World’s top female juniors to gather in Ontario from September 25-30

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – The stage has been set for the world’s best female junior golfers to put their skills on display at the third annual World Junior Girls Championship. Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Mississauga, Ont., will play host to the tournament from September 25-30 as the world’s premier 18-and-under players gather to compete in both team and individual competition.

“We are thrilled to announce Mississaugua Golf & Country Club as the host of this year’s World Junior Girls Championship. The tournament is a great opportunity for Golf Canada to showcase another of the nation’s tremendous courses and to further the development and skill of this talented group of young women,” said Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna.

Mississaugua Golf & Country Club boasts more than a century of rich history, having played host to a number of the country’s most prestigious championships. The course exemplifies the challenge and craftsmanship of renowned architect Stanley Thompson, who was instrumental in designing Mississaugua’s last round of major modifications in 1928. Stretching out over the Credit River, the 240-acre course has welcomed the RBC Canadian Open on six occasions – most recently in 1974.

Conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with Golf Ontario and supported by the International Golf Federation and the R&A, the 2016 edition of the World Junior Girls Championship will bring together 48 of the top 18-and-under female golfers from around the globe with 15 different countries slated to participate. As hosts of the event, Canada will feature two three-member teams in the competition.

“We could not be more excited to once again bring the World Junior Girls Championship to Ontario,” said Mike Kelly, Executive Director of Golf Ontario. “Mississaugua Golf & Country Club is an exceptional venue that will serve as a fantastic backdrop for this competition. We greatly appreciate the support of our generous sponsors and partners without whom this championship would not be possible. We look forward to seeing the Mississauga golfing community rally around this wonderful event.”

The inaugural World Junior Girls Championship in 2014 saw teams from across the globe take on Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont. Mika Liu of Beverly Hills, Calif., captured individual honours in leading Team USA to victory. Playing in her final event as an amateur, Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., finished fourth as Canada One claimed bronze.

The second edition of the tournament was staged at Ottawa’s The Marshes Golf Club. The team representing the Republic of Korea completed a wire-to-wire victory to secure the team title. Hye-jin Choi, a native of Paju-si, South Korea, registered a seven-stroke victory with a 12-under performance.

In addition to the 72-hole team and individual competitions, the World Junior Girls Championship will be a celebration of the sport with a specific focus on the development and promotion of junior girls golf. In the days leading up to tournament play, Golf Canada will host a PGA of Canada coaches clinic and a girls skill development clinic.

“This world-class competition provides us with the opportunity to foster the continued growth and collaboration between the world’s governing bodies in the sport,” said Scott Simmons, CEO of Golf Canada. “We are proud to once again conduct this championship in support of these fine athletes and to aid in raising the profile of junior girls golf.”

The competition’s first round will begin on Tuesday, September 27. The tournament’s closing ceremonies will immediately follow the conclusion of play on Friday, September 30.

ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

The World Junior Girls Golf Championship is an annual event conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with Golf Ontario. The international competition features three-player teams of 18-and-under athletes. As host country, Canada will field two of the tournament’s 16 teams competing over 72 holes for both individual and team honours. The event receives funding from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; the Golf Canada Foundation (Women’s Golf Fund); Sport Canada; and the R&A. Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

The family-oriented member club offers Golf Bikes and a cycling club in 2016

STOUFVILLE —Granite Golf Club is embracing cycling—on and off the course. This season Granite Golf Club, a unique, family-oriented member club set in an incredible natural location just north-east of Toronto, will be the first private golf club in Canada to offer Golf Bikes as a means of allowing golfers to play a quick round while providing valuable exercise.

“Granite Golf Club prides itself on looking forward, while still embracing the traditions of the game,” says General Manager Murray Blair. “We feel the Golf Bike is a great fit for a club with an active, engaged, and energetic membership. The opportunity to put your clubs in the back, jump on a bike and cycle for a quick morning or evening round really elevates the experience.”

The Golf Bike was conceived 15 years ago by avid cyclist Todd May as a means of combining his passions of biking and playing golf. A prototype was first demonstrated in 2010 and the concept was presented at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando three years ago. The bike has made significant inroads since its commercial introduction.

“With The Golf Bike, I have combined the benefits of [cycling and golf], bringing the elements of fun, fitness and speed of play to the greatest game ever played,” May says. “This new spin on an old tradition will provide the avid golfer with the ability to play at the speed of a cart while getting paid back with fun and fitness.”

