UXBRIDGE — The Golf Ontario Scholarship Application Deadline has been extended until July 22. Since 1996, Golf Ontario has been awarding scholarships to deserving student golfers throughout the province. Now, 11 years after the program was established, more than $500,000 has been awarded.

The program is supported by partners including: the Estate of Ken McKenzie, Investors Group, the Craig Revell Memorial Award Fund, the Helena Harbridge Award Fund and the Christine Fisher Memorial Student Award Fund.

Requirements for Golf Ontario Scholarships are that recipients maintain at least a 75% academic average, are enrolled in a post secondary institution, are members of Golf Ontario and are actively involved in the game of golf.

Thanks to Golf Ontario Scholarships, many recipients have gone on to do great things in the golf industry. Many begin at the collegiate level like 2016 scholarship recipient Meghan Bennett. Bennett, 21 from Pickering, was awarded the Helena Harbridge Award to help further her studies in Communications and Digital Media at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Bennett is currently a member of FAU’s golf team, is a past member of Golf Ontario’s Team Ontario program and a past provincial champion (2012 Ontario Junior Girls’ Match Play).

“I was really honoured to receive to a Golf Ontario Scholarship,” said Bennett. “ It meant even more considering I have been part of the Golf Ontario family. Being a past member of Team Ontario and competing in Provincial Championships, made it very rewarding. It felt like I had come full circle and that my accomplishments had been recognized.”

To submit an application for a Golf Ontario Scholarship, please fill out the form at the following address: https://www.cognitoforms.com/Mdaymangaoca/_2017ScholarshipApplicationForm

For more information on Golf Ontario Scholarships visit: https://gao.ca/supporting-the-game/financial-assistance/gao-scholarship-program/

WINDSOR— In what can only be described as a phenomenal final round, 16-year-old Sudarshan Yellamaraju captured the Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship at Ambassador Golf Club on July 14.

Yellamaraju, from Mississauga and Blue Springs Golf Club, entered the day one shot off the pace at seven-under for the tournament. Despite being one of the youngest in the field, Yellamaraju was dialed in early during the final round. After a birdie on the third hole, he proceeded to drain three in a row from six to eight and made the turn at four-under. He would not let up on the back nine. He birdied both 10 and 12, stretching the lead to five strokes. While he did run into trouble with bogeys on 14, 15 and 17, he drained a clutch birdie putt on the 18^th, which earned him the win. He went on to finish the round four-under (67) and finished the tournament 11-under (69-68-69-67-273).

Yellamaraju spoke about what the win meant to him, especially after he came up just short last week at the Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship. “I am feeling great right now considering what happened last week at the Ontario Junior. I felt I bounced back well this week and played pretty well. This course provided a good challenge and I am glad I got the victory in the end.”

At just 16, Yellamaraju sees the win as a big stepping-stone in his development. “I definitely think this is a big accomplishment and a great way for me to take the next step in my golf career. To win at my age is very special to me.”

As for his strength during the week, Yellamaraju pointed to his putting. “I felt like the strongest part of my game was my putting. Every time I had five or six footers to make par, I made them. This week I felt very confident putting within 10 feet and it got me to where I finished.”

The silver medal went to Stouffville’s Gajan Sivabalasingham. Sivabalasingham, from Meadowbrook Golf & Country Club, went low during the final round finishing the day five-under (66). Sivabalasingham ended the tournament at 10-under (68-67-73-66-274).

Picking up the bronze was last year’s champion, Unionville’s Max Sear. Sear, from York Downs Golf & Country Club, also had a strong round ending the day three-under (68). That moved him to nine-under (67-67-73-68-275) for the championship.

Yellamaraju, Sivabalasingham and Sear all earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, at the Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club, Aug. 7-10.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao172/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank Ambassador Golf Club, their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers and to title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.

About the Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur

The Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship was first played in 1923 at Lakeview Golf and Country Club. Past winners include: 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir (1990 & 1992), Gerry Kesselring (1949, 1951, 1952, 1953), professional players Jon Mills (2001), Corey Conners (2010), Albin Choi (2012), Chris Hemmerich (2014) and Gary Cowan, who holds the record for the most Ontario Amateur Championships with nine (1964, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981 & 1984). This first time Ambassador Golf Club has hosted the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship.

