Golf Ontario is proud to announce Owen Rigg as Regional Manager for Northern Ontario
Owen joined Golf Ontario February 7, 2023 as we expand our reach across the province in the delivery of our Regional Support Strategy (RSS). As a Director with the Northern Golf Association (NGA), Owen understands the unique challenges faced by Northern Ontario facility operators. He will be able to leverage the many relationships he has built over the years to ensure the successful introduction of the RSS with facilities and stakeholders in the region.
In welcoming Owen to the team, Chief Sport Officer Kyle McFarlane said; “Golf Ontario is extremely excited to welcome Owen to our team. He has played such a huge role in the development of golf in Northern Ontario and we look forward to the launch of the Regional Support Strategy in the region under his leadership. We are extremely confident that Owen brings the experience and skillset necessary to the role.”
Owen is not only an accomplished golfer as the Northern Ontario Amateur (2010) and Junior (2004) Champion, but is also a member of the Northern Ontario Course Rating team and served as Tournament Chair for the 2021 Golf Canada NextGen Fall Series East Championship. A member of Hollinger Golf Club, Owen brings a wealth of golf experience to the role. Away from the golf course he is the Referee in Chief for District One of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, a Hockey Canada Regional High Performance Hockey Official and President of the Timmins U18 Hockey League.
“My passion for golf is undeniable and to have the chance to help the development and delivery of Golf Ontario’s vision and mission in Northern Ontario is amazing,” Owen shared. “The Regional Support Strategy is a great way for us to work with facilities to ensure the delivery of programs and initiatives designed to support the growth and sustainability of golf in the Region.”
ABOUT THE REGIONAL SUPPORT STRATEGY
The Regional Support Strategy was designed to build and strengthen relationships with facilities and amongst facilities in the same region. Golf Ontario is committed to the health and sustainability of golf in all regions across the province. Built on trust and collaboration, our collective business success, as well as our ability to grow the game, will far exceed what any one of us can do alone.
ABOUT GOLF ONTARIO:
Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 540 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to Shaping Lives Through Golf.
Golf Ontario is excited to announce the 2023 Team Ontario athletes, which features the top young golfers in the province. Featuring 14 members Team Ontario will have a strong squad heading into the 2023 competitive season. Five members will return from the 2022 team, and will be eagerly joined by nine new athletes.
The five returning athletes include Emma Hansen (Blue Springs Golf Club), Krystal Li (Summit Golf & Country Club), Zach Smith (Brampton Golf & Country Club), Isaiah Ibit (Camelot Golf & Country Club) and Luke Smith (The Thornhill Club) all of whom enjoyed a strong 2022 season. These Team Ontario veterans had some great achievements in 2022, including a win at the Golf Ontario Junior Tour Championship for Zach Smith and Luke Smith finishing the season as the top Ontario Junior Boy on the Junior Golf Pathway Rankings.
Joining the team on the female side are five elite players, who all had a top level 2022 championship season. The top ranked Ontario Junior Girl in 2022, Kelly Zhao (Station Creek Golf Club), and 2022 Ontario Women’s Four Ball Champion, Alexa Ouellet (Weston Golf and Country Club) will be joining the program. Alongside them is Joline Truong, Aryn Matthews (Bigwin Island Golf Club) and Emily McKee (St. George’s Golf and Country Club) who capped off her season in the same fashion as teammate Zach Smith with a win at the Ontario Junior Tour Championship.
New athletes to the Team on the boy’s side include four players with some strong achievements over the course of this past season. Perhaps, the most impressive end to the season was from Marshall Bath (Oshawa Golf and Curling Club) finishing his season with a top 4 at the Ontario Juvenile Boys Championship and a T3 at the Ontario Junior Tour Championship. Also joining the team are Graydon Laughlin (Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club), who was runner up at the Ontario Junior Tour Championship, as well as Jordan Hwang (Emerald Hills Golf & Country Club) and Ryan Zhao (Bayview Golf & Country Club) who both found themselves finish the season inside the top 10 of the Under 17 Junior Golf Pathway Rankings.
