kirby and Brooke Henderson.
