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.

The spark of a new idea among friends at last year’s Canadian Women’s Mid-Am in B.C. has blossomed into a meaningful new tradition.

On May 11, a group of passionate and skilled women golfers will gather at Cutten Fields in Guelph for the inaugural Crown Invitational—an exciting event launching to reignite women’s mid-amateur golf in Ontario.

The Crown Invitational is rooted in love for the game, shared purpose, and spirited competition. It was created by a player-led committee of five committed women golfers—Alexandra Taylor, Jessie Mercer, Emily Phoenix, Mary Beth McKenna, and Meredith Fairbairn—who united around a common goal: to bring their vision to life. At the heart of their mission is a commitment to helping women reconnect with competitive golf.

“We were all together at the Canadian Mid-Am in B.C. when the idea came up—we just thought, why not host something ourselves?” says Taylor.

That moment of inspiration turned into the first step in making the event a reality. The committee envisioned a welcoming and accessible tournament for women who may have stepped away from competitive golf after their junior or collegiate years.

“The idea was to create a mid-am invitational that could bring women back into competitive golf—especially those who played in college or as juniors,” she explains.

With 13 players registered for this year’s inaugural event, the field will feature four groups—meeting the team’s initial goal and laying the foundation for future growth.

“There are 13 registered this year. Our goal was four groups—and to build on that each year,” adds Taylor.

The format is designed to balance structure and inclusivity. A and B teams will be assigned for the better ball competition, with an additional individual scoring category.

“We’ll have A and B teams for the better ball, plus an individual category as well,” says Taylor.

Cutten Fields has a long-standing tradition of hosting major tournaments. But to Steve Bryant, Director of Golf, this event holds personal significance.

“We’re usually the ones who host major tournaments,” Bryant said, “but we’re always happy to help out—especially when a Cutten Fields member like Mary Beth steps forward.”

Mary Beth McKenna, a Cutten Fields member and the event’s lead organizer, said the idea came from recognizing the lack of opportunities for women to continue playing competitive golf after university.

“Life becomes busy after school,” she shared, “and there are limited opportunities for women to remain actively involved competitively.”

From the setting at Cutten Fields to the thoughtfully crafted format, every element of the event has been intentionally designed. The goal is to create a supportive and fun environment that encourages women to return to competition—without the stress of rankings or qualifications.

The Crown Invitational and its mission reflect Golf Ontario’s vision of Golf For All—”We shape lives by connecting people to positive golf experiences”—by offering welcoming, inclusive spaces for golfers of all backgrounds, abilities, and life stages. This event exemplifies what it means to build a sense of belonging in golf: breaking down competitive barriers and welcoming women back to the course to play the game they love.

The Invitational paves the way for continued participation and long-term growth in the women’s game. Even in its first year, the Crown Invitational is poised to become a lasting, player-first tradition—seamlessly combining camaraderie and competition for women in golf.