It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Blackett. Our beloved friend and volunteer passed away on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021.

Michael had a love for the game and always had a deep dedication to our vision – Towards a Nation Golfing.  For well over 20 years he shared his time and expertise at the local, provincial and national levels.

He was very passionate about the Rules of Golf and Junior Golf.   You could always tell which rule official it was on course by seeing him with his signature cowboy hat on everywhere he went.

The golfing community will miss Michael. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

As we wait patiently for the snow to melt and the grass to grow, we welcome you to another round of Golf Ontario’s highlight feature, Women in Sport Wednesday’s! This campaign illuminates our female 2020 Ontario Champions, their passion, their accomplishments in the sport, and some interesting facts about each winner.

As the defending female champion of the Ontario Disability, Natasha Stasiuk is looking to defend her title for the third time in the upcoming 2021 championship season. The two-time champion is thrilled to get back on the course this summer and has set some great goals for the 2021 season. Looking to also defend her home club Heron Point Women’s Championship title, Stasiuk hopes to be able to play in the Canadian Amputee and Disabled National Open Golf Championship, and the United States Disabled Championship pending COVID-19.

Read the full interview with 2020 Ontario Disability Champion, Natasha Stasiuk below…

How did you get into Golf? 

I was 8 years old and I first touched a golf club in my gym class. From there my Dad continued to put the club in my hand and my parents signed me up for golf lessons, so I began to love it. I played other sports though too! I used to play hockey and softball, and swimming competitively; freestyle (front stroke) was my favorite. I still play hockey and swim for fun, as golf is my main sport now.

What does the sport of golf do for you?

It’s helped me become who I am today and grow as a person. It has helped with a lot of my self-confidence too.

Favorite golf courses?

• Cabot Cliffs, Cape Breton
• Crowbush Cove, PEI – first 18 holes!!
• Woodington Lakes Golf Club – host of the Ontario Disability
• Heron Point Golf Links – home club

Favorite club in your bag?

My driver, because I can hit it long and straight!

How do you mark your ball? 

Honestly, it depends on my mood! I have two go-to ball markings. It’s either three dots on my ball in the dimples or the letter “N”. It all depends on my mood and my nerves.

Biggest accomplishments to date?

• Winning the Ontario Disability Championship for a second time
• Winning the Heron Point Women’s Championship

What’s your pre-tournament routine? How do you get into the right headspace?

I usually arrive an hour before the tournament and I start with thirty minutes on the range. Then I’ll spend some time putting and make sure I take a restroom break before we tee-off. I like to listen to music before too to help get me in the right headspace.

Favorite golfers, to watch?

Brooke Henderson! It used to be Paula Creamer but she hasn’t been playing much.

If you could play a round of golf with anyone, who would be in your foursome?

• Moe Norman
• Brooke Henderson
• Arnold Palmer

Cool fact about you?

I’m adopted – I was adopted at thirteen months old.

Goals for 2021?

• Defend my titles
  • Ontario Disability Championship
  • Heron Point Women’s Championship
• Make the cut for the Ontario Women’s Amateur
• Play in…
  • The Canadian Amputee and Disabled National Open Golf Championship
  • The United States Disabled Championship
  • An International event

About The Ontario Disability Championship

In 2019, Woodington Lake Golf Club hosted the inaugural Ontario Disability Championship. Played over a 36-hole competition for Men and Women, the Ontario Disability Championship is an inclusive event in which athletes with disabilities compete in a provincial championship environment. The championship promotes awareness and participation for golfers with disabilities and provides a platform for future talent identification. The Ontario Disability Championship is a counting event on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD).

About Golf Ontario

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450-member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to shaping lives through Golf.

Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario

To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook. Make sure to visit our website for further information.

For more information please contact:

Brianna Christopher, Assistant, Marketing Communications.
Golf Ontario
BChristopher@gao.ca

Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario
PMacKellar@gao.ca

Welcoming More Women and Girls to the Game of Golf: Announcing an Exciting New LPGA Foundation & Golf Ontario Partnership

Uxbridge, ON – Golf Ontario is pleased to announce an exciting and mutually beneficial partnership with a global leader in women’s sports, the LPGA Foundation. This partnership is aimed at increasing participation among women and girls, with a focus on enhancing and creating opportunities for females to become involved in and enjoy the game of golf. With the support of the LPGA Foundation’s LPGA*USGA Girls Golf and LPGA Amateur Golf Association (LPGA Amateurs) programs, Golf Ontario will aim to welcome females to the game of golf through TRY, LEARN & PLAY programs, events, and e-learning opportunities.

