Chinner crowned Men’s Champion of Champions; Fernie takes Sr. Men’s title
Peter MacKellar
ALBERTON— It was a dramatic finish to the 2017 Ontario Men’s Champion of Champions on May 16, from Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton. After 18 holes, two players found themselves tied with rounds of two-under (69). Brooklin’s Ashley Chinner and Oakville’s Mike Kray both went back out to the 18th hole to try and determine a winner.
During the playoff, Chinner’s tee shot found the middle of the fairway, while Kray, from Rattlesnake Point Golf Club, was in the rough with a tough angle to the green. However, he recovered nicely and landed his second shot on the green. Chinner, a Coppinwood member, also had a solid approach, which landed inside of Kray’s shot. Kray left his birdie putt just short, giving Chinner a chance for the win. Chinner stepped up and sank the putt, earning the championship.
Afterwards, Chinner talked about the putt and how his short game helped him in the win. “Sinking that putt felt good. I had the right line and I just had to hit it. The greens were a little slow today, but still very good for May 15th. I putted and chipped well. I didn’t hit many greens, so I really had to putt and chip well.”
Kray picked up the silver medal, while the bronze went to the 2016 Ontario Mid-Amateur Champion, Oakville’s Matthew Sim (Mississaugua Golf & Country Club) who shot an even par (71).
In the Senior Men’s Champion of Champions, things were less dramatic but still showcased some of the great skill from around the province. When all was said and done it was Burlington’s Mike Fernie who stood alone atop the leaderboard. Fernie, from Burlington Golf & Country Club, shot an even par (71) to win the title.
“This is a very good win for me,” said Fernie. “It was a very strong field and it is good to see that, early in the season, I can perform against them. I have had some other championship wins but this is certainly up there.”
Finishing second was Toronto’s Robert Gibson. The Cedar Brae Golf Club member shot a three-over (74). Rounding out the podium was a three-way tie for the bronze. The medal was share by London’s Douglas Alexander, Strathroy’s Philip Cole and Owen Sound’s Steve Irving. All three players shot a four-over (75).
Golf Ontario would like to thank Heron Point Golf Links and Clublink, along with their staff, for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.
About the Ontario Men’s Champion of Champions
The Ontario Men’s Champion of Champions was first contested in 1946 and features men’s club champions from Golf Ontario member clubs across the province. Past champions of the event include: Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members Bill Morland, Gerry Kesselring, Warren Sye, and Stu Hamilton, as well as Big Break Indian Wells champion David Byrne.
About the Senior Men’s Champion of Champion
The Ontario Senior Men’s Champion of Champions was first contested in 1970 and features senior men’s club champions age 55 and over from Golf Ontario member clubs across the province. Past champions include: Nick Weslock, Ed Ervasti and Patrick Suraj, who won the event a record six times.
Golf Ontario welcomes Turkish Airlines as new partner
Peter MacKellar
UXBRIDGE— Golf Ontario is pleased to announce a new partnership with Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines, is already investing in golf worldwide with their amateur series the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup (TAWGC) along with their sponsorship of a European Tour event, the Turkish Airlines Open, and now their support of Golf Ontario can be added to the list.
“On behalf of team at Turkish Airlines based here in Canada, it is our distinct pleasure to continue our sponsorship of the many events Golf Ontario hosts. I was honoured to recently host a trip to Istanbul and Antalya in which Golf Ontario and Canadian golf media participated in and by all accounts it was a resounding success. Something we hope to build on moving forward,” said David Batey, Regional Corporate Sales Manager, Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines will offer support to Golf Ontario in a variety of fields. Turkish Airlines will become the presenting sponsor of all Golf Ontario Champion of Champions events (Men’s, Women’s, Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s) along with the Women’s Four-Ball Championship.
Golf Ontario’s vTour will also get a boost from the partnership. The vTour is a season-long competition that incorporates the Golf Canada Handicap System, which allows golfers of all abilities to compete on an equitable basis. Participants simply play their round at any course they choose and are entered in the specific vTour simply by posting their scores. Not only will Turkish Airlines sponsor one of the vTour events, they will offer qualifying spots to the TAWGC to participants.
In addition to the involvement in championships and vTours, Turkish Airlines will also be a sponsor of Golf Ontario’s main fundraiser the Junior Golf Drive. Turkish Airlines has also committed to sponsoring future “Learn to Golf” events.