CAMBRIDGE – It was an up and down week at the Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship for Unionville’s Kelsey Sear. However, when the final score was entered, on July 14 at Galt Country Club, it ended on a high as the York Downs Golf & Country Club member captured the title.

Sear had the opening-round lead but relinquished it during the second day. She ended the third day with a share of the lead and thanks to a two-under (70) during the final round was able to walk away the victor.

Sear began the round well with a birdie on the first hole. She made the turn one-under and remained there until she added another birdie on 15. That brought her to two-under, which is where she finished. She completed the tournament at two-over (69-78-73-70-290).

Afterwards Sear spoke about how she was able to build off her opening round. “After the first round I knew there was still lots of golf to be played. The course suited my eye so I just wanted to play the way I knew I could and enjoy the week.”

For Sear, she attributed her success to her putting. “My speed on the greens was good all week. I had some mishaps during the second round but I knew I was still stroking the ball well the putts just weren’t falling. I knew they would fall and come the next days, they did.”

Sear summed up her excitement and says she is already looking forward to next year. “It was a really great week! I had a blast, this was an awesome course and I will be back to defend the title next year.”

Earning the silver was Ridgeway’s Madeline Marck-Sherk. Marck-Sherk, from Bridgewater Country Club, entered the day with a share of the lead. She started well making the turn at two-under but it was a pair of late bogeys that sealed her fate. She went on to finish the day at one-under (71), and the tournament at three-over (71-71-78-71- 291).

Rounding out the podium with the bronze medal was Mississauga’s Michelle Ruiz. Ruiz, from Diamondback Golf Club, had an even par (72) final round and finished the championship at nine-over (75-74-76-72-297).

Sear, Marck-Sherk and Ruiz all earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, at Cutten Fields Golf Course in Guelph, July 25-28.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao173/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank Galt Country Club, their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers and to title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.

About the Investors Group Women’s Amateur

First played in 1904, the Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship is being contested for the 102nd time this summer, and for the first time at Galt Country Club. Past champions include: 1968 LPGA Championship winner Sandra Post (1964), LPGA Tour players Alena Sharp (1999) and Brooke Henderson (2014), Rebecca Lee-Bentham (2007), and World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit, who holds the record for the most number of titles with 11.

MINETT— Sudbury’s Tristan Renaud is the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Champion, that after a final round of two-under (68) on July 7 at The Rock Golf Club. Renaud, from Idylwylde Golf & Country Club, entered the final round with a four-shot lead and saw it through to the finish, capturing the title.

The 16-year-old Renaud wasted little time in extending his lead. He made back-to-back birdie putts on the third and fourth holes to drop to two-under on the day. Renaud went on to knock down another birdie on the eighth and made the turn at three-under. Renaud had one slip up on the back nine, a double bogey on the 15^th, but he rebounded with birdies on the 16^th and 18^th to end the day with his 68. With that, Renaud completed the tournament one-over (68-75-70-68-281).

Afterwards, Renaud talked about what the win meant to him. “It means a lot that the work that I have put into my game, along with my determination, is starting to pay off. I feel like this is the first (win) of many!”

When asked about what he did well during the week, Renaud pointed to his ball striking. “For three out of the four days, I hit the ball fantastically, I did not miss a fairway. I hit great iron shots, great wedge shots, chipped well and today and the first day I putted really well.”

The Rock proved to be a big challenge for the field, but Renaud seemed to figure it out. “This course is interesting because it is not very long. I didn’t have to hit a driver, but you have to be accurate. You can’t get away with poor shots or missing to one side or the other.”

Sharing the silver medal were Richmond Hill’s Angelo Giantsopoulos and Burlington’s Marcus Khaw. Giantsopoulos, from York Downs Golf & Country Club, began the day in the second last group. He had a consistent round with two birdies and three bogeys, to end the day one-over (71). That brought him to 11-over (77-70-73-71-291) for the championship.

As for Khaw (72-76-69-74-291), from Blue Springs Golf Club, he had a tough front nine to begin the day and was four-over at the turn. While he did have a pair of double bogeys on the back nine, he erased that with four birdies to finish the day four-over (74).

Renaud, Giantsopoulos and Khaw all earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Junior Boys’ Championship, July 31- Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club in Kingston.

For more information, including pairings and the leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao174/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank The Rock Golf Club, their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers and to title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.

