For Patrick Brennan, golf has been part of life for as long as he can remember. 

Growing up in Cork, Ireland, he started working at Cork Golf Club when he was just 12 years old. After studying Turfgrass Management in St Andrews, Scotland, he stayed on to work in the famous golf town. 

It was there that he met Amy Miller from Fullarton, Ontario. 

When Amy decided to move back to Canada, Patrick followed. What began as a leap of faith eventually led him to Lucan, Ontario, and a career that would shape both his life and The Fox Golf Club. 

Today, Patrick is Director of Golf and Superintendent at The Fox Golf Club in Lucan, Ontario, a course he has helped shape for nearly 25 years. 

Building The Fox 

After a year at Stratford Country Club, Patrick joined The Fox Golf Club in 2002 as superintendent. At just 24 years old, he was tasked with helping grow and develop a young golf course. 

The original nine holes had been designed by Bill Fox Sr., while a newer nine-hole expansion was designed by Bill Fox Jr. There was still plenty of work to do, from establishing turf and landscaping to refining the design of the new holes. 

Patrick quickly discovered that building golf courses was what he loved most. 

Over the next two decades, he helped transform the property. Course construction remains Patrick’s favourite part of the job. Over the last 24 years, he has helped rebuild 15 tees on the newer nine holes, added bunkers and cart paths, planted trees every year, and most recently oversaw the addition of a new pond to help support the course during dry summers. 

In 2006, he took on an additional role as Director of Golf, balancing both course operations and the member experience. 

A Second Chance 

One of the biggest challenges came in 2015 when the property was put up for sale. 

With the future of the course uncertain, Patrick reached out to GolfNorth’s Doug Breen to explore options. GolfNorth began leasing the facility in 2016 before eventually purchasing it outright, giving The Fox a new future. 

Since then, millions of dollars have been invested in the property, including improvements to drainage, irrigation, the clubhouse, and overall infrastructure. Upgrades have helped keep the course healthy through extreme weather, while a new fleet of carts has enhanced the player experience and helped attract larger events. 

Creating Community Through Golf 

While the physical improvements are easy to see, Patrick is most proud of the community that has grown around The Fox. 

Today, the club has nearly 150 juniors in its program; leagues are full, and special events regularly sell out. From tournaments and live music nights to junior golf and community gatherings, The Fox has become much more than just a golf course. 

Patrick credits a strong team for helping make that happen, but his impact can be found throughout the facility. 

After 24 years, he remains deeply involved in every aspect of the club, from course projects and tournaments to social media and daily operations. 

Golf brought Patrick from Ireland to Ontario. Along the way, it introduced him to his wife, gave him a career, and provided an opportunity to build something lasting. 

Today, The Fox Golf Club stands as a reflection of that journey, and a reminder of how golf can shape lives far beyond the fairways. 

To Learn more about the fox Golf Club

Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the game of golf.

That’s the vision behind a new Community Impact Partnership between Golf Ontario and the Durham Family Advisory Board (DFAB), which will launch Golf Fore All this summer—a program designed to introduce children facing financial, social and developmental barriers to the game in a fun, welcoming and supportive environment.

Beginning this summer, the eight-week program will provide 20 children between the ages of 8 and 13—including three children with autism—with weekly professional instruction, driving range sessions, on-course golf experiences and access to loaned equipment. More importantly, it will provide an opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills and discover a lifelong connection to the game.

For Golf Ontario, the partnership represents another step toward making the game more accessible and creating opportunities for more Ontarians to experience everything golf has to offer.

“At Golf Ontario, our mission is shaping lives through golf,” said Kyle McFarlane, Chief Executive Officer of Golf Ontario. “We believe this game has the power to build character, foster community and create opportunities that extend far beyond the fairways. That’s what drives our vision for a more inclusive, accessible and welcoming future for everyone who wants to be part of the game: Golf For All.”

DFAB’s Golf Fore All has been designed as more than a one-summer introduction to the game. Participants will begin with lessons, practice, on-course experiences and starter-kit equipment before progressing toward greater independence, with the long-term goal of transitioning into junior golf opportunities and sustained participation in the sport.

