Based in Ancaster, Ont., Steve Warrick is a dedicated volunteer who brings precision, passion, and a deep love for the game to his role as Course Rating Team Leader for the Hamilton region. With years of experience and a sharp eye for detail, Steve plays a vital part in ensuring the integrity and fairness of the game for golfers across the province. 

He joined Golf Ontario’s Course Rating team in 2019, shortly after retiring from his career. Encouraged by his daughter Alex Blaker (Golf Ontario’s Director of Business Operations), Steve saw it as the perfect opportunity to give back to a game that he loves.

Course rating plays a crucial role in maintaining fairness and consistency in the game. As Steve explains, “It’s a procedure used to determine the expected score of scratch and bogey players by evaluating course features like length, topography, and obstacles. The process ensures handicaps are transferable between courses, no matter how different they may be,” he says.   

One of the most rewarding parts of the role, he says, is discovering hidden gem courses and building lasting relationships along the way. 

“Some of the most memorable experiences have come from rating little-known courses I’d never have played otherwise, and connecting with great people at every stop,” he says 

Being part of the same organization as his daughter has made his volunteer journey even more meaningful.  

“Course rating has given me a better appreciation of what goes into determining a course rating and educates you more on the structure of a golf course, allowing me to become a better player because of it,” he says. “I am so glad Alex approached me back in 2019 to volunteer – I’ll do it as long as I am able to.” 

At the heart of Golf Ontario, our volunteers are the lifeblood in a variety of critical areas, including championships, rules, course rating, and governance on committees and our board of directors. They are the sport’s ambassadors and an essential part of our team, enabling us to deliver exceptional programming and experiences to golfers, partners, and industry stakeholders. 

Interested in becoming part of the Golf Ontario volunteer family? Find out more about the opportunities and rewards on our Volunteering Resource page HERE

Ontario’s Top Mid-Amateurs Set to Compete at Sarnia Golf & Curling Club

June 16–18 | Sarnia, ON

The 2025 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship will take place June 16–18 at Sarnia Golf & Curling Club, bringing together many of the province’s top amateur golfers aged 25 and older. Over three days and 54 holes of stroke play, competitors will navigate a challenging layout. 

“We’re excited to be back at Sarnia Golf & Curling Club, an established Stanley Thompson design with a deep golf history,” says John Lawrence, Tournament Director at Golf Ontario. “The course always provides a true championship test.”

Past Champions 

This year’s field features a strong mix of past champions and rising talent.

Notable former winners include Garrett Rank (2015, 2018), along with Ontario Golf Hall of Famers Stu Hamilton(1993, 1998), Kelly Roberts (1997), and Dave Bunker (2007, 2011, 2014, 2021). Charles Fitzsimmons and Cam Burke, both consistent contenders will also be in the mix.

“The Men’s Mid-Am always brings a unique intensity,” said Lawrence. “With such a seasoned group, there’s an elevated level of competitiveness. Every shot matters.”

More Than One Title on the Line

In addition to the overall championship, the event also includes the Mid-Master division, contested by players aged 40 and older.

“There’s great excitement around the Mid-Master division,” said Lawrence. “Players take a lot of pride in competing for that trophy, and the added layer of competition makes the event even more compelling.”

 A Community and Club Steeped in Golf History

The championship’s return to Sarnia Golf & Curling Club brings the spotlight back to a respected course known for its strategic layout and deep-rooted golf culture.

“Our course is fair but challenging,” said Jamie Parkinson, Head Golf Professional at Sarnia G&CC. “Many of the Mid-Am participants have played in our Men’s 2-Day Invitational and know what a treat it is to play here.”

Sarnia Golf & CC also has a proud legacy in this event: club members Dan Houlihan and Graham Hill are both past Mid-Am champions.  Hill will tee it up again this year.

“The community is really excited to host,” added Parkinson. “We have some talented local players in the field, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of them in contention.”

With strong local support, a competitive field, and a classic venue, this year’s Mid-Am promises to be one of the highlights of the summer golf season.

Stay Connected

Live Scoring, Pairings & Results: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11292327413817592206

Full Player Roster: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11292327384960780650

For updates, highlights, and live scoring throughout the tournament, follow along @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook

Rooted in tradition and driven by family, the Father & Three Sons Classic is where generations come together through the game they love. 

In 2025, the Father & Three Sons Classic celebrates an incredible milestone: its 90th anniversary. What began in 1935, has grown into a beloved experience and meaningful tradition for families that bring fathers and their sons together for a weekend of friendly competition, shared laughs, and lasting memories. 

Michael Boyer and his sons, Jason, Ryan and Brandon will host this year’s event at Monterra Golf at Blue Mountain, a perfect setting to celebrate 90 years of good golf and great company

Open to families with a father and three (or more) sons, the event embraces all ages and abilities – with players ranging in age from 9 to 87 years old, and from beginners to seasoned golfers. Whether it’s your only round of the year or one of many, the Classic offers an inclusive and memorable experience for everyone involved. 

