Lim claims 2017 Investors Group Junior Boys’ Spring Classic; Chun goes wire-to-wire to win Junior Girls’ title
Peter MacKellar
UXBRIDGE/STOUFFVILLE — The Investors Group Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Spring Classics wrapped up on May 22 from Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge and Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Stouffville. Heading into the final rounds, Thornhill’s Kelvin Lim held a one-shot lead in the boys’ championship, while Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun was eight clear of the field in the girls’ competition. The rounds produced few dramatics, as both leaders were able to see their leads through to the championship.
Investors Group Junior Boys’ Spring Classic
The 15-year-old Lim got out to a consistent start with pars on his first four holes. A pair of bogeys would drop the Station Creek Golf Club member back to three-over as he made the turn. Lim birdied the par-five 14th before finishing his round with a bogey on 18. Still, even with a two-over (74), he was able to claim the title at three-over (75-70-74-219). Lim also won the Juvenile Championship.
For Lim, his success during the three days was all about sticking to his routine. “Yesterday the weather was pretty bad but I just stayed focused,” said Lim. “I just thought about my routine, my swing and grinded through the round. As for today, I was hitting the ball really well, despite not being able to make anything. I focused on myself and not my opponents, I had a score in my mind and tried to achieve that. This win definitely makes me feel more confident heading into the rest of the season.”
Finishing in a tie for second place were Mississauga’s Sudarshan Yellamaraju and Cobourg’s Nicholas Oosterhof. Yellamaraju, 15 from Blue Springs Golf Club, began the day in second, one-back of Lim. He got out to a rough start and was five-over as he got to the ninth tee. He would birdie the ninth as well as the 18th to help him finish three-over (75). That brought him to five-over (72-74-75-221) for the tournament.
As for Oosterhof, from Dalewood Golf Club, he began the day six-over but had one of the low rounds at one-under (71). Oosterhof, 18-years-old, was even after the front nine but hit birdies on 14 and 16, after a bogey on 12, to finish one-under. He finished the tournament five-over (75-75-71-221).
Over at the Junior Girls’ Spring Classic, Chun, 16-years-old from Summit Golf & Country Club capped off an impressive week with an 11-stroke win. The Golf Canada Development Squad and former Team Ontario member finished the final round two-over (74). After an even front nine, Chun would bogey 10 and 17, but still took the win comfortably. She finished the tournament four-over (71-75-74-220).
After the win, Chun spoke about what helped her this week to capture the title. “It was a tough week here at Sleepy Hollow. I struggled with my putting, but my shots helped to keep me in good shape.”
“Coming into the round I tried to focus on staying even and remain consistent throughout the day. I have been playing in the Spring Classic for about five or six years and think it is a great tournament to win considering all of the top players who have played in it before,” added Chun.
Picking up the silver was Maple’s Alyssa DiMarcantonio. DiMarcantonio, from Station Creek Golf Club, began the day in second but was unable to catch the leader. The 14-year-old did begin the day two-under, but would finish five-over (77). She ended the tournament at 15-over (75-79-77-231).
Rounding out the top three with the bronze was Richmond Hill’s Emily Zhu. Zhu, 13, started the round in a four-way tie for third but separated herself from the pack. Zhu followed up an even front nine by going four-over on the back. That brought her tournament total to 16-over (75-81-76-232)
Golf Ontario would like to thank both Wooden Sticks Golf Club and Sleepy Hollow Country Club, along with their staffs, for hosting the events. Thanks also to Investors Group and the Golf Ontario volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.
About the Investors Group Spring Classic
The Investors Group Junior Spring Classic is a 54-hole stroke-play competition contested annually over the Victoria Day long weekend that features many of Ontario’s best male and female junior golfers. The field of competitors gained entry to the competition through a qualifying process earlier in the season.
UXBRIDGE— The annual Ontario Golf Hall of Fame ceremony was held on May 3, from Wooden Sticks Golf Course in Uxbridge. This year, four deserving inductees entered the Hall and one member of the Ontario golf media was honoured with the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award.
“I wish to extend my congratulations and those of Golf Ontario’s board members, staff and volunteers to this truly deserving group of inductees,” said Golf Ontario President John Gallinger as he welcomed those in attendance. “Whether as a Builder, Amateur or Professional, all of tonight’s inductees have shown extraordinary contributions to the game at the provincial, national or international levels.”
The evening began with the presentation of the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award, an award that recognizes major contributions to golf in Ontario and is named after Ontario Golf Hall of Famer and one of Canada’s best known golf journalists: Lorne Rubenstein. This year the award was given to Ian Hutchinson. Hutchinson’s career has spanned over 35 years and seen him cover a variety of sports. However, he eventually specialized in golf and it is because of those contributions he was named the 2017 Lorne Rubenstein Media Award winner.
“What a prestigious award to win. I said to Lorne that he set the bar for us, not only in standards of writing but in the way he conducts himself. He is always willing to talk and help out his colleagues,” said Hutchinson. “I looked at the past winners of this award and what a great lineup of golf writers to be joining!”
The first inductee to join the Hall was Oakville’s James Fraser. Fraser entered the Hall in the Builder category after an impressive career that saw him involved in numerous areas within the sport. Fraser held multiple roles around rules but also served associations provincially (in both Ontario and Quebec) along with nationally.
Fraser told the crowd about how he grew up with the game of golf and that once he started to attend events, he became interested in the rules side. Fraser followed that passion into the Hall of Fame career that he now possesses.
Port Carling ‘s Thomas McBroom also entered the Hall in the Builder category. McBroom, a well-known golf course architect has designed more than 60 courses in Canada and even more internationally. Many of his designs have been recognized on top lists nationally and internationally.
“I am obviously thrilled to be here tonight and to have so many good friends and good clients here,” said McBroom. “I thank you all for your support of the years. I have had a great career in golf and am happy to have been part of a great period where golf expanded.”
Entering in the Professional category was Sandford’s Ken Tarling. Tarling, who turned pro in 1982 captured 21 provincial titles, two national championships, a Canadian Tour win and 12 international victories in eight different countries.
Tarling thanked those in attendance for their involvement in his career and told them about how he became a professional. “Originally I wanted to be a head professional because I thought that was the life. It wasn’t until a Golf Ontario (Ontario Golf Association) camp where Ontario Golf Hall of Famer Sam Young said to me ‘I think you should try to become a tour player.’ He saw something in me and that changed my entire outlook.”
The final inductee of the evening was Stacey (West) Mahoney. Now living in Cary, North Carolina, Mahoney entered the Hall in the Amateur category. Mahoney had a tremendous junior career, which saw her win three Ontario Junior Girls’ titles, three Canadian Junior Girls Championships and the 1979 Canadian Ladies’ Amateur Championship in addition to the numerous team honours she received.
“I have been really lucky. I have been to every province in Canada, probably half of the states in the U.S., England, Australia and Fiji in my golf career on provincial and national teams,” said Mahoney.
With that the 2017 Ontario Golf Hall of Fame ceremony concluded and the inductees officially joined the other members of the Hall.
Golf Ontario would like to congratulate all of the inductees and thank all those who attended, including Golf Ontario partners who make events like the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame possible. Also, a big thank you to Wooden Sticks for their continued support in hosting the ceremony and housing the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. Thanks as well to TSN’s Mark Zecchino for emceeing the event.
ABOUT THE ONTARIO GOLF HALL OF FAME
The Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in the game of golf in Ontario. Founded in 2000 by the Ontario Golf Association and the Ontario Ladies’ Golf Association, the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is housed at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge. There are 79 members of the Hall of Fame.