Team Ontario will be led by Head Provincial Coach, PGA of Canada Class “A” professional Reggie Millage. With a focus on the team’s vision, mission, and values aimed at inspiring lifelong excellence. This is Coach Millage’s 10th season as Coach of Team Ontario and he had this to say about the new team. “This year we had a large number of athletes move on to focus on NCAA golf and that opened the door for 9 new Team members. Every new cycle comes with excitement and energy but this group of athletes come to Team O with strong results already. That makes myself and the coaching staff very excited about helping this team reach new levels of performance. We have already witnessed at our first camp how much potential this group has. We think this might be one of the best squads we’ve seen.”
Coach Millage will work to help team members grow as golfers while also instilling habits that will lead to success throughout life. Additional support from the Integrated Support Team comprised of Dr. Nick Martichenko; Strength & Conditioning Coach and Dr. Charles Fitzsimmons; Sport Psychologist will help enhance the athletes’ skills through fitness, nutrition, and development of the mental side of the game.
With a heavy focus on training and athlete development, the Team Ontario program has been built to maximize the success of these athletes. This year, Team Ontario will be taking on a new off-season schedule aimed at providing more green grass training opportunities. Along with the Team’s first away camp at the International Junior Golf Academy at Bishop’s Gate, outside Orlando Florida from January 11th – 17th. Two more green grass camps will be introduced in February and March, with the Can Am Matches in South Carolina wrapping things up for the team as they look ahead to spring 2023.
Congratulations to all of the 2023 Team Ontario members. Golf Ontario, along with our members, volunteers, and partners, look forward to cheering the team on throughout the 2023 competitive season.
About Team Ontario
The Team Ontario program is a unique opportunity for identified athletes in Ontario. These athletes can expect to receive the very best in coaching services, training/competitive opportunities, and peer support as they continue their journey towards excellence in golf and life. Being selected to be part of the Team Ontario program is a tremendous accomplishment but the hard work and dedication doesn’t end at selection. The Team Ontario program places considerable emphasis on developing life long excellence in all facets. As such, athletes in the program will receive guidance on themes like time and self-management, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, tactical strategies, and technical feedback.
Vision: Team Ontario will inspire lifelong excellence on and off the golf course
Mission: Leading the development of junior golfers to succeed in golf and in life
2023 Team Ontario Values: Respect, Commitment, Hard Working, Supportive
Team Ontario would like to thank partners TaylorMade and adidas, as official equipment and clothing providers.
Registration Now Open for the Inaugural Ontario Junior Players Invitational
Golf Ontario
Registration Now Open for the Inaugural Ontario Junior Players Invitational
Presented by
Golf Ontario is proud to announce the addition of the Ontario Junior Players Invitational presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach to the 2023 Golf Ontario Championship Schedule. The tournament scheduled March 13-14 at River Hills Golf & Country Club in Little River, South Carolina, is exclusively for 60 Junior (U19) Boys & Girls from Ontario.
The Ontario Junior Players Invitational provides Ontario junior players an opportunity to participate in a competition to prepare them for the upcoming golf season. Tournament invitations will be sent to the top players on the 2022 Junior Golf Pathway Rankings. There will also be an opportunity for juniors outside the rankings to participate through a performance based application process.
In addition to the tournament on March 13-14, Golf Ontario will be offering a limited training experience with Team Ontario athletes and coaches during the 2023 March Break. Details will be announced on tournament website on January 30th.
Golf Ontario Welcomes Two New Additions to the Board of Directors
Golf Ontario
As Golf Ontario’s valued stakeholders, staff, and Board of Directors welcome the 2022 season with open arms and a bright vision of Golf for All, we are delighted to announce the extension of President and Vice-President terms and the introduction of two new directors to the board.
Respectively, Susan Vail and Leslie Ferrari have served on the board since 2017 and 2018. Elected to President and Vice-President of the Board of Directors in 2021, the extension of their terms for another year will allow Golf Ontario to continue its forward momentum in growing the game of golf with the support of their dedicated leadership. With our focus on Golf for All,Vail wants to build on the framework created in 2021 with the help of Korn Ferry. “We have a plan, a policy and committed staff and board members ready to help create welcoming environments for underserved groups. These groups include youth, women, people of colour, people with disabilities, indigenous peoples, the 2SLGBTQ+ community… and many others who have not yet had the opportunity to experience what golf has to offer,” explained Vail. “The bar was raised in 2021. Let’s do even more in 2022 to shape lives through golf!”