Members will be able to use the Golf Bike by simply transferring their clubs to the attached bags, and heading out on the course. Golf Bikes cuts the average time of a round to around three hours, an important element when lifestyle demands often limit the amount of time players can allocate for the game they love. “Golf Bikes are really an extension of our culture and our focus on friendship, family, fun and flexibility,” says Club President Rob Fletcher. “This is a club that has golf at its core, but embraces elements that really engage members and emotionally connects them to our Granite Golf community.”

As part of that, Granite Golf Club is also starting a cycling club this spring, open to members of the golf club, as well as the historic Granite Club in Toronto. Members will take to the picturesque roads that surround the club, an area that is already very popular with Toronto-area cyclists wanting to escape the city and explore the countryside on two wheels. There is even on site bike storage for members who do not want the hassle of transporting their?bike back home following their ride.

“With flexible membership offerings and a relaxed, refined family- oriented culture, Granite Golf Club is really expanding the notion of what people consider a member club,” says Blair. “This is what the modern club member wants – unique and interesting experiences they can participate in with friends and family. And that’s exactly what Granite provides.”

GOLF ONTARIO supports the Association’s commitment to leading and supporting a new golf community in Ontario.

UXBRIDGE – Golf Ontario is being unveiled in conjunction with the launch of the association’s new five-year strategic plan. Following an extensive process, which began in 2014, the new Strategic Plan points to a reinvention of the current state of the association and a reconnection with golfers and industry partners focused on a clear vision, mission and set of values. Golf Ontario will ultimately break down the walls of bureaucracy and introduces a more welcome community for all golfers and the golf industry as a whole.

“Golf is a game for life enjoyed by tens of thousands of Ontarians. Golf Ontario will be the driving force to introduce more people to golf while enhancing the experience of those who have already discovered this great game,” stated Christian Osborne, Golf Ontario President. “In conjunction with Golf Canada, all partners and stakeholders, Golf Ontario will invest, support and grow golf through community based grassroots strategies. Golf can be for everyone regardless of age, race, ability or means. I am excited for the future and especially the leading role Golf Ontario will play.”

The Strategic Planning process involved reaching out to multiple stakeholder groups within the industry to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the association, and how the association could improve in the future. The analysis of both primary and secondary research resulted in a new vision, a new mission, new values and new strategic pillars that will provide Golf Ontario a road map for the next five years. It is Golf Ontario’s aspiration to become the best Provincial Sport Organization in Canada by 2020 by evolving the sport and establishing a structure to ensure golf’s success into the future.

“We strive to align with all golf stakeholders through a connected golf community which will drive more people to play more golf, more often and most importantly while starting at a younger age,” said Golf Ontario Executive Director Mike Kelly. “All strategic pillars point to Golf Ontario becoming refocused on leading and supporting our industry partners to the benefit of golfers across the province.”

The revised, refined and refocused vision and mission, along with the newly developed strategies and tactics, position the Golf Ontario brand in its leadership role for golf across Ontario.

Vision: Golf is and will always be the most popular sport in Ontario

Mission: To provide leadership and support for all Ontarians to enjoy golf as a lifelong sport

Strategies:

1. Transform our relationship with golfers in Ontario
2. Build communities of golf across Ontario
3. Provide leading high performance junior player development programs
4. Support the development of golf with a diversified revenue generation strategy
5. Transform the organization to deliver on the new plan and meet its mission

These strategies will be supported by a new governance structure which will see certain traditional operational committees evolve into Golf Advisory Teams (GAT). The GAT’s will be led by senior staff and made up of industry representatives and content experts in specific areas. These teams will ensure that all new or revised programs and initiatives align with the strategies and tactics within the new plan and include insight for Golf Ontario’s industry partners.

Along with the strategic plan and brand, comes a new visual identity for the association.

“The new Golf Ontario logo is clean and crisp. It maintains certain elements that establish professionalism that one would expect from a provincial sport organization, and it clearly brings together ‘golf’ and ‘Ontario’ so that all who come into contact with it know exactly what it represents,” stated Kyle McFarlane, Director of Marketing and Communications for Golf Ontario. “We feel it’s also very approachable and the removal of the words “Association of” will help remove any stigma that Golf Ontario is only for private clubs and their members. As part of our goal to create a more welcoming golf community we are making it easier for golfers to relate to our brand.”

The new visual identity will make its way into all Golf Ontario programs in 2016 including ‘Golf Barrie’ our first of many golf communities to be built across the province. Golf Ontario invites all golfers, industry partners and Ontarians to visit GAO.ca to learn more about the new Strategic Plan.

UXBRIDGE — Since 1996 Golf Ontario has been awarding scholarships to deserving student golfers throughout the province. In the 10 years since the program was established more than $480,000 has been awarded.