Executive Director of Golf Ontario, Mike Kelly, believes “our affiliation with the LPGA will substantially enhance Golf Ontario’s effort to establish these Participation Pathways as part of our commitment to leading, creating, and promoting positive golf experiences. Working together with the LPGA Headquarters and the Ontario-based LPGA Amateurs Chapters, we are developing and piloting a Participation Pathway for women to Try, Learn and Play golf.”

The partnership will also address the development of a Participation Pathway for girls. A cornerstone of this will be the establishment of new LPGA*USGA Girls Golf sites in Ontario. “Our intent is to continue to build the Pathway for girls over the coming years as we assess the extent to which TRY & Play programming from the First Tee and Youth on Course could contribute to the pathway within LPGA*USGA Girls Golf,” explained Golf Ontario’s Manager of Participation, Mallory Dayman.

“The LPGA Foundation is excited to partner with Golf Ontario,” said LPGA Foundation Vice-President Mary-Lee Cobick. “We are especially pleased with the additional support of our existing LPGA Amateurs Chapters and look forward to offering new golf opportunities for both women and girls in Ontario.”

One of the core pillars of the Golf Ontario strategic plan is Participation, and this new partnership with the LPGA Foundation will be a huge step in ensuring a strong focus on growing and retaining women and girls in the game. At the same time, all planning for these Try, Learn and Play Golf events in 2021 will be done keeping COVID-19 protocols and the health and safety of all participants at the forefront.

About The LPGA Foundation
Established in 1991, The LPGA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental and humanitarian golf initiatives.

Key priorities include: LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, LPGA Amateur Golf Association, The LPGA Leadership Academy, scholarships and the Dolores Hope LPGA Financial Assistance Initiative for those in the golf industry who are experiencing severe hardship. The LPGA Foundation is supported by corporate and private donations, foundation grants and contributions from LPGA members. For more information on how to contribute to The LPGA Foundation, please contact LPGA Headquarters, 100 International Golf Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32124, or by phone, +1 386-274-6200 and on the web: https://www.girlsgolf.org/donate-foundation.

About Golf Ontario
Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450-member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to shaping lives through Golf.

Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario
To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

For more information please contact:

Brianna Christopher,
Assistant, Marketing Communications, Golf Ontario;
BChristopher@gao.ca

Peter MacKellar,
Manager, Marketing and Communications, Golf Ontario;
PMacKellar@gao.ca

LPGA Media Contact:
Leia Schwartz,
Content Producer, LPGA;
leia.schwartz@lpga.com, 386-274-6247

Welcome back to another round of Golf Ontario’s newest feature, Women in Sport Wednesday’s! This campaign embraces our female 2020 Ontario Champions, their passion for the game, their accomplishments in the sport, and some interesting facts about each champion.

A modest golfer with great talent and a lengthy list of championship titles, Terrill Samuel is a two-time Ontario Women’s Amateur, three-time Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur, and two-time Ontario Senior Women’s champion. In 2018, Samuel was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame, joining the Class of 2018 in the Amateur Golfer category. In 2021, the number one thing for Samuel is “to still enjoy the game and get out for some great rounds with some really good people. And if you play well, that’s a bonus!”

Read the full interview with 2020 Ontario Senior Women’s champion, Terrill Samuel below…

How did you get into Golf? 

My Mum would take us to visit her parents in England and they got me into golf for a couple of weeks at the end of our summer break. They had a little nine-hole course near them and they signed me up, so that’s how I got involved in golf. I was probably around 7 or 8 years old when I first picked up a club. I didn’t play in Canada until I was 21, which is a big birthday for us Brits, so I asked for golf clubs! I was 23 when I played in my first competitive tournament.

What does the sport of golf do for you?

I think especially in Amateur golf, it’s more about friendships. I’ve been out with a few injuries and you truly miss that, but once you get back it’s really nice to see all your friends and you have these friendships for life. Also just enjoying being out in the fresh air, especially this last season, just getting out of the house and having golf since it was one of the only things you could do.

It’s a lot of fun and the comradery that’s out there in Amateur golf is great. You get to meet new people and playing in tournament golf allows you to go to different places in the world, which I think is another great aspect of golf. I’ve been able to visit New Zealand, Sweden, France, and a lot of other really nice places. I’ve been all over the States and in Canada, you get to see every province, which is pretty fun too.

What other sports were you involved in growing up?

Both my brother and I were actually swimmers, and we swam competitively so that’s why we never really got into golf at a young age in Canada. Swimming took up a lot of time as it was about four hours of practice every day; two hours in the morning and two hours at night. I competed in about every stroke except breaststroke.

Favorite golf course?

Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle UK (Northern Ireland) – that was my favorite!

Favorite club in your bag?

I would probably say my 8 iron! My 8 iron and my 5 hybrid are the ones that I take to the range and practice with the most.

How do you mark your ball? 

I put a happy face on one side and the letter “T” on the other.

Biggest accomplishments to date?

