The tradition of senior amateur golf in Ontario continues this summer as the province’s top senior men prepare to compete at Lora Bay Golf Club in Thornbury, Ontario for the 90th Ontario Men’s Senior Amateur Championship, taking place July 22–24.  This year’s championship will feature a full field in a 54-hole stroke play format.

Overlooking the shores of Georgian Bay, Lora Bay Golf Club offers a beautiful and challenging setting for this year’s championship. Designed by Thomas McBroom and Tom Lehman, the course features rolling fairways and scenic views that will test players’ skill and strategy. This marks the second consecutive year Golf Ontario has hosted a championship at Lora Bay, following last year’s Ontario Women’s Senior Championship.

A total of 132 players earned their spots through exemptions or local qualifiers. Alongside the main 55-and-over championship, the event also features dedicated 65-and-over and 70-and-over divisions highlighting the growing depth for senior golf across Ontario. This year, 24 competitors are set to tee it up in the 70-and-over category.

Several past champions return to compete once again

• Dave Bunker (2020, 2024) – Golf Ontario Hall of Fame member
• Adam Creighton (2023)
• John Crowther (2022)
• Ashley Chinner (2021) – Golf Ontario Hall of Fame member
• David Greenaway (2019)
• Mark Brewer (2018)
• John Murphy (2017)
• Chris Kertsos (2016)
• Larry Cooper (2014)

Players to Watch

• Mike Kray – One of the players to watch this week, Kray defeated defending 2024 champion Dave Bunker in the final of the Ontario Men’s Senior Match Play Championship back in June. His strong match play performance signals he’s a serious contender at Lora Bay.
• Kelly Roberts – A Golf Ontario Hall of Fame member, Roberts will be competing in the 70-and-over division. Known for his steady play and decorated career, he brings experience and legacy to this year’s field.

Stay Connected  

For full tournament results and leaderboards: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11292481570662828158

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

Golf Ontario is proud to announce St. Thomas Golf and Country Club will host the 2025 Ontario Women’s and Women’s Senior Four-Ball Championship this September. 

Known for its rich history and acclaimed Stanley Thompson design, St. Thomas Golf and Country Club offers a premier setting for one of the province’s most anticipated women’s amateur team events. This year’s championship will bring together top women golfers from across Ontario in both the women’s and women’s senior divisions to compete in the traditional Four-Ball team format. 

“We are thrilled to bring the 2025 Women’s and Women’s Senior Four-Ball Championship to St. Thomas Golf and Country Club,” says Golf Ontario’s Director of Rules and Competitions, John Lawrence. “The course presents a fair but challenging test, and the club’s commitment to excellence in hosting provincial events will make this a standout experience for all players.” 

This will mark another significant championship for St. Thomas, which has long been recognized as one of Canada’s top-ranked golf courses and a proud supporter of amateur golf in Ontario. 

The Ontario Women’s and Women’s Senior Four-Ball Championship is a one-day, 18-hole stroke play event. Two-woman teams compete in four-ball format, with gross and net champions crowned in both divisions.  

Registration is now open for the 2025 Ontario Women’s and Women’s Senior Four-Ball Championship. Players are encouraged to register early and can find more information, including eligibility and entry details, by CLICKING HERE. 

There are golf tournaments. And then there’s the GTA AM Tour — now in its 22nd season and still raising the bar.

Led by Mark Young, the tour started as an opportunity for amateur golfers to play competitive rounds on elite courses around the province. But over the years, it’s become something much more: a vibrant, welcoming and remarkably polished community where players come to compete, connect and feel like pros—even if they’re carrying a 14 handicap.

“People might join us because they want access to amazing courses or to test themselves in a competitive environment,” says Young. “But what keeps them coming back—year after year— is the community. It’s the players, the sponsors, our tour team, the host clubs. Everyone contributes to something bigger.”

And that something bigger is built on intention and care.

“When someone signs up, I personally call them,” Young adds. “Whether they’re new or returning, it’s my chance to welcome them or catch up. I love that moment —it’s how we set the tone from the very beginning.”

A First-Class Experience, Built for Amateurs

From the moment players arrive at an event, the details speak volumes. Knife-flag banners line the driveway. Staff members greet players by name. Flights are structured for fair competition, with Golf Canada-certified referees on site and experienced spotters placed throughout the course. Tee times are spaced for pace-of-play efficiency, and every tournament has a distinct energy—polished, professional, but never stiff.

“You play like an amateur, but you’re treated like a pro,” says Young. “That’s our promise. That’s why we invest in every little piece of the experience—from the driveway to the scorecard.”

The tour is divided into four Flights by handicap, plus an Open Net Stableford format—allowing players of all levels to find the right fit. Each event also has more than $3,000 in prizing courtesy of tour sponsors. And when it comes to handicapping, the tour goes beyond the basics.

“We have a dedicated Handicap Committee that reviews every player’s index before an event,” Young explains. “These guys are sharp — they spot anomalies, dig into score patterns, and follow up directly when needed. Fair play is non-negotiable.”

Golf, Friendship and Growth

But for all its competitive structure, it’s the culture that sets the GTA AM Tour apart. It’s a place where players feel supported—where long-time veterans mentor newcomers, where rivalries are friendly, and where friendships that start on the tee box often stretch beyond the fairways.

“One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is watching relationships form,” says Young. “Some of our players met on the tour more than 20-years ago—and they’re still friends today.”

That same energy makes it a welcoming space for players just stepping into tournament golf.

“Playing competitive golf for the first time can be intimidating,” Young admits. “But our players tell us time and again—once they’re out there, they feel supported. They learn the ropes, they gain confidence and they start to love the challenge.”

It’s not just talk. One player, Peter, wrote that by his third event, “the nerves had disappeared,” and that he was learning more about rules and pace of play than he ever expected. That kind of growth is what the tour is all about.