Though it first began as a formal competition, the tournament has evolved into a yearly celebration for families. With relaxed pairings and a focus on fun over scorecards, it’s less about the leaderboard and more about making memories together. 

Ken Lancaster serves as treasurer of the Father and Three Sons Golf Classic committee—a board formed in 2022 and made up of four fathers and three sons, dedicated to preserving the tournament’s legacy and guiding its future.

 “It is all about family,” says Lancaster. “What an amazing time to spend with my sons, and just as special to see other fathers doing the same.”

“What drew me to the event was that it was for my dad,” says Cam Lancaster, one of Ken’s sons. “I had never seen a brotherhood like we’ve built with the Father and Three Sons.”

That sense of connection is what sets the tournament apart. “Unlike other golf events, which are based on geography or club affiliation, this one is open only to families with a father and at least three sons who enjoy golf,” says committee chair Gary Issacs. “That’s what unites us, but every family comes from different places and walks of life.”

“Other events are largely about scoring,” says committee member Ernie Coetzee. “This tournament is primarily about family, and about a shared experience with other families that have become friends.”

As the Father & Three Sons Classic celebrates its 90th anniversary, it reflects the community, history, and connection that make golf matter, while supporting Golf Ontario’s mission to grow the game and bring people together!

The 2025 tournament takes place on August 15.

To learn more or register your family, visit: fatherandthreesons.ca

Junior golf in Ontario isn’t just about tee times — it’s where young talent begins to take shape.

Across the province, regional tours allow junior players aged 6 to 18 to compete, improve their skills, and fall in love with the game. These programs, whether in the heart of the GTA, along the shores of Lake Erie, or in northern regions, are building more than just swings; they are also developing character. With an emphasis on skill development, sportsmanship, and personal growth, Ontario’s junior golf environment is shaping the next generation of champions on and off the course.

Ontario has an extensive network of junior golf tours, several of which have become important parts of their local communities. The Junior Tyson Tour, established in 1968, holds the distinction of being Canada’s oldest junior golf tour and it continues to provide a competitive and inviting atmosphere for young players in the London region. Similarly, the Hamilton Halton Junior Golf Tour, founded in 1984, was Ontario’s first structured junior tour and remains a premier platform for high-level competition among players aged 10 to 18.

Across the province, tours such as the Niagara District Junior Tour, Simcoe County Junior Golf Tour, Pepsi Titleist Junior Tour, North Eastern Junior Golf Tour, and Lambton Golf Tour, among many others, give junior golfers a regional stage to test their skills, elevate their game, and proudly represent their communities.

At the core of Ontario’s junior golf development is the Junior Golf Pathway, a structured program that guides young players from recreational beginnings to high-level competitive opportunities. Designed for athletes who want to improve, the pathway offers guidance on tournament selection, access to quality coaching, and support for long-term development in the sport. It includes four progressive levels: Emerging, Advancing, Competitive, and Performance. Each stage reflects a player’s development and level of commitment. As athletes gain experience and grow their skills, the pathway helps them transition from learning the fundamentals to competing at provincial, national, and even international levels. At every stage, the focus remains on building confident, well-rounded players who are prepared for success.

For Golf Ontario, junior tours are more than just a series of events, they are a vital part of shaping the future of the sport. As Alexandra Taylor, Manager of Junior Performance, explains, these tours form a foundational piece of the Junior Golf Pathway by providing the structure young players need to develop key skills and confidence. “Junior tours matter because they are where it all starts,” she says. “They help young players fall in love with the game, learn to compete, and begin charting their path, whether toward provincial teams, post-secondary golf, or a lifelong passion for the sport”. These tours play a central role in the Junior Golf Pathway by providing meaningful opportunities for competition, connection, and growth.

As Golf Ontario CEO Kyle McFarlane adds, the Junior Golf Pathway is designed to act as the bridge between early participation in regional tours and long-term development in the sport. “These tours offer structured, age-appropriate competition that allows athletes to test their skills, learn from their experiences, and measure their progress,” he says. “They’re often the first step for players aspiring to move through our Junior Golf Pathway and into provincial championships.” He emphasizes that the impact of junior tours extends beyond competition. “They also contribute to Golf Ontario’s mission of ‘Shaping Lives Through Golf,” McFarlane says. “Junior tours don’t just develop great golfers—they create moments that build character, confidence, and lifelong skills on and off the course.”

This vision aligns closely with Golf Ontario’s broader mission of shaping lives through golf and its commitment to ‘Golf for All’, ensuring that every young athlete has access to meaningful, inclusive experiences that foster personal development, a love for the game, and a lasting connection to the sport.

From the first tee to the provincial stage, Ontario’s junior golf tours and the Junior Golf Pathway provide young athletes with the tools to grow, compete, and thrive. Rooted in community and backed by a commitment to long-term development, these programs are not only shaping future champions but also creating positive experiences that last a lifetime. With every swing, junior golfers across the province are building the foundation for a strong, confident, and a connected future in the game.

To learn more or find a junior tour near you, visit https://juniorgolfpathway.ca/