Joining the Board of Directors in 2022, we welcome David Herrera and Julian Franklin.
Head of People and Organization Analytics for Korn Ferry, David Herrera joins the Golf Ontario Board of Directors with more than 15 years of consulting experience. A passionate DE&I practitioner and subject matter expert, David has advised several organizations globally to become more diverse and inclusive to their talent and customers/clients.
“As a visible minority, immigrant, member of the LGBTQ+ community, and management consultant, I hope that I can bring my experience and perspectives to make Golf more accessible to all and continue to have a positive impact in our communities,” explained Herrera.
While David is an amateur golfer, he has found passion in the game and supporting the development of communities and youth. He joins the board with ambitions to “develop an awareness of the benefits of golf and implement initiatives that will improve the accessibility of golf in Ontario.”
Following two challenging years, Herrera believes that “2022 should be a year of building bridges and stronger communities, and golf should be one of many enablers of this.”
A Canadian Marketing Hall of Fame member, Julian Franklin is a business leader with 20+ years of client and agency experience in consumer goods and the sporting industry. Julian’s expertise includes strategic planning, communications, and marketing. His career is distinguished by marketing leadership roles in Canada and the United States, where he has worked for industry-leading organizations.
“I am hoping to bring a perspective of someone whose affinity and passion for the game has grown as an adult,” expressed Franklin. “This perspective brings an understanding of how important a sport like golf can be to help shape our personal and professional outlooks.”
Julian’s corporate governance experience is extensive. He is also a Founding Member of POCAM (People of Colour in Advertising & Marketing). This association advocates the inclusion and advancement of Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour (BIPOC) within Marketing.
In joining the board, he aims to help “increase the participation and positive impact of golf at the youth and adult levels, for racialized and marginalized communities across Ontario.”
Please click here to learn more about Golf Ontario’s Board of Directors.
“The bar was raised in 2021. Let’s do even more in 2022 to shape lives through golf!”
Susan Vail, President, Golf Ontario
ABOUT GOLF ONTARIO:
The Golf Association of Ontario, operating as “Golf Ontario”, is the Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 500 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to Shaping Lives Through Golf.
For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing Communications – Golf Ontario pmackellar@gao.ca
Today, and with this commitment to DEI in mind, Golf Ontario is thrilled to announce the launch of the Indigenous Ontario Golf Championship, the first provincial golf championship for indigenous people in Canada. “It is our honour to play a role in this inaugural championship event,” said Susan Vail, President of Golf Ontario. Open to golfers of First Nations (North American Indian), Métis, or Inuk (Inuit) descent, the inaugural Indigenous Ontario Golf Championship will be held on September 19-20, 2022, at the MontHill Golf and Country Club, hosted by Chief Mark Hill and the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. “Step by step, we are transforming the face of golf,” added Vail.
The Indigenous Ontario Golf Championship will be a 36-hole competition, taking place over two days and will be open to Ontario residents who are of First Nations, Métis, or Inuk descent. There will be both a Gross Championship division, and a Net Stableford division, and will be open to men and women of all ages.
Following the successful launch of the Ontario Disability Championship in 2019, the Indigenous Ontario Golf Championship will be another example of new ways to engage more people as part of Golf Ontario’s Championship schedule. “We are very excited to be launching the inaugural Indigenous Ontario Golf Championship in 2022 at Monthill Golf & Country Club”, said Mike Kelly, CEO of Golf Ontario. “As an organization, we have made significant strides in championing the advancement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and this new Championship will be another great example of new opportunities for all golfers and platform to build relationships with Indigenous communities for years to come. MontHill Golf & Country Club is built on First Nations land and will be a fantastic host for the first year of the Championship”, continued Kelly.
Golf Ontario will continue working closely with Indigenous leaders across the province to ensure that the launch of this Championship will be met with significant interest and excitement.