On the Golf Ontario side, the association will be more present in assisting Turkish Airlines with their Ontario-based World Golf Cup competition. The Golf Ontario tournament staff will assist in running a qualifier for the event, along with promotion and support of the competition itself on Aug. 11 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
“As one of the top airlines in the world, Turkish Airlines shares a passion for excellence, innovation and service making this a wonderful partnership for Golf Ontario,” added Golf Ontario Executive Director Mike Kelly. “Turkish Airlines has invested in golf all over the world and we are thrilled to work with them to enhance the experience for Ontario golfers through unique programs and offers.”
ABOUT TURKISH AIRLINES
Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a 4-star airline that flies to 115 countries, with a fleet of 306 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 286 destinations worldwide with 236 international and 49 domestic. According to Skytrax survey of 2015, Turkish Airlines was chosen “Europe’s Best Airline” for the fifth and “Best Airline in Southern Europe” for the seventh consecutive year. Having won in 2010 the world’s “Best Economy Catering Service”, in 2013 the world’s “Best Business Catering Service”, and in 2014 “Best Business Catering Service” awards, Turkish Airlines was awarded in 2015 the world’s “Best Business Class Lounge Dining” and “Best Business Airline Lounge” prizes in the Skytrax survey. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on www.turkishairlines.com
Rob Cowan Wins 2014 Ontario Men’s Champion of Champions Title in Playoff over Peter Beneteau
Peter MacKellar
PETERBOROUGH — For the second day in a row a Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) event needed a playoff to produce a winner. This time it was at the Men’s Champion of Champions, June 12 at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club.
Rob Cowan tees off on the first playoff hole
After 18 holes two players carded even-par 71s: Wellesley’s Rob Cowan and Odessa’s Peter Beneteau. For Cowan, the Westmount Golf and Country Club member, he went about his round consistently, paring his first nine holes and continued his consistency on his back nine with a couple birdies to balance out his bogies. As for Beneteau, the Camden Braes Golf and Country Club member was actually two-under late in his round. However, a couple of late mistakes dropped him back to even to finish the round.
On the playoff hole, the 49-year-old Cowan had a nice drive that found the fairway giving him a 140-yard shot to the green. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Beneteau tried to play it safe by hitting an iron off the tee. He was a bit further back and on his second shot he went right of the green landing just under the branches of trees and in front of a bunker. It was a tough look and Beneteau’s third shot found the sand. Cowan put his second on the green and was able to comfortably two-putt for the win, making him a two-time winner of the event.
Peter Beneteau ran into trouble on the playoff hole, finding the bunker.
Cowan talked about his consistency after the win. “I started off with those nine consecutive pars then finally birdied 11. I made another on 12 from the fringe. I made a couple chunky mistakes and bogeyed 16 and then just ran out of steam on some putts that could have resulted in more birdies.”
The day began for Cowan with a shotgun start on hole two meaning he finished his round with the first hole. Cowan says he played the first very aggressively, the first time, and found the bunker. Yet he learned from that and with the playoff right back on the same hole, he didn’t take as aggressive of an approach, something that worked out for him as he pared it for the win.
The win adds to Cowan’s GAO collection, which includes a 2010 win at this event and an Ontario Match Play Championship. “It’s cool! I knew the first one wasn’t an accident because I won by five but it is nice to get another one. The guys joked around saying ‘You’ve got to keep up with (Dave) Bunker’ who just won the Ontario Match Play. For me, any GAO win is good win!”
Rob Cowan and Peter Beneteau shake hands after the playoff hole that resulted in the win for Cowan.
Cowan added that he thought the key to his round was that he never really played with any danger. “There was never really a threat of anything really bad happening. When I made my second birdie I just said to myself ‘Don’t make any mistakes’ and I hit well enough to get the job done.”
Cowan will now turn his attention to the Investors Group Mid Amateur in just over a week at Taboo Resort. He says he feels prepared after playing a practice round at the course when he was in nearby Port Carling last week for the Ontario Match Play. After that he will also take part in the Investors Group Ontario Amateur July 8-11 at The Club at North Halton a course he says he feels very good about.
Rounding out the top three was a three-way tie for third. Matthew Wheeler, of Toronto and Beacon Hall Golf Club; Nicholas Striker, of Waterloo and Oviinbyrd Golf Club; and Nicholas Ross, from Dundas and the Hamilton Golf and Country Club, all finished one off the lead at one-over 72.
The Ontario Men’s Champion of Champions was first contested in 1946 and features men’s club champions from Golf Association of Ontario member clubs across the province. Past champions of the event include Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members Bill Morland, Gerry Kesselring, Warren Sye, and Stu Hamilton, as well as Big Break Indian Wells champion David Byrne. The Golf Association of Ontario would like to thank the Peterborough Golf and Country Club for hosting the event and for their continued support of amateur golf in Ontario.