• Winning the 2015 Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship
• Crowned the 2015 Senior (50+), Mid-Master (40+), and Mid-Amateur (25+) champion
• Losing to Judith Kyrinis in the 2017 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship
  – Terrill would be the runner-up for the 56th U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship (USGA)
  – Judith is a longtime friend and competitor of Terrill’s

What’s your pre-tournament routine? How do you get into the right headspace?

I’m one of those golfers that just hits it and chases it, I don’t really think too much about it. I admire people that like to analyze their game, but once golf is over I don’t really talk about my round either.

I’m probably known as a pretty fast player (we’d agree – it’s hard to get a picture of Terrill off the tee!!). I just figure out the yardage, pull a club, and go. This is my one saying – Slow players always get to play at their pace, but fast players never do. My dream round would be first off, with two other fast players and no crossover.

Favorite golfers, to watch?

LPGA – Nancy Lopez and Patty Sheehan

PGA – Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods

If you could play a round of golf with anyone, who would be in your foursome?

• Nancy Lopez – for sure!
• Jack Nicklaus
• Payton Manning

About The Ontario Senior Women’s Championship

The inaugural Ontario Senior Women’s Championship was conducted in 1962 and since then has been contested annually featuring the province’s best female amateurs age 50 and over.

The event has had several notable past champions including World, Canadian, and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit, who captured the title six times. Also, Canadian and Ontario Golf Hall of Famer Gayle Borthwick, who also picked up the trophy six times. Recent winners include Ivy Steinberg (2008 and 2009), Terrill Samuel (2011, 2020) as well as Golf Ontario Hall of Fame members Mary Ann Hayward (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2019) and 2017 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Champion Judith Kyrinis (2016, 2017, and 2018).

About Golf Ontario

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450-member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to shaping lives through Golf.

Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario

To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

For more information please contact:

Brianna Christopher, Assistant, Marketing Communications.
Golf Ontario
BChristopher@gao.ca

Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario
PMacKellar@gao.ca

Welcome back to the second round of Golf Ontario’s newest feature, Women in Sport Wednesday’s! This campaign showcases our female 2020 Ontario Champions, highlighting their accomplishments in the sport, how their passion for golf came to be, and some interesting facts about each champion.

Golfing from a young age, one of Marler’s first golf coaches was Fraser Mulholland, who is the current Commissioner of the Vancouver Golf Tour. A Guelph Gryphon for four years, Marler would captain her golf team before moving to Europe and taking a break from golf. Recently returning to competitive play, 2020 presented Marler with two provincial titles and several wins on the Vancouver Golf Tour. Following three near flawless rounds at Dalewood Golf Club this past season, Nonie Marler would be crowned our 2020 Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion.

Read the full interview with Marler below…

1. How did you get into Golf?

I come from a family of golf lovers, as my dad and my brother are really avid golfers. My brother is actually a part of the Agronomy crew at Bear Mountain in Victoria, British Columbia (Bear Mountain is the Official Training Centre of Golf Canada’s National Junior Squad). I’ve always been passionate about playing and I’m a competitive person in general. Golf was one of those things on family holidays that was a fun activity to do together and although my mom is a non-golfer, she’s an avid spectator. She liked to come along and ride in the cart. As a high energy child, my parents threw me in pretty much every sport growing up. Golf was something I took to a little bit later as a teenager and when I went to university in Canada, it was only when I arrived on campus that I found out the school had a golf team. I figured I’d give it a whirl and I ended up captaining the Golf Team at the University of Guelph during my time there.

Following university, I ended up staying in Ontario for a few years, moving up to Georgian Bay where I played quite a bit of tournament golf in addition to working at Georgian Bay Club. After a short stint living back in Vancouver, I moved to the UK where I pursued my MBA and then went on to stay and work there for 10 years; so golf kind of took a back seat, but I continued to play casually and kept it up because golf is one of those sports where it doesn’t matter what you’re doing in your life, you can always play it wherever you are. While living in London I headed up Corporate Hospitality and Events for a global IT company called Ricoh (which has a long standing partnership with Women’s golf), so I was involved in the golf realm from a professional standpoint but never in a competitive manner.

When I moved back to Vancouver about three and a half years ago now, I had the time to pick golf back up. On the advice of someone saying ‘hey you’re not so bad, you should try to play in some tournaments’, I was like ah yeah okay and so funnily enough the first tournament I played I actually ended up winning! And from that experience it kind of got my competitive juices flowing and now it’s something I love doing outside of my career, which is taking care of operations for Cushman & Wakefield’s Equity, Debt & Structured Finance platform in Canada.

So I have really only just picked up tournament golf again, and over the last season and a half, it’s cool to be having a lot of fun and seeing some success with it.

