Golf Ontario is proud to announce applications for the 2025 Scholarship Program will officially open on May 16, 2025, and will close on June 30, 2025.

This annual initiative supports Ontario student-athletes who demonstrate excellence both academically and within the golf community.

Scholarship Overview

Since 1994, Golf Ontario has awarded scholarships to hundreds of deserving students, thanks to the generous support of donors and partners. These scholarships aim to ease financial burdens and empower recipients to pursue their academic and athletic goals.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for a Golf Ontario scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a resident of Ontario
• Maintain a minimum overall academic average of 75%
• Hold an active Golf Ontario or Golf Canada membership
• Demonstrate active involvement in golf through competitive play, community engagement, volunteerism, or industry experience

Required Application Materials

Applicants are required to submit:

• A completed online application form
• A one-page personal essay titled “How Golf Has Shaped My Life”
• An academic transcript
• Proof of college or university acceptance or enrollment
• A letter of recommendation
• A resume
• An additional letter of reference

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Special Scholarship Awards

In addition to general scholarships, Golf Ontario offers several named awards honouring individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport:

• Ken McKenzie Award: Recognizes a student who embodies McKenzie’s dedication to junior golf development.
• Christine Fisher Memorial Student Award: Awarded to a female golfer demonstrating academic excellence and community involvement, with preference given to applicants from the Waterloo Region or those attending the University of Waterloo.
• Craig Revell Scholarship: Honours a student who exemplifies Revell’s respect for the game and academic achievement.
• Helena Harbridge Scholarship: Supports a student-athlete who has overcome adversity, reflecting Harbridge’s perseverance and dedication.
• Dave Mills Scholarship: Celebrates a student pursuing post-secondary education, reflecting Mills’ lifelong commitment to golf development.
• Baka Mobile Scholarship: Supports one male and one female junior golfer pursuing post-secondary education in Ontario.
• Bill Bath Scholarship Award: Recognizes a student from The Regional Municipality of Durham who demonstrates Bath’s passion for golf and community service.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted online from May 16 to June 30, 2025. Interested applicants can find more information and submit their applications HERE.

For questions or to learn more about supporting the scholarship program, please contact fundraising@golfontario.ca.

Golf Ontario remains committed to fostering the growth of student-athletes and looks forward to supporting the next generation of leaders in golf and beyond.

Disability golf has made a significant difference in my life. Four years ago, my brother encouraged me to sign up for the Ontario Open. At the time, I was struggling deeply with one of my lifelong disabilities. While you might look at me and not see someone with a disability—and growing up around only able-bodied people, I didn’t see myself that way either—I had been silently dealing with challenges that made many things, including golf, very difficult. Travelling by plane was out of the question, and even attending local tournaments in Ontario felt overwhelming.

About a week before my first round, my father passed away. My entire family was away at the time, and I was ready to withdraw. But my brother returned from his trip and convinced me to play. In that round, I was paired with Kurtis Barkley, the defending champion and a top-10-ranked golfer on the G4D Tour. Somehow, I shot my best-ever score—a 66, closing with birdie-eagle, with thoughts of my dad guiding that final putt.

After my first tee shot, Kurtis asked, “Have you heard about the G4D Tour?” He went on to explain how disability golf is growing, with the DP World Tour now hosting 8 to 10 events annually that showcase some of the best adaptive golfers in the world. I already knew I had surgery coming up to address the disability I’d been managing most of my life, and despite the grief I was carrying, I felt a sense of renewed opportunity.

My second-place finishes in both the Ontario and Canadian championships quickly pushed me into the top 30. My goal was to crack the top 10 and earn an invitation to play on the G4D Tour—something I’d long dreamed of, just to see how I’d measure up against the world’s best.

That fall, the R&A and the DP World Tour announced the inaugural G4D Open. I registered as soon as I could. My surgery was in December 2022, and while the disability is now more manageable, I hadn’t travelled in a long time. I kept the trip short—just a quick flight to the tournament and back.

The tournament was a great success. I finished in the top 15 and made new friends during both practice and competition. While I didn’t earn the high finish I’d hoped for or break into the top 10, I was proud of how I played and grateful for the sense of belonging I felt among fellow adaptive golfers.

From these experiences, I’ve learned that playing alongside others with disabilities has given me permission to take the time I need before every shot. Living with multiple invisible disabilities, I’ve always tried not to get in anyone’s way—not to let my hearing loss, hand dexterity challenges, or other conditions slow things down. During golf tournaments, that mindset would often cause me to rush, leading to mistakes. Disability golf has helped me realize it’s okay to take the time and space I need to perform my best.

