STOUFFVILLE— The 2015 Junior Golf Drive, organized by the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO), was even bigger and better than in years past. The event, May 25, was again hosted by the Granite Golf Club, in Stouffville and turned out to be a huge success for the GAO and junior golf programming in the province.
In 2014, the event raised just over $48,000. 2015 turned out to be even better as the projected funds raised are more than $62,000. The event featured a dinner and silent auction along with notable guest speakers. Current Symetra Tour member Augusta James and She Swings She Scores program ambassador (three-time Olympic Gold Medalist) Gillian Apps both spoke to the crowd about the importance of getting young people involved in the game of golf and how important junior programs are.
“The afternoon on the golf course was fantastic (despite a little rain) and the evening program was amazing. Our special guests Gillian Apps and Augusta James provided great inspirational messages to the crowd and our athletes. All in all it was a great initiative for the GAO to showcase our programming and raise money to support it,” said GAO Director of Marketing and Communications and Junior Golf Drive Committee member Kyle McFarlane.
“Junior Golf Drive has quickly become the GAO’s premier fundraising event supporting junior golf programs in Ontario impacting thousands of recreational and competitive kids annually and 2015 was another tremendous success!” Added GAO Interim Executive Director Mike Kelly.
“It was a great day and only possible with the hard work of a great organizing committee. I would like to thank co-chairs Ivy Steinberg and Peter Zakarow along with the other dedicated members of the committee John Gallinger, Julie Girard, Glenn Whitebread and Jasmine Portokalis,” added McFarlane.
The GAO would like to thank all of the participants for their support, along with all of the volunteers, GAO staff and Granite Golf Club staff without whom the event would not have been possible.
Team Photos
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Event Photos
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UXBRIDGE, ON— With the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) third annual Junior Golf Drive set for May 26 at Granite Golf Club, the association is excited to announce that the 12th edition of the online auction launches today after 11 a.m. at http://gaoauction.com/.
Proceeds from the items sold will go towards the GAO’s junior golf initiatives, such as the Mr. Knickers & Friends Program and the Scholarship Program.
“I am personally a testament to the success of the GAO’s fundraising initiatives,” explained Chris McGrath, GAO Online Auction Manager and former GAO scholarship recipient. “Having worked for the GAO in various capacities in 2009-10, I was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Memphis to pursue a Master’s of Science Degree.”
Bidders will have the chance to bid on tee times from around the province, at private, semi-private and public courses. In addition, other great golf prizes including: sports memorabilia, equipment, clothing, event tickets (ex. Canadian Open, Canadian Pacific Women’s Open) and more are up for grabs.
The first week of items will run for 10 days and include tee times for: Brampton Golf Club, St. Thomas Golf and Country Club, Thornhill Golf and Country Club, The Ridge at Manitou, and a 2014 Executive Golf Club Membership. New items will be updated each Monday beginning March 10th and run for seven days. The auctions, hosted through EBay, will run until early/mid May. Bidding is open to anyone but an EBay account is required.
The auction is made possible by generous donors from across the province, including GAO member courses and partners/sponsors.
“I can honestly attest that having financial support from the GAO jump-started my post-graduate studies and helped me graduate with distinction, eventually landing a job as British Columbia Golf’s Manager of Communications and Marketing,” added McGrath. “Having moved back to Ontario, I have come full circle, working again for the GAO in an attempt to bring the auction and Junior Golf Drive to new levels of success for years to come.”
Anyone interested in making a donation can contact McGrath at cmcgrath@gao.ca.