“We want to thank Golf Ontario for their commitment to growing the game of golf, and for launching the new Indigenous Ontario Golf Championship” said Championship Co-Chair Steve Tooshkenig. “This new Championship represents an amazing opportunity for people of all indigenous backgrounds to play in a true provincial championship and test their games against some of the best indigenous golfers in the province. Having both a net and gross division, will ensure that this event will attract golfers from a wide range of playing abilities, making it truly an inclusive event”, said Tooshkenig.
MontHill Golf and Country Club will be an ideal host for the inaugural Indigenous Ontario Golf Championship. “MontHill G & CC is honoured to host the inaugural Indigenous Golf Championship. Our 27 holes and world class facilities will provide a great setting for this special tournament. We look forward to an event that not only showcases great golf, but also leads to introduction, access, and growth of the game in First Nation communities,” said Championship Co-Chair Jesse Smith.
Details on player eligibility and registration will be available in the coming weeks.
“We are very excited to be launching the inaugural Indigenous Ontario Golf Championship in 2022 at Monthill Golf & Country Club“
Mike Kelly, CEO, Golf Ontario
ABOUT GOLF ONTARIO:
Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 500 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to Shaping Lives Through Golf.
ABOUT MONTHILL GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB:
MontHill is one of the premier golf destinations in Southern Ontario. Located in the heart of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, built on Indigenous land, and just 15 minutes from Hamilton airport, MontHill Golf & Country Club is committed to providing its members with an exceptional experience, both on and off the course. The professionally designed 27-hole, well-maintained golf course has some of the finest manicured greens in the area and will provide a great test for the Championship golfers.
For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing Communications – Golf Ontario pmackellar@gao.ca
Heartfelt condolences on the passing of Bill Duffield
Golf Ontario
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Duffield. A long-time volunteer and rules official and the 2007 President of the Golf Association of Ontario, Bill’s commitment to golf was unmatched.
Bill was the recipient of the Syl Apps Special Achievement Award in 2008.
Golf Ontario Championship Schedule is back in Full Swing in 2022
Golf Ontario
Uxbridge, ON – The Golf Ontario Championship Schedule returns to a full slate of events in 2022, showcasing our elite competitions across all championship categories. This is exciting news, and Golf Ontario is pleased to present the qualifiers, championships, and gracious host clubs for the entire 2022 Golf Ontario championship season.
With scheduling challenges related to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, Golf Ontario is bringing back many key events in 2022, and adding some exciting new ones. The Ontario Senior Men’s Match Play and separate Bantam (U15) and Juvenile (U17) Championships return for the 2022 season. Also, for the first time since 2009, a women’s division will be offered in the Ontario Public Amateur Championship. Any female players with a Golf Canada Public Player membership or a member of a Type 1 Golf Club (with property) that is not private or member of a Type 2 Golf Club (without property) are eligible to register for the event.
To View The Full 2022 Championship Schedule And Registration Opening Dates, CLICK HERE.
The 2022 schedule will feature 23 provincial championships hosted by member clubs across Ontario. “We are thrilled to be returning to a full lineup of events in 2022. I am proud of the work our team has done to deliver strong championship schedules in 2020 and 2021, in the face of significant scheduling challenges. We know the popularity of golf continues to skyrocket, and we look forward to some amazing events and world class facilities in 2022”, said John Lawrence, Director of Competitions and Performance.
In addition, we continue to ensure that the health and safety of all involved will continue to be our top priority as we adjust COVID-19 protocols accordingly over the upcoming months. “We’re looking forward to the return of warmer weather and getting back on the course to play the sport so many Ontarians have found a passion for,” expressed Golf Ontario Executive Director, Mike Kelly. “We’ve proven over the last two years that golf is safe and we will continue to promote a positive golf experience for our member facilities, players, volunteers, and staff.”
Registration for the 2022 Golf Ontario championship season will begin on Friday, February 18th, with staggered opening dates across the championships. We will continue to make announcements of any additional dates and venues or changes moving forward.