While DFAB will lead program delivery throughout Durham Region, Golf Ontario will provide fundraising infrastructure, charitable tax receipting through the Golf Canada Foundation, marketing and storytelling support, regional golf industry connections and strategic guidance to help the program grow sustainably.

“One of the ways we bring that vision to life is by partnering with community-led organizations to help turn their ideas into sustainable, high-impact programs,” McFarlane said.

For DFAB founder Paul Vorstadt, the partnership is about using golf as a platform to create lasting opportunities for children and families throughout Durham Region.

“We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Golf Ontario,” said Vorstadt. “From day one, they’ve shared our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to experience the game of golf, regardless of their financial circumstances. Their support, leadership and commitment have helped turn an idea into a program that will create opportunities for children and families across our community.”

Vorstadt believes the impact of Golf Fore All will extend well beyond the golf course.
“At DFAB, we don’t see golf as simply introducing children to another sport—we see it as opening doors,” he said. “Golf develops character, creates confidence and teaches life skills that will benefit kids long after their final round. Our goal is to give every child the opportunity not just to learn the game, but to grow through it.”

The partnership is the first under Golf Ontario’s Community Impact Partnership model, which brings together local organizations and the provincial association to create meaningful golf opportunities in communities across Ontario. By combining local leadership with provincial support, the initiative helps remove barriers, strengthen grassroots programming and create more pathways into the game.

As Golf Ontario continues to expand its Golf For All vision across the province, partnerships like this demonstrate what’s possible when organizations come together around a shared purpose: creating more opportunities for children to discover the game, build confidence and experience the lifelong benefits golf can provide.

Check out DFAB’s Golf Fore All Fundraising Page\

Thinking about trying golf but not sure where to begin?

GO Women’s Try Golf events provide a welcoming and supportive introduction to the game for women across Ontario. Designed for beginners, each event offers an opportunity to learn the basics, build confidence and experience golf alongside others who are also just getting started.

No previous experience is required. Simply find an event near you, register and take the first step in your golf journey.

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Thinking about trying golf but not sure where to begin?

GO Women’s Try Golf events provide a welcoming and supportive introduction to the game for women across Ontario. Designed for beginners, each event offers an opportunity to learn the basics, build confidence and experience golf alongside others who are also just getting started.

No previous experience is required. Simply find an event near you, register and take the first step in your golf journey.

Explore upcoming GO Women’s Try Golf events and find one near you today.

As Adaptive Golf Month continues, Golf Ontario is celebrating the people, partnerships and programs that are helping make the game more welcoming and accessible for everyone. One of those partnerships is with Precious Minds, whose participants have discovered that golf is about far more than learning a new sport—it’s about building confidence, creating meaningful connections and experiencing the joy of belonging. Watch the reel below to see how golf is making a difference, one swing at a time.

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Otterville, ON – Jager Pain of Birdwood Golf Course captured the 104th Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship after carding a four-round total of 282 (-6) at Otter Creek Golf Club.

Pain posted rounds of 69, 68, 76, and 69 to finish atop a talented championship field and secure his first Ontario Men’s Amateur title. The Team Canada NextGen athlete and former Team Ontario player (2024) showcased consistency and composure throughout four rounds of championship golf to earn the prestigious victory.

Entering the final round, Jackson Murphy held a one-stroke advantage, but four days of championship competition produced plenty of movement atop the leaderboard. With challenging course conditions and a talented field from across the province, every shot mattered as players battled for one of Ontario’s most prestigious amateur titles.

Pain’s steady final-round performance allowed him to separate from the field and claim the championship, finishing ahead of Gabriel Mainella, who placed second with a total score of 284 (-4). Matteo Rocco and Jackson Murphy shared third place, finishing at 285 (-3).

The championship also featured several memorable moments throughout the week, including three holes-in-one. Gabriel Mainella recorded an ace on a par-4 hole, while Cam Burke made a hole-in-one on the 7th hole and Josh DiCarlo added another memorable shot on the 4th hole during his final round.

