Golf Ontario Celebrates Women in Golf on International Women’s Day
Golf Ontario
We caught up with just some of the passionate girls and women across our community recently, and asked them to share what it means to them to be a woman in golf in Ontario, and if there was a moment in their golf experience that made a major impact on them.
Barbara allan, volunteer -golf ontario & golf canada
We know that sport has the power to change lives. Girls who play golf tend to learn teamwork, self- reliance, resilience and confidence. All powerful skills that can create great leaders. I love watching young women playing golf and I’m very proud to be associated with both Golf Ontario and Golf Canada who provide so many opportunities for both young and older women to learn the sport, compete in the sport and to support the sport. We are so fortunate in Ontario to have many excellent female role models as players, as coaches, as volunteers, as golf course owners and even as golf course architects. And, as we all know, “if you can’t see, you can’t be it”. So on March 8th, let’s celebrate all that International Women’s Day means to golf and to all the opportunities that we have and can continue to create for female golfers. “Play like a Girl”
krystal li, team ontario 2023
Growing up, media coverage for the LPGA tour was not very big. Only recently, it started to change and women in golf are beginning to gain the attention and recognition they truly deserve. As a woman in golf, I believe I have the opportunity to represent this community to further develop the game for future generations. The sport has given me many new opportunities to grow and learn invaluable skills. I hope to inspire other girls to become more involved in sports and continue the progress we are making for female athletes today.
Emma Hansen (right) Team ontario 2023
I always felt like golf was always a very male dominated sport, I didn’t know many other female golfers and women’s golf was almost never broadcasted on TV. I’m glad to say that female golf is gaining its proper recognition now, and it means the world to me that I am a part of the generation where female golf is growing immensely. Golf means the world to me, and I am so proud that I am able to represent females in golf for Ontario. I hope that my fellow female competitors and I can continue being role models for the female golfers in the making.
swetha sathish, 2022 ontario jr. (u19) girls champion
Women in Sports have come a long way in the last few years with pay raises, more tournaments/tours, and more recognition on television. One of the sports that I have seen the most improvement in is golf. There is so much talent for women in sports and in golf right now, and I think we can prove to the world that we should be recognized. Women in Golf is an awesome movement to bring more women into this sport and help them feel belonged, and I think Golf Ontario is doing a great job by promoting this event every year and helping it grow. The more we can teach and get women interested in golf, the more we can help this sport grow in all parts of the world for everyone!
In my family tree, I am the only female athlete to have come far enough to play in provincial, national, and international tournaments at a junior age. I have tremendous support from my whole family and our friends. But, the most support I get is from my little cousins! They love to ask me about my tournaments and find out if I have won, and watch me play. They are so interested to learn and play golf when they grow up and go play in these high-level tournaments. When they ask me if I can teach them golf, and they say “I want to be like you when I grow up,” it inspires and motivates me to become better every day. I think to myself that one day I will be inspiring many more little girls to start playing golf, and grow this sport for the girls out there that can truly bring out their talent!
leslie ferrari, golf ontario president
I joined my golf club shortly after graduating and I didn’t know a soul. Over the past 47 years, I have participated in many events, draws and competitions. I started without a handicap and I’m now a single digit golfer. Most importantly, I have met hundreds of people through golf some I include in my family circle. These lasting connections will last a lifetime.
nancy bertrand, golf ontario board director
I think it is very important for women in business to participate in golf. Personally I started to golf when I first started at a law firm and the men left to go golfing but the women were not invited. Many women miss out on important business development and mentoring opportunities when they don’t know how to golf. Learning to golf is not only enjoyable but can be very helpful in a woman’s longer term career objectives.
Aja crawford, golf ontario cfo
Golf has and continues to play a significant role in my life, in wonderful and meaningful ways. Starting back as a student, I fondly recall enjoying the landscape and sunshine of Ontario summers outdoors on the golf course on a beverage cart. In my professional career as a finance professional, I have had the fortune of occupying leadership roles at member golf facilities, and at present here at Golf Ontario. Our vision of Golf for All and mission to shape lives by connecting people to positive golf experiences are statements that resonate, and are congruent with my personal values and philanthropic desires. Our association’s path forward is exciting!
As a Woman working in Golf, I am driven to be a positive influence and supporter of others in both the accounting profession and in business management, particularly in sport. In my personal life, golf talk continues – my husband also works in the golf industry as a Turfgrass Professional, we met nearly 20 years ago on course, sharing many friends in this wonderful industry. Today we raise our two young children with an active lifestyle, and cherish the memories we make as a family together, often on the golf course.
Amanda cookson, director of golf – Firerock & regional manager, golf ontario
For me this means so much more than just women playing the great game of golf. I would love to see in future years more women in the business of golf, whether that be reporting, managing or even creating golf courses. I am most excited to see Golf Ontario venture into creating hype over working in golf and all the benefits that come along with the game!
