Golf Ontario is proud to announce Laura Matthews and Ian Giles will be inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. Additionally, Jeff Brooke will be honoured with the prestigious Lorne Rubenstein Media Award for his outstanding contributions to golf journalism.
The Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on May 6 at its home, Wooden Sticks Golf Course in Uxbridge, Ont.
“This year’s Hall of Fame inductees have both made extraordinary impact on the sport in Ontario,” says Golf Ontario CEO, Kyle McFarlane. “Laura’s accomplishments on the course, and Ian’s leadership off the course, have helped shape golf across the province, and the induction ceremony will be a special occasion for the Ontario golf community to come together and celebrate their remarkable achievements and contributions.”
Laura Matthews, Player Category
Born in Windsor, Ont., Laura Matthews emerged as a standout junior golfer in the province during the 1990s. She captured the Canadian Juvenile Girls Championship in 1995 and quickly became a consistent presence at the top of provincial and national leaderboards. Her early success signalled the arrival of a player whose work ethic, composure, and competitive drive would shape a remarkable amateur career.
Matthews claimed the Ontario Ladies Amateur Championship twice (2000, 2002) and added the Ontario Ladies Match Play Championship in 2000
On the national stage, she achieved one of Canadian amateur golf’s highest honours when she won the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in 2005. That victory followed multiple runner-up finishes, underscoring her consistency and resilience at the highest level of amateur competition.
Her excellence extended internationally, representing Canada at four World Amateur Team Championships (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006) and competing in three Astor Trophy/Commonwealth Matches (1999, 2003, 2007). She was also a member of the championship-winning Canadian team at the 2003 Copa de las Américas. From 1997 to 2007, she was a member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team, representing her province and country for more than a decade
Collegiately, Matthews starred at the University of Georgia, helping lead the Bulldogs to the 2001 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship. She was part of three SEC Championship teams (1998, 1999, 2001), competing at one of the highest levels in collegiate golf and further establishing herself among Canada’s elite amateur players.
In recognition of her performance and consistency, Matthews was named SCOREGolf’s Female Amateur of the Year in 2005 and 2006.
Following her competitive playing career, Matthews transitioned seamlessly into coaching and leadership roles within the game. She served as Assistant Women’s Golf Coach at the University of Georgia from 2001 to 2005 and later as Head Women’s Golf Coach at Oklahoma State University from 2005 to 2008. In 2008, she was named Big 12 Coach of the Year, reflecting her ability not only to compete at the highest levels, but to mentor and develop the next generation of elite players.
From junior champion in Windsor to Canadian Amateur champion, World Amateur team member, NCAA national champion, and accomplished collegiate coach, Laura Matthews’ career reflects the very definition of excellence in the Player category.
Ian Giles, Builder Category
Beginning in the 1970’s, Ian Giles embarked on what would become more than 40 years of volunteer leadership and governance within the sport. He served as President of the Men’s Section at Chedoke for 10 years, represented golf on the Hamilton Sports Council for 15 years, and played key leadership roles in hosting provincial and national championships in Hamilton.
At the provincial level, Ian served six years on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Golf Association (OGA), culminating in his presidency in 2001. The following year, he led the organization through one of the most significant moments in Ontario golf history—the amalgamation of the Ontario Golf Association and the Ontario Ladies’ Golf Association—helping shape the unified structure that exists today as Golf Ontario. In recognition of his leadership, he was named an Honorary Life Director of the OGA.
Nationally, Ian served as a Governor of Golf Canada from 2003 to 2013, chairing numerous national championships and committees, including the Future Links program. He chaired the 2012 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club and has represented Golf Canada for many years as a starter at the RBC Canadian Open, CP Canadian Women’s Open and the LPGA’s Manulife Championship.
Equally impactful has been Ian’s dedication to officiating and rules education. A highly respected Rules Official, he achieved Level 4 certification—the highest level at the time—from the Royal Canadian Golf Association in 2010.
His commitment to junior golf has been unwavering. Alongside his wife Ruth, Ian has been deeply involved with the Hamilton/Halton Junior Golf Tour since the 1990s, serving as President and long-time Director.
He’s a past recipient of Golf Ontario’s Dick Grimm Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Award and, in 2022, he and Ruth were honoured by Golf Canada with its Distinguished Volunteer Award .
Whether as administrator, president, governor, referee, mentor, or champion of junior golf, Ian has consistently elevated the standards of governance, officiating, and volunteer leadership in Ontario. His integrity, compassion for players, and deep respect for golf’s traditions have left an enduring imprint on the game.
Jeff Brooke, Lorne Rubenstein Media Award
Jeff Brooke is a seasoned Canadian journalist and editor who spent more than 25 years as a critical member of the editorial staff at The Globe and Mail. During his tenure, he served as a senior copy editor and golf writer, establishing himself as a prominent voice in Canadian golf media.
Brooke has contributed to several of the industry’s leading publications, specializing in storytelling and high-level coverage of the sport. At the Global Golf Post he served as a senior correspondent and “Journalist at Large” covering Canadian Golf for the international publication, covering major events and writing features on the global game.
He is a frequent contributor to SCOREGolf, where he has authored features on topics ranging from pro golf sponsorship to travel, and personal essays on his own evolving relationship with the game. His work has been recognized multiple times by the Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC).
In addition to his journalism, Brooke is the Senior Editor at Matchplay Golf Marketing. In this role, he leverages his decades of editorial experience to help golf brands find and craft authentic narratives. His work at Matchplay focuses on developing content that is authentic, informative, and entertaining, bridging the gap between the industry and the audience and providing a seasoned perspective on the ‘lived experience’ of the sport.
The Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in the game of golf in Ontario. Founded in 2000 by the Ontario Golf Association and the Ontario Ladies’ Golf Association, the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is housed at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge, Ont.