Following his victory, Pain will join Mainella and Rocco as part of Team Ontario’s Interprovincial Championship team, representing the province in upcoming competition.

The 104th Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship once again showcased the depth of amateur golf in Ontario, with established contenders and emerging talent competing on one of the province’s premier championship venues. Otter Creek Golf Club proved to be a true test throughout the week, rewarding patience, precision, and consistency from tee to green.

Golf Ontario extends its sincere thanks to the staff at Otter Creek Golf Club, tournament officials, volunteers, partners, and spectators for their outstanding support in delivering another memorable Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship.

As the 104th edition comes to a close, the championship continues to highlight the exceptional talent within Ontario’s amateur ranks and the proud tradition of one of the province’s longest-standing championships.

Stay Connected

full leaderboard

championship photo album 

Follow @thegolfontario on  Instagram and Facebook for more highlights and coverage throughout the season. 

Championship play wrapped up Thursday at eQuinelle Golf Course, where competitors battled over four rounds in the Women’s Amateur Championship and three rounds in the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The event featured a strong field of players and delivered several impressive performances throughout the week.

Held July 6–9 in Kemptville, Ontario, the championships brought together 99 golfers from across the province to compete. Favourable summer playing conditions prevailed throughout most of the event, although play was briefly suspended due to a thunderstorm as the final groups were completing their final round. Following the delay, competition resumed and concluded successfully.

Team Ontario athletes Kaylan Green and Kaprice Park delivered standout performances at the tournament, finishing first and second. Green, representing Scarboro Golf & Country Club, captured the title at 13-under-par with an impressive four-round total of 275 after rounds of 69-69-69-68. Kaprice Park of RattleSnake Point Golf Club, followed closely in second place at 11-under-par, recording a 277 total with rounds of 66-71-70-70. Lilli Downer of Summit Golf & Country Club rounded out the podium with a strong third-place finish, showcasing consistency throughout the event.

Jessie Mercer of Cataraqui Golf & Country Club claimed the Mid-Amateur Championship title with rounds of 70, 76 and 74, finishing at 4-over-par (220). Tied for runner-up honours at 9-over-par (225) were Kiley Rodrigues of Cataraqui Golf & Country Club and Mary-Ann Hayward of St. Thomas Golf & Country Club. Both competitors posted identical rounds of 75, 73 and 77.

With their top-three finishes, Green, Park and Downer will represent the province at the Golf Canada Women’s Amateur Championship, scheduled for July 21-24 at Toronto Golf Club.

Thank You eQuinelle

Golf Ontario extends a sincere thank you to the volunteers, officials, and eQuinelle Golf Club staff for their outstanding hospitality and dedication in hosting this year’s Women’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championship.

Final Results & Full Leaderboard

championship photo album

Stay Connected

Follow @thegolfontario on  Instagram and Facebook for more highlights and coverage throughout the season. 

Golf Ontario is proud to recognize Adaptive Golf Month, a province-wide celebration of accessibility, inclusion, and the athletes, organizations, and communities helping make golf more welcoming for individuals of all abilities. 

Throughout July and beyond, Golf Ontario will help spotlight the incredible work being done by adaptive golf partners across Ontario, sharing opportunities for participation, competition, and community connection. As part of its commitment to Golf for All, Golf Ontario continues to support initiatives that increase access to the game and create meaningful experiences for golfers with disabilities. 

Adaptive Golf Month highlights a growing network of organizations delivering programs, clinics, competitions, and events that empower athletes and introduce more individuals to the sport. 

Featured Events and Championships 

Several key adaptive golf events are scheduled throughout the 2026 season, including: 

• Ontario Adaptive Open: June 29-30, 2026 

• ParaSport Ontario Pro-Am : July 23, 2026 

• Golf Canada All Abilities Championship: August 5-7, 2026 

• Ontario Blind Golf Provincial Championship: August 7-9, 2026 

• Special Olympics Canada Summer Games: August 11-15, 2026, in Medicine Hat, Alberta 

Adaptive Golf in Action 

Beyond championship events, organizations across Ontario continue to create opportunities for athletes to learn, play, and connect through golf. 