I will never forget the time when we hosted the 2019 University College National Championship and a players parents came up to me to say how their daughter couldn’t believe that it was a woman in charge of running the facility. Throughout the week I had many young ladies ask me about my career path and how I came to hold my position in golf. This was encouraging for me as they now can see someone who they can relate to in a senior leadership position as well as opening the conversation surrounding female empowerment in sport.
This International Women’s Day, Golf Ontario celebrates and acknowledges all the many contributions made by these young girls and women that are just a small part of the fabric of our golf community across Ontario. We thank them for being part of our mission to shape lives by creating positive golf experiences for all.
Uxbridge, ON – Golf Ontario is proud to announce its 2023 championship schedule, featuring the launch of the newly added Ontario Junior Players Invitational presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach, as well as the much-anticipated return of the Ontario Champion of Champion’s event.
The golf season is just around the corner and after a very successful 2022 season, the planning is well underway to continue the momentum into the 2023 season. In what should be another brilliant year for championship golf in Ontario, 2023 will include 11 of the top 100 golf courses in Canada, a number of new venues, and some returning prominent courses to host the best players in the province.
Registration Opening Dates and an updated 2023 Championship Schedule can be accessed by clicking the links below:
“We are proud and excited to announce one of the most diverse and inclusive championship schedules in amateur golf, catering to competitive golfers in Ontario working with many of Ontario’s most renowned golf clubs,” said Golf Ontario Director of Competitions and Performance John Lawrence. “Our 2023 venues are set to showcase an exciting season in communities across the province and we thank those clubs for hosting our events.”
Registration for the 2023 Golf Ontario championship season will begin on Friday, February 17th at 9:00am, with staggered opening dates across the championships. Golf Ontario will continue to make announcements once confirmation of dates are made on the outstanding locations.
Highlights of the 2023 championship schedule:
The 2023 Championship season will kick off with the inaugural Ontario Junior Players Invitational presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach. 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 Champion of Champion’s event returns, taking place May 15th at Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility. The event will be open to Men’s, Women’s, Senior Men’s & Women’s, and Junior Boys’ & Girls’ club champions from the 2022 season.
Burlington Golf & Country Club will host the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur June 20-22, for the second time since 2018, an event that saw past champion Garrett Rank go wire-to-wire winning by 10 strokes.
The 101st running of the Ontario Men’s Amateur shifts to one of eastern Ontario’s top golf courses at Black Bear Ridge Golf Resort, June 26-29.
Following the Canada Day weekend the City of Toronto and Donalda Club will welcome the province’s best female amateurs hosting the 108th Ontario Women’s Amateur & Mid-Amateur July 5-8.
Just a 30 minute drive north in the days following the Women’s event, Summit Golf and Country Club in Richmond Hill will host the 88th Ontario Junior Girls Championship
After two popular and successful events in 2022, South Muskoka Curling and Golf Club and Port Hope Golf and Country Club will once again host the Ontario Peewee (U13) Boys & Girls Championship July 31-Aug 1, and the Ontario Junior Boys & Girls Match Play Championship Aug 8-10 respectively.
The 2nd running of the Indigenous Ontario Championship will increase to a three day championship in 2023 hosted at MontHill Golf & Country Club, in Six Nations, Ontario from Aug 14 to 16. The championship, open to men and women of all ages, will be a 54-hole competition with a cut after 36 holes.
New this season for players looking to compete in the Ontario Senior Men’s Better Ball Championship, players otherwise not exempt will have to earn entry through a scheduled qualifying round. A number of qualifying locations will be made available for players to compete in and earn entry to the championship at Brampton GC, September 28.
Golf Ontario would like to thank those clubs who have committed to hosting championships and qualifiers, and for their continued support heading into the 2023 championship season. Updates regarding the remaining championship dates/locations will be made immediately as they are confirmed.
Registration Now Open for the Inaugural Ontario Junior Players Invitational Presented by
Golf Ontario
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.
Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Welcomes One New Inductee and Three Media Award Winners
Golf Ontario
A night of sincere thanks and gratitude made up our second of two Ontario Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this year, with tonight’s from Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge, Ontario, where the hall resides. Catching up on winners due to the pandemic, Golf Ontario proudly announced the four award recipients this evening: one Hall of Fame inductee and three Lorne Rubenstein Media Award winners.
Rod Black, an on-air sports analyst for decades, emceed the festivities, which included a chilly round of golf, the ‘Golf Ontario’s Partner Cup,’ food and beverages, and finally, the wonderful ceremony. He summed the proceedings up by explaining how thankful we are to play the game and enjoy it immensely, like the thanks after a round, thanks to our playing partners and to the very game itself. All award winners tonight expressed that same message of thanks, evident in their speeches and in describing what the game has given them through the years.
