Volunteering
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Golf Ontario. We work hard to be one of North America’s leading Amateur Golf Associations. Our success is directly attributed to the fact that we have some of the finest and most knowledgeable volunteers in the Province. Golf Ontario Volunteers provide a wide range of services to directly support our initiatives for players and facilities throughout Ontario. Our volunteers’ unwavering support and commitment help us achieve our Mission of Shaping Lives by Connecting People to Positive Golf Experiences.
Volunteers serve in several key areas, including Tournaments, Rules, Course Rating, Committee and Board of Directors. Some volunteers help out three or four days a year while others work more than 20 days yearly – it all depends on your level of interest and availability. The majority of these opportunities take place on weekdays throughout the golf season.
If you love the game of golf and are passionate about growing the sport, want to meet like-minded people and make new friends, join our team today!
Click links to learn more:
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Volunteer Roles
Tournament Official
Volunteers help administer over 100 Qualifiers and Championships each year. Tournament officials assist with registration, starting, scoring and pace of play timers.Each tournament is adequately staffed with Certified Rules Referees experienced in officiating and extremely knowledgeable in the rules of golf. Tournament officials begin signing up for qualifiers and championships around the end of January. Wherever possible, officials will be assigned prior to the start of the season. In determining assignments, considerations are given to minimizing travel and associated costs, level of experience and assigning new officials with experienced officials to provide training.
Take a look at the Tournament Officials manual for a more in depth description of the roles and responsibilities.
Referee
Golf Ontario requires certified Referees to volunteer at Provincial qualifiers and championships and assist other organizations such as the Ontario PGA, Ontario Colleges and Universities. To be involved as a Referee at Provincial events one must have completed at minimum Level 2 of the Golf Canada rules of golf education program. In addition, Referees must have an excellent understanding of the Rules of Golf and have the ability to work as a team member while making decisions under pressure.If you have not successfully completed one of the levels of rules training but wish to work towards becoming a Golf Ontario Rules Referee, please start your training by applying to become a Golf Ontario Tournament Volunteer. Active Golf Ontario volunteers are eligible to receive rules education subsidies.
For further information about Golf Canada’s rules of golf education program click here
For additional information on becoming a Rules Referee please contact John Lawrence at jlawrence@gao.ca.
Course Rating
All Clubs are rated upon joining Golf Ontario and periodically have their rating reviewed as the course ages or as design changes are made to the course. In any given year up to 70 courses may require a visit from a trained Course Rating Team. Course Raters must be flexible and organized – an affinity for math or statistics is a definite asset. There is a detailed training program for new and experienced raters that includes both in class and on course training. Teams are located throughout the province and are under the direction of a Team Leader.The opportunity for a volunteer to become a member of a course rating team depends upon the availability of a position on a team within the volunteer’s area. Course rating volunteers not placed immediately will be placed on the waiting list and encouraged to become involved in other areas where we are in need of volunteers.
For further information or discuss opportunities please contact Austin Ryan at aryan@gao.ca.
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Volunteer Engagement Framework
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Volunteer Application Form
To apply please complete the online Volunteer Application Form.
Once your application has been received, we will contact you with information on the next steps to begin your involvement with Golf Ontario. Please note that individuals will be required to complete the necessary training and screening process applicable to their role, as per the Screening Policy, that includes a police records check.
Applications are accepted year-round, but most assignments are seasonal. If an application is submitted after May 1st, it may not be processed or considered until the following season.
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Volunteer Recognition
At Golf Ontario, we deeply value and recognize the immense contributions our volunteers make to the success of our programs and events. Their time, effort, and dedication are the driving force behind the vibrant golfing community we build together.
To express our gratitude, we host an annual Fall Volunteer Appreciation Day, celebrating all our volunteers, including those who have made a significant impact throughout the season. This event gives us the chance to thank them for their unwavering support. During this event we acknowledge milestone years of service, as well as proudly announce the recipients of the Volunteer of the Year Award and the Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award.
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Volunteer Manuals
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Volunteer Login