Two teams of three Canadians among 48 players and 15 countries set to compete at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa

OTTAWA (Golf Canada) – The world’s top female junior golfers will gather in Ottawa for the second playing of the World Junior Girls Championship from September 20-25 at The Marshes Golf Club. Six Canadians will represent the host nation in team and individual competition as Canada vies for the title of World Junior Girls champion.

“The Marshes Golf Club is in great shape and we are excited to once again bring the world’s talented players to Canada,” said Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna. “It is a true honour to be selected to represent your country and we know that all the athletes from across the globe will want to perform their best in this event.”

Grace St-Germain of Orleans, Ont., will return to the competition looking to improve upon Team Canada’s third-place result in 2014. The national team Development Squad member has had a banner year in 2015. St-Germain tallied a third-place result at the Golf Quebec Junior Spring Open before beginning Golf Canada’s championship season with a victory at the CN Future Links Pacific Championship. The 17-year-old repeated as the Golf Association of Ontario’s Junior Girls’ Match Play champion and closed the campaign with victories at the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) Mizuno National Junior Golf Championship and the Graham Cooke Junior Invitational – it was her third consecutive victory at the tournament named after the Canadian Golf Hall of Famer.

Playing alongside St-Germain is Hannah Lee of Surrey, B.C. The 15-year-old has demonstrated a great deal of consistency this summer, finishing runner-up at the British Columbia Juvenile Championships, third at the B.C. Junior Girls and T7 at the B.C. Women’s Amateur. She captured the 16-and-under Juvenile Division at the 2015 Canadian Junior Girls Championship and finished second overall in the national championship. The lessons she learned this summer culminated in Lee claiming the gold medal in the girls’ competition at the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games in Wood Buffalo, Alta.

Rounding-out the Team One contingent is 14-year-old Tiffany Kong. The Vancouver native’s second-place standing at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) Season Opener began a string of six events where she finished no lower than a tie for sixth-place. Kong finished fourth at the B.C. Junior Girls before capturing the silver medal in the individual competition at the Western Canada Summer Games. The highlight of Kong’s season would come at The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C., where she competed in the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open after earning a spot through the Monday Qualifier.

As the host nation, Canada will field two teams in the World Junior Girls Championship. Euna Han of Coquitlam, B.C., will be a member of Canada’s second team in the competition. The 13-year-old notched five top-six finishes this summer, including a runner-up result at the MJT Odlum Brown Classic-PGA of BC Junior Championship, a third-place finish in the juvenile division of the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and a T6 at the B.C. Junior Girls Championship.

Alisha Lau will play in the World Junior Girls Championship for a second time. The product of Richmond, B.C., emerged victorious at the 2015 CN Future Links Prairie Championship at Cooke Municipal Golf Course in Prince Albert, Sask., and finished tied for third at the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship. Lau claimed the bronze medal at the Western Canada Summer Games to complete a sweep of the podium for Team B.C. The trio of Lee, Kong and Lau’s combined score of 435 over two rounds earned them gold in the team competition – 58 strokes clear of second-place.

Completing the second team will be fellow British Columbian Kathrine Chan of Richmond. The 15-year-old’s 11th place standing at the B.C. Junior Girls Championship was her lowest result this season. Chan finished second in the juvenile division of the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and fourth overall while also registering a T5 finish at the B.C. Juvenile Championships.

“These six athletes have been selected to represent Canada based on some fantastic results achieved throughout the season,” said Jeff Thompson, Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer. “The growth that these players have shown this year is a direct result of the support they have received from their home clubs, their skilled coaches and the provincial golf associations.”

Thompson credited the strength of competition in Canada as being a key component in the development of these players.

“The performances of Canada’s junior female athletes have been very strong this year. While that level of competition has made this selection process far from simple, it has provided excellent opportunities for the players to hone their skills against Canada’s best. The wealth of resources available to our athletes, beginning at the grassroots level and extending to the provincial and national levels, has resulted in a tremendous amount of golfing talent across the nation. We look forward to seeing this group proudly represent all of Canada as they learn and grow on the international stage.”

