13th Day of Golf Set to Offer Ultimate Golf Experience
Peter MacKellar
Golf Ontario’s 12 Days of Golf has already been a huge success, raising thousands of dollars for the National Golf in Schools program here in Ontario. Even though today is the 12th Day, the campaign isn’t ready to close up shop for the holidays just yet.
Thanks to Golf Ontario’s partner, TaylorMade Golf Canada, the 13th Day is ready to roll out what can only be described as an ultimate conclusion to the 12 Days of Golf. Beginning tonight at midnight, four special packages will be posted in the 12 Days of Golf auction.
Included in the package will be:
• A brand new TaylorMade M1 or M2 driver (TBD at fitting)
• Custom fitting of the TaylorMade driver at the fitting centre in Woodbridge or at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville
• A dozen TaylorMade TP5 golf balls
• One spot to Play Like the Pros at Glen Abbey, July 31st, 2017 (The day after the final round of the RBC Canadian Open, with Sunday pin placements)
• A foursome, with carts and two meals, to Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge
“We wanted to conclude the 12 Days of Golf on a significant note,” said Tracey McElrea, Golf Ontario Director of Business Development. “We think that this package provides a once in a lifetime opportunity that the diehard golfer won’t want to miss.”
Golf Ontario would like to extend a special thanks to TaylorMade Golf Canada for their generous contribution to the 12 Days of Golf. Thanks also to all of the golf courses for their generous donations and to everyone who has bid in the auction. For more information on the 12 Days of Golf visit: gao.ca/12Days.
Callens wins Investors Group Junior Boys’ Spring Classic; Szeryk claims Girls’ title
Peter MacKellar
UXBRIDGE/WATERLOO — The first 2016 Golf Ontario junior event came to a close on May 23, as the Investors Group Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Spring Classics wrapped up after three days of great golf. In the end, Peyton Callens and Ellie Szeryk outlasted the competition at Wooden Sticks Golf Club and Grey Silo Golf Course, respectively, to hoist the championship trophies.
Investors Group Junior Boys’ Spring Classic
Entering the day, Langton’s Peyton Callens had a two-shot lead. The Delhi Golf & Country Club member had played some consistent golf throughout the weekend and the final round would be no different. Back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth holes helped him finish the front nine at one-under. That would be key for the Team Ontario member as he was one-over on the back nine. Still, the 16-year-old’s even-par (72) was good enough to hold off the field as he capped off the week at four-under (71-69-72-212) earning the championship. Callens also took home the Juvenile title.
The consistent play definitely turned out to be the key factor as one player, Elmvale’s Andrew Nagel, from Barrie Country Club, was on fire. Nagel carded a six-under (66) to put the pressure on Callens. While his run would fall just short, Nagel picked up the silver at two-under for the tournament (77-71-66-214).
After the round, Callens spoke about the pressure he faced from his challengers. “Coming into today I was up by two on John (Burghardt) and didn’t quite know how he would play. It turned out that he ran into some trouble, but meanwhile Andrew (Nagel) was just hitting everything. He was three-under at one point while I was two-under so I knew I just had to keep playing my best. My lead was only three shots at one point and in golf a three-shot lead is really nothing. I started to put some distance on the back nine and that’s when I started to feel good. I knew if I just stayed calm, played well, hit good shots, hit fairways and greens I would be able to pull it out.”
Rounding out medals was a four-way tie for third. Earning a share at one-over for the tournament were Guelph’s Anthony Occhiuto (74-72-71-217), from Cutten Fields Golf Club, Thornhill and Team Ontario’s Jason Chung (76-68-73-217), from Thornhill Golf & Country Club, Thornhill’s Kelvin Lim (71-73-73-217), from Station Creek Golf Club, and Richmond Hill’s Angelo Giantsopoulos (75-71-71-217), from York Downs Golf & Country Club.
The final round for the girls at Grey Silo looked like it would be anything but dramatic. Port Credit’s Chloe Currie entered the day at three-under and had a five-shot lead. However, the Team Canada Development Squad and Mississaugua Golf & Country Club member got out to a rough start. She double bogeyed the first hole and bogeyed the second bringing her right back to the rest of the field. Her struggles continued on the back nine and she went on to finish the day five-over (76), brining her three-day total to two-over (68-71-76-215) good enough for a share of second.
Meanwhile, one of her playing partners was having a solid outing. Ellie Szeryk, a dual United States and Canadian citizen who plays out of London when in Ontario, began the day at one-over in a tie for second. After an even front nine, she finished one-under on the back for a final round of one-under (70). That was good enough to secure her the title as she ended the three rounds at even par (69-74-70-213).
