Matthew Javier of Scarboro Golf & Country Club captured the 102nd Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship at St. Catharines Golf and Country Club.

Javier entered the final round atop the leaderboard by one stroke and maintained that lead in dominating fashion, shooting a 6-under-par 65 to finish five strokes ahead of runner-up, Justin Matthews (TPC Toronto), who shot 5-under-par 66 in the final round.

In total, Javier, who is part of Team Canada’s – Next Gen program, shot 269 – 15-under-par in the four rounds.

Along with his 2022 & 2023 Ontario (U17) Juvenile Boys Championship wins and this year’s Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Spring Classic victory, Javier can add an Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship to his spectacular resume.  

For finishing top three in the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship, Javier, along with Matthews and Michael Weber (Burlington Golf & Country Club), will represent Ontario at the 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship August 5 – 8 at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon, SK.

Matthews, a Team Ontario alumni, shot 9-under-par 62 in the second round, which tied a St. Catharines Golf and Country Club record for the lowest scoring round in club history.

For final results, CLICK HERE.

Nobelle Park of RattleSnake Point Golf Club added to her accolades this week at the 109th Women’s Amateur Championship held at West Haven Golf Course.  

Park, who turned 14 earlier this year, led throughout the championship, eventually finishing the four-round event at nine-under-par, one shot clear of Shauna Liu of Golf Canada Champions Club. Celina Yeo and Julia Alexandra-Carew finished T3 at six-under for the championship.

The win is Park’s third Golf Ontario title of the season. Her first came in March at the Ontario Junior Players’ Invitational, while her second came at the Junior Girls Spring Classic in May at Wooden Sticks.

For all results, CLICK HERE. 

Social Handles: @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook and X

Alexandra Taylor of Cherry Hill Club captured the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship Wednesday at West Haven Golf and Country Club.  

After battling Judith Kyrinis of The Thornhill Club all the way through to the last putt the true test came after, as Taylor gained momentum nearly holing out from her approach shot.  

Heading into the final round, Taylor pulled ahead and defeated Kyrinis in a 1 hole playoff win.  

Taylor has plenty of experience competing at high-level championships and competitions. In her journey as an NCAA golfer, Taylor achieved a 3-time All-Conference golfer at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. Her team participated in the NCAA DII National Championship in three out of her four years. In her Junior career, she competed at the Niagara Junior Tour, the Ontario Summer Games team and Golf Ontario and Canada Championships. 

Taylor can now add winning the 2024 Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship to her list of accomplishments. 

As for the Women’s Amateur status, it is currently still in play and will begin the final round on Thursday to see who will be crowned the 2024 Women’s Amateur Champion.  

Nobelle Park of Rattlesnake Point Golf Club, Julia Alexander-Carew of Credit Valley Golf and Country Club and Ella Zanatta of Hamilton Golf and Country Club sit at the top going into the final round. 

For all results, CLICK HERE. 

Social Handles: @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook and X

The 102nd Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship heads to St. Catharines Golf and Country Club June 24 – 27.

A field of the top 156 amateur golfers in the province will be put to the test and compete for the Gary Cowan Trophy.

As one of Golf Ontario’s biggest events in the calendar year for more than a century, the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship has been the springboard to many players’ journeys to impressive playing careers.

Notable past winners include Mike Weir (1990, 1992), Corey Conners (2010), Gerry Kesselring (1949, 1951-53) and Gary Cowan, who holds the Golf Ontario record for most wins in this championship with nine.

The first two rounds will see 7:30 a.m. start times until the 36-hole-cut midway through the championship.

For first round pairings and start times, CLICK HERE.

FIELD NOTES

Team Ontario: Four current Team Ontario members in Jordan Hwang (Emerald Hills Golf and Country Club), Dawson Lew (Players Club – Markham) and Nathanial Yoo (Meadowbrook Golf Club) are in the field, as well as former members in Zach Smith (Brampton Golf Club) and Justin Matthews (Bigwin Island Golf Club).

Gabriel Mainella (Summit Golf & Country Club), this year’s Ontario Junior Players Invitational Champion, will be the lone representative of the 2024 Next Wave program.

Team Canada’s NextGen squad will see four of its players in the field: Ben MacLean (Cherry Hill Club); Luke Smith (The Thornhill Club); Matthew Javier (Scarboro Golf & Country Club); Eric Zhao (Bayview Golf & Country Club).

Men’s Amateur Order of Merit Rankings: Charles Fitzsimmons, No. 1, Men’s Amateur, Men’s Mid-Amateur; Max Corcoran, No. 3, Men’s Amateur; Andrew Nagel, No. 4, Men’s Amateur, No. 2, Men’s Mid-Amateur.