2. Why are you so passionate about golf? What does the sport do for you?

For sure, it definitely feeds my competitive nature. Just with my personality and anything I do, I really throw myself into things I’m passionate about – I’m somewhat of an all or nothing type of person. And while I enjoy playing recreational golf with my friends and family, I just love the competitive drive and energy I tap into playing in tournaments. Golf itself is a great equalizer age and gender wise, whether you’re playing in a foursome with guys and kicking their butt, there are not too many sports you can play where you can sort of have that healthy competition. And in the Women’s Mid-Am where it’s 25 years and older, I get to play with a true variety of women age range wise and it’s a really great level of competition across the board. With golf in general, it’s neat that you can have such diversity in playing the sport.

Especially in business too, being able to play golf has been really helpful. From a networking standpoint, it’s pretty incredible that you can be anywhere in the world and by being able to play golf, you get invited to so many things. Golf is such a great connector and I am very grateful for the opportunities the sport has provided and continues to provide me.

3. What would be your alternate sport to compete competitively in?

Interestingly enough, probably skiing! I do love team sports and golf, especially playing at a high level and having a caddy and a team around you, it’s in many ways a team sport, but the end result ultimately lands on yourself. And I think with skiing too, ultimately, it’s just you yourself out there. I grew up skiing Whistler Blackcomb and Mt. Baker and I used to race as a kid. My parents put my brother and me in ski camp, so we were racers until our teenage years. I was big into horseback riding and gymnastics growing up too, I still love and follow both but there are only so many hours in a day!

4. Top 3 favorite golf courses?

• Kapalua – Plantation Course (Maui, Hawaii)
• Kingsbarns Golf Links – Scotland, UK
• Greywolf Golf Course – Panorama, British Columbia

5. Favorite club in your bag?

I’m really confident with my driver and I love hitting it. My wedges are a close second, I love the creativity you can have with them in your short game.

6. How do you mark your ball?

Titleist ProV1x – two colours always, three dots above and three dots below the logo on the diagonal.

7. Biggest accomplishments to date?

This past summer when I won both the British Columbia and Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships.

I think we have been really fortunate to still be able to play competitive golf, in light of the current circumstances over the last year. Winning two provincial titles during the summer of COVID was pretty cool and with the addition of several wins on the Vancouver Golf Tour, together it made the summer a pretty special season for me. I put a lot of time and effort into my game last summer, a lot of it had to do with the fact that there wasn’t too much else to do from sports and social standpoints. I’d say the 2020 summer season as a whole, in recent memory anyway, is among my biggest golf accomplishments to date.

8. What’s your pre-tournament routine? How do you get into the right headspace?

I just try to be as consistent as possible. I try not to treat the day any differently because I find when I move outside of my usual routine or do things differently, I can have a tendency to build things up more or treat the situation differently than I would under normal circumstances. I do take special care to make sure my nutrition and exercise programs are consistent, as well as getting lots of rest in the days leading up to any tournament.

Stretching is imperative for me before any round, and I always pick my outfits and do all my nutrition prep the night before so I can be focused on what’s ahead and in the proper mindset and headspace ahead of my tee time. It’s all about removing potential stressors and chaos in the lead up to a round. For me, preparation is key – fail to plan, plan to fail.

9. Who’s your favorite golfer to watch?

I always like cheering on the underdog or the player who has an interesting story, because in a lot of ways I can relate, especially since I’ve taken so many years off competitive golf and am only now coming back to it.

I like following fellow Canadians in any tournament so I always look out for them, but other than that I wouldn’t say I follow any one golfer in particular on a regular basis. I mean when Tiger is in the field, I always check out how he’s doing. I think by virtue of watching and playing so much golf myself, I like to leaderboard watch so I kind of follow everyone.

10. Goals for 2021?

• Defend my titles
• Play in our national championship
• Qualify for a USGA event
• Achieve five top five’s this summer

About the Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship

First played in 1989, the Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship is open to female golfers aged 25 and over. In honour of her outstanding accomplishments at the Mid-Amateur level in Ontario, the trophy is rightfully named after 14-time champion Mary Ann Hayward. The event is contested annually in a 54-hole competition. Other notable past champions of the event include 2012 Canadian Senior Women’s Champion Terrill Samuel (1991, 2000, and 2010), Casey Ward (2015), and Golf Ontario Hall of Fame members Gayle Borthwick Hitchens (1992, 1993), and Judith Kyrinis (2017).

About Golf Ontario

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450-member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to shaping lives through Golf.

Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario

To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook. Make sure to visit our website for further information.

For more information please contact:

Brianna Christopher, Assistant, Marketing Communications.
Golf Ontario
BChristopher@gao.ca

Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario
PMacKellar@gao.ca

Introducing our newest feature, Women in Sport Wednesday’s! This campaign celebrates our female 2020 Ontario Champions, highlighting their accomplishments in the sport, how their passion for golf came to be, and some interesting facts about each champion.