“It feels amazing to win. It was a grind out there today, Chloe (Currie) and Monet (Chun) were really close, at one point I think there were about four players all pretty close to one another so I am so happy I could finish it off and pull out a win,” said Szeryk.
Szeryk credited her ball striking as the key element of her game that helped her capture the win. “My ball striking was really good, I put myself in good places. Of course I had some bad shots but I learned to recover and got over whatever happened.”
The win was the first provincial championship for the 14-year-old Szeryk.
The silver medal was also shared by three Team Ontario players who, in addition to Currie, all finished at two-over for the tournament. Hornby’s Alexandra Naumovski, from Brampton Golf Club, had the low round of the day finishing three-under (68). First-round leader London’s Isabella Portokalis, from West Haven Golf & Country Club finished one-over (72) as did Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun, from The Summit Golf & Country Club.
Golf Ontario would like to thank both Wooden Sticks and Grey Silo along with their staffs for hosting the events. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers and to title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in Ontario.
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 Golf Association of Ontario is pleased to welcome the three new members who will be inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame at a ceremony tentatively set to take place on May 4, 2016 at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge. Dave Mills, John Gordon, and Patty Howard will become the 73rd, 74th and 75th members of the Hall. In addition, Bill ‘Skip’ Johns will be receiving the Lorne Rubenstein Award, which is presented annually to accredited members of the Ontario media for “major contributions to golf.”
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.
2016 Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Inductees
Dave Mills
Dave Mills has been involved with the GAO/OGA since 1986. He served on the board of directors from 1989-1997, before being appointed Executive Director in 1997. He turned around an association that was experiencing significant financial and administrative challenges.
Mills led several initiatives during his time as Executive Director including: the GAO Scholarship Program, educational seminars, Golf in Schools, learn to play clinics, new provincial championships, Team Ontario, participation in Canadian and Ontario Summer Games, a partnership with Ontario Golf Magazine to be official magazine of Association, led the process to establish Ontario Golf Hall of Fame and helped to have golf recognized as an “Official Sport” by Sport Canada. Perhaps one of his greatest accomplishments was leading the process to amalgamate the Ontario Golf Association with the Ontario Ladies Golf Association to create one of the largest amateur golf Associations in North America.
Mills is also a certified rules official and has volunteered his expertise at numerous GAO events and at the Canadian Open, Canadian Amateur and Telus Skins Game. He retired from the GAO in 2014, but continues to volunteer at provincial events.
John Gordon
John Gordon left the Canadian Press to become managing editor of SCOREGolf in 1986 and has been involved in the golf industry ever since. Recruited by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada) in 1990, he initiated their communications and member services departments and was the founding editor of the Golf Canada Magazine. After a stint as executive director of the Golf Association of Ontario, he founded The Gordon Group, specializing in communications and consulting for the golf industry, in 1994. He has contributed to the National Post and Toronto Sun and appeared on multiple television stations as a golf analyst. He has also provided Rogers Sportsnet with online material and served as an associate editor of the Sportsnet Magazine.
Gordon is a past chairman of the NGCOA Canada and has conducted golf-related seminars and presentations across Canada, the U.S., and Scotland. Gordon was a founding board member of the Professional Golf Management program at Georgian College, where he also taught. In 2008, he was hired by ClubLink to build an in-house communications department, re-launch their member magazine and build out more than 50 web sites.
Gordon has written hundreds of articles for golf consumer and trade publications and is the author of eight golf books. John recently has returned to freelance golf writing.
Patty Howard
Patty Howard achieved success as professional golfer and as a teacher. She notched three provincial championships: 1988 Ontario Ladies Professional Championship, 1988 Ontario Ladies Summer Championship and the 1991 Ladies Professional Summer Championship. She also captured a pair of wins on the Florida Mini Tour (now Symetra Tour).
Howard’s impact on the game stretched past her playing career. She was the first female head professional at a private mixed club in Canada. She originally joined the PGA of Canada in 1975 and received Class A status in 1981. She was the first female to sit on the PGA of Ontario Board of Directors.
Howard has been recognized on numerous occasions for her work in the game. Honours she has received include: 2001 YWCA London Women of Excellence Award for Sport, Fitness and Recreation, 2007 Ontario Club Professional of the Year, 2007 Canadian Club Professional of the Year, 2007 Score Golf Club Professional of the Year, 2008 London Sports Person of the Year, 2009 London Sports Hall of Fame Induction, and 2013 London Heart Award.