About the Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship

The Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship is open to male golfers 18 years of age and under, who have qualified through one of six qualifiers held across the province earlier this season. The Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship was first contested in 1923 at the Summit Golf & Country Club. Past winners of the event include: Gerry Kesselring, Gary Cowan, Stu Hamilton, Mike Weir, Jon Mills and Albin Choi.

ELMIRA – The week at the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship belonged to London’s Ellie Szeryk, as the 15-year-old capped it off by claiming the title on July 7 at Elmira Golf Club.

It was never really in doubt for Szeryk, who won her second provincial title, the other being the 2016 Investors Group Junior Girls’ Spring Classic. Szeryk began the day with a nine-shot lead and was even after nine, thanks to back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth holes. Szeryk’s start to the back nine was a little rocky, with a bogey on 10 and a double on 11, but thanks to her cushion, Szeryk was never under any threat from the field. She went on to card a four-over (74) final round bringing her tournament total to five-over (73-70-68-74-285).

After the win, Szeryk spoke about what she did well during the week. “I think my approach shots were pretty good. I kind of struggled off the tee but I managed to get up and make par or bogey at worst. I am going to work on my driver and longer irons as I go into my next tournament.”

Szeryk, who had a course record during the third round, was unaware of the feat. “I didn’t know it was the course record. I was actually trying to go even lower because I had a lot more birdie chances and was frustrated being only two-under. I just tried to shoot around even to put myself in good position for the final round.”

Earning the silver medal was Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj. Beqaj, a member of Team Ontario and the Toronto Golf Club, sat in second after the third round but the gap was too large for her to overcome. She began well with a birdie on the first hole, but made the turn at three-over. She would go on to finish the round nine-over (79) bringing her tournament total to 19-over (76-75-69-79-299).

Taking the bronze medal was Richmond Hill’s Emily Zhu. Zhu, who had a share of the lead after the opening round, finished the day two-over (72).  That moved her to 22-over (72-81-77-72-302) for the championship.

Szeryk, Beqaj and Zhu all earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Junior Girls’ Championship, Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club, in Cumberland, Ontario.

For more information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao1721/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank Elmira Golf Club, their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers and to title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.

About the Investors Group Junior Girls’ Championship

The Investors Group Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship is contested annually and features Ontario’s best amateur female golfers age 18 and under. Established in 1927, the championship is being played for the 83^rd time this. The event has a wealth of notable past champions including World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit, Sandra Post, Sue Hilton, Alena Sharp, Jennifer Kirby and Brooke Henderson.

LAKEFIELD— It is a repeat for Thornhill’s Judith Kyrinis as Investors Group Ontario Senior Women’s Champion. In addition, The Thornhill Club member can add Ontario Mid-Amateur Champion to her resume after capturing both titles on June 29 at Wildfire Golf Club in Lakefield. The final round of Golf Ontario’s Women’s Senior and Mid-Amateur Championship was a soggy affair that did see a short delay mid round. However, at the end of the day, the field made it through the full 18 holes.

Kyrinis, 53 years old, entered the day with a four-shot lead over Mississauga’s Debbie Court. The weather definitely had an affect on Kyrinis, along with all of the players, during the round. Kyrinis was three-over after nine but double bogeyed the 10^th. She did get back into a groove to finish the round five-over (78) for a tournament total of four-over (72-73-78-223), good enough for a six-stroke win.

After her win, Kyrinis spoke about what repeating as champion was like.“Repeating as champion was a lot of hard work. I did a lot of work in the winter to be ready to try and repeat. It is never easy to repeat and I am thrilled to win both titles this year.”

The weather definelty played a factor during the final round, Kyrinis spoke about the conditions. “It was a struggle today. It was a difficult day, conditions were very soggy so you had to be careful. We have had so much rain this spring but the greens were perfect, kudos to them (Wildfire Golf Club’s grounds crew).

Second place, in both events, went to St. Thomas’ Mary Ann Hayward. The St. Thomas Golf & Country Club member was two-over at the turn, and finished the day four-over (77). That brought her tournament total to 10-over (74-78-77-229).

The bronze medal was won by Etobicoke’s Marion Reid. Reid, from the Islington Golf Club, fired a four-over (77) during the final round to earn a spot on the podium. She finished the tournament 11-over (75-78-77-230).

Kyrinis, Hayward and Reid will all move on to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Championship, Aug. 22-24 at Humber Valley Resort in Little Rapids, Newfoundland.