First up on the tee, we welcome the 2020 Ontario Junior (U19) and Juvenile (U17) Girl’s Champion, Katie Cranston. Cranston is on the 2021 Team Canada National Junior Squad and is a former member of Team Ontario.

Read the full interview with Cranston below…

1. How did you get into Golf?

Growing up and in middle school, I played every single sport my school offered. When I was in grade four or five, the school brought in a golf program and seeing as I participated in every other sport, I asked my Mom if I could do this as well. And she said yes, she would buy me the golf clubs if I used them in the summer. And so I did about 8-weeks of summer golf camp and I’ve just loved it ever since!

2. Why are you so passionate about golf? What does the sport do for you?

I find golf a lot more interesting than other sports I’ve played. I feel like every day there’s something new and you play a different course every week. It’s an interesting and fun sport because it’s not as easily mastered, so it never gets old for me! I definitely think it’s something I can pursue to hopefully make the LPGA someday.

3. What are your top 3 favorite golf courses?

• Wooden Sticks GC – It’s definitely up there!
• Shelburne G&CC – Katie won the 2020 Ontario Junior (U19) and Juvenile (U17) Girls’ Championship at Shelburne G&CC in August.
• Oakville GC – Shout out to the home course.

4. Favorite club in your bag?

Driver.

5. How do you mark your ball?

Two blue dots beside the numbers.

6. Biggest accomplishments to date?

• Making Team Canada, 2021 Olympic Squad – 2021 National Junior Squad (Golf Canada)
• Winning the 2020 Ontario Junior (U19) Girls’ Championship.
  • Katie also went home with the 2020 Ontario Juvenile (U17) Girls’ Championship title.
• Making Team Ontario – Team Ontario athlete, 2019-2020 season (Golf Ontario)
• 2021 Orlando International Amateur for Juniors, Junior Girls’ Champion – finished with one-under par and a total of 215 thru three rounds.

7. What’s your pre-tournament routine? How do you get into the right headspace?

I like to listen to music before getting to the course and I try to keep to myself as much as I can while I’m warming up. This helps me get in the zone.

8. If you could play a round of golf with anyone, who would be in your foursome?

• Tiger Woods – PGA tour
• Nelly Korda – LPGA Tour
• Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore)

9. Who’s your favorite golfer to watch?

Brooke Henderson

10. Goals for 2021?

• Repeat win at the 2021 Ontario Junior (U19) Girls’ Championship
• Top 5 at the 2021 Canadian Junior Girls’ Championship
• Shoot a low score of (66) in a tournament round

Read more about Cranston’s 2020 Ontario Junior (U19) Girls’ Championship win, here.

Read more about Cranston and the 2021 Team Canada National Junior Squad, here.

About The Ontario Junior (U19) Girls’ Championship

First contested in 1927, the Ontario Junior (U19) Girls’ Championship features Ontario’s best amateur female golfers age 18 and under. The event consists of 72 holes of stroke play competition.

The championship has a rich history of young Ontarians who have gone on to have successful golf careers, such as World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit (1951, 1952). Other notable winners include, Sandra Post (1965, 1966), Sue Hilton (1962), Alena Sharp (1997, 1998), Jessica Shepley (2001), Jennifer Kirby (2008, 2009), and Brooke Henderson (2011, 2012).

About Golf Ontario

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450-member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to shaping lives through Golf.

Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @TheGolfOntario

To stay informed on Golf Ontario’s championship play, events, and additional updates, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

For more information please contact:

Brianna Christopher, Assistant, Marketing Communications.
Golf Ontario
BChristopher@gao.ca

Peter MacKellar, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Golf Ontario
PMacKellar@gao.ca

Golf Ontario is pleased to announce the 2020 Championship schedule featuring the best amateur championships in the province, hosted at many renowned facilities across Ontario.

Tournament registration will open February 6th, 2020 at 9:00am.

After a very successful 2019 season, the planning is well underway to continue the momentum into 2020 in what should be another brilliant year for Golf in Ontario.

The 2020 schedule is highlighted by the province’s premier amateur competitions – the 98^th Ontario Men’s Amateur will run July 14-17 at Otter Creek Golf Club in Otterville, and the 105^th running of the Ontario Women’s Amateur along with the Women’s Mid-Amateur will be hosted by Listowel Golf Club as part of their 100^th anniversary, July 6-9.

After a very successful inaugural Ontario Disability Championship, Golf Ontario will once again host the championship at Woodington Lake Golf Club prior to next year’s Ontario Open. Exciting new details of 2020 Ontario Open will be announced in the new year.