National team Development Squad women’s coach Ann Carroll will return to lead the Canadian teams in the competition. Assisting her will be Mike Martz, coach of the New Competitors team at the Golf Performance Centre at Whistle Bear.

Conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario and supported by the International Golf Federation, the 2015 edition of the World Junior Girls Championship will take place in Ontario for a second consecutive year. The inaugural tournament in 2014 was held at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., where Team USA claimed team honours and Beverly Hills, Calif., native Mika Liu finished atop the leaderboard in individual competition.

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 growth and development of the game. Golf Canada will host a Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) coaching summit and a girls’ skill development clinic in the lead-up to the tournament.

Additional information regarding the 2015 World Junior Girls Championship can be found on the competition’s website: http://www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

OTTAWA (Golf Canada) – The 2015 edition of the World Junior Girls Championship will be held at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa from September 20-25. In addition to showcasing a number of the world’s most talented 18-and-under female golfers, the event will focus on the continued development of the sport.

“The World Junior Girls Championship is about more than this year’s participants and their opportunity to learn through international competition,” said Jeff Thompson, Chief Sport Officer of Golf Canada. “It is also about the sustainable development of golf in Canada and strengthening the relationship between the national golf associations around the world.”

Mike Kelly, Interim Executive Director of the Golf Association of Ontario, mirrored Thompson’s sentiments. “The chance to gather a number of elite coaching minds from around the world to share their knowledge and experiences is an invaluable opportunity. Through the junior girls skills development clinic and the junior-amateur fundraiser, we hope to leave a lasting imprint on the golfing community in the Ottawa area.”

A coaching summit is set to take place on Sunday, September 20 at The Marshes Golf Club. During the competitors’ practice rounds, PGA of Canada coaches will be paired with international coaches to exchange ideas and share in coaching methodology. Following the practice rounds, the PGA of Canada coaches will gather with Team Canada Women’s Head Coach Tristan Mullally and PGA of Canada Technical Director Glenn Cundari in a round-table discussion.

A junior girls skills development clinic will be conducted with PGA of Canada coaches introducing and developing golf-specific skills with junior golfers invited from the community. The junior-amateur fundraiser will see World Junior Girls Championship competitors play with local golfing enthusiasts to raise funds towards the development of golf in Ontario.

ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

The World Junior Girls Golf Championship is an annual event conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario. The international competition features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition.

In 2015, the competition will be hosted at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa. The second edition of the tournament will see a 16-team field compete 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); and Ottawa Tourism.

Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

INNISFIL— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Baka Wireless Public Player Championship concluded on Sept. 2, at National Pines Golf Club in Innisfil. When all of the scores were in, it was 2011 champion, Arnold Johnson, who hoisted the trophy for a second time.

This year, the championship was divided into three categories: the A Flight, for the overall gross championship, and two net flights, B and C. Players were placed into one of the three flights based on their handicap ratings heading into the event.

Johnson, from Brampton, began the day at four-over, five shots back of leader Jean-Henri Lavoie, also from Brampton. The 47-year-old Johnson started the day in the fifth from last group. He had a tough start and was two-over at the turn. However, he would settle down on the back nine and thanks to birdies on the 15^th and 18^th holes, he finished the day even. That brought his tournament total to four-over (76-72), good enough for the win.

“This wasn’t expected at all, I just came out and played the golf course,” said Johnson. “I have won this before, but today was special because I have been suffering from a wrist ailment this season. I just had it fixed three weeks ago, so this was a comeback and it was quite a joy to play well and win.”

Johnson went on to talk about what went well and what his frame of mind was during the final round. “I was finally able to make some putts. Yesterday the greens were a bit slower but today I was able to live with them. The good putting definitely helped. I figured I needed to be two or three under to have a chance. I just wanted to keep it close, I didn’t think 72 would do it but it did.”

