The Team Ontario program, established in 2009, is dedicated to fostering excellence across all aspects of life for its athletes. Participants benefit from comprehensive guidance on time and self-management, physical strength and conditioning, mental sports psychology, nutrition, as well as tactical and technical strategy.
In addition to Chun and Anderson, notable players to come through the program include Ashton McCulloch, Max Sear, Johnny Travale, Nicole Gal, Hailey McLaughlin and Katie Cranston.
Entitled the “Spring Tune-Up,” the webinar will look four main areas of interest:
What is Body-Swing Connection?
The importance of having a good warm up routine.
How to warm up properly & fire your muscles to create a consistent movement pattern.
What can you do in preparation for the upcoming golf season?
In addition to the live webinar, Swing Lab has also created supplementary PDF, which offers deeper insights into the webinar topic. The webinar will also be recorded so Golf Ontario can re-watch in the future.
Located in Richmond Hill, Ont., Swing Lab’s primary goal is to assist golfers in developing a consistent and efficient swing.
The National Facility Awards for Junior Golf is a program designed to acknowledge the crucial contribution of golf facilities and academies to the growth of young golfers throughout Canada. These awards celebrate the facilities that have notably influenced the progression of junior golf within their local communities throughout the 2023 season.
Sawmill was recognized with the “Junior Golf Opportunity Award,” which is awarded to the facility that provides exceptional access and membership opportunities for junior golfers.
The “Grassroots Junior Program of the Year,” which is awarded for excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming, was given to Deep River.
South Muskoka was awarded with the “Tournament Host of the Year” for giving back to youth golf by embracing the opportunity to host junior competitions.
From September 1 to October 31, 2023, all individual members and facility members of Golf Canada were able to nominate facilities for each award category.
All nominations were reviewed and feedback about nominees was provided by members of the Golf Industry Advisory Council, Sport Committee, and Amateur Championships Committee. Final award selections were made by Golf Canada staff.
Nominations for the 2024 National Facility Awards for Junior Golf are expected to open in September 2024.
This National Volunteer Week, we at Golf Ontario are honoured to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of over 250 volunteers from across the province.
At the heart of Golf Ontario, our volunteers are the lifeblood in a variety of critical areas, including championships, rules, course rating, and governance on committees and our board of directors. They are the sport’s ambassadors and an essential part of our team, enabling us to deliver exceptional programming and experiences to golfers, partners, and industry stakeholders.
Throughout the week, join us on social media as we showcase our remarkable volunteers. We’ll be sharing their inspirational stories and the fulfillment they derive from being an integral part of our community.
During National Volunteer Week, we’re excited to present a series of “Officials Days,” celebrating the dedicated volunteer officials who are instrumental in orchestrating our tournaments and competitions. This is a special time when they come together to inaugurate the 2024 season.
Interested in becoming part of the Golf Ontario volunteer family? Find out more about the opportunities and rewards on our Volunteering Resource page HERE.
With spring upon us, we’re thrilled about the upcoming golf season. We’re in the final stages of preparing our Women’s Try Golf schedule and can’t wait to share the exciting details with you.
This year marks the fourth season of our Women’s Try programs, and we’re delighted to introduce monthly Learn opportunities to the summer schedule. Our TRY events are all about welcoming the beginner golfer, while our LEARN events will offer the chance to build fundamental skills and deepen your understanding of the game.
The growth of women’s golf is inspiring, and we’re passionate about inviting even more women to experience the sport. We’re always exploring ways to facilitate continued engagement through the Women’s Participation Pathway, with the help of our partners and local facilities.
If you’ve been playing more often or have attended multiple Women’s Try events before, why not explore ‘next step’ opportunities with our partners Iron Lady Golf and LPGA Amateurs? They offer a diverse range of fantastic ways for you to TRY, LEARN, and PLAY even more frequently!
Are you ready to make this your best summer of golf yet? Join an Iron Lady Golf Summer League for weekly play with guaranteed tee times, league captains providing support, monthly tip sessions, and so much more. These leagues aren’t just about golf; they’re about forming meaningful connections, enjoying the sport in a supportive atmosphere, and, most importantly, having a great time!
Iron Lady Golf Leagues welcome players of all skill levels. Whether you’re just starting out or have a wealth of experience, whether you’re playing a leisurely round or keeping score, you’ll find your place here.
The LPGA Amateur Golf Association is the ultimate golf community for women, bringing together players from all walks of life, of all ages and abilities, in a friendly and inclusive setting. You’ll expand your network, forge new friendships, and share in the love of golf. With over 300 events across Ontario, we offer organized, social golf experiences along with educational opportunities to enhance your gameplay.
Golf offers a fantastic chance to bring friends and family into the game, whether they’re newcomers or interested in learning. It’s the perfect mix of fun, laughter, and sunshine.
We’re excited to see the joy golf will bring you this season! #inviteher to Try golf!
From Lone Player to Community Leader: Chief Ted Williams’ Golf Journey
Golf Ontario
Chief Ted Williams is a complex individual, yet his reason for taking up golf nearly 40 years ago—and why he continues to play today—is quite straightforward.
