Based in Ancaster, Ont., Steve Warrick is a dedicated volunteer who brings precision, passion, and a deep love for the game to his role as Course Rating Team Leader for the Hamilton region. With years of experience and a sharp eye for detail, Steve plays a vital part in ensuring the integrity and fairness of the game for golfers across the province.
He joined Golf Ontario’s Course Rating team in 2019, shortly after retiring from his career. Encouraged by his daughter Alex Blaker (Golf Ontario’s Director of Business Operations), Steve saw it as the perfect opportunity to give back to a game that he loves.
Course rating plays a crucial role in maintaining fairness and consistency in the game. As Steve explains, “It’s a procedure used to determine the expected score of scratch and bogey players by evaluating course features like length, topography, and obstacles. The process ensures handicaps are transferable between courses, no matter how different they may be,” he says.
One of the most rewarding parts of the role, he says, is discovering hidden gem courses and building lasting relationships along the way.
“Some of the most memorable experiences have come from rating little-known courses I’d never have played otherwise, and connecting with great people at every stop,” he says
Being part of the same organization as his daughter has made his volunteer journey even more meaningful.
“Course rating has given me a better appreciation of what goes into determining a course rating and educates you more on the structure of a golf course, allowing me to become a better player because of it,” he says. “I am so glad Alex approached me back in 2019 to volunteer – I’ll do it as long as I am able to.”
At the heart of Golf Ontario, our volunteers are the lifeblood in a variety of critical areas, including championships, rules, course rating, and governance on committees and our board of directors. They are the sport’s ambassadors and an essential part of our team, enabling us to deliver exceptional programming and experiences to golfers, partners, and industry stakeholders.
Interested in becoming part of the Golf Ontario volunteer family? Find out more about the opportunities and rewards on our Volunteering Resource page HERE
