UXBRIDGE —Golf Ontario is proud to announce the latest highly skilled members of  Team Ontario which will contain eight returnees alongside six new faces. The 2019 team will be represented with an even split of seven boys and seven girls.

Returning to the team in 2019 are: Markham’s Hailey McLaughlin (IG Ontario Juvenile (U17) Champion), Mississauga’s Robbie Latter, Aurora’s Vanessa Chychrun, Markham’s Victoria Zheng, Caledon’s Raesa Sheikh, Tilbury’s Hailey Katona, and from Waterloo, Dylan Henderson and Bennett Ruby.

New faces to this year’s team on the boys’ side are Mississauga’s Thomas Latter (brother of Robbie), Newmarket’s Jeffrey Fang, Mississauga’s Peter Blazevic and North York’s Gerry Mei. As for the girls, new to the squad are North York’s Ashley Chow and Oakville’s Alexis McMurray.

Reggie Millage, entering his sixth season as Head Provincial Coach, leads the coaching staff. Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Martichenko, and Mental Skills Coach Charles Fitzsimmons will join him once again this year.

The team will continue to train throughout the winter at Peak Performance Golf in Vaughan. They will also have a series of winter camps, December in Florida, California in February and Myrtle Beach in March.

“Golf Ontario is very impressed with the depth of talent on this year’s team, it really speaks to the work and support of players and coaches at the club and development centre level” said Mallory Dayman, Golf Ontario Manager of Sport. “I am really excited about the opportunities built out for the team over the winter to help get them prepared for a great summer of competition and hopefully some fantastic results” added Dayman.

2019 Team Ontario

About Team Ontario

Golf Ontario’s Team Ontario program is a high-performance training program for the top junior aged golfers in Ontario. Athletes are selected in the fall each year and the program runs during the winter into the Ontario golf season. Team Ontario athletes receive the very best in coaching services, training/competitive opportunities, and sport science support. Being selected to Team Ontario is a tremendous accomplishment and offers unparalleled support and guidance to the participating athletes and their families.

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.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook, @TheGolfOntario for updates of all our competitions.

For more information, please contact:

Peter MacKellar
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Golf Ontario
(e) PMacKellar@gao.ca

From Golf Canada

Golf Canada is proud to announce the 17 athletes who have been chosen to represent Team Canada as part of the 2019 National Amateur and Junior Squads.

In all, seven athletes comprise Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad including four players on the men’s team and three on the women’s team. The 10-member Junior Squad will include five women and five men.

“Golf Canada is pleased to select this outstanding group of elite athletes based on their remarkable performances this past season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s chief sport officer. “These squads are a product of an immersive training environment led by our head coaches alongside sport science staff, parents, the provincial high-performance programs along with member clubs. They will be fantastic representatives of Canada on the global golf stage.”

From February through early June, the 10-member Junior Squad will be based out of Golf Canada’s National Training Centre at Bear Mountain Golf Resort in Victoria—the second year the program has provided centralized training, accommodation and education for athletes during their high school second semester. Team members will be immersed in a focused centre of excellence, surrounded by world-class technical coaching staff and experts in the areas of mental performance, physiotherapy, biomechanics and nutrition.

The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2019 Amateur Squad:

WOMEN’S NATIONAL AMATEUR SQUAD

• Jaclyn Lee, Calgary, Alta., Glencoe Golf & Country Club (21)
• Naomi Ko, Victoria, B.C., Royal Colwood Golf Club (21)
• Brigitte Thibault, Rosemère, Que., Club Laval-sur-le-Lac (19)

MEN’S NATIONAL AMATEUR SQUAD

• Joey Savoie, La Prairie, Que., Pinegrove Country Club (24)
• Chris Crisologo, Richmond, B.C., Marine Drive Golf Club (22)
• Josh Whalen, Napanee, Ont., Napanee Golf & Country Club (23)
• Brendan MacDougall, Calgary, Alta., Glencoe Golf & Country Club (20)

Complete National Amateur Squad bios can be found here.

The following athletes have been selected to Team Canada’s 2019 Junior Squad:

WOMEN’S JUNIOR SQUAD

• Céleste Dao, Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., Summerlea Golf & Country Club (17)
• Ellie Szeryk, Allen, Tex., Ontario Public Player (17)
• Emily Zhu, Richmond Hill, Ont., National Pines Golf Club (14)
• Sarah Beqaj, Toronto, Ont., Toronto Golf Club (16)
• Monet Chun, Richmond Hill, Ont., Summit Golf & Country Club (17)

MEN’S JUNIOR SQUAD

• Laurent Desmarchais, Longueuil, Que., Club de golf La Vallée du Richelieu (17)
• Christopher Vandette, Beaconsfield, Que., Summerlea Golf & Country Club (17)
• Jeevan Sihota, Victoria, B.C., Gorge Vale Golf Club (14)
• Olivier Ménard, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., (18)
• Kai Iguchi, Banff, Alta., Banff Springs Golf Club (18)

Complete Junior Squad player bios can be found here.