Court, from Toronto Golf Club, went on to pick up the 60+ Division title finishing the tournament 16-over (72-77-86-235). Collingwood’s Ellen Horton, Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club, was the winner of the 70+ Division.

In district team competitions, Team York (Kyrinis, Court, Reid and Etobicoke’s Joanne Noble) won the Senior Gross and Net Championships. Niagara District (St. Catharines’ Chris Critelli and Welland’s Stefani Markovich) won the Mid-Amateur Gross competition, while London District (London’s Irini Perivolaris and Ingersoll’s Jennifer Lavis) took the Mid-Amateur Net title.

Also announced, at the conclusion of the event, were the members of the 2018 Ada Mackenzie Team. The team will consist of: Kyrinis, Hayward, Reid, Court, Etobicoke’s Terrill Samuel, Kingston’s Allyson Harrison, Critelli, Lavis, Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg and Brockville’s Teri deLuis.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboards, see the tournament page at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao179/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank Wildfire Golf Club, their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers and to title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.

About the Investors Group Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship

The Investors Group Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship has been contested annually since 1989 and features the province’s best female amateurs over 25. Past champions of the event include: Gayle Borthwick, Terrill Samuel, Stefani Markovich and Mary Ann Hayward who has captured the trophy 14 times.

About the Investors Group Senior Women’s Championship

The Investors Group Ontario Senior Women’s Amateur Championship has been contested annually since 1962 and features the province’s best female amateurs age 50 and over. Past champions of the event include: Ada Mackenzie, Kay Helleur, Gayle Borthwick, Mary Ann Hayward and World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit.

Highlights from the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, June 13-15 at Deerhurst Resort Highlands course in Huntsville, Ontario.

Visit St. Kitts in 2018 with Golf Ontario’s Playcation (June 13-20). Visit gao.ca/st.kitts for more details!

Take a tour of the Island of St. Kitts! Visit the countryside, historical sites, art galleries, museums, and see some of the distinct food and beverage of the island.

Sites featured include: Independence Square, Palm Court Garden, The Gallery Cafe, St. Kitts National Museum, Warner Park, Carib Brewery, Fari Organic Farm, Brimstone Flavors Hot Sauce, The Puddin’ Pot, and The Soup Cafe.

HUNTSVILLE— One year after losing in hear-breaking fashion, Kitchener’s Ryan Kings returned to the Golf Ontario Investors Group Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship looking to claim the title that eluded him. Kings, from Deer Ridge Golf Club, entered the final round on June 15, at Deerhurst Resort Highlands course, with a share of the lead.

After a back-and-forth round with London’s Charles Fitzsimmons, Kings drained a birdie on the 18^th hole to win the championship. Kings was even on the day when he made the turn and then made his move on the last five holes. He ended the round with back-to-back birdies to claim the title. Kings finished the day two-under to end the tournament four-under (72-70-70-212).

For Kings, getting the win a year after finishing runner up, was a sweet feeling. “This feels really good. I had a lead last year going into the final round but gave it up with some bad shots, so it is sweet redemption this year.”

In terms of the back and forth with Fitzsimmons, Kings said he never altered his approach. “I have played a lot of tournament golf and I know that it is a grind. You just have to keep playing your game. This course can bite anyone on any given hole, I just tried to be consistent.”

Kings said that the strength of his game throughout the event had to be his putting. “I putted well, I made the putts I needed to make. I didn’t make any big numbers just a few bogeys but I definitely had a few big bogey-saving putts.”

In addition to the Mid-Amateur title, the 40-year-old Kings, also captured the Men’s Mid-Masters (40+) Championship.

As for Fitzsimmons, from The Thornhill Club, he too had a good final round after entering the day with a share of the lead. He was two-under at the turn, but a string of three bogeys in a row set him back on the back nine. He did birdie 16 and 17 to finish one-under, to bring his tournament total to three-under (74-68-71-213), earning the silver medal.

Rounding out the podium was Brampton’s Dave Bunker. Bunker, a three-time winner of the event shot a three-under (69) during the final round. The Brampton Golf Club member also ended strong with birdies on 16 and 17. He finished the tournament at one-under (71-75-69-215).