Through our partnership with Precious Minds, Golf Ontario is helping introduce adults with developmental challenges to the game. Throughout the season, this partnership includes recurring golf sessions, a community walkathon, and a planned family driving range evening, creating additional opportunities for participants and their families to engage with the sport. 

Special Olympics Ontario is supporting small-group golf clinics with interested chapters in communities including Belleville-Quinte West, Huronia, and Sault Ste. Marie, providing athletes with opportunities to develop skills and experience the game in a welcoming setting. 

On July 23, ParaSport Ontario’s Pro-Am Tournament will bring together athletes, supporters, and partners for a day of competition and celebration, culminating with awards presentations during the event brunch. 

A Shared Commitment to Golf for All 

Adaptive Golf Month serves as a reminder that golf has the power to bring people together and that the continued growth of adaptive programming is helping make the sport more accessible than ever before. 

Golf Ontario encourages golfers, facilities, and supporters to celebrate the month by sharing adaptive golf stories, photos, and experiences on social media using #GolfForAll and #AdaptiveGolfMonth. Throughout the month, Golf Ontario will help showcase the athletes, volunteers, organizations, and communities driving inclusion across the province. 

For updates and featured stories throughout Adaptive Golf Month, visit www.golfontario.ca and follow @TheGolfOntario on social media. 

Some of Ontario’s best amateur golfers are set to take on Otter Creek Golf Club from July 6 – 9 as the 2026 Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship gets underway.

A field of 156 players will compete in the province’s premier amateur championship, playing 72 holes of stroke play over four days. Following the first two rounds, the field will be cut to the low players and ties, leaving the remaining competitors to battle it out over the final 36 holes.

Year after year, the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship brings together many of the province’s top amateur players, creating a highly competitive field and an excellent showcase of the game’s rising talent. With a championship title on the line, players will need to be at their best from the opening tee shot to the final putt.

Host Venue 

Otter Creek Golf Club has become a strong championship partner for Golf Ontario, recently hosting the Northern Regional Interclub Championship and continuing to open its doors to major provincial events.

“Otter Creek has been a great partner for Golf Ontario,” says Tournament Director John Lawrence. “The ownership and staff are always willing to go the extra mile to create a great experience for players, volunteers, and spectators. Their outstanding commitment to hosting championships and supporting amateur golf makes them a natural fit for this event.”

Players to Watch

• Garrett Rank: Westmount Golf & Country Club
• Gajan Sivabalasingham: Meadowbrook Golf Club
• Cam Burke: Golf Ontario Players Club – Waterloo
• Jager Pain: Golf Ontario Players Club – Peel North
• Charles Fitzsimmons: Beacon Hall Golf Club
• Jordan Hwang:  Emerald Hills Golf & Country Club
• Joseph Totino: Summit Golf & Country Club
• Gabriel Mainella: Summit Golf & Country Club
• Spencer Shropshire:  Hawk Ridge Golf Club
• Barron Mundy: Mississauga Golf and Country Club

The championship field features a strong mix of experienced contenders and rising talent, setting the stage for an exciting week at Otter Creek Golf Club.

Stay Connected

live scoring, pairings & Results 

full player roster 

For updates, highlights, and live scoring throughout the tournament, follow along @thegolfontario Instagram, Facebook. 

Championship golf continues at eQuinelle Golf Club from July 6 – July 9 as almost 100 players gather for the Ontario Women’s Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championship, Golf Ontario’s oldest provincial championships.

The annual event brings together players from across the province for a week of competition, continuing a tradition that has long been a fixture on Ontario’s amateur golf calendar.

The championship will feature competition in both the Women’s Amateur and Women’s Mid-Amateur divisions. A unique aspect of the week is the opportunity to crown two provincial champions, with players competing for both the Ontario Women’s Amateur and Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur titles. The Mid-Amateur division is open to players aged 25 and older and features many of the province’s experienced amateur golfers.