Bill ‘Skip’ Johns- Lorne Rubenstein Award
Skip Johns began a career in journalism at the Niagara Falls Review in 1957. In 1972 he moved on to the Kitchener-Waterloo Record to continue his top priority: Sports Journalism. Throughout his 58-years in sports journalism, Johns always had a passion for golf. His work also included writing for Ontario Golf News and Golf Scene. Even now at 77-years-old, Johns continues to cover golf online. In 2002, John was honoured, where he started, as he was inducted into the Niagara Falls Virtual Wall of Fame.
Sear and Getty win 2015 Investors Group Junior Spring Classics
Peter MacKellar
UXBRIDGE/WATERLOO— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Investors Group Junior Spring Classic wrapped up on May 18 after three days at Wooden Sticks Golf Course in Uxbridge and Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo. When all was said and done it was Max Sear who captured the boys’ title while Alyssa Getty took home the girls’ championship.
At the junior boys’ event, taking place May 16-18 at Wooden Sticks Golf Course, a tremendous final round by Golf Canada Development Squad member Trevor Ranton put the pressure on second-round leader, Team Ontario’s Sear. Waterloo’s Ranton carded a six-under (66) during the final round moving him to seven-under for the tournament (68-75-66-209). That meant Sear had to finish the round at two-under to force a playoff or better for the win. Unionville’s Sear was up to the task and finished two-under 70 (69-70-70-209) and forced the playoff.
During the playoff it was Sear, the York Downs Golf & Country Club member, who was able to pull out the win with a par on the first extra hole to win the Investors Group Junior Boys’ Spring Classic.
Ranton, the Whistle Bear Golf Club member, still had a strong showing this week. He followed up his win at the CN Future Links Pacific Championship last weekend with the Junior Spring Classic silver medal.
After his win Sear spoke about his tournament. “It felt good out there today,” said Sear. “I started off slow but got going on the back nine. I felt good all day. Trevor and I are good buddies and if I had to go up against someone, in a playoff, I’m glad it was him because we both enjoy the pressure. I wanted to see him do well but at the same time I also wanted to beat him. We both played well today, so it was a lot more fun for everybody.”
Completing the top three were London’s Jackson Bowery and Waterloo’s Tyler Douse who both finished even for the tournament. Bowery, the Team Ontario member from the Green Hills Golf Club finished 70-73-73 for a total of 216. As for Douse, from Westmount Golf & Country Club, his tournament scores were 70-71-75 for a total of 216.
Capturing the Juvenile Division was Aurora’s Jack Simpson. Simpson, from the Beacon Hall Golf Club finished the tournament at five-over (74-68-79- 221). Thanks to his low second round, Simpson was able to build up a big lead and rode it right through the final round to win the Juvenile Championship.
Over at the junior girls’ event at Grey Silo Golf Course, for the third day in a row a new name topped the leaderboard but this was the round where it counted. Ruthven’s Alyssa Getty came into the round just one shot off the lead. After 18 holes, the Team Ontario and Kingsville Golf & Country Club member was two-over (73) for the day, bringing her tournament total to six-over (71-75-73-219) good enough for a one-shot victory.
The victory was extra sweet for Getty who fell just short last year. “I’m really excited that I played well this year and gave myself a chance to win. I am proud that I came out and got it done. I think my bad shots didn’t get me into a lot of trouble, so I stayed around even and kept it consistent. I was proud how I handled the pressure and happy overall with how I played.”
Finishing second was second-round leader, and fellow Team Ontario member Chloe Currie. The Port Credit native and Mississaugua Golf & Country Club member finished the day at four-over (75) bringing her total to seven-over (72-73-75-220).
Taking the bronze medal, and making it an all-Team Ontario sweep of the medals, was Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun. Chun, the Summit Golf & Country Club member, led after round one and finished the day four-over 75, to end the tournament 10-over (69-79-75-223).
About the Investors Group Spring Classic
The Investors Group Junior Spring Classic Championship 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. For more information and complete results see the tournament page at:
Breen, Carrick, Creed and Kerr Inducted into Ontario Golf Hall of Fame
Peter MacKellar
UXBRIDGE— The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) was pleased to hold it’s annual Ontario Hall of Fame induction ceremony on May 6 at Wooden Sticks Golf Course in Uxbridge. Bob Breen, Doug Carrick, Edie Creed and Bill Kerr were inducted as the class of 2015, while Garry McKay was the recipient of the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award.
GAO president Chris Osborne began the evening by introducing the great class of 2015. “When I joined the GAO, I was told I could play lots of golf and meet many cool people. I haven’t seen much of the golf, but I have met many great people and that echoes here tonight. What I like most about golf is it is enjoyed by great people. On behalf of our board, staff, volunteers and Hall of Fame Committee thank you all for coming out and let’s induct this great class.”