Dave Gourlay
Our lone Hall of Fame inductee this evening, a post-humous induction, was Dave Gourlay, born and raised in Scotland. He joined the RAF in 1940 and spent part of his training in Canada. He immigrated to Canada in 1948, became involved in the golf industry at the Kapuskasing Golf Club, became Head Superintendent of Summit Golf Club in 1960 and then moved to The Thornhill Club in 1963, where he was Head Superintendent until his retirement in 1992.
Dave devoted himself to improving his profession. He was President of the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association (OGSA) in 1968, a founding member of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and its President in 1973. He co-managed with Bob Heron the association’s magazine, GreenMaster, from 1973-1981. Together with Bob Heron, Jim Wyllie and Sid Puddicombe, they formed the Canadian TurfGrass Conference and Show. For his work, he received Distinguished Service Awards from the OGSA, CSGA and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
Dave was a much sought-after speaker at national and international conferences on turf management and golf course maintenance and a great mentor to many. His children accepted his award, who mentioned he loved chasing a little white ball until his final days.
Three esteemed members of the Ontario golf media were also honoured with the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award, Tim O’Connor, Ted McIntyre and Scott MacLeod.
The Lorne Rubenstein Award is presented annually to an individual associated with a recognized Ontario media organization for “major contributions to golf in Ontario.” Lorne Rubenstein, one of Canada’s best golf journalists and authors, is a member of the Ontario and Canadian Golf Halls of Fame and received the Canadian Sports Media Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Each award recipient (not to be confused with an inductee) is presented with an award and is recognized on the Lorne Rubenstein Award plaque in the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame.
Tim O’Connor
Before Tim O’Connor began writing about our obsession with golf, he wrote about our fascination with music.
As a music fan, O’Connor wrote music reviews for the student newspapers at Catholic Central High School and Western University, both in London, Ontario. As music critic for The Canadian Press news agency, he interviewed icons such as David Bowie, Pink Floyd and U2. He also rediscovered his love for golf.
When former CP staffer John Gordon became editor-in-chief of SCOREGolf, he invited O’Connor to write for the magazine. Bolstered by some writing awards and encouraged by Gordon and Lorne Rubenstein, he plunged into life as a freelance golf writer in 1992.
He became a golf columnist for The Financial Post daily newspaper and editor of its Golf Update section, which provided opportunities for other freelance golf writers. He also wrote for magazines such as Golf Canada, Ontario Golf magazine, Golf Digest, GOLF, Golf World, LINKS, and Golfweek.
As a freelance golf reporter for CBC Radio, he covered tournaments such as the Masters, RBC Canadian Open, and the du Maurier Classic. In addition, he hosted a syndicated show for Telemedia Radio Network, and then a weekly show AM-Talk 640.
His fascination with Moe Norman culminated in the publication in late 1995 of his first book, The Feeling of Greatness: The Moe Norman Story. O’Connor also wrote a history of Devil’s Pulpit Golf Association and The Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto. He co-wrote an instructional book based on Norman’s swing and edited a book on Ben Hogan’s swing.
He transitioned from media consulting for the golf industry to coaching golfers in 2014. He writes a blog on www.oconnorgolf.ca that focuses on golf’s mental, physical and spiritual aspects.
In 2015, he launched the Swing Thoughts podcast with Howard Glassman. By late 2022, the podcast was in its seventh year, having produced more than 210 episodes.
Ted McIntyre
One of Canada’s best-travelled golf writers has edited most of the nation’s leading golf publications, from GolfStyle and Ontario Golf Magazine to National Post Golf, ScoreGolf and Canadian Open supplements for Golf Canada. Based in Oakville, ON, and bearing an honours degree in political science from McMaster University, Ted is a nine-time Golf Journalists Association of Canada award winner, including a 2019 win for his most recent entry, a profile of Corey Conners.
Ted’s love of golf journalism began in the mid-1980s as sports editor of the local Glen Abbey community newspaper. His coverage of the Canadian Open was the most extensive in the paper’s history. The quality of his first-year Canadian Open coverage with the town paper, The Oakville Beaver, earned Ted a recommendation to ScoreGolf’s Bob Weeks. They soon hired Ted as the national magazine’s Senior Editor.
In that role, Ted helped reshape the ranking mechanism of Score’s Top 100 golf courses. He subsequently fashioned arguably the most transparent and bulletproof golf course ranking in the world as editor of Ontario Golf.
As the first editor of the reinvented Ontario Golf Magazine, Ted generated acclaim for his numerous cover profiles with many of Canada’s most treasured personalities, from Kurt Browning, Peter Mansbridge, astronaut Chris Hadfield and the late actor/singer Michael Burgess, to Donovan Bailey, Tom Cochrane and The Tragically Hip, and from Red Green and poker legend Daniel Negreanu to billionaire Robert Herjavek. (Burgess would later cite his OG profile as the best anyone had ever done on him).