 TEAM CANADA COACHING STAFF ANNOUNCED

Golf Canada is pleased to announce the 2019 Team Canada coaching staff that will support both the National Amateur and Junior Squads.

On the men’s side, Derek Ingram of Winnipeg, Man. returns as Men’s Amateur Squad Head Coach. Robert Ratcliffe of Comox, B.C. will be leading the Men’s Junior Squad.

On the women’s side, Tristan Mullally of Waterdown, Ont., returns as Women’s Amateur Squad Head Coach. Matt Wilson, from Newmarket, Ont., will oversee the Women’s Junior Squad.

Wilson, who also works as Golf Canada’s director of next generation performance, will resume leadership of the Junior Squad centralized program at Bear Mountain alongside Ratcliffe.

“Derek and Tristan have had tremendous success with Team Canada athletes and the evolution of our national team program will see Robert and Matt play a more significant role through the centralized training environment at Bear Mountain,” added Thompson. “We are excited to build on the success of Team Canada’s new centralized program in helping our young stars make the jump to the next level in their careers.”

Mullally, Ingram, Ratcliffe and Wilson are all Class “A” professionals with the PGA of Canada.

The 2019 Team Canada Young Pro Squad athlete selection is expected in December.

Written by Belleville Intelligencer (photo: Dave Mills)

Betty Ingram Wonnacott celebrated her 95th birthday, with friends and family, on Saturday Oct. 27 at X1X Restaurant at the Bay of Quinte Golf Club, next to the greens which she conquered as an amateur golfer for almost seven decades.

Both Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith and Belleville Mayor-Elect Mitch Panciuk, dropped in to personally congratulate Ingram Wonnacott on her milestone birthday and to honour her for both her achievements and her zest for life.

Dave Mills, President of the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame, re-presented Ingram Wonnacott with the original trophy she won 43 years ago for capturing the Ontario Senior Ladies Championship.
At the age of 94, Ingram Wonnacott was still playing golf at a high level until she was sidelined by hip pain that required replacement surgery. Now equipped with a new hip and renewed vigor, she is anxiously anticipating the 2019 golf season. You can bet money that she will be on the tee in the spring.

Over her golfing career Ingram Wonnacott won the Bay of Quinte Ladies Club Championship 30 times; won five Kingston District Ladies Amateur Championships and was on 14 Kingston District Teams at provincial championships; represented Ontario eight times at matches with New York State; won the Ontario Senior Championship in 1975; was runner up at the Canadian Senior Championship in 1981.

Ingram Wonnacott was inducted into the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame in 1987, the first year of the HOF. She is also recognized by Golf Ontario on their Wall of Recognition – 2006. Ingram Wonnacott, who was born in Newcastle in 1923 and resided in Clarington until she was married in 1943 and moved to Belleville, was also inducted into the Clarington Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 for her achievements.

Written by: Fraser Caldwell

Alberton, Ont. – One side of the competition at Heron Point Golf Links saw a familiar champion return to the top of the podium at the head of a dynastic team, while the other found a fight to the finish and an upstart team champion.

Winning their seventh consecutive Liz Hoffman Trophy as team champions at the OUA Golf Championships, the Toronto Varsity Blues women confidently held onto the lead they established after Day 1, with team leader Laura Upenieks grabbing her second straight Judy McRae Trophy as the women’s individual champion.

Their win marked the Blues eighth championship since the establishment of the OUA women’s golf tournament in 2005.

For her part, Upeniek added another chapter to a storied varsity golf career, with a third career title and, amazingly, a 10th appearance among the OUA all-stars.

While the Blues were busily building on their dynasty, the Ottawa Gee-Gees men successfully held off the challenge of the Western Mustangs to preserve their own lead after Day 1 and snag their first Ruttan Trophy since 2009 and seventh in its 95-year history.

Although his team was made to settle for silver, Mustang Mackenzie Carter overturned a two-stroke deficit after Day 1 to catch Brock’s Adam Graham and claim the Len Shore Trophy as the men’s individual champion, after shooting an impressive two-over par in challenging conditions of heavy wind at Heron Point Tuesday.

The top two in the women’s field battled to a dead heat through two rounds, with Upenieks grabbing a one-stroke lead over Guelph’s Sarah Dunning on Day 1 and the two posting matching rounds of 12-over 82 on the deciding day to preserve the Blue’s slim pole position.

Finishing two strokes back of Dunning, Windsor’s Melanie Burgess raced up the leaderboard to jump from a tie for seventh after Day 1 to the bronze medal position, posting a Day 2-best round of 10-over 80.