Capturing the silver medal was Oshawa’s Jay Finley. Finley finished the day four-over (76) to go along with his opening round of one-over (73), which was good enough to grab second by just one stroke at five-over for the tournament.

Five players shared the bronze medal at six-over for the championship. The group included: Toronto’s Chris Willis (78-72), Cobourg’s Lucas Pichl (74-76), Mississauga’s Dawson Pitcher (75-75), Lavoie (71-79) and Mississauga’s Gary Young (73-77).

In the Net B Flight, it was Oakville’s David Everest who came away with the title. Everest had an opening-round net score of one-under (71) and followed it up with a three-under (69) second round to win the flight by a stroke at four-under.

Taking the Net C Flight was Toronto’s John Baty. Baty had an opening round net score of four-under (68), but outdid himself on the second day finishing with a net 13-under (59) to win the title at 17-under for the tournament.

For complete tournament information, including the final leaderboards, see the tournament site at: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1587/index.htm

The GAO would like to thank the staff and volunteers at National Pines Golf Club for their help in running the event. Thanks also to title sponsor Baka Wireless and the GAO volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.

 About the Baka Wireless Ontario Public Player Championship

The Baka Wireless Public Player Championship has been contested since 1958. It was suspended between 1984 and 1995. This year’s event is a two-round competition with a gross championship and two net flights. Former champions include: Ontario Golf Hall of Famer Gerry Kesselring, Ken Trowbridge, Dave Bunker and Lucas Kim. Craig Loughry holds the record for the most victories with four.

HUNTSVILLE— It was a long day for the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Juvenile Boys’ Championship when it wrapped up on Aug. 20 from Deerhurst Resort Highlands Course in Huntsville. The event saw another suspension in play during the final round, but by the end of the day all players were able to finish the round.

The day belonged to Almonte’s James Parsons. Parsons, from the Mississippi Golf Club, began the day with a one-shot lead. The 16-year-old, Team Ottawa member would see that lead through, finishing the day at even par (72). That brought his three-day total to one-under (71-72-72-215) and earned him the gold medal and juvenile boys’ trophy.

Parsons spoke afterwards about the win. “It feels pretty great! I was confident coming into the tournament that I could be a contender and to be in the final group was a great feeling. At the start of the day I was a little shaky, but heading into the last few holes I had a good lead, which calmed me down.”

The field and Parson battled tough conditions all week, but he said they didn’t really affect his game. “The weather wasn’t actually too bad, it just affected the first two holes that we played today. Both times that we came in, I knew I was playing well and even with the break, I could go out and perform the same way.”

Earning the silver medal was Thornhill’s Jason Chung. Chung, from the Diamondback Golf Club and a member of Team Ontario, rallied during the final round and was the only player to finish the round under par at two-under (70) for the day. That brought his tournament total to two-over (76-72-70-218).

Taking the bronze medal was another Team Ontario member, Vaughan’s Kelvin Lim. Lim, from Station Creek Golf Club, entered the day one shot off the pace at even for the tournament. However, he would finish the day three-over (75), dropping him to three-over for the tournament (72-72-75-219).

The GAO would like to thank Deerhurst Resort Highlands Course along with their staff and volunteers for helping to run the event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1525/index.htm

About the Ontario Juvenile Boys’ Championships

The Ontario Juvenile Boys’ Championship is a 54-hole competition that features the province’s best junior golfers under the age of 17 competing for the Mike Weir Trophy. Notable past champions include: Josh Whalen, Brandon Ng, Tim McCutcheon, Peter R. Knechtel, Bob Panasiuk and Gary Cowan.

HUNTSVILLE— It was another soggy day at the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) final round of the Ontario Juvenile Girls’ Championship on Aug. 20 from Deerhurst Resort Highlands Course in Huntsville. At 10:09 a.m. play was suspended for the second time during the event and the players remained in the clubhouse until 12:55 p.m.