Golf Ontario is proud to share a guest blog from Chris Willis—an adaptive golfer whose story speaks to the transformative impact of the game.

This week, Willis blogs from Woburn Golf Club in United Kingdom as he competes in the 2025 G4D Open, sharing his thoughts on what this event—and this path—has meant to him.

The countdown is on for one of the most distinguished events on Golf Ontario’s calendar—the 2025 Champion of Champions, set for Wednesday, May 14th at The Club at Bond Head.  This annual championship brings together many of the province’s top competitors for a day that celebrates achievement, competition, and provincial pride.

A Celebration of Club Champions

This year’s championship will welcome a full field of 240 players, with 120 playing on each course. Competitors will take on 18 holes of stroke play, with shotgun starts at 12:00 p.m. and 12:15 p.m. The North Course will feature the Men’s, Women’s, and Junior Boys’ divisions, while the South Course will host the Senior Men, Senior Women, and Junior Girls. ​With club champions from all corners of Ontario and talent spread across both courses, the stage is set for an exciting and memorable day of competition.

“The event celebrates our member club champions from each of their respective divisions,” says Rob Watson, Tournament Director. “It’s the largest one-day event we hold, with 236 golfers currently registered.”

Watson notes that the roster includes champions from six divisions: Men’s, Women’s, Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, Junior Boys, and Junior Girls—highlighting the depth, diversity, and strength of competition within Golf Ontario’s membership.

👉Click here for full player roster: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11291891267035777202

Who to Watch

Returning champions:

• Lynn Lean of Spring Lakes Golf Club won the Senior Women’s division after a 12-over-par 84 in 2024 Champion of Champions.

• Julia Alexander-Carew of Credit Valley Golf and Country Club won the Junior Girls’ division after an even-par 72 in the 2024 Champion of Champions.

• Robert Gibson of Cedar Brae Golf Club won the Senior Men’s division after a 2-under-par 70 in 2024 Champion of Champions.
  

Stay Connected

For pairings, live scoring, and post-round results, follow along at https://www.golfontario.ca, and keep an eye on Golf Ontario’s social channels throughout the day for updates from the course.

We’re excited to announce that the 2025 Women’s Try and Learn schedule is now live.

Whether you’re brand new to golf or looking to dust off the clubs after some time away, our Try and Learn events offer the perfect, welcoming environment to tee it up. No previous experience or equipment is needed — just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to have fun!

What to Expect:

• A fun, relaxed atmosphere designed for beginners
• Professional instruction to help you build confidence
• Friendly, supportive group settings
• Equipment provided (or bring your own if you prefer)
• A chance to make new friends and discover the joy of golf

Our 2025 schedule features Try and Learn events across Ontario, making it easy to find a location that’s convenient for you.

View the Full 2025 Women’s Try and Learn Schedule

Spaces are limited and spots fill up fast — don’t wait to register!

Scarborough, ON — This past weekend, Golf Ontario launched the season in style with the inaugural 1000 Ball Challenge Kickoff Event at Toronto’s premier indoor golf facility Metro Golf Sportsplex. The energy, excitement, and community spirit that filled the venue made it clear: the 1000 Ball Challenge is ready to soar to new heights in 2025.

A Day of Fun, Competition, and Giving Back

Over 100 passionate golfers gathered for a thrilling day packed with lively golf action, contests, incredible prizes, music, and a delicious lunch. The atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm as players teed off and connected over their shared love for the game — all while supporting a great cause. Every dollar raised from the event will directly benefit Golf Ontario’s GOLF FOR ALL Fund, helping to break down barriers and create more inclusive golf opportunities across the province.

“It was amazing to see so many people come together to support the GOLF FOR ALL Fund and kickoff the 1000 Ball Challenge with such energy,” said Golf Ontario CEO Kyle McFarlane. “A great turnout, and the positive spirit throughout the day was truly inspiring.”

Participants left not only with memories of great shots and friendly competition but also with the pride of knowing they were making a difference in the future of golf.

Celebrating Our Contest Winners

Congratulations to all our contest winners who brought their best swings and skills to the competition!

• Doane Grant Thornton – Winner of the Target Contest
• Doane Grant Thornton – Winner of the Women’s Longest Drive
• RISE Bogey League – Winner of the Men’s Longest Drive

Your performances added an extra layer of excitement to an already incredible day!