Upenieks was backed up by teammates and fellow First Team All-Stars Ellice Hong, who finished fourth at a combined 24-over, and Kelsey Fuchs, who finished in a tie for fifth at 28-over.

14 shots off the combined pace of the Blues, the Queen’s Gaels claimed silver thanks to the scores of First Team All-Stars Jasmine Mussani and Robyn Campbell, who finished in that fifth-place tie alongside Fuchs, and the 19th-placed Melissa Ramnauth.

Burgess’ inspired round on Day 2 helped the Lancers to team bronze, with Second Team All-Star Tavia Maurovic providing Windsor’s second score at 33-over and Nicole Cesca completing the scoring at 39-over.

Winning the team title by just two strokes, Ottawa was led by an individual bronze-medal-winning performance from Anthony Brodeur, who posted a two-day total of 10-over.

Teammates and Second Team All-Stars Nicholas Workun and Michael Reaume posted identical totals of 13-over to tie for eighth, while Jared Coyle completed the scoring for the Gee-Gees at 16-over.

Agonizingly close to repeating as team champions, particularly given Carter’s performance, the Mustangs saw Jackson Bowery claimed OUA Second Team All-Star status amidst the tie for eighth at 13-over, while defending individual champion Charles Fitzsimmons scored third for Western at 14-over. But the team was ultimately undone by the lack of a strong final score, as Joseph Burgess provided it at 27-over.

A top two of Second Team All-Stars Henry Luel and Andrew Cox, who finished in ties for sixth and eighth at 12 and 13-over respectively, helped Laurier vault into the bronze medal position, while Ryan Murphy and Jaron Brown completed the Golden Hawks scoring with matching tallies of 19-over.

FULL RESULTS

Final Standings – Women’s Team

1. Toronto +72

2. Queen’s +86

3. Windsor +95

4. Waterloo +101

5. Western +116

6. Brock +141

7. Laurier +147

8. McMaster +151

9. Ottawa +214

Final Standings – Men’s Team

1. Ottawa +50

2. Western +52

3. Laurier +63

4. Waterloo +64

5. Guelph +65

6. Queen’s +68

7. Windsor +69

8. McMaster +71

9. Brock +73

10. Toronto +79

11. Carleton +80

12. Laurentian +90

13. Ryerson +115

14. York +116

15. UOIT +123

16. Trent +138

Women’s All-Stars (top five First Team, 6-10 Second Team)

First Team

Laura Upenieks (Toronto) – 1

Sarah Dunning (Guelph) – 2

Melanie Burgess (Windsor) – 3

Ellice Hong (Toronto) – T5

Jasmine Mussani (Queen’s) – T5

Kelsey Fuchs (Toronto) – T5

Robyn Campbell (Queen’s) – T5

Second Team

Elanna Lachaine-DeMarchi (Waterloo) – 8

Tavia Maurovic (Windsor) – 9

Claire Konning (Waterloo) – T10

Samantha Zulian (Laurier) – T10

Men’s All-Stars (top five First Team, 6-10 Second Team)

First Team

Mackenzie Carter (Western) – 1

Adam Graham (Brock) – 2

Anthony Brodeur (Ottawa) – 3

Nikishantess Penashue (Windsor) – T4

Tyson Turchanski (Waterloo) – T4

Second Team

Henry Luel (Laurier) – T6

Devin Bartlett (Waterloo) – T6

Andrew Cox (Laurier) – T8

Jackson Bowery (Western) – T8

Nicholas Workun (Ottawa) – T8

Michael Reaume (Ottawa) – T8

Jack Allan (Toronto) – T8

Written by The R&A

LONDON, England – A global consensus amongst leaders in public health, public policy and sport backs golf in the race to tackle physical inactivity and the prevention of a range of non-communicable disease (NCD) including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer of the breast and colon.

Evidence linking golf and health, commissioned by the World Golf Foundation and supported by The R&A, was presented this week in London at the 7th Congress of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH). The biennial scientific meeting is widely regarded as the world’s flagship physical activity and public health event attended by more than 1,000 delegates from 60 countries.

Recognition that playing golf has significant physical health and wellness benefits and can provide moderate intensity physical activity to persons of all ages, comes just months after the World Health Organization (WHO) published its Global Action Plan for Physical Activity. The Global Action Plan targets one in four adults, and four out of five adolescents (11-17 years) who are insufficiently active, and charts how countries can reduce physical inactivity in adults and adolescents by 15% by 2030.

The scientific consensus for golf is evidenced in research led by the University of Edinburgh and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Findings reveal that playing golf is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits, and further collaborative efforts to improve access for the sport are needed.

New studies are underway to discover if playing golf improves strength and balance, contributing to a key public health goal of fall prevention in healthy aging and into conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

Marking the close of the ISPAH Congress, public health practitioners, policymakers and golf industry leaders were hosted at a satellite event in the Palace of Westminster by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf.