The girls began the day on the back nine with two players well ahead of the field. Toronto’s Jennifer Yoon and Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun entered the day with just two shots separating Yoon, who was at three-under, and Chun at one-under. At the end of the day it was Yoon, 16 and a member at Station Creek Golf Club, who would hoist the trophy after a six-over (78) final round.

Yoon was able to limit any damage during the round considering the tough elements. She finished the tournament three-over (72-69-78-219). She spoke about how challenging the week was and what winning the title meant to her. “Winning this is great, it is my first provincial championship and it was just my 16^th birthday so this was a very nice present to myself. The weather this week was interesting, but in the end it didn’t matter because my score was great. The two suspensions of play were tough because I was very tired during the second round, especially playing 27 holes, and even today.”

Earning the silver medal was Chun. Chun, a member of Team Ontario and The Summit Golf & County Club, had some strong holes like her eagle on the par-five 14^th, but also some struggles and in the end, she was unable to catch Yoon. Chun finished the day six-over (78) to bring her tournament total to five-over (69-74-78-221).

Rounding out the podium with the bronze was Port Credit’s Chloe Currie. Currie, from the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club and a Team Ontario member, had the low round of the day as she carded a three-under (69). That brought her tournament total to seven-over (75-79-69-223).

The GAO would like to thank Deerhurst Resort Highlands Course along with their staff and volunteers for helping to run the event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1526/index.htm

About the Ontario Juvenile Girls’ Championships

The Ontario Juvenile Girls’ Championship features the province’s best junior golfers under the age of 17 competing for the Sandra Post Trophy. Past champions of the event include Post, Jessica Shepley, Alena Sharp, Stephanie Sherlock, and Rebecca Lee-Bentham.

PETERBOROUGH— Michael Jackson went wire-to-wire at the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) 2015 Investors Group Senior Men’s Amateur Championship that wrapped up on Aug.13, from the Kawartha Golf & Country Club in Peterborough.

Jackson, from Collingwood and the Georgian Bay Club, entered the day with a three-shot lead and would use his consistency to help maintain it. The 62-year-old sank a birdie on the ninth hole, to get to even at the turn. Jackson was three-over on the back nine, which ended his day at three-over (74), bringing his tournament total to five-over (71-73-74-218). The win marked the third time that Jackson has won the Ontario Senior Men’s Amateur Championship. Jackson also earned the 60+ Division title.

A satisfied Jackson spoke about winning the title for the third time. “It’s always a pleasure win and a pleasure to get out with the guys and have our competition. We may call it friendly, but winning is what we come out here to do. I came in with a game plan; I didn’t want to go for par-five greens in two because I knew I would be above the hole. My plan was to put a wedge in my hands on par fives and stay below the hole.”

Jackson said that a key putt on the back nine was what he considered the turning point. “What settled me was making a birdie on the 12^th hole. It was downhill and maybe a 25-footer, so that settled me. I knew I had some distance at that point.”

Picking up the silver was Richmond Hill’s Michael Mealia. Mealia, from the Bayview Golf and Country Club, entered the day at eight-over after the first two rounds. After an even front nine, he found himself four-over with two holes to play. However, he finished with birdies on the final two holes to finish second with a tournament total of 10-over (77-73-73-223).

Sharing the bronze at 11-over were Oakville’s Lars Melander (80-69-75-224), from Hidden Lake Golf Club, and London’s Dave Bergeron (74-73-77-224), from Sunningdale Golf Club.

In the 70+ Division it was St. Catharines’ Les Westlake who took home the trophy. Westlake, from the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, finished the tournament at 16-over (76-75-78-229), to grab the title in his first year of eligibility.

Team Ontario for the Canadian Senior Men’s Amateur Championship, Sept. 1-4 at Desert Blume Golf Club in Medicine Hat, Alberta, was named following the round. Joining Jackson and Mealia, after winning a playoff on the 18^th hole, was Melander.