“Golf is enjoyable,” Williams concedes. “Now, what I find most rewarding about the sport is the opportunity to meet new people and cultivate relationships on the course.”
In his youth, Williams was an avid hockey and softball player. He ventured into golf at the age of 28 with a solo round at Lake St. George Golf Club in Washago, Ontario. For the initial six or seven years, Williams exclusively played alone.
“I used to have this pronounced left-to-right shot that I was somewhat self-conscious about, so I’d play alone, early in the morning,” Williams recalls. “I also had a young family and that meant if I wanted to play, I had to be out at dawn and back by breakfast time.”
Eventually, Williams grew increasingly fond of golf and, in 1993, was invited to participate in the club championship at Lake St. George. He had never played competitively, but without any preconceived notions or competitive history, he entered the championship—and won, igniting a remarkable streak of victories and notable finishes that continues to this day.
“The triumph at that first club championship in ’93 spurred my interest in competitive golf,” Williams reflects. “I dedicated myself to improving, to mastering the diverse shots and learning how to score even on off days.”
Williams reclaimed the Lake St. George club championship in 1999. He dominated the Hawk Ridge Golf Club championship for eight consecutive years and won the Horseshoe Valley club championship in 2011. He’s competed in numerous Ontario and Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur tournaments and even attempted to qualify for the PGA TOUR Champions Tour at age 50. While he didn’t qualify, he was the leading amateur finisher that week.
He has also competed in the Indigenous Ontario Championship and is an enthusiastic supporter, planning to participate again this year.
“The Indigenous Ontario Championship is a magnificent event for many reasons,” Williams states. “It celebrates the remarkable talent of Indigenous golfers throughout the province.”
Williams has been a steadfast supporter of Indigenous communities nationwide for many years. He was elected Chief of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation at the age of 27. Now, approaching 70 and with extensive corporate experience, he has returned as Chief of Rama First Nation, serving his community in various capacities.
Once predominantly a softball community, Rama First Nation has embraced golf.
“Just a decade ago, you could count on two hands the number of golfers in our community,” Williams acknowledges. “Today, we have over a hundred people of all ages enjoying the game.”
Williams credits the pandemic with introducing many in his community to golf, but believes there are additional factors that have sustained their interest.
“The pandemic certainly boosted golf’s popularity province-wide, and that’s reflected in our community,” he says. “Yet, our people have kept at it because the game is enjoyable and the golf course feels like a welcoming place, where they can connect with familiar faces from the community.”
As he reflects on a lifetime of achievements, both on the course and within his community, Williams looks forward to nurturing the next generation of golfers, ensuring that the legacy of unity and enjoyment he helped to establish continues to flourish for years to come.
As April marks the observance of Celebrate Diversity Month, it presents Golf Ontario with a wonderful opportunity to share inspiring stories and honour the diverse backgrounds and contributions of our members, volunteers, players, and colleagues.
Golf Ontario is thrilled to invite you to the heart of our community spirit and dedication – the 1000 Ball Challenge!
This year, we aim not just to meet but to exceed our collective potential in supporting the wonderful game of golf across our province. Inspired by our shared passion for golf and commitment to making it accessible to everyone, the 1000 Ball Challenge stands as a testament to what we can achieve together.
Why Your Participation Matters
All funds raised will directly fuel the GOLF FOR ALL FUND, supporting critical areas like:
Women and Girls Golf Youth Development Adaptive Golf Indigenous Golf
How It Works
Reach your fundraising goal of $5,000, then showcase your endurance by hitting 1000 golf balls at your chosen location. Whether individually or as a team, your effort will ripple across our community, inspiring and making a significant impact.
A new, full-time job opportunity is available at Golf Ontario.
To learn more about the Coordintator, Handicap and Course Rating role CLICK HERE.
The role summary is as follows:
Responsible for coordinating and implementing Golf Ontario’s member service strategy, including effectively onboarding new member facilities and delivering core services to facilities, including course rating and handicapping.
The ideal candidate is a dynamic, team-oriented individual who has a genuine passion and sound understanding of the game of golf with a keen attention to detail and excellent communication skills. With experience and an understanding of handicapping and course rating, the candidate is motivated to promote and build our member facility service program at Golf Ontario, including delivering high quality customer service to all partners and member facilities while collaborating with a diverse Team of colleagues and volunteers.
Golf Ontario is a Provincial Sports Organization and the governing body for golf in Ontario. With more than 80 years of history and tradition, serving 125,000 members, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. We strive to partner with a connected golf community to inspire the game of golf for all Ontarians, including youth, women and underserved communities.
With our vision of Golf for All, Golf Ontario is committed to creating a diverse and safe environment within our organization and across the sport of golf.
Golf Canada is highlighting the physical, mental, and social benefits that the sport can provide on Canadians through its brand-new Golf and Health campaign.