Highlights of the 2022 championship schedule:
The 2022 Championship season will tee off with the annual Junior Spring Classics, hosted over Victoria Day weekend
The 100th running of the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship takes to the prestigious Scarboro Golf and Country Club
Timberwolf Golf Club will host the 100th running of the Ontario Junior (U19) Boys’ Championship, the first Ontario Junior Championship held at Timberwolf GC since 2014
The Ontario Summer Games return in 2022 (more information to follow on qualifying)
Loyalist Golf and Country Club will welcome the 107th Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship just after Canada Day
South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club, a large supporter of junior golf with high NCAA success, will host their second ever Golf Ontario Championship
The Ontario Junior (U19) Boys and Girls Match Play Championship will be held by Port Hope Golf and Country Club, which was nominated for the 2021 Golf Digest remodel of the Year Award
Woodington Lake Golf Club welcomes back the Ontario Disabilities Championship for its fourth annual running (as well as hosting the Ontario Open, a PGA Tour Canada event)
Golf Ontario would like to thank those who have committed thus far to hosting tournaments, and for their continued support heading into the 2022 Championship season. For more information, visit our Provincial Championships page.
If you have any questions, you can email us at tournaments@gao.ca or contact one of our Competitions team members listed below:
Connor Doyle – Coordinator of Competition (905) 852-1101 ext. 229
Rob Watson – Manager of Competitions (905) 852-1101 ext. 223
About Golf Ontario
Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450-member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to shaping lives through Golf.
Stay Connected on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook.
The Junior Golf Pathway Webinar Series is an informative web series providing Junior Golfers with access to industry professionals to help them learn and develop this off-season. The 2022 Webinar Series will have a variety of speakers and topics that will be useful to Junior Golfers at each level of the developmental pathway.
Please see below for more details on speakers, dates, times and other important information.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to reach the College golf level? On Friday, February 11th at 6:00 p.m., tune in with JGP & Coach Herb Page
Page served as the Head Men’s Golf Coach at Kent State University for decades and knows what it takes to succeed in college golf. He has also coached big names like Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, and Taylor Pendrith at Kent State.
FULL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE INCLUDING QUALIFIERS – TO BE RELEASED MONDAY JANUARY 31ST
Golf Ontario is planning to release a full schedule of events on Monday, January 31st. Featuring a full slate of qualifiers for each championship event. This will include the return of the Ontario Senior Men’s Match Play and separate (U15) Bantam and (U17) Juvenile Championship dates.
TOURNAMENT WEBSITES & INFORMATION AVAILABLE MONDAY FEBRUARY 14TH
All information related to each championship including eligibility, exemptions, fees and other important details will be available through gao.ca on Monday, February 14th.
TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION OPENING DATES – TO BEGIN MONDAY FEBRUARY 21ST
To provide everyone equal opportunity to register for the events they want. Golf Ontario will once again stagger the opening dates across the championships, the first tournament registration openings will be Monday, February 21st. A timeline of these registration opening dates will be announced alongside our full schedule announcement on January 31st.
Players who are exempt from a championship will receive a special invitation to register after the opening date.
Golf Ontario Provincial Rules Level Webinars – Registration Now Open!
Golf Ontario
NOTE: Due to the recent government restrictions, Golf Ontario has cancelled the in-person rules workshops planned for this spring. The Provincial Rules Level will now only be available through a series of webinars.
Golf Ontario’s Provincial Level Rules of Golf Webinars take an in-depth look at the concepts, procedures and outcomes that are more intuitive and easier to learn in today’s game. The webinars will cover Rules 1 to 20 as well as definitions. Each session will be approximately 2 hours in length. Participants will be given weekly reading assignments and quiz questions. An emphasis will be placed on solving Rules problems by using the Rules of Golf book.
The Provincial Level Webinars are designed for PGA professionals, individuals with an involvement in tournament administration or individuals that have a desire to become a provincial Referee. Provincial Level certification is required for those participants proceeding to the National Level.
Webinar Series 1 – (Tuesdays from 9am to 11am)
Jan 25, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
15 Attendees Max
Webinar Series 2 – (Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm)
Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
15 Attendees Max
Registration is on a first-come and first-serve basis and is only available online. The registration deadline for the webinars is January 24th