In addition, the top eight finishers earned the right to represent Ontario at the 2016 Ontario-Michigan Matches to be hosted by Michigan. Earning a spot on the team were: Jackson, Mealia, Melander, Bergeron, Paris’ Robert O’Hagan, Brampton’s Rick Dodds-Hebron, Whitby’s Barry Fairhurst, and Caledon’s Marty Quincey.

The GAO would like to thank the Kawartha Golf & Country Club, their volunteers and staff for hosting the event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers and title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.

For full tournament information, including final leaderboards, see the tournament site at: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1523/index.htm

About the Investors Group Senior Men’s Championship

The Investors Group Ontario Senior Men’s Championship is contested annually and features Ontario’s best male amateur golfers age 55 and older. 2015 marks the 80th playing of the event, and notable past champions include Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members Stu Hamilton and Nick Weslock, Herb Carnegie, and Ed Ervasti.

CAMLACHIE— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Investors Group Bantam Championship concluded on Aug. 12 from the Sawmill Creek Golf Resort and Spa in Camlachie. The event began with 56 boys and 29 girls looking to claim the 2015 championships. At the end of the day, Stoney Creek’s Johnny Travale walked away with the boys’ title, while Markham’s Hailey McLaughlin took home the girls’ championship.

Travale, 14, from Glendale Golf & Country Club, came into the final round with a two-shot lead after his opening round of three-under (68). He got off to a blistering start during the final round and was four-under at the turn. However, he would get into trouble early on the back nine with a double bogey on 11 and a triple on 12. He would settle down and got back on track. He finished the day one-over (72) to end the tournament at two-under, taking the title.

After the win Travale spoke about how he got back on track during the final round. “I thought that I still had a good shot at winning, even though I didn’t know what my fellow competitors were doing, but I knew if I kept a solid frame of mind I would be able to pull through.”

“There was a lot of hard work that went into winning this,” added Travale. “I worked hard during the winter and continued during the summer so its nice to see it all pay off.”

Sharing the silver medal were Beamsville’s Jason Patrick Maloney and Courtice’s Justin Posteraro at three-over. Maloney, from Twenty Valley Golf & Country Club, began the day seven shots back of the lead after his four-over (75) first round. Thanks to a one-under (70) during the final round, the only round under par for the day, he catapulted into the silver-medal position.

As for Posteraro, he posted a one-under (70) during the opening round to sit two-back of the lead. He would go on to card a four-over (75) during the second round, but was able to hang on to earn a share of the silver.

Things were interesting on the girls’ side as the final round saw multiple lead changes. In the end it would be McLaughlin, from Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club, who emerged victorious. McLaughlin, 13, and a member of the York Regional Team, started the day in the second to last group, three-shots off the pace, after an opening round of seven-over (78).  She would go on to have the low round of the day, thanks to five birdies on the final six holes, posting a one-under (70) to capture the title at six-over for the tournament.

Afterwards, McLaughlin spoke about her strong finish to the tournament. “I was one-over through nine but was playing better than I had the day before. I really stepped up my putting and was sinking putts all day.”

“This feels like a dream but it is actually happening! I never thought I would make it this far, but at the same time I kind of did. I just had to have a lot of faith in myself,” said McLaughlin.

First-round leader, and 2015 Ontario Peewee Champion, Alyssa DiMarcantonio picked up the silver medal at eight-over for the tournament. DiMarcantonio from Maple and Station Creek Golf Club finished four-over (75) during the opening round. She duplicated that on day two with another four-over (75).

Three players shared the bronze medal at 15-over for the tournament. The group included Strathroy’s Taylor Kehoe (77-80), Windsor’s Jasmine Ly (81-76) and London’s Isabella Portokalis (78-79).

The GAO would like to thank Sawmill Creek Golf Resort and Spa, along with their staff and volunteers, for helping to run this event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers and title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province. For full information, including the final leaderboards, see the tournament sites at: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1522/index.htm(boys) and http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1586/index.htm(girls).