To view the full 2020 Golf Ontario Championship
Schedule including Qualifiers click here
(last updated Jan 8, 2020)

“We are excited to announce one of the most diverse and inclusive championship schedules in amateur golf, catering to all golfers in Ontario” said Golf Ontario Manager of Rules & Competitions John Lawrence. “In 2020 we are pleased to celebrate a couple of milestones with our renowned member clubs including; Listowel Golf Club’s 100^th anniversary, and as previously scheduled a year ago, Sault Ste. Marie Golf Club centennial.”

The championship season officially begins May 14th with the 62^nd running of the Ontario Men’s Better-Ball Championship hosted annually at Toronto’s Oakdale Golf & Country Club.

At the junior level, the Victoria Day long weekend Junior Spring Classic’s will kickoff the competitive championship season for most boys and girls. The boys will contest the picturesque countryside of Ontario’s Lake Country at Hawk Ridge Golf & Country Club in Orillia, while the girls will return to Wooden Sticks Golf Course in Uxbridge for the annual events.

After an overwhelmingly positive response from our Senior Men’s category Golf Ontario will be adding a Senior Men’s Match Play Championship to the 2020 calendar. A competition made up of 32 players, earning their positions through exemptions and qualifying rounds, the championship will run alongside the Men’s Match Play Championship at Taboo Golf Resort in Gravenhurst June 8-11.

The Ontario Champion of Champions tournament will move from what was an early Spring May date to June 1^st in 2020. The later date will allow more players to hone their skills and prepare to compete with all the province’s member club champions at Spring Lakes Golf Club.

The complete schedule including tournament formats and entry eligibility will be available February 3rd, 2020 when tournament registration opens.

For more information or comments on the tournament schedule please contact John Lawrence at jlawrence@gao.ca

*Please Note:

We are currently working on the 2020 schedule during these unprecedented times and thank you for your patience and understanding.

We will make an announcement when we know more.

With a successful 2019 season in the books, Golf Ontario is excited to recognize nine athletes for their remarkable accomplishments on the golf course this past season. They will all now be eligible for the coveted Ontario Male and Female Ontario Player of the Year Awards to be chosen by a selection committee and announced at a later date.

The final standings for the Provincial Order of Merit were recently released, and the following athletes led their respective divisions, and have been recognized by Golf Ontario as Ontario’s top amateur golfers for 2019.

Mike Kelly, Executive Director of Golf Ontario was quick to sing the praises of these athletes: “These athletes have succeeded at the highest levels in each of their respective categories, while juggling academic endeavours with work and family schedules. Each athlete performed at the top of their category this past season, and Golf Ontario is privileged to recognize these individuals on their accomplishments both on and off the golf course”, said Kelly

Garrett Rank – Men’s Mid-Amateur & Men’s Amateur
Once again a familiar face leads the Order of Merit ranking for both the Men’s Mid-Amateur and Amateur divisions. Our 2018 Ontario Male Golfer of the year once again brought skill and perseverance to the course.

The 31-year old NHL referee from Elmira Golf Club, has been the Men’s Amateur leader in Order of Merit ranking for the past 4 seasons, and since becoming eligible for the Mid-Amateur category in 2013 has held on to the coveted top spot in that category as well.

Rank, an accomplished amateur, has done quite well for himself, from being next to the best hockey players in the world on the ice one week to getting the opportunity to compete against the best golfers in the world the next.  His highlight of the year was winning the 117th Western Amateur Golf Tournament. Rank was the first Canadian to win the event since Vancouver’s Jim Nelford in 1977, and the first non-US born victor since New Zealand’s Danny Lee in 2008. He credits the momentum and confidence he took from the final round of the Porter Cup as the push he needed going into the Western Am.

Rank spoke about the year ahead. “I’m looking forward to the Korn Ferry Tour start (an exemption from winning Western Am) and hopefully testing myself at the highest levels.”

Garrett would like to thank his team and all the support he has received. Also big thanks to Westmount GC, Elmira GC, the University of Waterloo, Dave Smallwood, James Skrypec, Dr. Rich Ennis, Drew Symons, Derek Ingram, Golf Canada and of course Golf Ontario.

Ontario Amateur Men Order of Merit Ranking

1. Garrett Rank
2. Thomas Giroux
3. Charles Fitzsimmons
4. Matthew Anderson
5. Sam Meek

Ontario Amateur Mid-Am Men Order of Merit Ranking

1. Garrett Rank
2. Charles Fitzsimmons
3. Dave Bunker
4. Phil Arci
5. David Lang

Emily Zhu – Juvenile U17 Girls, Junior U19 Girls, Women’s Amateur
The Richmond Hill, Ont., native had a strong 2019 campaign highlighted by wins at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and the AJGA Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior. Zhu also notched two runner-up finishes at the 2019 Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2019 Duke of York Young Champions Trophy and a runner-up finish in the Canada Junior Girls’ division. She also represented Canada at the past three World Junior Girls Championships.