The program is supported by partners including: 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. Recipients such as: Picton’s Casey Ward – an amateur competitor who is now giving back to the game by volunteering, Whitby’s Shaun Hall – who turned an internship with Golf Ontario into a full-time career, and Jaime Steedman the Head Teaching Professional at the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto. 

Casey Ward

Casey Ward received a Golf Ontario Scholarship in 2007 and graduated from Queens University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Honours Kinesiology. “It was an honour to be recognized for both academic and on-course performance from an organization that had played an important role in my development, and continues to this day,” said Ward.

Receiving the scholarship encouraged Ward to find ways to give back to the game of golf. After completing a Masters in Kinesiology, specializing in Biomechanics, at Cal State Fullerton, Ward went on to conduct golf footwear research for Nike. Recently, she participated as a support team member for Golf Ontario’s Provincial and Regional teams spring training camps in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Shaun Hall

After receiving a Golf Ontario Scholarship in 2010, Shaun Hall graduated from Durham College in 2013 after completing the Sports Management Program. “I was very honoured and grateful to be award with a Golf Ontario Scholarship.  I knew that there were a number of very qualified applicants, and felt honoured that I was selected to be one of them,” said Hall.

As an Intern with Golf Ontario, Hall realized that a career in the golf industry was within his grasp. After using Golf Ontario’s support to go back to school, Hall joined Golf Ontario on a full-time basis as Handicapping and Course Rating Coordinator. He still maintains his relationship to the industry by working for Golf Ontario.

Jaime Steedman

In 2005 Steedman received a Golf Ontario Scholarship while she was attending the University of Waterloo. She graduated in 2006 with an honours degree in Political Science. “Being awarded a Golf Ontario Scholarship meant a lot to me.  The financial assistance was incredibly appreciated, and needed. It meant that I could continue to focus on my studies and varsity golf with a little less financial stress,” said Steedman.

Not only did Steedman receive a Golf Ontario scholarship, but she also spent time as a Golf Ontario intern and credits her experiences with the association to where she is today. Currently, Steedman is the Head Teaching Professional at the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto. She has been involved in the golf industry for over 12 years now, and previously was an Associate Professional & Jr. Academy Coordinator at the Hamilton G&CC and was a Teaching Professional & Jr. Girls’ Coach at the Glen Abbey Academy in Oakville.

For more information on Golf Ontario scholarships and to apply go to: https://gao.ca/supporting-the-game/financial-assistance/gao-scholarship-program/

Golf Ontario was saddened to learn of the passing of 2012 Lorne Rubenstein Media Award winner Wally Crouter on March 28 at the age of 92.

After spending more than 50 years on air before his retirement in 1996, Wally Crouter was best known as Canada’s longest serving radio morning host. As the beloved morning voice of Toronto’s CFRB 1010, Crouter had the number one radio show in Canada with a weekly audience reach of more than 629,000 listeners.

Born in 1923 in Lindsay, Ontario, nine-year-old Wally broke into radio as a boy soprano in 1932. After serving overseas in the Second World War, he joined the Army Show and worked in allied services radio in Britain, Rome, Paris and North Africa. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Canadian radio as an announcer at CHEX in Peterborough before coming to Toronto to join CFRB in 1946. Crouter was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1996.

As an avid golfer, Crouter’s love of the game was well known to his listeners and he could often be found on the course with golf legends such as Sam Snead, Al Balding, Moe Norman, and Arnold Palmer. He was credited with helping to raise millions of dollars for charity through many different endeavors including his fundraising golf tournaments.

Golf Ontario sends condolences to Crouter’s family and friends.

UXBRIDGE – To help build excitement for the first day of the 2016 golf season, the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) is encouraging golfers and non-golfers alike to dress like a golfer on April 15.

The GAO is encouraging everyone to wear their best golf attire and to take photos and tag the GAO on Twitter (@GAOGolf), Instagram (gaogolf) and Facebook (facebook.com/GAOGolf) or by using the hashtag #DressLikeAGolfer. The best dressed male and female will win a complete golf outfit courtesy of adidas golf Canada. Winners will be selected by the GAO and announced on April 17.

Also, watch for members of the GAO who will be at busy intersections throughout downtown Toronto, during the morning rush hour, wearing their golf gear and helping to search for the best-dressed golfers.

So on April 15 dress in your finest golf attire, snap a picture, tag the GAO on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and help kick off the 2016 golf season for your chance to win great golf clothing from adidas golf Canada!