Steve Brine, Minister for Public Health and Primary Care, said, “Physical activity of any type comes with a range of physical, social and mental benefits. For some, golf can be a great way to stay active and there’s growing evidence about ways the sport can help those living with long term conditions such as Parkinson’s and dementia. And for those who haven’t discovered their favourite sport yet it’s never too late to get inspired, connect with people and improve your wellbeing.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Golf is working hard to encourage more people into the sport, who will realize its many health benefits. With 60 million golfers spanning six continents, golf has found common purpose in working with public health practitioners and policymakers to optimise the health benefits of playing the sport.

“We recognize the importance of the World Health Organization Global Action Plan for Physical Activity and we will work with our affiliates and partners around the world to help improve health and well-being through golf”.

Professor Fiona Bull, WHO Programme Manager, Non-Communicable Disease Prevention, said, “Non-communicable disease is responsible for nearly three quarters of all premature deaths globally, including 15 million deaths per year in people aged 30 to 70 years.

“The new World Health Organization global action plan and the implementation toolkit ‘ACTIVE’ aims to help all countries improve the environments and the opportunities for all people to be more active. Golf is a popular sport for men and women and it is great to see golf’s global leadership recognizing health priorities and identifying ways golf can be more accessible to more people.

“I took up golf in my 30s but thought it was a very technical, expensive and elitist sport. Thankfully a 6 week ‘come and try course’ showed me how easy it was to enjoy golf as a beginner and how active playing 9 holes can be. I am looking forward to seeing how golf can attract many more girls and women to enjoy the sport and be more active and healthy”.

Annika Sorenstam, Major Champion and a global ambassador for golf and health, said, “As the recent international consensus statement highlighted, golf is great for the health of people of all ages – it benefits those playing the sport and even tournament spectators.

“Given the health benefits, we must work together to make golf more accessible if we are to achieve our sport’s full potential.”

The 2018 International Consensus Statement on Golf and Health to guide action by people, policymakers and the golf industry was published last month in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

A further Golf and Health Scientific Meeting will be held on Thursday 18 October 2018 at Mytime Active, High Elms Golf Course, Bromley, UK – a club promoting healthy lifestyles. Researchers from Asia, Australia, Europe and the USA will discuss their respective projects and the future direction of research on golf and health.

UXBRIDGE – Since 1994, Golf Ontario has proudly provided financial assistance to very deserving student golfers throughout Ontario who are continuing their education at the post-secondary level. This scholarship program, made possible with the support of Golf Ontario’s corporate partners and sponsors, allows Golf Ontario to award multiple scholarships each year that support these student golfers and their post-secondary education dreams.

Back In 2016, Golf Ontario celebrated a special milestone as the association surpassed $500,000 in scholarship funds awarded since the program’s inception. Two years later in 2018, Golf Ontario is proud to announce that $566,000 in total has now been awarded to hundreds of deserving recipients.

To be eligible for one of the Golf Ontario awards or scholarships, recipients have maintained at least a 75% academic average, are enrolled in a post-secondary institution, are members of Golf Ontario and actively involved in the game of golf.

In 2018, Golf Ontario is thrilled to have selected another 10 deserving student golfers who will receive funding to help with their post-secondary studies and to pursue their future career dreams. The list of recipients is extremely impressive, and Golf Ontario is excited to follow these students. Golf Ontario is very proud to announce the following 2018 Golf Ontario scholarship recipients.

Craig Revell Scholarship:

Cynthia Zhao                Clublink Member                                   Hofstra University

Christine Fisher Memorial Student Award:

Arrington Bard              Guelph Lakes G&CC                             University of Waterloo

Ken McKenzie Award:

Justin Grant                 Heron Point Golf Links                           Queen’s University

Helena Harbridge Scholarship:

Owen Dick                    Scarboro G&CC                                   Barton College

Golf Ontario Scholarship:

Tyler Lam, Bayview G&CC, Western University
Ryan McLay, Golf Ontario Public Player,  Saint Mary’s University
Matthew Cholod, Oshawa G&CC, Northern Illinois University
Nicholas Marchese,  Beacon Hall GC / Caledon Woods GC, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Ethan Siebert,  Lookout Point G&CC, Defiance College
Benjamin Lowe, Glengarry G&CC, Bishops University
Benjamin Baker, Hylands GC, Queen’s University

Golf Ontario would like to congratulate the 2018 recipients and wish them the best in their post-secondary studies.

It’s never too early to start thinking about applying for next year either. Please visit here to learn more about the process and the benefits of Golf Ontario Scholarships.

Congratulations to our 2018 Scholarship Recipients!