Zhu said her highlights of the year were winning the Canadian Jr Girls Championship and finishing 2nd at the Ontario Women’s Am. “It was one of my goals this year to win the Canadian Jr. Girls Championships and I did it. It was a surprise for me to finish so well at the Ontario Women’s Am and I hope I can go on to win it next year”. She also added, “my chance to participate in the CP Women’s Open was incredible as it was my first official LPGA event so I’m very thankful and honoured to have had the opportunity to play.”

One moment in particular that stood out for her this season was the week of the Canadian Jr. Girls Championship where she felt very focused and played so well. Zhu is looking forward to playing in the Canadian Jr Girls Championship again next year and hopes she can claim the prestigious Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship as well.

She would like to thank Golf Canada for the Team Canada program and coaching it provides, especially Head Coach, Matt Wilson for helping her. Zhu would also like to thank her dad for everything he has done, not only supporting her but coaching as well and bringing her to individual tournaments.

Ontario Amateur Women Order of Merit Ranking

1. Emily Zhu
2. Sarah Dunning
3. Tiana Cruz
4. Kelsey Sear
5. Grace St-Germain

Sarah Dunning, Women’s Mid-Am
Claiming top spot in the Women’s Mid-Am category for the first time was conveniently enough also our 2019 Ontario Women’s Mid-Am Champion, Sarah Dunning from Westmount Golf and Country Club. Dunning, a Waterloo, Ont. native, played a solid 3 rounds at Black Bear Ridge Golf Course to capture the title over big names like Kyrinis, Hodgson and Hayward. She also won the Golf Canada University College Women’s Championship back in May at Firerock Golf Club.

“I enjoyed the 2019 golf season. I was fortunate to play well and win two events”, said Dunning.  “As this was my first year as a mid-am I noted the contrast between mid-am and previous amateur competitions I participated in.  The atmosphere is competitive but there is camaraderie with your competitors. Everyone loves the game.  I look forward to next season and would encourage anyone of mid-am age to return to competition, it was really fun.”

Dunning would like to thank all of the volunteers, caddies, and rules officials who gave their time.

Ontario Mid-Am Women Order of Merit Ranking

1. Sarah Dunning
2. Judith Kyrinis
3. Mary Ann Hayward
4. Julia Hodgson
5. Natasha Lehman

Ashley Chinner – Senior Men
Topping the Senior Men’s leaderboard this year was Ashley Chinner from Coppinwood Golf Course. The Brooklin Ont., native was the 1996 Canadian PGA Champion, Low Canadian at the 1998 Bell Canadian Open and still remains a constant threat at all Ontario Senior tournaments.

Chinner had one highlight in particular this year he enjoyed the most. “Playing in the final group at Taboo in the Ontario Seniors was a very enjoyable experience but, the final round in the Canadian Seniors with Lars was definitely the highlight, a tough day grinding out pars at Cedarbrae put a smile on both of our faces.”

He also mentioned receiving his Golf Ontario bag at Taboo was pretty enjoyable too. “I was just happy with my consistency… makes me look forward to 2020 opening day already.”

Chinner thanks his Team at Signature Risk (work) for holding down the fort while he was out playing.  He also thanks Golf Ontario, all the staff and the Golf Club’s that gave up their courses for competition this season and finally, his wife Stephanie, who walked every round rain or shine.

Ontario Senior Men Order of Merit Ranking

1. Ashely Chinner
2. Joe Miszk
3. David Greenaway
4. Robert Gibson
5. Lars Melander

Judith Kyrinis- Senior Women
The 2019 Ontario Golf Hall of Fame inductee caps off another impressive season by claiming the Senior Women’s division in the Order of Merit for the fourth time.

Starting her season off with the thrilling Hall of Fame acclaim, Kyrinis, felt her highlight after that was without a doubt making birdie on 18 to win her 2nd Canadian Mid-am/Senior title as a validating moment.  “For all the work we put in, that was a pretty cool moment to do that“.

Another highlight she felt was being tied for low Am at the US Women’s Senior Open at Pine Needles, as the course was such a challenge for all that week.

“With all this snow right now, I’m looking forward to green grass in 2020! Seriously though, just the opportunity to tee it up against the best and test yourself. Sometimes you can surprise yourself and some days are disappointing but that’s golf, Kyrinis added. “Always keep learning.”

She credits any success she’s had in recent years to a great team of Coaches that have helped her achieve some amazing experiences in golf. Kyrinis would like to send huge thanks out to Matt and Liz Hoffman, Dave Woods and Jeff Hammond. “Of course I am also blessed to have an extremely supportive husband and family!”