As executive editor of GolfStyle, the most upscale golf publication ever created in Canada, Ted continued his award-winning ways as a travel and profile writer, while helping arrange multiple golf fashion shoots and exclusive profiles of a few other notables, including Sean Connery.
His video-filled travels have included the world’s most stunning resort in Fiji; the Venice-like canals of Mayakoba in Mexico; the PGA Tour’s most rambunctious tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona; the Canadian Rockies; wine and whisky cellars from California to Northern Ireland; as well as countless more of the most sublime destinations known to man.
As a blogger in recent years on his golf/travel/wine website, TheLushLife.ca, Ted’s writings have ranged from the business and legal hurdles posed by alcohol being smuggled onto golf courses to a deep dive into memories of 9/11, to his five-part series “The Bogeyman Trail,” which explored ghost stories at golf facilities across Canada.
Today he continues freelance golf writing and is currently co-authoring a book celebrating the 100th anniversary of Burlington Golf & Country Club.
Through it all, he has yet to record a single hole-in-one. McIntyre commented, “I’ve never had that hole-in-one, but I have this, and this will look better on my scorecard.“
Scott MacLeod
Scott MacLeod is the Associate Publisher and Editorial Director for Ottawa-based Bauder Media Group
He began working with the company in 1996. He oversees and creates content for Flagstick Golf Magazine, Ontario Golf Digest and their associated digital and social media platforms.
At the age of 15, his first job in the golf industry was on a course maintenance crew in British Columbia. He has gone on to a career in golf spanning more than three decades and involvement in all areas of the game. It has included agronomy, pro shop operations, off-course retail, and a continuing role as a media member and golf teaching professional. He is a Class A member of the PGA of Canada and the Vice-President of Membership for the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. He has also served as a volunteer on various committees for Golf Ontario on a regional and provincial basis in the areas of player development and communications.
As a journalist, he has contributed thousands of stories and photography on all aspects of the golf industry for numerous outlets (magazines, newspapers, books, and websites) throughout Canada and North America, co-hosted two golf podcasts, and is a frequent expert guest for radio shows on CBC and TSN 1200. His work has spanned coverage of the game at many levels, from local and provincial events to the LPGA and PGA TOURs.
He is a graduate of programs at Loyalist College (Health & Recreation Studies), Wilfrid Laurier University (Certificate – Golf Operations) and the Golf Management Institute of Canada (Graduate Studies/Golf Operations Management).
Scott resides in Kingston, Ontario, with his wife, Michelle, and daughter, Ailsa, and is a long-time member of the Garrison Golf & Curling Club.
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 the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame
The Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in the game of golf in Ontario. The Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is housed at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge, founded in 2000 by the Ontario Golf Association and the Ontario Ladies’ Golf Association.
For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Golf Ontario; PMacKellar@gao.ca
Windsor, ON – Emily McKee and Zach Smith decided nobody else would hold the lead in this week’s Junior Tour Championship from the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp presented by Foresight Sports at Ambassador Golf Club. Both lead the third annual tournament wire-to-wire to win in convincing form, McKee on the girl’s side by three strokes and Smith by nine shots in the boy’s division. The severe winds gusting upwards of 40 km/h as the day went on couldn’t slow down either champion as they both claimed their respective titles.
Team Ontario member Zach Smith (Brampton Golf Club) was in control on the boy’s side again with a tidy even-par (71) round, including four birdies. Smith almost made an incredible eagle on 13 that would lip out from the fairway. Graydon Laughlin (Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club) fired a 2-over (73) to capture the silver medal. Avery Mahoney (Hamilton Golf & Country Club) and Marshall Bath (Oshawa Golf & Curling Club) would shoot identical rounds of 74 to tie for third and secure bronze medals. “The highlight of the week was my hole-in-one on Wednesday, I then made birdie from the fairway on the next hole, that just doesn’t happen often,” mentioned an ecstatic Smith after his round.
Emily McKee (St. George’s Golf & Country Club) fired her third straight, steady round, an even-par 71, to close things out on a charging Shauna Liu (Station Creek Golf Club). Lui fired the girl’s low round of the week, a brilliant 2-under (69) that included back-to-back-to-back birdies on 6,7 and 8 to take home the silver medal. Kelly Zhao, also of Station Creek Golf Club, would secure the bronze medal after a final round of 3-over (74). McKee remarked, “it was very fun and a well-run tournament, I love Ambassador Golf Club, it was a great experience, and I had a lot of fun.”