Individual	Award	Club	Institution
Owen Dick	Helena Harbridge Award	Scarboro G&CC	Barton College
Cynthia Zhao	Craig Revell Award	Clublink Member	Hofstra University
Justin Grant	Ken McKenzie Award	Heron Point Golf Links	Queen’s University
Arrington Bard	Christine Fisher Memorial Award	Guelph Lakes G&CC	University of Waterloo
Tyler Lam	GO Scholarship	Bayview G&CC	Western University
Ryan McLay	GO Scholarship	Public Player	Saint Mary’s University
Matthew Cholod	GO Scholarship	Oshawa G&CC	Northern Illinois University
Nicholas Marchese	GO Scholarship	Beacon Hall GC & Caledon Woods GC	Palm Beach Atlantic University
Ethan Siebert	GO Scholarship	Lookout Point G&CC	Defiance College
Benjamin Lowe	GO Scholarship	Glengarry G&CC	Bishops University
Benjamin Baker	GO Scholarship	Hylands GC	Queen’s University

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.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook, @TheGolfOntario for updates of all our activities.

For more information, please contact:

Peter MacKellar
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Golf Ontario
(t) 905.852.1101 ext 224
(e) PMacKellar@gao.ca

A warm mid July type day welcomed more than 130 guests to Wooden Sticks for Golf Ontario’s SOLD OUT Member Day presented by 94.9 TheRock on Tuesday October 9th. With a festival feel in the air, golfers arrived at the club with an early morning sun bright in the sky and temperatures working its way into the mid 20s. For many this was their first experience at the well know course but what made it more special was the the look and feel of the facility set up. Guests were greeted at the course by GO staff and a Championship like atmosphere complete with a TaylorMade Range. Our partner for the event from 94.9 TheRock took things to an even better level adding the fun element of music played on the range and first tee as well as off the back patio for those on 10, 18 and grabbing BBQ lunch at the turn.

Following warm up and a buffet breakfast, golfers made their way to carts for the 10am shotgun start and road off into the mid morning sun for their round following a few words from GO, Wooden Sticks and morning show hosts Craig & Lucky.

On course golfers enjoyed seven contests holes including long drive, straightest drive and closest to the pin. For the next five hours golfers could be heard celebrating great shots, laughing and enjoying themselves and yes even a little bit of trash talking and chirping. All in good fun and exactly what the purpose of the day was all about.

Shortly after 3pm carts rolled in and the groups made their way inside to catch up over refreshments and for some draw prize giveaways and on course contest winners. This provided a great outlet to get feedback and promote membership to those not yet converted and inform them of where GO is headed in terms of providing more services as part of membership. Again alongside Rock hosts Craig & Lucky who hammed it up during the draw prizes, guests were treated to dozens of draw prizes, celebrations of on course winners and an overall fun atmosphere.

94.9 TheRock have already stated on air and at the club that this partnership will grow and expand to include more events next year in the GTA. They see the value of getting in-front of new potential listeners. For Golf Ontario and Wooden Sticks the lead up on air promotions prior to and following the event gave us thousands of dollars worth of airtime promo exposure to hundreds of thousands of listeners in the GTA. Their hosts on site at the event including Craig & Lucky (Morning show), Doug Elliott (Afternoon drive), Lee Eckley (Evening), Dean Blundell (special on air personality) all made on air and social media mentions about the day they had with GO and added further exposure for GO following the day.

Photos of the beautiful day can be found here

From OUA

Alberton, Ont. – The best university golfers in Ontario are ready to hit the links for a shot at the championship, with the Western Mustangs and Toronto Varsity Blues hoping for similar success as they found a year ago. But with 14 other teams looking to score a hole in one themselves, only time will tell which schools will ultimately reign supreme.

2018 Golf Championships Fan Guide
Live Scoring Updates

Among the strongest golfers in the OUA are those representing the Varsity Blues, and at the centre of their success – a run that includes six consecutive women’s banners – is Laura Upenieks (Etobicoke, Ont.). The nine-time OUA all-star is in her 10th year of eligibility and will be in search of her third individual title, having previously won in 2015 and 2017. Another Blue that will be poised to help her squad become the first school to win seven banners since the women’s golf inception in 2005 is Kelsey Fuchs (Uxbridge, Ont.), with the fourth-year golfer already claiming victory at the McMaster Invitational this year.

While the Blues were able to keep their championships streak alive a season ago, the Waterloo men’s squad was bested by the Western Mustangs to put an end to their three consecutive wins. With 11 banners under the belt, however, they will surely have their eyes on the top prize once again this year. Tyson Turchanski (Calgary, Alta.) will be one of many standouts teeing off for the black and gold, and with a successful recent stretch under his belt – a run that included four individual medals and an appearance at a US Open Qualifier – he should help the team stay hot and raise their medal count for the year.