About the Investors Group Ontario Bantam Championship

The Investors Group Ontario Bantam Boys’ Championship was first contested in 1923 at the Summit Golf & Country Club. The first Ontario Bantam Girls’ Championship was held in 2003. The event is open to players 14-year-old and younger as of Aug. 1. Participants on the boys’ side qualified through one of four qualifiers held earlier this summer. Notable past boys champions include: Tony Gil, Matt LeMay, Bill Hutcheson, Kelly Roberts and Tim McCutcheon. As for past girls’ champions, the list includes: Jennifer Kirby, Augusta James and Christina Foster.

CAMBRIDGE— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) inaugural Peewee Championship concluded on Aug. 7 from the Puslinch Lake Golf Course in Cambridge.

The championship, open to male and female players under the age of 13, began with 58 of the province’s top young players. At the end of competition, Burlington’s Peter Blazevic and Maple’s Alyssa DiMarcantonio were the first to hoist the trophies.

Things were close coming into the final round on the boys’ side with Toronto’s Nicholas Lin entering the day with the lead at one-under. However, with so many players within striking distance, it was anyone’s title to win. Lin finished the day seven-over and slipped into a tie for fifth. The best round of the day went to Blazevic, 11-years-old and a member at the Trafalgar Golf & Country Club, who finished even. That second round score, along with his opening round four-over (74), earned him the win at four-over for the tournament (74-70-144).

A trio of players all shared the silver medal at five-over. Toronto’s Beni Long finished the second round three-over (72-73-145), Windsor’s Shawn Sehra ended the day four-over (71-74-145), and Richmond Hill’s Jeffery Fang also carded a three-over final round (72-73-145).

Things were a little less dramatic on the girls’ side as DiMarcantonio, 12, from Station Creek Golf Club, entered the day with a nine-shot lead after an opening round of one-over (71). She would improve on that impressive performance during the second round with an even par (70) to win the title by 16 shots (71-70-141).

Finishing second was Pickering’s Ava Koukofikas. Koukofikas finished the opening round 13-over (83), but rebounded nicely in the second round with a four-over (74) to earn the silver (83-74-157).

Taking the bronze was Brampton’s Brooke Rivers. Rivers shot an eight-over (78) during the second round, adding to her 10-over (80) first round (80-78-158).

The GAO would like to thank Puslinch Lake Golf Course, their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.

For complete tournament information, including final leaderboards, see the tournament site at: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1589/index.htm.

About the Ontario Peewee Championship

The Ontario Peewee Championship is making its debut in 2015. The championship is hosted by the Puslinch Lake Golf Course, which has a history with the GAO, hosting the Ontario Bantam Championship from 1999 to 2012.  The tournament is open to males and females who are younger than 13 years of age as of Aug. 1.

TOTTENHAM— The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Women’s Match Play Championship wrapped up on August 6, at the Woodington Lake Golf Course – Legend in Tottenham, with Kelsey Sear taking the 2015 title.

The event began on Aug. 4 with a stroke-play qualifying round, which narrowed the field down to 16 players for four rounds of match-play competition.

Outlasting that field was Unionville’s Sear. Sear, from the York Downs Golf & Country Club, recently competed in the PGA of Canada’s Women’s Championship and was able to use the momentum from that experience to lift her to victory.

Sear, 20, topped Picton’s Casey Ward in the final 1up on the 18^th hole. The match was neck and neck throughout. Sear held a 1up lead on the front nine, only to see Ward draw even on the seventh hole. Ward would take the lead on the next hole, but watch it evaporate after the ninth. With Ward 1up again, Sear sank a critical 13-foot putt on the 11^th to remain just one down. Sear would birdie the 12^th to even the match. Sear’s putter saved her again on 16 as she sank a 10-foot putt to again draw even. Then on 18, Ward hit her approach shot left and needed to chip in to keep the match going, she was unable to and Sear was able to putt out for the win.