Competitors of the annual Ontario Provincial Super Camp and Tour Championship will be looking to win the Dave Mills trophy tomorrow. The award, first handed out in 2021, was named in honour of Mills, a past Golf Ontario Executive Director and massive supporter and advocate for junior golf, who presented the first-ever Tour Championship trophy in 2020. The soapstone trophy was carved by Canada’s foremost Ojibway sculptor Kris Nahrgang, who was able to meet with Mills before he passed. He sent this message along to describe his work. “As we all try to gain success in a sport we love, some people ensure that we are recognized for the achievements we attain. Dave Mills was that man. His work in our sport was reliable and done with a maturity and class, which made one feel important the very moment you met him. In my Indigenous culture, we are presented with an Eagle feather when we obtain recognition. In this tribute piece, I have created a visual of an Eagle feather being presented by the hand of this great man. The Eagle is a messenger, and it flies between the real and the spiritual realm and converses with the Creator to ensure we as people, are doing well. This piece is to recognize the man and the Spirit of this honour you have received this day. His love for this sport, and the goal to offer support for your efforts will never be forgotten. He will now be here in Spirit to present you with this honour of your achievement. Congratulations today and into the future!”
The 54 top junior boys and girls invited to compete this week at the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp presented by Foresight Sports Canada earned their spot in the Tour Championship based on the Junior Golf Pathway Rankings.
Golf Ontario would like to thank the players, rules officials, and staff for supporting the 2022 Ontario Super Camp and Tour Championship. To Ambassador Golf Club and your team, thank you for being such fantastic hosts through this week of difficult weather conditions. Special shout out to our Super Camp presenting sponsor, Foresight Sports Canada, for the support and technology they provided. Also, a massive thank you to Taylormade for their continued assistance during the training days and for sponsoring the chip-off competition.
Lastly, a huge thank you to all of our sponsors and partners; Adidas, Golf Talk Canada, Play Golf Myrtle Beach, Humber College, HUB International, BioSteel, Golf Genius, Modern Golf, Dormie, Durham Artificial Grass, Foresight Sports Canada, Baka, Nikon, Solo Golf, and Sport Travel. We are grateful for your continued support.
For more information on the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp Presented by Foresight Sports and Tour Championship, visit our Golf Genius page.
Stay Connected on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, follow us on Instagram and Twitter and like us on Facebook. Visit our website for further information.
Championship Contact:
John Lawrence – Director, Competitions and Performance, Golf Ontario JLawrence@gao.ca
Media contact:
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Golf Ontario; PMacKellar@gao.ca
Windsor, ON – Tough conditions greeted players for round two action of the third annual Tour Championship from the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp presented by Foresight Sports at Ambassador Golf Club. Cold weather mixed with severe winds gusting to 40 km/h made the golfers compete against each other as well as the elements and course on moving day.
Zach Smith (Brampton Golf Club) took charge on the boy’s side with a strong -3 (68), including an eagle on the third hole to take a four-shot lead into tomorrow’s final round. Matthew Rastogi (Meadowbrook Golf Club) is in second place after firing a solid even-par (71). Sitting in third is Dylan Weber (Galt Country Club), who shot a 2-over (73). Smith said after his round, “I just stayed calm all day, stayed patient… I knew it was going to be windy out there… just played the wind the best I could and took advantage of the par fives.” Smith recorded his first-ever competitive hole-in-one yesterday and mentioned, “a tournament one feels so much better.“
Emily McKee (St. George’s Golf & Country Club) secures her day one lead after another strong outing despite the conditions. McKee shot a 6-over (77) to take a three-shot lead into final-round play tomorrow. The low girl’s round went to Team Ontario Member Lindsay McGrath (RattleSnake Point Golf Club), who carded a brilliant 74 under the extreme wind and challenging greens to find herself in second. Players tied for third include Shauna Li (Station Creek Golf Club), Alexa Ouellet (Weston Golf & Country Club) and Kelly Zhao (Station Creek Golf Club) at +11. Mckee remarked, “the wind was crazy, you really have to focus on club choices and stuff… mistakes are going to happen, don’t get down on yourself.”
Competitors of the annual Ontario Provincial Super Camp and Tour Championship will be looking to win the Dave Mills trophy tomorrow. The award, first handed out in 2021, was named in honour of Mills, a past Golf Ontario Executive Director and massive supporter and advocate for junior golf, who presented the first-ever Tour Championship trophy in 2020. The 54 top junior boys and girls invited to compete at the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp presented by Foresight Sports Canada have earned their spot in the Tour Championship based on the Junior Golf Pathway Rankings.
Tee times for round two start at 8:30 am Friday morning. For more information on the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp Presented by Foresight Sports and Tour Championship, visit our Golf Genius page.
Stay Connected on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, follow us on Instagram and Twitter and like us on Facebook. Visit our website for further information.
Championship Contact:
John Lawrence – Director, Competitions and Performance, Golf Ontario JLawrence@gao.ca
Media contact:
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Golf Ontario; PMacKellar@gao.ca
Windsor, ON – Opening round of the third annual Junior Tour Championship from the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp presented by Foresight Sports at Ambassador Golf Club saw players battling high winds and scattered rain in an effort to top the leaderboard after 18 holes. The camp field, featuring the top 54 junior boys and girls in the province, battled cool and windy conditions all day on the always challenging course.