Not to be outdone, the Waterloo women’s team is also coming in on quite a hot streak, having won the last three tournaments they’ve played. Not only have they climbed to the top of the podium recently, but they’ve earned team medals at each event this season, with Claire Konning (Moncton, N.B.) accomplishing the same feat on an individual level to put her in a strong position to top the podium at Heron Links.

The team that dethroned the Warriors men a year ago, the Western Mustangs, will look to maintain that recipe for success in this year’s edition, with team captain and defending men’s individual champion Charles Fitzsimmons (Toronto, Ont.) leading the charge. But while the purple and white’s 12 championships got a boost last year, their women’s team will be aiming for their first title in 10 years. Tasha MacDonald (Welland, Ont.) is the veteran of the squad and a key figure in what they hope will be their fifth title in program history.

Finishing just behind the Mustangs in a tie for second was the Ottawa Gee-Gees men’s side. The reigning silver medalists have maintained their strong play into the 2018 season, with third place finishes at the Carleton and Queen’s Invitationals highlighting their OUA circuit thus far. Gabriel Gingras (Chelsea, Que.), who secure second place individually last season, returns to lead the Garnet and Grey in his fourth season.

Helping to round out last year’s podiums were the Queen’s Gaels, who took home the men’s and women’s team silver medals in 2017. With the hopes of standing atop the podium this time around, the Gaels will turn to Robyn Campbell (Cornwall, Ont.) and Zachary Greifenberger (Toronto, Ont.) to lead their two sides. The former is the Tricolour’s seasoned vet, with back-to-back championship silver medals to her name – not to mention a hole-in-one on the banner season stage in 2014 – and the latter is in the midst of an impressive rookie campaign that featured wins in his first two tournaments.

After just missing out on the podium a year ago, meanwhile, the Guelph Gryphons men’s squad have a top-three finish on their mind this time around; something they’ve done in six of seven events this year already. A key contributor to the team’s showings this season has been Josiah Dixon (Owen Sound, Ont.), who has a field-low 68 under his belt from the Queen’s Invitational earlier this year, and after earning the provincial and national individual college championships while at Niagara College just two years ago, Dixon will certainly be going for gold next week.

On the women’s squad, Sarah Dunning (Waterloo, Ont.) has both past and present success on her side when she tees off this weekend. The accomplished golfer is a former OUA champion from 2014 and has also picked up an individual gold at the Brock Invitational this season. The addition of Dunning has been a great help to her teammates, who will hope to turn what they’ve learned into championship triumph come Monday.

Not far down the road from Guelph, the Laurier Golden Hawks will have similar aspirations to reach the podium after their men’s team missed out by just two shots a year ago. Despite losing 2017 bronze medalist Austin Ryan, fourth-year player Andrew Cox(Kitchener, Ont.) will look to fill his shoes after a finishing tied for 12th last year and earning a pair of individual medals in 2018. The Golden Hawks women’s team, which boasts two rookies and two second-year players, are hoping to build on their 8th place finish in 2017. Stephanie Elsey (Toronto, Ont.), who finished in the top-30 in that event, will be one to watch for the experience-seeking Hawks.

The youth movement continues onto Windsor as well, as the men’s team is only returning three of nine players from a year ago. The Lancers, who finished 9th in 2017, have the podium as their goal, and with a great week of camp under their belts, they’ll be focusing on gaining shots on the greens as much as possible, with the potential for success coming from any of their members. The women’s team fell just shy of the podium a year ago, but with four team medals secured this season and backed by three returning players, they should remain in contention to do the same next week.

Brock put forth strong showings at last year’s championship and will be led by Adam Graham (Sarnia, Ont.), who is returning for his fifth year on the links. It has been a successful campaign to say the least for Graham, who tied for the low individual score at the Queen’s Invitational and Niagara College Invitational, along with two additional top-three showings. Along with partner Eric Pattenaude, meanwhile, Graham also won the USGA U.S. Amateur Four Ball Qualifier. With team finishes on and around the podium in several events this year, the Badgers have medals on their minds to close out their OUA season.

The McMaster Marauders, who placed 10th and 12th, respectively a year ago, will be hoping for an improvement on their 2017 showings, and will have the chance to do so close to home. The host school is turning to veteran John MacPherson (Hannon, Ont.) to lead their men’s team, just as he has over the past few seasons. The Marauders’ two-time Male Golf MVP recently topped the school’s participants at the Guelph and McMaster Invitationals, and along with fellow veteran returnee Patrick Maloney (Oakville, Ont.), will be key to the team finding success on their home course.

After placing 10th a year ago, meanwhile, the Laurentian Voyageurs men’s team will also be looking to rise the ranks this time around. Liam Hamlin (Blind River, Ont.), who claimed gold at the Guelph Invitational this year to go along with a top-10 finish at Waterloo/Laurier, and Nick Quesnel (Sudbury, Ont.) who won the Ridgeback Invitational, will lead the well-balanced squad into championship play. The lone Voyageurs golfer on the women’s side is Gracen Lacko (Sudbury, Ont.).