New and Familiar Faces

This year’s kickoff event saw an amazing 30 groups registered and welcomed over 100 golfers to Metro Golf Sportsplex. Even more exciting, 36 individuals attended their very first Golf Ontario event, showcasing the growing enthusiasm and reach of the 1000 Ball Challenge. The vibrant mix from those in the Golf Ontario circle like Senior Men’s Champion Rob Gibson, Adaptive Champion Chris Willis and chapters from the LPGA Amateurs of Ontario and first-timers helped create an unforgettable atmosphere full of energy, camaraderie, and fun.

Thank You to Metro Golf Sportsplex

A huge thank you Jim Tsakalos and Jenn Topos and all the staff at the Metro Golf Sportsplex for hosting us at their world-class indoor golf facility. The venue’s spacious layout, cutting-edge technology, and welcoming environment set the perfect stage for an event of this calibre.

This week, Golf Ontario is proud to celebrate National Volunteer Week 2025 and its theme: Volunteers Make Waves. The theme highlights the incredible impact of volunteer efforts across Canada—just like a wave, volunteering is a powerful force for change.

At Golf Ontario, we know that our success simply wouldn’t be possible without the dedication, passion, and professionalism of our volunteers. From supporting our Championships and Qualifiers to ensuring Ontario’s courses are accurately rated, your contributions make a lasting impact on golfers and communities across the province.

This past season, volunteers stepped up in many important roles:

• Tournament Officials helped manage more than 100 qualifiers and championships, overseeing everything from registration to scoring and pace of play.
• Referees—who complete Golf Canada’s Level 2 rules education—brought their deep knowledge of the Rules of Golf to ensure fair competition.
• Course Raters visited up to 70 courses annually, helping maintain accurate course ratings across Ontario through both classroom and on-course training.

As we head into another exciting golf season, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for everything you do. Your commitment, energy, and love for the game help us continue to Shape Lives Through Golf. One volunteer can make a difference—but together, you create a wave of positive change.

Thank you for making waves with us!

Looking for your next scramble? Want to join a fun local league? Curious about tournaments or charity events happening near you? We’ve got you covered.

Golf Ontario is proud to introduce the new Ontario Golf Events Hub — a one-stop online calendar where golfers can explore events happening at golf clubs all across the province.

From member/guest tournaments to mixed scrambles, charity classics to league nights — if it’s happening at an Ontario course, you’ll find it here.

Why the Hub?

Ontario’s golf community is buzzing with activity, but until now, there hasn’t been a centralized place where golfers could easily find out what’s going on. The Hub solves that — making it easier for you to find great events, play more golf, and support local clubs.

With more than 250 events already on the Hub, clubs that use Golf Genius can publish events directly to the Hub, and those who don’t can still participate with a quick form submission.

Want to Add an Event?

Are you organizing a charity tournament, league night, or fun scramble at your local club? Golfers and Golf Ontario members can help grow the calendar too.

If your club hasn’t submitted the event yet, you can send us the details and we’ll follow up. Just use this form:

Submit an Event to the Hub

It’s a great way to help more players discover the game — and make sure your event gets the attention it deserves.

How to Use It

Just visit the Ontario Golf Events Hub and browse events by: Date; Region; Club; Event type (scramble, league, charity, etc.).

Help Spread the Word

Are you a member at a club? Ask your pro shop or tournament organizer to get their events on the Hub! It’s free and open to all Golf Ontario member facilities.

Let’s tee up more opportunities to connect, compete, and celebrate this amazing game — together.

Golfers across Ontario and beyond have an exciting opportunity to tee it up at top courses—while supporting the very people who keep those courses in great shape.

The Rounds for Research auction, spearheaded by the GCSAA and supported locally by the Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association (OGSA), is now open for bidding. The auction features rounds donated by golf courses from across North America, including several here in Ontario.

When you bid on rounds at Ontario courses, proceeds directly benefit OGSA and its ongoing work in turf research, education, and advocacy—ensuring the long-term sustainability of the game we all love.

Visit the auction site now and bid on some amazing courses here in Ontario.

With record numbers of rounds being played, doing your part to take care of courses is more important than ever. As a golfers regardless of skill level or experience, you need to be good stewards. Here’s look at a few basic areas where a little awareness and effort will help keep courses in good shape.