Photos courtesy of drivechipandputt.com

AUGUSTA, GA— Two young golfers will be representing Ontario at the 2016 Drive, Chip, & Putt Finals April 3, at Augusta National Golf Club. Toronto’s Vanessa Borovilos and Richmond Hill’s Elaine Giantsopoulos will both take part in the championship after working through local, sub-regional and regional qualifiers.

For Borovilos, from the Trafalgar Golf & Country Club, she will compete in the Girls’ 7-9 age group and Giantsopoulos, from York Downs Golf & Country Club, will compete in the Girls’ 12-13 division.

This will be the second consecutive year that Borovilos competes in the event. In 2015, she finished fourth with 18 total points, just four off the lead. This year she advanced through a local qualifier at the Buffalo Tournament Club, sub-regionals at the Harvest Hill Golf Club in Orchard Park and regional qualifier at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont Pennsylvania.

Borovilos, who credits her dad for introducing her to the game, started putting at just two and a half years of age. By three, she was hitting balls and won her first tournament at the age of five. She cites qualifying for her second consecutive Drive, Chip, & Putt Finals as her biggest achievement. Now she will have another chance to improve on last year’s finish.

Giantsopoulos won her local qualifier last season, but a third place finish in her sub-regional ended her run to Augusta. This year, with that experience, she progressed through her local qualifier at Ravenwood Golf Club in Rochester, sub-regional at Harvest Hill Golf Club and regional at Oakmont.

Playing golf since she was nine, Giantsopoulos is a 16.4 handicap. Inspired to get into the game by her brother, Giantsopoulos says she watched last year’s finals and missing out just motivated her to work harder to qualify this year.

All 80 of the final qualifiers (40 boys and 40 girls) in four age division (7-9, 10-11, 12-13 and14-15) will all compete for the division titles, April 3 at Augusta National Golf Club.

Team Ontario edged by South Carolina at Can Am Junior Team Matches

MURRELS INLET, S.C.— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Team Ontario, along with Ontario members of Golf Canada’s National Development Squad, and other top Ontario juniors were in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina at the Wachesaw Plantation Club for the annual Can Am Matches, March 19-20, with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association.

The opening day, which featured team matches, was extremely successful for Team Ontario as they were able to win 72 points, keeping the match all-square heading into the final day of singles matches. While things were close on the second day, the hosts were able to hang on to win by a slim margin of 221.5 to 210.5. South Carolina took the singles matches 149.5 to 138.5.

What makes the matches unique is that unlike traditional match play, all matches are played in full and points are awarded for each hole.

Round 1 Results:

Round 2 Results:

UXBRIDGE— In preparation for the spring launch of the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) new Strategic Plan, significant upgrades to the existing Operational Committees have been announced. Many committees will be eliminated and replaced with Golf Advisory Teams that will help review the tactics outlined in the new strategic plan.

“Our goal is to align our feedback and advisory mechanism with our new strategic direction in an effort to build the sport together,” said Mike Kelly, GAO Executive Director. “We want to focus our volunteers’ time and support towards answering the question ‘how are we doing?’ and then integrate all feedback and recommendations to ensure our implementation plan is effective.”

The new Golf Advisory Team model will aim to support the GAO’s new Strategic Plan. The GATs will help to accomplish the goal of becoming the Best Provincial Sport Organization in Canada; innovate golf by providing industry leading services; drive more people to play the sport and encourage more children to get into the game; support golf clubs/facilities and all people involved in the game by aligning golf organizations, creating positive partnerships and ensuring that golf remains the most popular sport in Ontario.

The GAT’s input on the strategic plan comes at a vital time for the golf industry as it prepares for the return of the sport at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The GAO recognizes how important it will be to capitalize on the exposure of the sport and to channel that exposure into more people playing the game.

In 2016, there will be six GATs:

1. Golf Communities – local collaboration with all golf industry stakeholders to build the sport together;
2. Golf Services – designing, marketing and delivering services and benefits for facilities and golfers at all levels;
3. Next GEN – initiatives to build a stronger and larger base of junior golfers in Ontario;
4. Communication – how to effectively deliver relevant information to the right people, at the right time;
5. Championships – Ensure the delivery of world class Championship events;
6. Course Rating and Handicapping – effective course rating and handicapping services to our members;

Remaining intact are a trio of committees. The Hall of Fame, Scholarship and Team Selection committees will continue to operate in their current structure.

“Ultimately, the goal of restructuring our Operational Committees is to optimize support for our staff in the operation of our golf business as we further the objectives of the Government of Ontario’s Sport Plan,” added Kelly.