Top Junior Golf Pathway Ranking Players: Aidan Talent, No. 1, U19; Gabriel Mainella, No. 2, U19, No. 1, U17; Dawson Lew, No. 3, U19, No. 2, U17.

PLAYER NOTES

The 156-player field is made up of:

The defending 101st Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship, Cameron Pero (Picton Golf & Country Club).

Josh DiCarlo (Pointe West Golf Club), who recently won the 2024 Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship.

Matthew Javier (Scarboro Golf & Country Club), two-time winner of the Ontario (U17) Juvenile Boys Championship (2022 & 2023) and this year’s Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Spring Classic champion.

Luke Smith (The Thornhill Club) last year’s Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Champion and the 2022 Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Match Play Champion.

The 2022 Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Spring Classic Champion & 2022 NextGen Ontario Champion, Ben MacLean (Cherry Hill Club).

The 2021 Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Champion and 2023 Golf Quebec Men’s Amateur Champion, James Newton (Royal Ottawa Golf Club).

Max Corcoran (Loch March Golf & Country Club), the 2023 Golf Quebec Junior (U19) Boys Champion.

The 2022 Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Champion, Oscar Feschuk (Weston Golf & Country Club).

Andreas Diogenous (Whistle Bear Golf Club) former Peewee (U13), Bantam (U15) and Juvenile (U17) Champion.

Nolan Piazza (Cherry Hill Club), two-time Ontario Junior (U19) Boys Champion (2018 & 2020).

The 2023 Ontario Men’s Match Play Champion, Justin Matthews (Bigwin Island Golf Club), who recently competed in the RBC Canadian Open.

Charles Fitzsimmons (Summit Golf & Country Club), two-time winner of the Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship (2021 & 2022) and winner of the 2019 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Garret Rank (Westmount Golf & Country Club), who won the 2018 Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship and the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur twice (2015 & 2018).

Phillip Arci (The Pulpit Club), the 2023 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year and winner of the 2024 Men’s Amateur Division of The National Golf Club of Canada Invitational.

The winner of last year’s Ontario Senior Men’s Championship, Adam Creighton (Cherry Hill Club).

The 2024 Men’s Champion of Champions winner, Kyle Gordon (Coppinwood Golf Club).

Winner of the 2022 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, David Lang (Donalda Club).

Ryan Tsang (Cedar Brae Golf Club), the 2020 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Champion.

Ontario Golf Hall of Famer, Dave Bunker (Cherry Hill Club), who is a four-time winner of the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship (2007, 2010, 2014, 2021). He also won the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship in 2008 and the 2020 Ontario Senior Men’s Championship.

QUOTES

Rob Watson, Tournament Director: “The Ontario Men’s Amateur is annually one of the most exciting championships on the Golf Ontario calendar because of the large and competitive field we see in this event. This year should be no different as the field is as strong as it has ever been with 156 of Ontario’s best male Amateur golfers.”

Ryan Finn, Chief Sport Officer: “Golf Ontario is thrilled to celebrate St. Catharines G&CC’s 125th anniversary by crowning Ontario’s top male amateur golfer. This year’s champion will have bested an elite field and will join an exclusive group of past champions. We look forward to a competitive and exciting championship.”

Cameron Thin, Head Golf Professional, St. Catharines Golf and Country Club: “As a part of our 125th anniversary, the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club is proud to be hosting this year’s Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship and our membership is looking forward to showcasing our wonderful golf course to the best players in the province, along with the spectators enjoying the golf.  With a large and highly competitive field, I feel that this is a great opportunity for the competitors to experience the unique architecture of the course; the challenges it presents to players; and believe that it will identify a worthy champion.”

FAST FACTS

Championship Venue: St. Catharines Golf and Country Club

Championship Dates: June 24 – 27

Field: 156 players

Format: 72-hole Stroke Play (36-hole-cut – low 60 & ties)

Leaderboard Link: 24′ Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship Event :: Tournament Results (golfgenius.com)

Fun Fact: Gary Cowan holds the Golf Ontario record for the most Ontario Men’s Amateur Championships with nine (1964, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981 & 1984).

Social Handles: @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook and X

The 109^th Ontario Women’s Amateur & Mid- Amateur heads to West Haven Golf and Country Club, June 24-27. 

With nearly 100 players in the field, this is West Haven’s first time hosting a provincial championship.

Both the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship and the Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship are two of Ontario’s top provincial championships and have been the pinnacle of women’s golf in the province. Many players have kick-started their journey to professional golf through both of these championships

The first two rounds will see 8:30am start times until the 36-hole cut midway thru the championship. 

For first round pairings and start times CLICK HERE. 

FIELD NOTES 

Team Ontario: Six current Team Ontario Members in Kaprice Park (RattleSnake Golf and Country Club), Nobelle Park (RattleSnake Golf and Country Club), Alexa Ouellet (Weston Golf & Country Club), Aryn Matthews (BigWin Island Golf Club), Bridget Yu (Golf Canada- Club Ontario), Shelby Hardwich (Summit Golf & Country Club).