Golf Carts

Carts help golfers get around the course, but they can also cause damage – especially when people don’t follow a course’s cart rules. Cart policies can change daily, so make sure to ask about them before teeing off. There are a lot of reasons why a course may not want you driving in certain areas – some issues are obvious and some may not be. Wet or newly grassed areas surrounded by cart signs should clearly be avoided, but tire ruts show up in these spots more often than they should. Courses may also want you to avoid extremely dry areas, or they may ask you to stay on the path in late fall or winter when grass is hardly growing and can’t handle traffic.  

No two courses are exactly alike, so the rules will vary. Follow any ropes, stakes or directional signs – they are there for a reason. Avoid turf areas that appear thin, weak or wet. Try to spread out when driving through high-traffic areas and keep all four tires on the path as much as possible. Don’t drive through naturalized areas, don’t get too adventurous on steep slopes, and don’t get too close to tees or greens. Beyond these basics, erring on the side of caution is always a good approach. 

Repairing Divots

Taking a divot is part of the game but the scars should be carefully repaired. The goal is to leave a smooth surface and encourage the grass to heal. In general, if a divot is mostly intact, replace it and tamp down with your foot to smooth it out and restore contact between the roots and the soil. If there are gaps around the replaced divot, fill those with divot mix to help the grass fill in and create a smooth surface for playing. Some courses may prefer that you use mix rather than trying to replace divots. This could be because the grasses on that course tend to explode into pieces after a shot rather than forming a nice divot that is likely to heal. Sometimes the environment or weather isn’t conducive to replaced divots healing so it’s better to fill the hole with mix. 

There are many factors that influence divot recovery, which is why policies can vary. The bottom line is to leave places where you take a divot as smooth as possible for the next player and to encourage recovery. If you can refrain from taking divots on your practice swings and avoid hitting practice shots on the course, that helps decrease the total number of divots that need to heal. Another good habit is to fill your divot and one more.

Ball Marks

While fairly small, a ball mark can leave a lasting impact on a putting surface if it is not repaired. Unrepaired ball marks disrupt surface smoothness, and the negative impact can last for weeks. The proper repair technique has several key points to consider. Start by using any pointed tool, including a golf tee. Insert the tool behind the ball mark and gently push toward the center, then work around the edges of the mark gently pressing the turf back in toward the middle. Don’t lift or twist the turf because that can damage the roots. Once you have worked the turf back into place with the repair tool, gently tamp the area with your putter to smooth the surface. While you have your ball mark repair tool handy, see if you can repair one or two more marks that may have been missed. 

Bunker Raking

After hitting a bunker shot, try to leave the sand as smooth, or smoother than when you found it. Knowing the basics of bunker raking and putting in a little effort is all it takes. Enter the bunker from the low side and try to bring a rake with you so you don’t have to search for one after hitting your shot. Use the rake to smooth and level any disturbances you create in the sand. As you exit the bunker, avoid pulling a clump of sand up against the edge as this can damage the grass and create awkward lies for other players. 

Follow the course’s policy on where to put the rake when you’re done. If they don’t have a specific policy, the USGA recommends placing them outside bunkers and away from where they are likely to interfere with play. Before exiting the bunker, knock any sand off your shoes to keep it from winding up on greens or fairways where it can disrupt play and potentially damage mowing equipment.

Keeping Staff Safe

The maintenance staff does their best to take care of the course while avoiding play, but there are times when golf and maintenance will cross paths – especially with how busy courses have been. When you encounter staff, always ensure they see you before hitting in their direction. They may be focused on their task or unable to hear you yell “fore” at first, so give an extra shout or wave if you aren’t sure they noticed you. After the staff responds, be patient while they move out of the way. 

Going the Extra Mile

Beyond the basics, here are a few other things you can do during your next round to leave the golf course better than you found it.

• Pick up broken tees and discard them in waste containers to keep them from cluttering the course and damaging mowers.
  
• If a garbage can is full, hold on to your trash rather than piling it high for wind and birds to disperse across the course.
  
• Do not leave cigars or cigarette butts on playing surfaces and keep those sunflower seeds off the greens.
  
• Ropes and stakes are there for a reason, so walk through designated openings and not over or on top of the rope, which will loosen and pull the stakes over.
  

It is the maintenance staff’s job to care for the course, but golfers need to do their part as well. During your next round, set a good example by using the tips in this article and encourage others to make the effort as well. 