Today’s round followed two days of testing (Golf Canada’s National Testing Protocols), breakout sessions, games and a BBQ dinner at Ambassador. Super Camp Presenting Sponsor Foresight Sports ensured accurate stats with their tracking and analysis devices capturing the critical data for all participants during range activations.
Emily McKee (St. George’s Golf & Country Club) takes a three-shot lead after day one on the girl’s side thanks to four birdies and a stellar eagle on the 15th hole to shoot even par (71). Wendy Li (Summit Golf & Country Club and Aryn Matthews (Bigwin Island Golf Club) sit tied for second at 3-over after matching 74 rounds. Kelly Zhao (Station Creek Golf Club) finds herself fourth, shooting a 4-over (75), with five more players right behind Zhao at 5-over.
The boy’s side ended up with a packed house topping the leaderboard, with five players shooting a 1-over (72). Dylan Weber (Galt Country Club), Zach Smith (Brampton Golf Club, Andrew Lee (The Club at North Halton), Jax Sisson (Pointe West Club) and Marshall Bath (Oshawa Golf & Curling Club) all share the lead after day one with matching 1-over scores (72). Avery Mahoney (Hamilton Golf & Country Club) and Matthew Rastogi (Meadowbrook Golf Club) both site one stroke back at 2-over (73).
Shot of the day belongs to Zach Smith, currently tied for the lead, who dropped in an amazing hole-in-one on five (his 14th hole of the day as boys started on the back nine). The Team Ontario member promptly followed it up with back-to-back birdies.
ZACH SMITH WITH A HOLE-IN-ONE TODAY
Competitors of the annual Ontario Provincial Super Camp and Tour Championship are battling for the Dave Mills trophy. The trophy, first handed out in 2021, was named in honour of Mills, a past Golf Ontario Executive Director and huge supporter and advocate for junior golf, who presented the first-ever Tour Championship trophy in 2020.
The 54 top junior boys and girls invited to compete at the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp presented by Foresight Sports Canada have earned their spot in the Tour Championship based on the Junior Golf Pathway Rankings. “This is the culmination of the Junior Golf Pathway Rankings and an opportunity for the best junior golfers in Ontario to battle it out to see who finishes on top and earn all the accolades that come with it.“, explained Reggie Millage, Head Provincial Coach of Team Ontario.
Tee times for round two start at 8:30 am Thursday morning. For more information on the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp Presented by Foresight Sports and Tour Championship, visit our Golf Genius page.
Stay Connected on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, follow us on Instagram and Twitter and like us on Facebook. Visit our website for further information.
Championship Contact:
John Lawrence – Director, Competitions and Performance, Golf Ontario JLawrence@gao.ca
Media contact:
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Golf Ontario; PMacKellar@gao.ca
Ambassador GC Hosts 3rd Annual Ontario Super Camp (Presented by Foresight Sports) & Tour Championship from Oct 10-14
Golf Ontario
Windsor, ON – Ambassador Golf Clubwelcomes the always anticipated Ontario Provincial Super Camp presented by Foresight Sports Canada after a successful launch in 2020. The third annual event will run from October 10th to 14th, featuring the province’s top 56 junior boys and girls for two days of testing (Golf Canada’s National Testing Protocols), breakout sessions, and three rounds of competition.
Competitors of the annual Ontario Provincial Super Camp and Tour Championship will be battling for the Dave Mills trophy. The trophy, first handed out in 2021, was named in honour of Mills, a past Golf Ontario Executive Director and huge supporter and advocate for junior golf, who presented the first-ever Tour Championship trophy in 2020.
Dave Mills Memorial Trophy
The two-day camp will allow athletes to train with like-minded athletes and coaches and generate valuable NTP data. Days 1 and 2 will have the boys and girls alternating activities, with one day dedicated to testing and other sessions and the other day used as their practice round. Three rounds of elite competition then follow these two days of testing.
The 2022 event will feature on-site activations integrating Golf Ontario Sponsors and event partners, promoting leading-edge products and delivering giveaways and contests. Super Camp Presenting Sponsor Foresight Sports will ensure their tracking and analysis devices capture important data on all participants during range activations. “At Foresight Sports Canada, we believe that creating opportunities for junior golfers is the best way we can help grow the game. We love to support, and promote our junior pathways and programs, partnering to provide the best possible technology for the best golfers our province has to offer”, said Steve McLeod, Marketing Manager at Foresight Sports Canada. “We look forward to continuing our journey with the future stars of tomorrow and helping them achieve their dreams.”
In addition, TaylorMade will once again be hosting a wedge station. Other stations include a Rules Workshop with Referee Dan Michaud, Morning Activations and Fitness Testing with Dr. Nick Martichenko and a Mindfulness and Mental Session with Coach Dr. Charles Fitzsimmons. Following the two days of testing, a BBQ dinner with a live DJ is planned on the course’s patio.