Golf Canada Next Gen Member Shauna Liu is in the field. 

Top Junior Golf Pathway Rankings: Nobelle Park, No. 1, U19, U17; Kaprice Park, No. 2, U19, U17; Angela Cai, No. 3, U19, U17.

Nobelle Park is the top world ranked player in the field, coming in at 182nd overall. 

PLAYER NOTES 

Mary- Ann Hayward (St.Thomas Golf & Country Club)– Ontario Golf Hall of Fame 2023, won the 2023 Ontario Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship Stroke Play. 

Judith Kyrinis (The Thornhill Club), Ontario Golf Hall of Fame 2023, won the 2023 Canadian Women’s Mid- Amateur Championship, Semi-Finalist at the 23’ Ontario Women’s Match Play Finals, and finalist at the 23’ Women’s Match Play Championship. 

Celina Yeo of Londono, just finished second in AJGA Rolex Girls Championship.

Kaprice Park hot off a second- place finish at last week’s Women’s Match Play at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club. 

Hailey Hendershott 2024 Mountain East Conference Player of the Year.

QUOTES 

John Lawrence, Tournament Director: “We are excited to have one of our flagship championships back in London. The support from West Haven and the local community has been tremendous. The experience for the players, facility and volunteers will be exceptional and we are looking forward to crowning a champion in this the 109th playing of Ontario oldest amateur championship.” 

FAST FACTS 

Championship Venue: West Haven Golf & Country Club 

Dates: June 24, 2024- June 27, 2024 

Field: 96 Players 

Format: 72 Hole Stroke Play, 36 Hole Cut. Amateur- Low 54 & Ties. Mid- Amateur- Top 15 & Ties. 

Leaderboard Link: 24′ Ontario Women’s Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championship Event :: Championship Information (golfgenius.com) 

Fun Fact: Marlene Stewart Streit, who the trophy is named after, is an Ontario Golf Hall of Famer and has won this award a record of 11 times (1951, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, and 1977).

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

With the sixth annual Ontario Adaptive Championship is right around the corner, Golf Ontario welcomed members of Special Olympics Ontario to share their life experiences and lead a professional development session around adaptive golf.

Nine Special Olympics Ontario athletes visited Wyndance Golf Club in Uxbridge to present what Special Olympics Ontario does, how they support athletes with intellectual disabilities and showed our staff how to support athletes with intellectual disabilities to create a welcoming and inclusive sporting environment.

“This was a great opportunity for our team on our learning journey in an adaptive golf space and having Special (Olympics Ontario) here today was to help us learn and understand what the experience is for them on the golf course,” said Golf Ontario CEO Kyle McFarlane.

The day started with an opening presentation from Special Olympics Ontario’s Director of Sports, Johnny Byrne. He took Golf Ontario staff through Special Olympics Ontario’s competition structures and how Special Olympics Ontario uses sport to create opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

He also alluded to Special Olympics Ontario’s mission of building the lives Ontarians with intellectual disabilities through sport, vision of creating disability-inclusive environments across the province and values of empowerment, excellence, respect, diversity and inclusion.

“I think what we got out of today was seeing just the great connection and how both Golf Ontario and special Olympics Ontario have the same bigger picture goals,” Byrne said.

We were then introduced to the eight Special Olympics Ontario athletes in attendance, which included 2015 World Games Gold Medalist, Tess Trojan, accompanied by her caddie and father, Mike Trojan.

“Special Olympics has really changed my life,” she said. “I’ve learned that we’re all friends first and not just competing against one another.”

Along with Trojan, the remaining seven athletes of Special Olympics Ontario, along with their caddies and coaches, were:

Natasha Stasiuk; Mike DiRaddo; Luke Cooney; Catherine Partlow; Ryan Colpitts; JJ Scorcia; Krystian Pushka.

Later in the day, Golf Ontario staff got the chance to play an eight-hole round of golf accompanied by a different athlete on each hole. The day brought about many smiles, conversations and capped off a wonderful day of learning for all.

“Exciting for our team to get out there, have connections, build those relationships, but more importantly, to have conversations and use this as an opportunity to learn and understand what it means to be a Special Olympian and a Special Olympics golfer,” McFarlane said.

Getting outside, playing golf and making connections was beneficiary for both Golf Ontario and Special Olympics Ontario.

“The universal language that we always fall back to when we’re trying to explain Special Olympics to people is just get out and play, and that’s what today was about,” said Byrne.

For more information on the upcoming Ontario Adaptive Championship at Weston Golf & Country Club July 15 – 16, CLICK HERE.

To support the growth of adaptive golf opportunities in Ontario, consider donating to the Golf For All Fund.

