Golf Ontario

Pero makes history at the 101st Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship

June 29, 2023

Belleville, ON– History was made today at the 101st Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship at Black Bear Ridge Golf Resort. Following in the footsteps of his father Mike Pero, who won the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship in 1989, is his son Cameron Pero (Picton Golf & Country Club). This is the first time in Golf Ontario history a father and son have both won the same championship.

Tied for second, both shooting a two-under-par today is 2018 champion Garrett Rank (Westmount Golf & Country Club) and Ashton McCulloch (Cataraqui Golf & Country Club). Rank finished the round with a strong back nine whereas McCulloch saw his advantage come in the front nine today.

Cameron Pero (Picton Golf & Country Club) navigated the immaculate course, exchanging shot for shot with Ashton McCulloch (Cataraqui Golf & Country Club) in a breathtaking showdown coming down the stretch. Graciously acknowledging the collective efforts that contributed to the seamless execution of the tournament, Pero expressed his gratitude to the greens crew for their hard work, Golf Ontario for orchestrating this event, and Black Bear Ridge Golf Resort for hosting.

Golf Ontario would like to thank the players, officials and volunteers for their support of the 2023 Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship.  Also, Golf Ontario would like to thank Black Bear Ridge Golf Resort board of directors, members and staff for hosting and supporting the players and championship.

Lastly, a huge thank you to golf Ontario partners; Adidas, TaylorMade, 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.

About the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship

The Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship was first played in 1923 at Lakeview Golf and Country Club. Featuring the best amateur golfers in the province, it is arguably the most prestigious event in the country. Many players have kick-started their journey to professional golf through the event.

Since the inaugural event, the Ontario Amateur has enjoyed an illustrious history of great champions including highly decorated amateur golfer and NHL referee Garrett Rank (2018), 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir (1990 & 1992), Gerry Kesselring (1949, 1951, 1952, 1953), professional players Jon Mills (2001), Corey Conners (2010), Albin Choi (2012), Chris Hemmerich (2014) and Gary Cowan. Cowan holds the record for the most Ontario Amateur Championships with nine (1964, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981 & 1984).

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 most significant 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:

Greg Mitchell, Coordinator; Brand, Communications & Marketing Golf Ontario,

GMitchell@gao.ca

Rob Watson, Tournament Director

rwatson@gao.ca

For tournament results, click here 

For tournament photos, click here