Following the testing days, athletes will compete over 54-holes of championship stroke play with a cut after 36 holes. The 56 top junior boys and girls (45 each) invited to compete at the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp presented by Foresight Sports Canada have earned their spot in the Tour Championship based on the Junior Golf Pathway Rankings. “The Tour Championship is one of the year’s most exciting and anticipated events. This is the culmination of the Junior Golf Pathway Rankings and an opportunity for the best junior golfers in Ontario to battle it out to see who finishes on top and earn all the accolades that come with it.”, explained Reggie Millage, Head Provincial Coach of Team Ontario.
For more information on the 2022 Ontario Provincial Super Camp Presented by Foresight Sports and Tour Championship, visit our Golf Genius page. / Participants / 2021 Photos
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Championship Contact:
John Lawrence – Director, Competitions and Performance, Golf Ontario JLawrence@gao.ca
Media contact:
Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Golf Ontario; PMacKellar@gao.ca
Nick Taylor, Senior Director, Marketing, Golf Ontario NTaylor@gao.ca
Angus Glen Golf Club Ready to Host the 7th World Junior Girls Championship, Presented by Sargent Farms
2015 PanAm Games golf announcement at Angus Glen
Golf Ontario
Two Canadian squads will headline a field of 54 competitors on 18 teams representing 17 countries competing Oct. 10-15 in the celebrated return of the prestigious global golf competition
From Golf Canada
MARKHAM, Ont. – Canada is set to host a global showcase of the world’s best junior golfers as the seventh edition of the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms, will be contested October 10-15, 2022, at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
In total, 54 athletes on 18 teams representing 17 countries—including two teams from host nation Canada—will compete for the team and individual titles. The event marks the celebrated return of the prestigious global competition after two years of cancellation due to the pandemic.
“Together with our partners at Golf Ontario and Sargent Farms, Golf Canada is extremely proud to celebrate the return of the World Junior Girls Championship,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada Director, Amateur Championships and Rules. “This championship has become a world-class showcase featuring some of the most promising young athletes from around the world. It is an honour to welcome these talented juniors—many whom we know will go on to great success in the professional game—back to Angus Glen and support these Canadian and international talents in their golf journey.”
“The World Junior Girls Championship has become a signature event on our championship calendar and there is a great excitement in welcoming this outstanding group of athletes from around the world to compete for an international title on Canadian soil,” said Golf Ontario CEO Mike Kelly. “Angus Glen has proven itself time and again to be a world-class host and a championship-worthy venue that will be ready to challenge the world’s best junior golfers.”
Canada’s lead coach will be Jennifer Ha of Calgary, Alta., who is currently the Assistant Coach of the Team Canada – NextGen Squad. The supporting coach will be PGA of Canada professional Emma de Groot, a native of New South Wales, Australia and resident of Hamilton, Ont. who is currently the director of women’s development with Modern Golf.
Canada 1 includes 18-year-old Angela Arora of Surrey, B.C., 17-year-old Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., and 15-year-old Michelle Liu of Vancouver. Arora, who finished T20 at the 2019 World Junior Girls Championship, made it to match play of the 2022 US Women’s Amateur, finished runner-up at both the Pacific Northwest Women’s Amateur and NextGen Selection Camp, and also won the NextGen Pacific Championship. Kim, who finished T52 at the 2019 World Junior Girls Championship, had a 2022 season highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Canada Summer Games, a third-place finish at the Canadian Women’s Amateur and a T33 individual result at the World Amateur Team Championship. Liu, who qualified for her second CP Women’s Open in 2022, made it to match play at the US Junior Girls Championship, finished 7th at the Texas Women’s Open (pro), and was the winner of Golf Canada’s recent NextGen Selection Camp.
The Canada 2 squad is represented by 16-year-old Yeji Kwon of Port Coquitlam, B.C., 14-year-old Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. and 13-year-old Anna Huang from Vancouver. Kwon earned a spot on the team by winning the 2022 Canadian Junior in a season that also included a ninth-place result at the Toyota Junior World Cup. Xing, who finished third at the NextGen Selection Camp, won the 2022 Ontario Junior Girls Match Play and finished runner-up at the Ontario Juvenile Girls Championship. Huang’s notable results include a T4 finish at the Canadian Junior, a T22 finish at the Canadian Amateur, a victory at the Toyota Tour Cup and a T3 finish a the NextGen Selection Camp.
This year’s field for the World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms, is highlighted by 11 competitors ranked inside the World Golf Amateur Rankings (WAGR) top 100, including the tournament’s top-ranked player, Germany’s Helen Briem (no. 13). Spain is the lone country with all three players ranked inside the WAGR top-100 with Sweden next at two top-100 players. A full list of competitors, including their WAGR position, is here.
With two victories (2015 & 2019) in the event’s six-year history, Korea has won the most team competition titles, followed by the USA (2014), the Philippines (2016), Spain (2017), and Italy (2018). A history of past winners is available here.