Ashley Lafontaine (Royal Ottawa Golf Club) captured the Ontario Women’s Match Play Championship Monday at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club.

After knocking off Gabrielle Harrison (Sunningdale Golf and Country Club) in the top 16, Lafontaine pushed through to the Quarter-Final round by defeating Team Ontario’s Nobelle Park (Rattlesnake Golf and Country Club) 1-UP, and then finally defeating Myranda Quinton (Pipers Heath Golf Club) 2&1. 

In the final round, Lafontaine faced off Kaprice Park (Rattlesnake Golf and Country club), who started things off with a birdie. 

Sticking to her game, Lafontaine set herself up for success to keep the ball rolling and finished the Women’s Match Play strong to capture the win in the final round 3&2. 

Lafontaine noted this was her second time participating in the Women’s Match Play and was runner-up in her first appearance. 

For final results, click here. 

Golf Ontario is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Vovex Golf Rangefinders, now the “Official Rangefinder of Golf Ontario.”

“This is a very exciting partnership for Golf Ontario,” says Golf Ontario CEO Kyle McFarlane. “Aligning Golf Ontario with a new brand of rangefinders, which is based right here in Ontario, is very cool not only for the association but also for our 150,000 members as well.”

As part of the partnership, Golf Ontario members will be able to purchase new Vovex Golf Rangefinders at a discounted price. With every new rangefinder purchased by a Golf Ontario member, Vovex will contribute to the Golf For All Fund.

Vovex Golf is a Canadian brand of golf rangefinders headquartered in Toronto. The company focuses on creating a new generation of golf rangefinders that are youthful, stylish, and technologically advanced. 

“We are delighted to partner with Golf Ontario,” says Vovex Golf Rangefinder CEO Leo Li. “Our rangefinders are designed to enhance the game experience, and we are excited to support Golf Ontario’s mission to grow and elevate the sport in the region.”

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization dedicated to enhancing participation, elevating performance, and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 125,000 individual members and 500 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the most significant golf associations in the world. From rating courses and preserving the integrity of the game to fostering growth at the grassroots level and hosting the premier amateur championships in Canada, Golf Ontario is committed to Shaping Lives ThroughGolf.

Vovex will also be present at many Golf Ontario provincial championships and other events throughout the season, showcasing their innovative rangefinders to golfers across the province.

The 1000 Ball Challenge is well underway and those involved are actively fundraising for the GOLF FOR ALL Fund! 

We are excited to announce more fundraising incentives to help you boost your fundraising every month! At the end of every month, from now until October, we will be drawing winners for the prizes below.

So, continue to encourage your friends and family to contribute to your page and be entered to win.

There is still time to register and start your fundraising today!

INDIVIDUAL MONTHLY FUNDRAISING PRIZES

When you reach fundraising milestones you can win some amazing prizes! Details below:

This is in addition to the incentive program when you fundraise $1000 or more – see details here.

Rules:

• Draw to happen at the end of every month.
• Those who enter and do not win can be re-entered at the beginning of every month.
• Each person can only win a category item once.
• Category prizes are cumulative. Meaning, that if you raise $1,000 you will be entered once in every category draw.

Not registered for the 1000 Ball Challenge? There is still time to register and start your fundraising today! Register today at www.1000ball.ca/signup or contact Raph at rroot@gao.ca.

See Golf Ontario CEO Kyle McFarlane on Golf Talk Canada during the 2024 RBC Canadian Open speaking on the 1000 Ball Challenge and all the benefits and impact you can be a part of:

Social Handles: @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook and X  

The 2024 Ontario Men’s and Senior Men’s Match Play Championship saw two winners put up excellent performances from Tarandowah Golfers Club.

Josh DiCarlo (Pointe West Golf Club) took the Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship in convincing fashion, defeating Zach Smith (Brampton Golf Club) 4&3.

This was DiCarlo’s fifth time playing in the Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship and his first appearance in the finals of this championship. He hadn’t advanced past the Quarterfinals in his first four appearances.

In his first experience in the finals of this championship, he got the job done and can now call himself winner of the Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship.

As for Smith, he falls short in the Ontario Men’s Match Play Finals for a second straight year.

On the Senior Men’s side, Darren Shaw (King’s Forest Golf Club) edged Matt Skip (Rocky Crest Golf Club) 2&1 to clinch the Ontario Senior Men’s Match Play Championship.

Shaw came in ranked 32nd and got into the championship as an alternate. He faced some of the toughest names in the field like defending champion Steve Fredericks,along with tough competitors Doug Brophy and Rob Cowan.

He was even down five strokes through the first six holes of his quarterfinals match with Brophy.

However, he was still able to prevail and become Ontario Senior Men’s Match Play Champion and cap off an amazing story.

For final results, click here.