In a ceremony steeped in pride and tradition, Canadian golf legends were celebrated as the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame etched a new chapter in history.
Four new inductees were honoured with a place in the Hall of Fame, while a renowned Ontario photographer accepted a prominent media award during the ceremony, which saw more than 100 in attendance at Wooden Sticks Golf Club.
Revered presenter and sports broadcaster Rod Black returned as the host of the ceremonies, steering the evening with warmth and festivity. The event began with Mike Lamontagne, Chair of Golf Ontario, taking the stage to officially welcome guests and open the ceremony.
In the Builder Category, Archie Berube, Grant Fraser, and Charles Blair Macdonald were honoured for their transformative contributions to the game of golf in Ontario.
Berube spent decades revitalizing the Northern Golf Association through rebelling leadership, cheerful engagement, and influential collaboration with Golf Ontario. Berube has been a driving force in Northern Ontario golf for over 25 years, as he continues to create a lasting legacy through his efforts and unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for future generations.
Fraser, a trailblazer in golf management education, created Ontario’s first Professional Golf Management program and founded Canada’s only online golf management institute. For over 30 years, he has shaped the next generation of golf industry leaders through national and international instruction, award-winning media contributions, and leadership roles with Golf Canada, the PGA of Canada, and the Canadian Junior Golf Association. His forward-thinking approach and passion for golf and education have made a profound impact on the growth and professionalism of the game in Ontario.
Macdonald, born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, was remembered as the “Father of Golf Course Architecture.” He designed the first 18-hole golf course and achieved major championship success as a player. Though his legacy is widely recognized across North America, his roots in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and his early contributions to the sport have left a lasting impact on the development of golf in the province. His vision and influence helped shape the foundation of modern golf in Ontario and beyond.
In the Player Category, Alena Sharp was inducted as one of Canada’s most accomplished professional golfers. With a standout career on the LPGA Tour spanning over 20 years, she represented Canada at the 2016 Olympics and competed in more than 300 LPGA events. Her achievements and commitment have motivated countless future generations of female golfers in Ontario, Canada, and beyond.
Finally, Doug Ball, the legendary photographer, was recognized with the 2025 Lorne Rubenstein Media Award. Born in 1946, Ball constructed a tremendous career capturing defining moments in golf —from Tiger Woods’ 1997 Masters win to Mike Weir’s iconic 2003 Masters victory, a moment of tremendous pride for Ontario and Canadian golf. His profound connection to the sport and ability to preserve its most powerful stories through his lens make him one of the country’s most esteemed pictorial storytellers.
The Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is proud to celebrate the devotion and pridefulness that each recipient carries, on and off the golf course. Their contributions, whether through leadership, education, playing excellence, or storytelling, have helped shape the past, present, and future of the game in Ontario. We honour their legacy and thank them for inspiring generations to come.
Founded in 2000 by the Ontario Golf Association and the Ontario Ladies’ Golf Association, The Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in the game of golf in Ontario. Their contributions, whether through leadership, education, playing excellence, or storytelling, have helped shape the past, present, and future of the game in Ontario.