Canada’s best finish in the team competition was third in 2014 and fourth in 2018.
Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Championship have gone on great success on the LPGA Tour, led by Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 12-time LPGA winner and world no. 6 who finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship hosted in 2014.
Other notable competitors who became LPGA Tour winners include world no. 2 Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019, and world no. 35 Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark of Sweden.
In addition, 12 players who competed in the 2022 CP Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club are alumni of the World Junior Girls Championship.
Angus Glen Golf Club, which will host the World Junior Girls Championship for the third time, is home to two 18-hole championship golf courses in Markham, Ontario. The North and South courses offer variety, beauty, and challenges. Angus Glen has been ranked as one of the top 80 golf courses in the world outside of the United States. It was home to the 2002 and 2007 Canadian Open and an official host of the 2015 Toronto Pan/Parapan American Games. The 2022 World Junior Championship will be contested on the South course.
The following is a list of competing countries in the seventh annual World Junior Girls Championship, presented by Sargent Farms:
Austria, Belgium, Canada (2), Chinese Taipei, Colombia. Denmark, England, Finland, France Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales
Practice rounds for the 72-hole competition will take place October 10-11, with the first round of play set for Wednesday, October 12. The tournament’s closing ceremony will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Saturday, October 15.
Admission to the competition is free. Additional information regarding the seventh annual World Junior Girls Championship can be found on the competition’s website.
ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
The World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by Sargent Farms is an annual event conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with Golf Ontario. The international competition features three-player teams of 18-and-under athletes. As host country, Canada will field two of the tournament’s 18 teams competing over 72 holes for both individual and team honours. The championship is conducted with support from Sargent Farms, the Golf Canada Foundation, Sport Canada, Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the International Golf Federation, the PGA of Canada, the R&A, and Levelwear. Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.
We welcome a very family-oriented course with casual atmosphere back to the GO family
Nestled on the outskirts of Keene, Ontario, on the north shore of Rice Lake, lays a hidden treasure of golf, Bellmere Winds Golf Resort. The course features breathtaking views of the Lake at almost every turn, large undulating greens and dramatic elevation changes, and all surrounded by a family-friendly resort.
A unique destination combining gorgeous golf scenery, six-month cottage life opportunities, boating, swimming, campfires and more, Bellmere has recently rejoined the Golf Ontario family of facilities. Today they kick off our Friday Facility Feature, spotlighting some of our amazing member courses.
With 400 cottages, 375 member-owned and the remaining 25 available for stay-and-play packages, Bellmere provides a unique experience in Ontario. Built in three stages after the course was initially built, the first cottage phase is situated down on the water, Phase Two is just above the golf course up the hill, and Phase Three sits more inland. As an added bonus, cottage ownership comes with 6 (yes, six!) family member golf memberships. Options to buy cottages start from just $99,900 with payment plans available.
A Jack Lally design, the course shows off beautiful lake views on nearly every hole at different elevations. The front nine is sometimes narrow with fescue-lined fairways, while the back nine is wider open, perhaps more forgivable. Most will find the front a greater yet approachable challenge. The back nine begins with perhaps their signature hole, a fabulous par-5 elevated 10th tee drive looking down to the water, followed by the 11th and 12th played along the lakeside resort (Phase One).
Bellmere has recently gone through some renovations, including the bunkers. Out of play for the last few years because of COVID, they’ve been rejuvenated back to life, and fescue has been taken away in spots allowing more errant shots to be salvageable and a quicker pace of play. In addition, the greens are in good shape, rolled a few days a week, thanks to Superintendent Eric Van Gerwen.
Although also in his first year at Bellmere, Van Gerwen has over ten years of experience as a Greenskeeper. He’s worked at various notable courses such as Peterborough Golf and Country Club, Conestoga Golf & Country Club and Beach Hall Golf Club. With this experience working on golf courses, he has learned the necessary requirements to maintain a golf course in pristine condition and the keys to exceeding golfer expectations.
Additional features at the course include detailed GPS in all carts, four different tee decks for various skill levels, a newly constructed single hitting bay to warm up on, large putting green, member events, and an outdoor grill featuring burgers and pizza with gorgeous views of the lake and the scenic 10th tee. Future plans for the course include additional irrigation and cart path upgrades.
Visit their website here to learn more about Bellmere Winds Golf Resort, including membership purchases, cottage ownership, and stay-and-play packages.
BELLMERE WINDS GOLF RESORT
1235 Villiers Line Keene, ON K0L 2G0 Phone: 705-295-3000 Website: bellmerewindsgolfresort.com Facebook / @BellmereWinds Instagram / @BellmereWindsResort
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.
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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.
For more information or to have us out to photo/drone/visit your course, please contact:
Peter MacKellar Manager, Marketing and Communications, Golf Ontario PMacKellar@gao.ca