The Women’s Amateur Championship will be played over 72 holes, with the field reduced to the low 50 players and ties after 36 holes. The Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship will be played over 54 holes, with the field reduced to the low 15 players and ties after 36 holes.

A Championship Rich in History

The 2026 championship marks the 111th playing of the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship. Throughout its history, the event has welcomed many of the country’s top female golfers and remains one of Canada’s most respected amateur titles.

The championship’s list of past winners includes some of the most influential names in Canadian golf. Brooke Henderson, Alena Sharp, Ada Mackenzie and Marlene Stewart Streit have all claimed the title. 

Marlene Stewart Streit’s impact on the game continues to be recognized through the championship trophy  that bears her name

Players to Watch

This year’s field includes several accomplished competitors, ranging from past provincial champions to players who have already found success during the 2026 season.

• Carlee Meilleur – the 2022 Ontario Women’s Amateur Champion. 
• Mary Ann Hayward – Five-time Ontario Women’s Amateur Champion (one of the most accomplished competitive records in the province’s history), the Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship trophy is named in her honour.

• Kaprice Park – 2026 Ontario Junior Players Invitational Champion, 2026 Ontario Junior Girls’ Spring Classic Champion.
• Amelia McFarlane – 2026 Ontario Women’s Match Play Champion.
• Stefi Markovich – past Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion and 2026 Ontario Women’s Senior Match Play Champion.

About the Course

eQuinelle Golf Club, located in Kemptville, Ontario, is one of Eastern Ontario’s premier championship venues and provides a complete test of a player’s game.

Tournament Director, Rob Watson believes the course will reward players who make smart decisions and stay patient throughout the championship.

 “The course rewards strategic decision-making off the tee, precise iron play, and strong course management throughout the round. While there are opportunities to score, the combination of well-positioned hazards, demanding approach shots, and challenging green complexes places a premium on consistency and patience over four rounds. eQuinelle’s championship-calibre layout is well suited to identifying the most complete player in the field”

With four rounds of championship golf ahead, eQuinelle will provide a fitting stage as players compete for two provincial titles.

Stay Connected

Live Scoring, pairings & Results 

full player roster 

For updates, highlights, and live scoring throughout the tournament, follow along @thegolfontario Instagram, Facebook. 

After four days of championship golf at Sawmill Golf Course, the 104th Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship concluded on Wednesday, highlighting a strong field and several memorable performances.

Held from June 29 to July 2 in Fenwick, Ont., the championship featured 144 of the province’s top junior golfers competing through challenging conditions, with temperatures feeling as high as 44°C during the week.

Gabriel Mainella of Summit Golf & Country Club captured the title with rounds of 67, 70, 66 and 70, finishing at 11-under-par (273). The victory marks Mainella’s second Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship title, having previously won in 2024. He returned to the top of the leaderboard after a closely contested battle throughout the week.

Defending champion Spencer Shropshire of Hawk Ridge Golf Club finished one shot back in second place at 10-under-par (274). Shropshire recorded rounds of 72, 70, 63 and 69, including a spectacular third-round 63.

Barron Mundy of Mississaugua Golf and Country Club claimed third place at 8-under-par (276).

With their top-three finishes, Mainella, Shropshire and Mundy earned spots on Team Ontario and will represent the province at the Golf Canada Junior Boys’ Championship, scheduled for Aug. 12-15 at Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club.

Historic Moments

Shropshire made history in the third round, setting a new course record at Sawmill Golf Course with an 8-under-par 63. The performance adds to an already impressive championship record after he tied the course record at the 2025 Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship at Lindsay Golf & Country Club with a 62.

Another highlight came during the second round when Tomas Bonilla of Station Creek Golf & Country Club recorded a hole-in-one on the 130-yard fifth hole, one of the standout moments of the championship.

Golf Ontario extends a sincere thank you to the volunteers, officials, and Sawmill Golf Club staff for their outstanding hospitality and dedication in hosting a first-class championship.

Final Results & Full Leaderboard

championship photo album

Stay Connected

Follow @thegolfontario on  Instagram and Facebook for more highlights and coverage throughout the season.