The ceremony began with the presentation of the Lorne Rubenstein Media Award to McKay. McKay, who has covered golf for more than 40 years, has written for a number of news publications, golf magazines and hosted golf radio programming. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the International Network of Golf and is currently the past-president of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.
“I want to congratulate all of the inductees, they have all had amazing careers,” said McKay. “There are so many people I want to thank, but I really need to thank all of the people in this room because all golfers have great stories and I wouldn’t have had a great career if I couldn’t tell your stories.”
Bob Breen excelled at golf capturing the Ontario PGA Hunt Trophy as a junior, a feat he would go on to do again three times as a senior. He turned pro in 1960 and went on to have tremendous success. He captured 15 victories on the Ontario PGA Tour and another three on the Canadian Tour. Breen also participated in the Canadian Open on 10 occasions, played on the American Tour, where he won the Bahamas International, the Florida tour, where he was a four-time winner, the South American Tour and events on the PGA Tour.
Accepting on behalf of Breen, who passed away in August of 2014, was his son Blair Breen who was visibly emotional about the honour his father was given. “I’m sure that back in the 1950s, when my dad started playing golf he would have never imagined this moment, being inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. It is a true honour for him and his legacy to Ontario golf.”
Doug Carrick entered the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the builder category. A renowned course designer, Carrick has designed 25 courses in Canada and another four internationally. In addition, he has been involved in the renovations of 45 courses. His courses have earned him numerous awards and have hosted multiple professional events.
“I was traveling in Austria when I received a call from GAO Executive Director Steve Carroll telling me I was to be inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame and I can tell you I was completely stunned.” said Carrick. “I’d like to thank all of my clients over the years for putting their trust in me to design and remodel their golf courses.”
Edie Creed had tremendous success as an amateur golfer as a member of the Oakdale Golf and Country Club. Her list of accomplishments is long and includes being a 37-time Club Champion at Oakdale. Creed also won the York District Championship in 1982. It was as a senior competitor where Creed made her mark on the game. She captured the Canadian Senior Women’s Championship three times (1979, 1981 and 1982). She also added five Ontario Senior Women’s Championships (1978, 1981-83 and 1986).
Creed talked about her inspiration in golf, her husband Eddie. “I’m honoured to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I got started in golf all because of my husband Eddie. He always encouraged me to practice and I listened to his advice. While I don’t play golf anymore, my memories are as sharp as the tee, my friendships as long as the fairway. This induction is my eagle.”
Bill Kerr captured the 1945 CPGA Championship, a feat he would go on to replicate in 1960. He also won two Miller Trophy Match Play Championships in 1944 and 1945, another feat he would duplicate while in Quebec in 1947 and 1950. Throughout his career, Kerr played in six Canadian Opens and the 1961 Masters Championship. He was a five-time winner on the Quebec PGA Tour, the 1956 Bermuda Goodwill Champion, and the 1963 and 1964 CPGA Senior Champion. In addition to his contributions to the game as a head and touring professional, Kerr also served as a two-time President of the Quebec Golf Association and President of the CPGA from 1955-1958.
Accepting on his behalf were Rob Kerr and Bill Kerr III. “Our family is honoured to accept this great award for my father,” said Rob. “He had the chance to play with many great players and also the opportunity to teach many people about the game of golf and he really enjoyed that. It is difficult to have a professional career while running a golf course but he was a determined individual and was able to have a pretty decent career.”
With that the 2015 class entered the hall capping off an excellent Hall of Fame Day celebration.
GAO Announces 2015 Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Class
Peter MacKellar
UXBRIDGE— The Golf Association of Ontario is pleased to welcome the four new members who will be inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame at a ceremony taking place on May 6, 2015 at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge. Bob Breen, Doug Carrick, Edith Creed and Bill Kerr will become the 69th, 70th, 71st and 72nd members of the Hall. In addition, Garry McKay will be receiving the Lorne Rubenstein Award, which is presented annually to accredited members of the Ontario Media for “major contributions to golf.”
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 the year 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.
2015 Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Inductees
Bob Breen
Robert Breen was born in Guelph, Ont. in 1939, before moving to Brampton. Breen quickly excelled at golf capturing the Ontario PGA Hunt Trophy as a junior, a feat he would go on to do again three times as a senior.
He turned pro in 1960 and went on to have tremendous success. He captured 15 victories on the Ontario PGA Tour and another three on the Canadian Tour. Breen also participated in the Canadian Open on 10 occasions, played on the American Tour, where he won the Bahamas International, the Florida tour, where he was a four-time winner, the South American Tour and events on the PGA Tour.