First-year Ridgeback Dale Lewis (Whitby, Ont.) will join Lacko as the lone female representative for her squad, while Mackenzie Dasti (Oshawa, Ont.) will spearhead the UOIT men’s side. The fifth-year golfer is ready to lead a young Ridgebacks squad that features five other golfers in their first or second year. Dasti finished third at the Brock Invitational, while cracking the top-two at the Waterloo/Laurier and Ridgebacks Invitationals this season. He will surely be looking for another stroke of success next week as he winds down his OUA career.

Like UOIT, Trent will also be sending a younger team looking for experience at this year’s event. Hoping to guide the Excalibur within their leadership roles will be team captain Zac Howard (Peterborough, Ont.) and seasoned veteran Jake Shaughnessy (Peterborough, Ont.), both of whom bring a great attitude and atmosphere to the budding Trent squad.

It will be largely new territory for Ryerson this year as well, as the Rams will be sending a young team to the event after not sending a full group to last year’s competition. Ones to watch for the Toronto-based school are Andrew Hudencial (Toronto, Ont.), the only returnee from the 2017 provincial finale and Mahir Omar (Mississauga, Ont.), who shot a team-best at both the Queen’s and Brock Invitationals this season.

Also taking part in this year’s championships are the Carleton Ravens and York Lions.

The first round of play tees off on Monday, October 15 at 8:30am, with round two following suit the next day. Both rounds will take place in Alberton, Ont. at the Heron Point Golf Links.

Written by John Gordon

“I’m not good enough to keep track of my handicap.”

Craig Loughry, Golf Canada’s Director of Handicap and Course Rating, is tired of hearing that.

“The purpose of the Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling players of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis,” the Golf Canada Handicap Manual states.

“If you’re playing golf regularly, you’re keeping track of your scores in some fashion,” he points out. “You’re golfing for a reason or reasons, whether it’s for the competition against yourself or others, recreation, socializing, whatever. It obviously is a significant part of your activity schedule, so why not keep track on an ongoing basis?

“If golfers didn’t care about keeping score, then courses wouldn’t need scorecards, but they seem to have to replace thousands every year.”

Loughry is right. Everyone tracks their progress in just about every other facet of their lives, so why not in their golf games? In business or other pursuits, you expect a level playing field, right? A Golf Canada handicap factor provides both for your golf life.

Additionally, you never know when not having a Golf Canada handicap factor will come back to haunt you.

Knowing zero about your handicap can find you playing off a zero handicap.

A couple of personal anecdotes…

Years ago, I was invited to play in a pro-am. When I showed up at registration, I was asked for my handicap. When I said I didn’t have one, I was told I would have to play off scratch, from the pro tees. Some of my drives barely made the tee block from where my fellow amateurs (the ones with official handicaps) were playing from. Needless to say, I started posting every score after that humiliation.

My wife (who faithfully maintains an accurate handicap factor) plays in the member-guest tournament at a friend’s club every summer. The club sends out a friendly note leading up to the event.  It says, “it is the member’s responsibility to provide a handicap factor from an accredited golf association for their guest(s). Failure to do so will result in your guest(s) playing from scratch. Please note that scorecards, letters or ‘she shoots about an 85’ are unacceptable.”

If you have a Golf Canada Gold-level membership, the lengthy list of benefits includes an official handicap factor. It’s easy to post your adjusted scores online or at any Golf Canada member course and there’s even an app for your phone. It’s easy to join online even if you’re not already a member of a club and start tracking your scores right away.

Now that I’ve persuaded those of you who haven’t maintained a current and accurate factor (you must post all scores using the easy-to-understand Equitable Stroke Control system) to get on the bandwagon, here are some other handicapping notes.

ACTIVE SEASONS

Regrettably, the end of the Canadian golf season is approaching. Each provincial golf association decides on what is called the “active season” for handicap posting purposes.

By province, the active seasons are:

• British Columbia March 1-Nov. 15
• Alberta March 1-Oct. 31
• Saskatchewan April 15-Oct. 31
• Manitoba April 15-Oct. 31
• Ontario April 15-Oct. 31
• Quebec April 15-Oct. 31
• Nova Scotia April 15-Oct. 31
• New Brunswick May 1-Oct. 31
• Prince Edward Island April 16-Nov. 14
• Newfoundland and Labrador April 1-Nov. 30

GOING SOUTH THIS WINTER?

It’s never been easier to post out-of-country scores if you’re lucky enough to play in a warmer clime this winter.