As the golf season kicks into gear during the spring, it’s important to be mindful of certain course conditions, renovations, and guidelines that may affect your game and your ability to post scores for handicap purposes. Here are the main points to consider:

Course Conditions to Watch Out For:

Unplayable Bunkers
During the spring, bunkers may be affected by rain or snowmelt. If a bunker is considered unplayable or too wet to play from, check for local rules or temporary relief options provided by the club. For example, you may be allowed to take free relief from a flooded or unplayable bunker.

Temporary Water
If your ball is in an abnormal ground condition (temporary water), you may be allowed to take relief, typically under the “temporary water” rule, which allows you to drop the ball without penalty if the conditions make it unplayable. The location of your ball within this area needs to be known or with virtual certainty in order to take relief

Aeration Holes

Aeration holes are commonly found in the spring but are not classified as ground under repair, so free relief is generally not allowed. However, relief may be permitted if a Model Local Rule is in place. Be sure to check with your golf course before your round to confirm if this rule applies.

Course Renovations/Temporary Construction

During the spring, courses often undergo maintenance, which could involve the use of temporary greens or tees. How are scores to be posted when Temporary Tees/Greens are used?

The Rules define a putting green as any area specifically prepared for putting. This includes both the normal green and any temporary ones created with paint or mow lines in the fairway. In both cases, the same Rules apply.

The same principle holds for teeing areas, whether it’s the standard tee box or a designated spot in the rough nearby.

Hole Closures
Sometimes, specific holes may be closed for maintenance or safety reasons, particularly during the spring.  If the case, here’s how you would post your score for handicap purposes:

A score from an incomplete round or when one or more holes have not been played may only be used for handicap purposes if, among other things:

• The round has been played over at least the minimum number of holes required for either a 9-hole or an 18-hole score to be acceptable; and
• The reason for not completing the round was valid

If these two conditions are met, a 9-hole or 18-hole Score differential will be created either using a player’s Expected score or Net Par for the hole or holes not played.

Expected Score

The procedure for calculating a Score Differential using an expected score can be summarized as follows:

1. An expected Score Differential for the hole or holes not played is calculated, based on a given Handicap Index and a course of standard difficulty.

2. A Score Differential for the holes played is calculated using the player’s actual scores and the rating value of the holes played.

3. The Score Differential from the holes played is combined with the expected Score Differential to produce either a 9-hole or 18-hole Score Differential.

*Expected score can only be calculated if the round is entered Hole-by-Hole in the system*

Net Par

In certain circumstances, a score of net par can be used for a hole or holes not played, in place of the expected score. The procedure for calculating a Score Differential using Net Par can be summarized as follows:

Adjusted Score = Par (for the hole) + Additional handicap strokes received

Course Conditions and Impact on Handicap Index Calculation

Your Handicap Index reflects your demonstrated ability to play in relation to the difficulty of the course. Spring conditions can vary, which might affect your scoring and thus your Handicap Index. Here’s how it can:

Soft Conditions May Impact Scoring
When course conditions are soft like fairways and greens, this can lead to no, or little roll making the course play much longer (in some cases nearly 300 yards). If tees are not moved to account for the loss of roll and other course conditions, scores posted may not reflect how the course was playing in relation to its course/slope rating. This would also impact the calculation of each players Handicap Index that played in these conditions.

Wind and Rough May Affect Scores
Windy conditions and thick (wet) rough can make it much more difficult to play/score well. Unpredictable wind or soggy thick rough can lead to more errant shots and penalties, making it harder to keep your score low.

Acceptability of Scores for Posting

To post an acceptable score, certain conditions must be met. Here’s what you need to know:

• Authorized Format of Play
• Minimum Holes
  To post a valid score, you need to play at least 9 holes for a 9-hole score and complete 10 holes to post an 18-hole score. In cases of early course closures or specific conditions (like weather), scores might be adjusted or shortened, but you’ll need to check course rules to confirm.
• Playing with Others
• Adherence to the Rules of Golf
• Current/Valid Course Rating and Slope Rating
• During the Active Golf Season (April 15^th in Ontario)

Remember Your Responsibilities as a Player

• Act with Integrity
• Make the Best Score Possible
• Submit All Acceptable Scores

Spring golf conditions can be unpredictable, but they present opportunities for growth and challenge. Being aware of course conditions, renovations, and the guidelines for posting scores ensures you’re prepared and can keep your game and handicap accurate as the season begins. Always play by the rules, act with integrity, and take into account how changing conditions can affect your game and score.