Success followed Breen when he began competing on senior tours. He captured 17 Ontario Senior PGA Tour wins and won the Canadian Super Senior Championship three times (2001, 2005 and 2007). In 2010, he was the Canadian Diamond Division Canadian Champion. Breen also had the opportunity to play in a pair of USGA Senior U.S. Opens.
In addition to his individual success, Breen also represented Ontario, 23 times in the Ontario/Quebec Titleist Cup Matches. He was also a 10-time member of the Bobby Orr Nabisco Team.
Breen’s contributions to the game of golf go beyond his playing career. He began working in the industry in 1961 as an Assistant Professional at Kleinburg GC and Pine Valley GC (now The National). He moved on to become the Head Professional at Malton GC (now Castlemore) a position he would also hold at Glen Abbey GC, Erin Heights GC and Derrydale GC. Breen passed away in August of 2014. At the time, he was serving as ambassador and teaching Professional at Brampton GC and Mississaugua GC.
Doug Carrick
Don Mills resident, Doug Carrick, enters the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the builder category. A renowned course designer, Carrick has designed 25 courses in Canada and another four internationally. In addition, he has been involved in the renovations of 45 courses.
His work has earned him numerous awards including: Best New Course in Canada (six times), Best New Course in Ontario (three times), Best Golf Development (2005, Humber Valley River Course) and Best International Golf Resort (2007, Humber Valley River Course).
Carrick’s courses have hosted multiple professional events including two PGA Tour Canadian Opens (2002, Angus Glen South Course and 2007, Angus Glen North Course), two LPGA Canadian Women’s Opens (2000, Angus Glen South Course and 2004, Legends on the Niagara Battlefield Course) a European Tour event and European LPGA event.
A past president of the Summit GC, Carrick has also served in a variety of roles with the American Society of Golf Course Architects, including president in 2009-10.
In 1985, Carrick established his own golf course design firm Carrick Design Inc.
Edith Creed
Edith Creed was born in Toronto in 1928 and now resides in Schomberg Ontario. A member of the Oakdale Golf and Country Club, Creed had tremendous success as an amateur golfer.
Her list of accomplishments is long and includes being a 37-time Club Champion at Oakdale. Creed also won the York District Championship in 1982.
It was as a senior competitor though where Creed made her mark on the game. She captured the Canadian Senior Women’s Championship three times (1979, 1981 and 1982). Her victories were also seen at the provincial level as she won the Ontario Senior Women’s Championship five times (1978, 1981-83 and 1986). Creed also added two York Senior Women’s District Championships (1978 and 1985).
Creed represented Ontario in 1966 as a member of the provincial team and then 10 times as a member of the senior provincial team.
She has given back to the game by helping to organize national competitions at Oakdale, along with being a supporter of their junior program.
Bill Kerr
Born in Lisburn, Ireland in 1911, Bill Kerr immigrated to Ontario soon after his birth. He had numerous affiliations to Ontario courses between 1928 and 1946, before becoming the head professional at Beaconsfield Golf and Country Club in Quebec.
While a resident of Ontario, Kerr captured the 1945 CPGA Championship, a feat he would go on to replicate in 1960. He also won two Miller Trophy Match Play Championships in 1944 and 1945, another feat he would duplicate while in Quebec in 1947 and 1950.
Throughout his career, Kerr played in six Canadian Opens and the 1961 Masters Championship. He was a five-time winner on the Quebec PGA Tour, the 1956 Bermuda Goodwill Champion, and the 1963 and 1964 CPGA Senior Champion.
In addition to his contributions to the game as a head and touring professional, Kerr also served as a two-time President of the Quebec Golf Association and President of the CPGA from 1955-1958.
Kerr passed away in 1997, but his legacy lives on through his family who have continued his work with contributions to the golf industry in Ontario and Quebec in various capacities.
Garry McKay- Lorne Rubenstein Award
Sports journalist, Garry McKay, has been covering golf for more than 40 years. The Hamilton, Ontario resident has written for the Hamilton Spectator along with all of the major Canadian golf magazines as well as periodicals in the U.S. and Germany. In 2009, he also moved into radio hosting the Canadian PGA Golf Radio Show.
He’s a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the International Network of Golf and is currently the past-president of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. McKay is a voting member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. He also sits on the Score Golf Top 100 and the Ontario Golf Magazine Best New Course and Top 50 Course panels.
Highlights from the 2014 Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Ceremony held on May 7 at Wooden Sticks Golf Club. Inductees included: Ken McKee (Lorne Rubenstein Media Award, Dorothy Campbell Hurd Howe, Earl Fritz, John Henrick and Bob Weeks.