“Essentially, all you have to do is simply change the Canadian flag icon to the international one and then start typing in the most unique part of the club/course name,” says Taylor Stevenson, Golf Canada’s manager of member services.

As well, says Loughry, the International Golf Network (IGN) allows Golf Canada members to link their golf membership (handicap record) from Canada to their U.S. club(s). What’s the advantage of that?

“You only need to post your score once and that score automatically gets posted into the other record. This is not only important now for our many members who travel and golf outside the country, but will be more so when the World Handicap System is implemented.”

WE ARE THE WORLD

In 2020, the new unified World Handicap System will be implemented to make handicaps truly consistent and equitable around the globe. The new system will feature more flexibility and reflect the changes in how the game is played worldwide.

For example, both competitive and recreational rounds will count for handicap purposes, the number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap will be reduced and, perhaps most importantly, the result will be a consistent handicap that is portable from courses to course and country to country.

There is even a calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions affected your score.

Click here for more on handicapping.

UXBRIDGE — The lifeblood of Golf Ontario has always been our volunteers. The amazing work they do allows us to run events and provide the services we offer. On October 1, from Wyndance Golf Club in Uxbridge, those volunteers were thanked greatly at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Day. The volunteers enjoyed breakfast, meet and greet with staff and an awards show with the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award, and Honorary Life Director Award. Afterwards those that wanted to were treated to golf at the immaculate Wyndance GC.

“On behalf of Golf Ontario, I personally want to thank each and every one of our volunteers,” said Golf Ontario Executive Director Mike Kelly. “Without each and every one of our volunteers our events simply don’t happen. Often it can go overlooked how important volunteers are to an organization and I personally know how much passion, effort, caring and time goes into volunteering for Golf Ontario. Thank you on behalf of all the staff and golfers for everything you do.”

2018 Volunteer of the Year – Mike O’Neill

The Golf Ontario Volunteer of the Year Award has been designed to recognize and honor a Golf Ontario volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding performance and contributions while preserving the integrity and traditions of the game.

This year’s recipient is Mike O’Neill, who has volunteered since 2010. O’Neill started as a Tournament Official and quickly achieved his Rules certification.  He is currently a Rules Official and Course Rater who dedicates 45+ days each season and is always willing to fill in when and where needed. He also has taken on the Senior Rules role the last few years at championships, in which he has excelled at demonstrating a commitment to GO’s values.  Both staff and volunteers really enjoy working with him.

The Dick Grim Distinguished Service Award – Bob Heath and Lorry Moffatt

The Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award is considered the highest honor recognizing individual service to the game of golf in Ontario. The award is named after Richard H. Grimm, who was affectionately known as “Mr. Canadian Open” for his service to the event from 1965 to 1993. Golf Ontario’s Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual’s meritorious service as a volunteer. Recipients of this award embody the principles of integrity, dignity and commitment, which are central to the volunteer experience and to Mr. Grimm’s persona.

Our first recipient is Lorry Moffatt, a past GO Director who has been a rules official for more than 17 years and is always willing to fill in when and where needed. Moffatt also is a mentor to new volunteers and rules officials always displaying the GO’s mission and values. In addition, he supports local tours and CJGA events while committing 25+ days for Golf Ontario, his idea of cutting back his schedule.

The second Distinguished Service Award winner is Bob Heath, a volunteer of 15 years which includes course rating and a team leader. Also he’s been instrumental in his roles and as a GAT member under handicap & course rating. Bob’s passion and expertise has been crucial in developing the CR certification process over the past 4 years.  He took a strong lead in writing tests and answers, defining levels, and providing valuable feedback on changes to the process.  He committed a significant amount of time to this valuable project and we couldn’t have achieved where we are today without him. He also teaches provincial course rating seminars to teach new raters the fundamentals of course rating.

Honorary Life Director Award – Ivy Steinberg

Honorary Life Directors are recognized for their outstanding achievements through their involvement as a Committee and Board Member. This year, the award went to Ivy Steinberg,  an individual who has made tremendous contributions to the association and golf in the province.

Ivy has a long history with Golf Ontario including being on the Board of Directors from 2012 to 2018. She also served as a director on various committees:  Human Resources, Nominating and Sport Development. Ivy also chaired the Jr. Golf Drive for 3 years, helping to increase net revenue considerably. As a golfer, she has been very active in the community as a player and volunteer at her club serving in the past as a ladies’ captain, board and committee member.

Golf Ontario would like to congratulate all of the award winners and send a special thank you to all of the Golf Ontario volunteers who make everything the association does possible.

To see photos from Volunteer Appreciation Day click here

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.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook, @TheGolfOntario for updates of all our competitions.

For more information, please contact:

Peter MacKellar

Manager, Marketing & Communications

Golf Ontario

(t) 905.852.1101 ext 224

(e) PMacKellar@gao.ca