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
GORMLEY— Men’s club champions from across the province were at Meadowbrook Golf & Country Club on June 3 for the playing of the Golf Ontario 2016 Champion of Champions tournament, presented by Turkish Airlines.
It was a beautiful day for the 53 champions who teed it up, as they all looked to be crowned 2016 Champion of Champions. The event had a wide range of ages competing, as the youngest champion was just 15-years-old while the oldest was 68.
Taking the title was Brampton Golf Club’s Russell Bowie. The 24-year-old Mississauga resident fired a two-under (69) to win the title by one stroke. Following the win, Bowie spoke about how honoured he was to be following in the footsteps of other Brampton Golf Club members who have won the Ontario Champion of Champions. “It means a lot to me to win this. It is a collection of club champions, so it’s pretty special to win. For Brampton, we have had a few previous winners: Stu Hamilton won it years ago and just a few years back, a good friend of mine, Binupa Wijesinghe, won it. I’m happy to bring it back to Brampton.”
Bowie credited his win to avoiding any major mistakes during the round. “I think I just avoided any major errors. I was never in any trouble. I hit a lot of fairways and greens, so I was never really scrambling. It was a good straight-forward round.”
This is the first provincial championship for Bowie.
Finishing in second place was Cherry Down’s Golf & Country Club’s Mathew Iceton. Iceton, from Brooklin, shot a one-under (70) to take home the silver.
Rounding out the podium in a tie for third were Deer Ridge Golf Club’s Ryan Kings and St. Catharines Golf & Country Club’s Robert Ellis. Kings, from Kitchener, and Ellis, from St. Catharines, each finished at even par (70).
For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao1619/index.htm
Golf Ontario would like to thank Meadowbrook G&CC for hosting the event, as well as all of the staff and the Golf Ontario volunteers who contributed. Thanks also to Turkish Airlines, the title sponsor of the championship.
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.
HAMILTON— The Golf Ontario women’s provincial championship calendar kicked off on May 19 from the Beverly Golf & Country Club in Hamilton with the Women’s and Senior Women’s Champion of Champions, presented by Turkish Airlines. This year saw 42 club champions from across the province tee it up in the Women’s event and 40 take part in the Senior championship all with the goal of becoming the Ontario Champion of Champions.
It was a well-rounded field as champions ranged from just 18 years of age all the way to 73, between the two events. In the Women’s event, it was 19-year-old Julia Champion who carded the low round of the day. Champion, from Markham and the Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club, shot a three-over (73) to claim the title. After the win, the Western Michigan University Bronco talked about the key to her success. “Today my ball striking was the best that it has probably been in a while. My short game was great too, it saved me a couple of times. I left a couple out there, but overall I am happy with the way I played.”
Finishing tied for second were Pickering’s Crystina Kertsos, from York Downs Golf & Country Club, and Etobicoke’s Marion Reid, from Islington Golf Club. Both players were just one shot off the lead, finishing four-over (74).
The senior side saw a familiar face to Golf Ontario. Former President Kathy Pilkey, from Sleepy Hollow Country Club, put together the best round of the day, carding a four-over (74) to take the title. It was the first provincial title for the 60-year-old Claremont resident.
“It feels fantastic to win this title, I am so thrilled!” said Pilkey. “The strength of my game today was definitely my ball striking. I had a lesson on Tuesday and all of a sudden, things started to feel great. I didn’t make one birdie, but I played rock-solid golf and it felt good.”
Winning the silver was last year’s champion, Strathroy’s Jane Hedges-McKinnon, from Bear Creek Golf & Country Club. Hedges-McKinnon finished one back at five-over (75).
Earning the bronze medal was Mississauga’s Debbie Court. The Toronto Golf Club member finished six-over (76) to round out the top three.
Golf Ontario would like to thank Beverly Golf & Country Club along with their staff and members for hosting the event. Thanks also to all of the Golf Ontario volunteers for their continued hard work. Finally, a big thanks to Turkish Airlines for sponsoring the event.
For full results and information from the Women’s Champion of Champions see the tournament site here: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao1614/contest/1/leaderboard.htm
For the Senior Women’s Champion of Champions see the tournament page at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao16117/contest/1/leaderboard.htm
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 and Elizabeth Tong. 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.
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 450 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 getting the game of golf into our school systems, to keeping the Ontario golf community aware of all relevant issues and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to making golf better for everyone in Ontario. We share a love and passion for golf, while preserving its past, fostering its future, and championing golf’s best interests for everyone who enjoys the sport.
For more information, please contact:
Darren Matte, Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Golf Ontario
905-852-1101 ext. 234
dmatte@gao.ca