Ontario Senior Women Order of Merit Ranking

1. Judith Kyrinis
2. Mary Ann Hayward
3. Marion Reid
4. Ivy Steinberg
5. Allyson Harrison

Bennett Ruby – Junior (U19) Boys
Leading the way for Junior Boys was Team Ontario member and Waterloo Ont. resident, Bennett Ruby. Ruby, who recently was named to Team Canada’s Junior Development Squad, claimed 8 top 10 finishes to claim the honours for the Order of Merit category.

When asked about a highlight of his season, Ruby had a similar answer to Latter. “The highlight of my season was winning the Can-Am matches with Team Ontario. Although I had a few other good finishes the Can-Am matches were by far the biggest highlight. Can-Am is something that I get really excited for every year and being able to win my doubles match with my best bud Dylan Henderson and also win my singles match to help the team win is something I’ll never forget.”

Ruby also mentioned his first round 67 at the Canadian Junior Championship as a moment that stood out. Although he was 5 shots back at the end of the day, Ruby really felt in control of his game at that point of the season.

He would go on to say, “In 2020 I am most looking forward to playing some bigger amateur events and playing on a bigger stage with Team Canada.”

Ruby would like to thank his parents for the support that they have given him throughout his junior career. Between the coaching, travel, hotels, physical training, physio etc. it really means a lot to him how much they’ve supported him and felt none of his success would have been possible without them. He added, “I’d also like to thank my coaches Nick Starchuck and Ralph Bauer for all of the work that they have put in with me and for improving my game. Lastly I’d like to thank the coaches at Team Ontario. Reggie, Nick, Charles, and Jessie. I really appreciate all the time that the coaches put into that program to help improve my game.”

Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Order of Merit Ranking

1. Bennett Ruby
2. Thomas Latter
3. Robbie Latter
4. Jeffrey Fang
5. Bavake Sihota

Ontario Junior (U19) Girls Order of Merit Ranking

1. Emily Zhu
2. Taylor Kehoe
3. Brooke Rivers
4. Hailey McLaughlin
5. Victoria Zheng

Thomas Latter – Juvenile (U17) Boys
Winning this tough category for the season was Team Ontario member and Mississauga, Ont. resident, Thomas Latter from Credit Valley Golf and Country Club. Latter had 7 top 10 finishes including second place in the Ontario Junior Boys (U19) Match Play Championships to secure top spot in this Order of Merit category.

He had one definite highlight on his 2019 season, “winning the Can-Am matches in March down in South Carolina with Team Ontario was awesome.”

The moment that stood out the most for Latter was playing in the final round of the Canadian Juniors in New Brunswick with his older brother Robbie who was playing in his final Junior Tournament. Bennett Ruby was also their third which made it even more meaningful for him.

Latter is already looking forward to the 2020 season as well.  “In 2020 I hope to continue developing as a golfer and as a person.”

He would like to thank his Coaches, Reggie Millage and Dave Moro, and would also like to thank his parents who are very supportive.

Ontario Juvenile (U17) Boys Order of Merit Ranking

1. Thomas Latter
2. Jeffrey Fang
3. Luke DelGobbo
4. Kavith Ranchagoda
5. Peter Blazevic

Ontario Juvenile (U17) Girls Order of Merit Ranking

1. Emily Zhu
2. Taylor Kehoe
3. Brooke Rivers
4. Victoria Zheng
5. Sarah Gallagher

Owen Kim – Bantam (U15) Boys
Owen Kim, from Oakville Ont., had a very successful 2019 season including 6 top 10’s. Playing out of Cedar Springs Golf Club, Kim most notably finished second at the Ontario Juvenile (U17) Championship from Greenhills Golf Club and third place at the Ontario Bantam (U15) Boys Championship.

Ontario Bantam (U15) Boys

1. Owen Kim
2. Andre Zhu
3. Alex Long
4. Isaiah Ellis
5. Beni Long

Brooke Rivers – Bantam (U15) Girls
In 7 events this season, Brampton Ont. native Brooke Rivers captured 4 top 10 finishes.  Building on momentum last year when she captured the 2018 Ontario Bantam (U15) Girls’ Championship, Rivers would find much success again in 2019.Highlights from this season include first at the Future Links Quebec Girls, fourth at the Canadian Junior Girls, third in the Ontario Junior Spring Classic (U19) Girls Championship from Wooden Sticks Golf Club and runner-up at the Ontario Women’s Match Play from Cataraqui Golf and Country Club.

Ontario Bantam (U15) Girls

1. Brooke Rivers
2. Nicole Gal
3. Ella Weber
4. Krystal (Zhuotong) Li
5. Kelly Zhao

More information on the Order of Merit can be found at gao.ca/excelling-performing/order-of-merit-rankings/

About Golf Ontario

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to shaping lives through Golf.

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