After the win, Sear spoke about winning the final match. “It feels awesome! It was really back and forth. I was up then she was up and then I made that big putt on 11 and I knew at that point I had the momentum. Walking up 18 I had lots of confidence and I was able to make a nice chip shot to get up and down.”

Sear spoke about what was going on in her head throughout the round. “I just tried to stay focused. I try to keep my mind off golf, to be honest, and just go with the flow. I don’t get too down or too excited and just play my game.”

For Sear, her road to the title began as the fourth seed and eliminated Welland’s Stefani Markovich in the opening round in 19 holes. She drew Toronto’s Ana Peric in the quarterfinal round and won by a score of 3&2. That put her into the semi finals against Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg, who she beat 2up, to earn her spot in the finals.

As for Ward, a member of the Picton Golf & Country Club and recent winner of the GAO’s Investors Group Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, she began as the number seven seed after the qualifying round. She opened the tournament with a 2&1 win over Toronto’s Madelyn Piccininni. Then, she picked up a dominant win in the quarterfinals by beating Komoka’s Alex Amos 6&4 to move on to the semi finals. In the semi finals, Ward topped Mississauga’s Michelle Ruiz 3&1 to earn the right to play for the championship.

For round-by-round scoring and all other tournament information, see the tournament page at: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1556/index.htm.

PORT HOPE – The Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) Investors Group Junior Boys’ Championship wrapped up on July 24 from the Dalewood Golf Club in Port Hope. The four-round event was dominated from start to finish by Waterloo’s Trevor Ranton who hoisted the trophy at the end of the day with a final round two-under (69).

Ranton, 18 from the Whistle Bear Golf Club, gained his momentum during the first round when he shot six-under (65). He opened up a four-stroke lead that he used to see out the win during the remaining rounds.

On the final day, Ranton, a member of the Golf Canada Development Squad, started strong with a birdie on the second hole. He would give it back but was even through the turn. On the back nine, Ranton, sealed it with an eagle on the 14^th, to secure the win. He finished the tournament five-under (65-72-73-69-279).

After the win, Ranton spoke about how his opening round set the tempo for the rest of the tournament. “It really allowed me to play freely, knowing that I had that cushion. When my game wasn’t going as well during the second and third day, I was still in a positive mindset because I knew that I had done that the first day and knew I could do it again.”

Ranton is no stranger to winning big events. Just last year he was crowned the GAO Junior Boys’ Match Play Champion and earlier this year he walked away with the CN Future Links Pacific title. Ranton spoke about where this win ranks for him. “It’s awesome to win this, it has been my goal since I started playing in these events. It is really nice to get it in my final junior year. I’ve been lucky enough to have a couple victories in the last year and a bit and this one is right up their at the top, with it being one of the most prestigious events in Ontario.”

Earning the silver medal was Shelburne’s Kyle Johnston, from the Shelburne Golf & Country Club. Johnston, 18, came into the final round at two-over and went on to post a two-under (69) to earn sole possession of second. He ended the tournament at even par (69-72-74-69-284).

The bronze medal was won by Peterborough’s Sam Meek, from the Kawartha Golf & Country Club. Meek, 16, was consistent throughout the tournament and finished three-over (69-73-72-73-287).

Ranton, Johnston and Meek also earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial team competition at the Canadian Junior Boys’ Championship Aug. 3-6 at the Summerlea Golf & Country Club in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec. The top 34 finishers, excluding players already exempt, also received a quota spot for the Canadian Championship.

The GAO would like to thank Dalewood Golf Club, along with their staff and volunteers for helping to run the event. Thanks also to the GAO volunteers and title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province. For complete tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: http://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao1520/index.htm

About the Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship

The Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship is open to male golfers 18 years of age and under, who have qualified through one of 10 qualifiers held across the province in June and early July. The Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship was first contested in 1923 at the Summit Golf & Country Club. Past winners of the event include: Gerry Kesselring, Gary Cowan, Stu Hamilton, Mike Weir, Jon Mills and Albin Choi.