The GAO is currently seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals from the Industry for its 2016 GATs. For more information on the specific GATs or to volunteer click here: https://gao.ca/volunteer/gat

Hall of Fame’s 75^th, 76^th & 77^th inductees to receive highest honour in Canadian Golf

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) – The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is proud to announce that two-time Canadian Men’s Amateur champion Warren Sye of London, Ont., and renowned golf journalist Bob Weeks, of Toronto, Ont., have been elected as 2016 inductees into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame along with Canadian LPGA Tour legend Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Kane and Sye are being inducted under the player category, while Weeks will be inducted as a builder. With their inductions, the trio will become the 75^th, 76^th and 77^th honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

“For over 40 years, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame has recognized the accomplishments of outstanding individuals and their tremendous impact on the game of golf in Canada,” said Sandra Post, Chair of the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee. “Each member of our 2016 class of inductees has demonstrated passion, dedication and excellence in shaping the place of golf within the Canadian sporting landscape. It is with great pride that we welcome them to stand alongside the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame’s honoured members.”

WARREN SYE

Warren Sye’s outstanding amateur career took off in 1986 when he represented Canada at the World Amateur Team Championship; that year, Canada captured the World Amateur title and won the Canadian Sport Council (formerly known as the Sports Federation of Canada) “Sport Team of the Year” award. Sye went on to represent Canada three more times at the World Amateur Championship.

Sye excelled provincially, capturing the Ontario Amateur Championship five times between 1988 and 1996. He also claimed the Ontario Champion of Champions title in 1983 and again in 1991.

His success nationally includes a pair of victories at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship (1990 and 1994). During that time, he was also a member of four Willingdon Cup teams representing Ontario. He captured the Ontario Senior Championship title in 2012.

His extraordinary accomplishments as an amateur golfer were recognized by SCOREGolf Magazine, winning their “Male Athlete of the Year” award in 1985, 1990, 1994 and 1996. In 2003, Warren Sye was inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame and the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame.

BOB WEEKS

Bob Weeks is a golf analyst and senior reporter for TSN, where he provides coverage of the sport from across the globe. During his time as a journalist, he has covered more than 60 major golf championships, as well as hundreds of top Canadian and international championships.

Weeks began his career in golf media with SCOREGolf in 1987 and rose to the position of editorial director in 2012, overseeing all content at the media company. He hosted SCOREGolf TV for 16 years and spent 20 years as the voice of the SCOREGolf Show – a daily 90-second golf radio program heard in more than 70 markets across the country.

In 2009, he was recognized on the National Post’s list of the most influential people in Canadian golf and ranked sixth overall. An award-winning writer, Weeks has written for GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest, Golfweek, the Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, as well as countless other publications throughout the world.

Weeks, who began playing golf at the age of 11 in P.E.I., has been a proud member of Weston Golf and Country Club in Toronto for more than 40 years.

He is a member of the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame and a winner of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada’s Dick Grimm Award. In 2015, Weeks was presented with a Distinguished Service Award by Golf Canada for outstanding contributions to the game. In addition to golf, Weeks is a respected curling journalist who in 2016 will also be inducted to the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame.

LORIE KANE

Lorie Kane started playing the game of golf at the age of five. As her interest and talent grew, she came under the tutelage of Canadian Golf Hall of Fame honoured member Jack McLaughlin, whom she still credits as an inspiration and major influence in her career.

Provincially, she won the P.E.I. Junior Girls Championship twice and was the P.E.I. Women’s Amateur Champion nine times between 1983 and 1992. Her extraordinary amateur career saw her represent Canada on several occasions, including as a member of the Canadian Commonwealth Team and the Canadian World Amateur Team, as well as taking part in the World Cup. In 2015, Kane represented Canada in the first-ever golf competition at the Pan Am Games.

Kane turned professional in 1993 and three years later earned exempt status on the LPGA Tour. Over the next several years, she accumulated 34 Top-10 finishes, nine of which were runner-up results. In 2000, Kane captured her first professional win at the Michelob Light Classic in St. Louis and also won three more times on the LPGA Tour that same year. Nationally, she captured the Canadian PGA Women’s Championship from 1996-1999 and again in 2001.

Throughout her career, Kane established herself as one of the most popular LPGA Tour players with players and spectators. Her accomplishments garnered her the Heather Farr Player Award in 1998 and the Mousie Powell Award in 2000. In 2006, Kane was presented with the Order of Canada.

She is known for her generosity and dedication to charitable organizations, having been the Kidsport P.E.I. official spokesperson since its inception in 1997 and currently serves as the ambassador for the CP Has Heart charity campaign.

With her induction, Kane becomes the first native of P.E.I. to be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.