And it’s not only the players who notice.

“We’ve heard from superintendents at host clubs who say our players actually leave the course in better shape than a typical day of play,” Young says. “That means something. We’re proud of that.”

A Shared Mission with Golf Ontario

This season, the tour enters a new chapter through an industry partnership with Golf Ontario. With a strong base of players from both public and private clubs—many of whom also play in Golf Ontario championships—the alignment was a natural one.

“We recognize the value the GTA AM Tour provides to the amateur golf community. The tour creates a welcoming competitive environment for players to sharpen their skills, build confidence, and experience the thrill of tournament golf,” says Golf Ontario CEO Kyle McFarlane. “We’re proud to see many GTA AM Tour participants taking the next step by competing in our provincial championships—bringing with them the experience and competitive edge they’ve developed on tour.”

And that connection goes beyond words—it’s already turning into action.

As part of the partnership, the GTA AM Tour is embracing the 1,000 Ball Challenge, Golf Ontario’s fundraising campaign in support of junior golf and community impact initiatives. And in true tour fashion, it’s not just about participating—it’s about turning it into a competition.

Each Flight will form its own team and take part in a season-long Flight vs. Flight fundraising challenge to see who can rally the most support.

“We thought, why not bring our players together in a way that’s both meaningful and fun?” says Young. “This lets them show their competitive spirit while supporting the future of the game. That’s a win-win.”

Looking Ahead

With another season on deck, Young is already looking forward.

“I can’t wait to see the players again—to hear their stories, to see how they’ve worked on their game over the winter,” he says. “Our tour team pours their beings into every event, and that shows. We love what we do, and I think people feel that.”

Whether you’re a returning competitor or thinking about joining your first event, the GTA AM Tour offers more than just a tournament—it offers a community. A place to grow, compete, and belong. And now, with deeper ties to the provincial golf ecosystem, the future is brighter than ever.

Ready to Compete?

Join the GTA Am Tour at www.gtaamtour.com

Support Golf For All

Support Golf For All
Learn more about the 1,000 Ball Challenge and donate today at www.1000ballchallenge.ca

Golf Ontario’s in-province 2024 Championship schedule kicks off on Tuesday with the Ontario Champion of Champions event.

This championship features a field of 247 players—the largest of the season—drawn from over 100 clubs throughout Ontario. Each participant is a club champion from their respective home club. 

The event will take place on the north and south courses at The Club at Bond Head, with competitors vying for titles in various divisions including men’s, women’s, junior boys’, senior men’s, senior women’s, and junior girls’.

“The Ontario Champion of Champions is set to be an exciting showcase of some of the best golfing talent from across the province,” says John Lawrence, Golf Ontario’s Director of Competitions and Performance. “This championship is particularly special as it celebrates the achievements of club champions from our incredible member facilities all over Ontario.”

For the full player roster and more championship details, CLICK HERE.

FAST FACTS:

Championship Venue: The North and South Courses at The Club at Bond Head.

Championship Date: May 14.

Field Size: 247 players.

Golf Ontario Member Clubs Represented: 122.

Format: 18-hole stroke play, with six divisions.

Pairings: CLICK HERE

The First: The first Ontario Champions of Champions took place in 1946.

Impressive List: Past champions include Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members Mary Ann Hayward, Bill Morland, Gerry Kesselring, Warren Sye, and Stu Hamilton.

Hall of Famer: Newly inducted Ontario Golf Hall of Famer Ashley Chinner (Coppinwood Golf Club) tees it up in the senior division.

Record Holder: Patrick Suraj won the senior men’s division championship a record six times.

The Next Wave: Next Wave Junior Development members in the field include Sierra Kowalyshyn (Sawmill Golf Course), Ava Gilbert (Summit Golf and Country Club) and Cole Thompson (Lookout Point Country Club). 

The Club at Bond Head: When the South Course opened in 2005, it was named as one of the “Top New Courses” by Golf Digest. A year later when the North Course opened, The Toronto Star named it as the “Top Public Golf Course in the GTA.”

Social Handles: @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook and X.

Last week, more than 125 dedicated volunteers joined forces for the Golf Ontario Official Days, which were held across the province.

These days marked the beginning of the 2024 championship season, uniting Golf Ontario staff and volunteers in celebration of the year’s start.

“Our volunteers are essential to our team; they’re the foundation of our mission. Their unwavering dedication allows us to continue shaping lives and offering enriching experiences through golf,” says Golf Ontario CEO Kyle McFarlane. “We’re honoured to acknowledge the significant influence our volunteers wield within the Golf Ontario community.”

The Official Days—which were hosted by member facilities Galt Country Club; Barrie Country Club; Copper Creek Golf Club and Cataraqui Golf and Country Club—saw participation from volunteers across three main roles: Tournament Officials, Referees, and Course Raters.

Tournament Officials:
These key volunteers oversee more than 100 qualifiers and championships annually. Their responsibilities include managing registration, overseeing starts, scoring, and maintaining the pace of play.

Referee:
Referees at provincial events must have completed at least Level 2 of the Golf Canada rules of golf education program. They should possess a deep understanding of the Rules of Golf and demonstrate the capacity to make decisions collaboratively under pressure.

Course Rater:
Upon affiliation with Golf Ontario, clubs receive an initial rating, which is re-evaluated as courses mature or undergo design modifications. Up to 70 courses annually may be appraised by a specialized Course Rating Team. Course raters need to be adaptable, methodical, and have a penchant for math or statistics. Comprehensive training is provided, encompassing both classroom and on-course instruction.

Interested in becoming a part of the Golf Ontario volunteer community? Discover the various opportunities and their benefits on our Volunteering Resource page HERE. To join our volunteer team, please complete the application form.