A century of golf leadership and a new chapter in Northern Ontario golf history were celebrated on Thursday, September 24th as the Northern Golf Association hosted its 100th Anniversary Celebration at Idylwylde Golf & Country Club in Sudbury. The event brought together more than 90 guests from across the region and featured the inaugural induction ceremony for the Northern Ontario Golf Hall of Fame.
As the NGA reflected on 100 years of supporting and growing the game throughout Northern Ontario, the association also recognized 10 individuals whose accomplishments and contributions helped shape that legacy. Inducted in the player and builder categories, the inaugural class represents some of the most influential figures in Northern Ontario golf.
Celebrating 100 years of Northern Ontario Golf
Hosted by Golf Ontario Regional Manager and NGA Director Owen Rigg, the evening brought together representatives from member clubs, volunteers, community leaders and golf enthusiasts from across Northern Ontario to celebrate the Association’s first century.
Since its formation in 1926, the NGA has played an important role in fostering competition, supporting member clubs and helping grow the game across the region. The centennial celebration provided an opportunity to reflect on that history while looking ahead to the future of golf in Northern Ontario.
Owen Rigg reflected on the organization’s growth since returning to Northern Ontario in 2009, when the NGA had just 12 member clubs, including only six that were fully affiliated. Today, nearly 40 clubs across the region are part of the Association’s network.
“I really wanted to get involved, so I approached Archie Berube,” said Rigg. “We started thinking about how we were going to start re-establishing a relationship with Golf Ontario and Golf Canada.”
The progress made over the past two decades helped lay the foundation for a milestone evening celebrating both the NGA’s history and its future.
“I think it’s a testament to those efforts that led us to tonight, telling the stories of the first hundred years and talking about the next 100 years,” said Rigg.
Inaugural Northern Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Class
A highlight of the evening was the induction of the inaugural Northern Ontario Golf Hall of Fame class, recognizing individuals whose achievements and dedication left a lasting mark on the game across the northern region.
Builders
- George W. Lee (North Bay): Helped organize the inaugural Northern Ontario Golf Championship in 1926 and played a key role in the formation of the NGA. The Northern Ontario Championship trophy was later named in his honour.
- John Knox (Timmins): Founding President of the NGA who brought together clubs from Timmins, North Bay, Haileybury and Iroquois Falls during the Association’s formation.
- Robert “Bob” McMenemy (Sault Ste. Marie): Dedicated more than 50 years to the game as an administrator, organizer, coach and rules official. He also served as Northern Ontario’s first representative on the Golf Ontario Board and worked numerous provincial and national championships.
- Archie Berube (Timmins): Longtime NGA President who helped revitalize the Association, rebuild partnerships with Golf Ontario and Golf Canada, and played a leading role in the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding between the organizations.
Players
- Robert Gardiner “Bob” Lee (North Bay): Captured five Northern Ontario Amateur Championships between 1927 and 1938, winning his first title at just 17 years old. He later served as President of North Bay Golf & Country Club and was inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame.
- William “Bill” Morland (North Bay): A record 12-time Northern Ontario Amateur Champion, Golf Ontario Men’s Amateur Champion and Ontario Champion of Champions. He also represented Ontario on three Willingdon Cup teams and competed in five Canadian Opens.
- Phyllis Hughes Crang (Sudbury): Nine-time Northern Ontario Ladies Champion who won 15 Idylwylde Invitationals and 19 club championships. Her playing career spanned more than seven decades.
- Jim Lamontagne (Kapuskasing): Six-time NGA Champion, including five consecutive titles from 1981 to 1985, and an eight-time Kapuskasing Invitational winner. Later known throughout the region as “The Gentleman Golfer.”
- Bruce Helbig (Sudbury): Winner of more than 50 tournaments across Northern Ontario, including five Northern Ontario Amateur Championships and four Idylwylde Invitationals. He later built a career as a golf professional, instructor and course operator.
- Vince Palladino (Sudbury): Six-time Northern Ontario Amateur Champion who competed at Ohio State University, represented Ontario on a championship-winning Willingdon Cup team and later served as Head Coach of the Laurentian University golf program.
Looking Ahead
As the NGA enters its second century, the evening served as a reminder that the organization’s success has always been driven by the people behind it! From founding builders and volunteers to championship-winning players, the inaugural Hall of Fame class reflects the passion and commitment that have helped shape Northern Ontario golf for the past 100 years.