Kings, Fitzsimmons and Bunker will represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, Aug. 22-25, at the Wascana Country Club in Regina, Saskatchewan.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboards, see the tournament page at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao171/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank Deerhurst Resort, along with their staff and volunteers, for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers and to title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.

ABOUT THE INVESTORS GROUP ONTARIO MEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

The Investors Group Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship is a 54-hole competition featuring Ontario’s best golfers age 25 and older that have gained entry into the event through one of nine qualifying tournaments or through an exemption. Competitors age 40 and over also compete for the Ontario Men’s Mid-Master trophy. Contested annually since 1993, past champions of the event include Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members Stu Hamilton and Kelly Roberts, Dave Bunker, Graham Hill, Drew Symons and Garrett Rank.

PORT CARLING — The grind of a match play championship is one of the toughest tests for any golfer. Not only must they best a field of competitors, but unlike a stroke-play event, four rounds is only the beginning. On June 9, from The Lake Joseph Club in Port Carling, Golf Ontario wrapped up the Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship with Delaware, Ontario’s Chase Komaromi hoisting the trophy after seven matches.

The championship match featured Komaromi and Waterloo’s Matt LeMay. Komaromi, from The Oaks Golf Club, jumped out to a great start by winning holes two, three and four to build a 3up lead. The 23-year-old added to his lead on the seventh with a birdie after a great second shot. A par on the eighth allowed him to make it 5up, which he carried to the back nine.

LeMay, 21-years-old, would mount a comeback early on the back nine. He pared the 10^th to cut the deficit to four. Then, after a nice approach on the 11^th, LeMay got another shot back and was just three down. He continued to cut into the lead with a birdie on the 12^th hole. Then, LeMay made par on the 13^th, after Komaromi’s tee shot found the woods, making it a one-hole match. However, that was as close as LeMay would come. Komaromi took back-to-back holes on 14 and 15 and then the two halved the 16^th ending the match 3&2 for Komaromi.

After the win Komaromi talked about what the win meant to him. “It has been a stressful week. I basically drove here through the night Monday from a U.S. Open Sectional in Columbus, so it was unexpected to get the win. I played pretty well all week, stuck to my game plan and it all worked out.”

Despite capturing the title, Komaromi definitely recognized that the final match became interesting when he saw his 5up lead evaporate. “I think the worst I had been all week on the front nine was 3up, but 10 and 11, I gave those holes back in each match. Even after losing those holes today, I figured if I kept plugging away I would get back into it and it worked out in the end.”

Chase Komaromi’s road to the final match

Komaromi entered the event as the 31^st seed. He beat Newmarket’s Doug McNeil in the first round 4&3. That earned him a match with four-time Ontario Match Play Champion Brampton’s Dave Bunker. However, Komaromi was not fazed by the challenge, winning 2up. “Beating Dave definitely gave me a big boost of confidence. It was nice to meet him, he is a great player,” added Komaromi.

Round three saw a match with Kitchener’s Keaton Jones where Komaromi won 3&2. In the quarter-finals, it was Komaromi versus Burlington’s Jeff Clarridge. Komaromi narrowly took the match 1up. That sent him to the semi-finals against Mississauga’s Conner Watt. Komaromi’s roll would continue with a 3&1 win, punching his ticket to the finals.

Matt Lemay’s road to the final match

LeMay entered the event as the number five seed. The Golf Ontario Public Player matched up with Mississauga’s Keith Joel in the opening round. LeMay got by Joel with a 2&1 victory. Then LeMay, the 2014 Ontario Junior Boys’ Champion, knocked out Toronto’s Harris Bundy with a 9&8 win. In the third round, LeMay faced off with Barrie’s Braydon White and took the match 2&1. That win advanced LeMay to the quarter-finals where he took on Elmvale’s Andrew Nagel. It turned out to be a very close match with LeMay pulling out the 1up victory. His semi-finals match saw him faceoff with Dundas’ Nicholas Ross. LeMay got past Ross with a 5&4 win to earn his place in the finals.

For full tournament information, including round by round results, see the tournament page at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao1715/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank ClubLink and The Lake Joseph Club for hosting the Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers who make these events possible.

About the Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship

Established in 1986, the Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship is contested annually and features 64 of Ontario’s best amateur golfers that have qualified through one of four qualifying tournaments held earlier this season, or who have gained an exemption into the event.  Notable former champions include: David Hearn, David Byrne and Dave Bunker.