ALBERTON— Windy conditions dominated the day as the Women’s and Senior Women’s Champion of Champions tournaments were contested at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton on May 18.

While the wind wreaked havoc on all of the scores, St. Catharines’ Chris Critelli and Strathroy’s Jane Hedges-Mckinnon were able to withstand the gusts and their competition to capture their respective titles.

Much like the men’s event, which was contested two days earlier at Heron Point, the Women’s Champion of Champions needed a playoff to decide a winner. After 18 holes both Critelli and St. Thomas’ Mary Ann Hayward shared the top spot at 10-over (80).

After Hayward, from St. Thomas Golf & Country Club, missed her par putt during the playoff, Critelli, a St. Catharines Golf & Country Club member, had a par putt of her own for the win. She would sink the putt to seal the victory.

“It was a crazy day out there. It was tough to play and I am sure that everybody had a tough round. I can’t believe I won! I am a little speechless. This is a great group of women to play with. They are all very supportive and I am glad to be a part of it.”

Hayward, who won the event in 2015, took home the silver while Markham’s Sunmi Ko, from Station Creek Golf Club, finished with the bronze, thanks to a round of 14-over (84).

In the Senior Women’s Champion of Champions, it was a familiar face who took home the top prize. Hedges-McKinnon, from Bear Creek Golf & Country Club, was the inaugural winner of the tournament back in 2015. Thanks to her round of 14-over (84), Hedges-McKinnon became the first two-time champion of the event.

“I’ve never been the first person to win anything twice!” Said Hedges-McKinnon after her win. “I am really happy because it was really a question of just sticking in there and not getting disappointed by things. They (the windy conditions) were going to happen to everyone. My long shots were actually ok; it was around the green where it was most difficult. I knew I would make some bogies, but if I slipped a couple pars in, it would all be good.”

Finishing in second place, and earning the silver was Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg. The Granite Golf Club member carded a 15-over (85) to narrowly miss the top spot. Rounding out the podium was London’s Theresa Flanagan from Highland Country Club. Flanagan finished 19-over (89) during the round.

For more information, including the final leaderboard for the Women’s Champion of Champions visit the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao17127/index.htm. For complete information on the Senior Women’s Champion of Champions visit: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao17126/index.htm.

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 Women’s Champion of Champions and Senior Women’s Champion of Champions

Since 2006 the Ontario Women’s Champion of Champions event has been contested annually and features female club champions from Golf Ontario member clubs across the province. Past champions include: Brittany Marchand, Stefani Markovich, Julia Hodgson, Elizabeth Tong and Mary Ann Hayward.

The Senior Women’s Champion of Champions made its debut in 2015 and has been played in conjunction with the Women’s Champion of Champions for the past two years. Kathy Pilkey is the only other past champion.

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 18^th 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 15^th. 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).

For more information, including the final leaderboard for the Men’s Champion of Champions visit the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao17129/index.htm. For complete information on the Senior Men’s Champion of Champions visit: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao17128/index.htm.

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.