The campaign – Golf, It’s Good for You – launches this weekend leading into World Health Day April 7. All of the World Health Organization’s key criteria for health enhancing physical activity can be achieved through the sport of golf and Golf Canada is prioritizing communicating health as part of its strategic plan.
“We are proud to launch this campaign ahead of World Health Day to showcase the breadth and depth of mental, physical and social health benefits that the game of golf can provide for all participants,” said Tim McLaughlin, chief marketing officer with Golf Canada. “The campaign brings awareness to what Canadians think they know about golf with the many known health benefits they might not be aware of. We launched a website resource with the latest clinical research focused on golf and health. We are also working with golf clubs across the country to share this impact with golfers who are enjoying the game in record numbers. We have also made it easier for Canadians to track their health progress through new health tracking features and enhancements to our Golf Canada Mobile App.”
The Golf and Health campaign focuses on three key pillars: mental, physical, and social.
The mental benefits of golf include enhanced overall well-being, improved brain health, and helping to reduce the risk of dementia. Golf can also assist to boost confidence, promote increased focus and concentration, and help to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. Being out on the golf course can also help to slow down stress response and induces a feeling of calm.
As published in The R&A Golf and Health Report, and in addition to the mental benefits, the physical benefits of golf are undeniable. Research has shown that playing golf regularly can add five years to your life highlighted by the physical exercise, mental stimulation, and time spent outdoors while playing. As a physical activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, golf can also help to prevent or lessen the impact of over 40 different chronic illnesses including diabetes, cancer, along with heart attacks and stroke.
Golf is viewed as a moderately demanding form of exercise and is a great way to contribute to daily step goals. The average golfer walks 5,000 steps in a 9-hole round which is the equivalent of three to five kilometres. With nearly 2,300 golf courses in Canada including both public and private facilities, the sport is highly accessible and significant strides have been made in accessible technology to make the game more inclusive for the differently abled people of all ages.
The inherent social nature of the game is also an important factor in helping increase social well-being and is a great way to bond with old friends and meet new ones. It is a sport that welcomes families and partners to be active together and is also an effective way to network and build business relationships.
Operating as small businesses in communities across Canada, golf courses provide players of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to enjoy the game. Golf Canada is collaborating with the Provincial Associations to provide information and assets on the Golf and Health campaign to club operators across the country.
Golf Canada has launched a new website that highlights the benefits of the game including helpful resource information and articles – please visit health.golfcanada.ca to find out more.
The Golf Canada Mobile App continues to be the all-in-one place to track progress and connect with colleagues and friends. In support of the Golf and Health campaign, the app is providing significant health tracking enhancements to the golfer experience. In addition to tracking scores and stats, users can now gain valuable personal insights into how each round positively affects their health. New health stat features include number of steps, distance walked, stand time, calories burned, elevation gained and heart rate. Users will also be able to view health statistics over different periods of time all of which is private and secure within their profile. For more information on the Golf Canada Mobile App, please click here. To download on Apple devices click here, to download on Google Play devices, click here.
“Golf brings people together and has an incredible impact on our personal heath and well being,” added McLaughlin. “Whether through physical activity over a lifetime, mental health improvements or the wonderful social experience shared by family and friends, now is a great moment for the Golf and Health campaign to inspire golfers and new enthusiasts to consider the incredible impact that our sport is having on Canadians.”
The Golf, It’s Good for You campaign will run season long and be featured at Golf Canada championships and events including Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont. and the CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club Calgary, Alta.
Golf Ontario is excited to announce a new partnership with Swing Lab Theory.
This collaboration introduces a three-part Health and Wellness Webinar Series exclusively for Golf Ontario members. Swing Lab Theory, renowned for its expertise in golf performance and therapy, steps in as a key partner in this initiative.
“We’re excited to partner with a leader in golf movement performance and therapy centre, Swing Lab Theory,” says Golf Ontario’s CEO Kyle McFarlane. “The webinar series and additional content Swing Lab Theory is developing will be greatly beneficial to members, allowing them to enjoy the game of golf more through improving the connection between their body and their golf swing.”
The webinar series, accessible to all Golf Ontario members, focuses on three crucial areas:
Spring Tune-Up
In-Season Performance
Off-Season Training
Beyond the live webinars, Swing Lab Theory will also create supplementary materials, including a detailed PDF and video for each session, offering deeper insights into the webinar topics.
“Here at the Swing Lab, we have been helping golfers for the last several years and we are pleased to officially partner with Golf Ontario to help golfers all across Ontario improve their body-swing connection and ultimately play better golf,” says Michele Liew, Swing Lab Theory Founder and Owner.
Located in Richmond Hill, Ont., Swing Lab Theory operates as an independent facility committed to providing a positive and inclusive environment. Thanks to its team of dedicated golf therapists and performance specialists, the center caters to a wide range of golfers—from seasoned players and juniors to those recovering from injuries. The primary goal at Swing Lab Theory is to assist golfers in developing a consistent and efficient swing.
The inaugural webinar, titled “Spring Tune-Up,” is scheduled for April. Golf Ontario members are encouraged to stay tuned for further details via email and social media.
