Chief Ted Williams is a complex individual, yet his reason for taking up golf nearly 40 years ago—and why he continues to play today—is quite straightforward.

“Golf is enjoyable,” Williams concedes. “Now, what I find most rewarding about the sport is the opportunity to meet new people and cultivate relationships on the course.”

In his youth, Williams was an avid hockey and softball player. He ventured into golf at the age of 28 with a solo round at Lake St. George Golf Club in Washago, Ontario. For the initial six or seven years, Williams exclusively played alone.

“I used to have this pronounced left-to-right shot that I was somewhat self-conscious about, so I’d play alone, early in the morning,” Williams recalls. “I also had a young family and that meant if I wanted to play, I had to be out at dawn and back by breakfast time.”

Eventually, Williams grew increasingly fond of golf and, in 1993, was invited to participate in the club championship at Lake St. George. He had never played competitively, but without any preconceived notions or competitive history, he entered the championship—and won, igniting a remarkable streak of victories and notable finishes that continues to this day.

“The triumph at that first club championship in ’93 spurred my interest in competitive golf,” Williams reflects. “I dedicated myself to improving, to mastering the diverse shots and learning how to score even on off days.”

Williams reclaimed the Lake St. George club championship in 1999. He dominated the Hawk Ridge Golf Club championship for eight consecutive years and won the Horseshoe Valley club championship in 2011. He’s competed in numerous Ontario and Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur tournaments and even attempted to qualify for the PGA TOUR Champions Tour at age 50. While he didn’t qualify, he was the leading amateur finisher that week.

He has also competed in the Indigenous Ontario Championship and is an enthusiastic supporter, planning to participate again this year.

“The Indigenous Ontario Championship is a magnificent event for many reasons,” Williams states. “It celebrates the remarkable talent of Indigenous golfers throughout the province.”

Williams has been a steadfast supporter of Indigenous communities nationwide for many years. He was elected Chief of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation at the age of 27. Now, approaching 70 and with extensive corporate experience, he has returned as Chief of Rama First Nation, serving his community in various capacities.

Once predominantly a softball community, Rama First Nation has embraced golf.

“Just a decade ago, you could count on two hands the number of golfers in our community,” Williams acknowledges. “Today, we have over a hundred people of all ages enjoying the game.”

Williams credits the pandemic with introducing many in his community to golf, but believes there are additional factors that have sustained their interest.

“The pandemic certainly boosted golf’s popularity province-wide, and that’s reflected in our community,” he says. “Yet, our people have kept at it because the game is enjoyable and the golf course feels like a welcoming place, where they can connect with familiar faces from the community.”  

As he reflects on a lifetime of achievements, both on the course and within his community, Williams looks forward to nurturing the next generation of golfers, ensuring that the legacy of unity and enjoyment he helped to establish continues to flourish for years to come.

As April marks the observance of Celebrate Diversity Month, it presents Golf Ontario with a wonderful opportunity to share inspiring stories and honour the diverse backgrounds and contributions of our members, volunteers, players, and colleagues.

Golf Ontario is thrilled to invite you to the heart of our community spirit and dedication – the 1000 Ball Challenge!

This year, we aim not just to meet but to exceed our collective potential in supporting the wonderful game of golf across our province. Inspired by our shared passion for golf and commitment to making it accessible to everyone, the 1000 Ball Challenge stands as a testament to what we can achieve together.

Why Your Participation Matters

All funds raised will directly fuel the GOLF FOR ALL FUND, supporting critical areas like:

Women and Girls Golf
Youth Development
Adaptive Golf
Indigenous Golf

How It Works

Reach your fundraising goal of $5,000, then showcase your endurance by hitting 1000 golf balls at your chosen location. Whether individually or as a team, your effort will ripple across our community, inspiring and making a significant impact.

Rewards & Recognition

To honour your remarkable fundraising achievements, we’re excited to present rewards as you reach each fundraising milestone. Rewards are cumulative, the more you raise the more you earn.

Plus, your stories will be featured to inspire others, showing the real impact of our collective efforts.

Join the Conversation

Share your journey using #1000BallChallenge on social media. Let’s make this challenge a trending testament to our love for golf and community.

A new, full-time job opportunity is available at Golf Ontario.

To learn more about the Coordintator, Handicap and Course Rating role CLICK HERE.

The role summary is as follows:

Responsible for coordinating and implementing Golf Ontario’s member service strategy, including effectively onboarding new member facilities and delivering core services to facilities, including course rating and handicapping.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic, team-oriented individual who has a genuine passion and sound understanding of the game of golf with a keen attention to detail and excellent communication skills. With experience and an understanding of handicapping and course rating, the candidate is motivated to promote and build our member facility service program at Golf Ontario, including delivering high quality customer service to all partners and member facilities while collaborating with a diverse Team of colleagues and volunteers.

Golf Ontario is a Provincial Sports Organization and the governing body for golf in Ontario. With more than 80 years of history and tradition, serving 125,000 members, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. We strive to partner with a connected golf community to inspire the game of golf for all Ontarians, including youth, women and underserved communities.

With our vision of Golf for All, Golf Ontario is committed to creating a diverse and safe environment within our organization and across the sport of golf.

Golf Canada is highlighting the physical, mental, and social benefits that the sport can provide on Canadians through its brand-new Golf and Health campaign.

The campaign – Golf, It’s Good for You – launches this weekend leading into World Health Day April 7. All of the World Health Organization’s key criteria for health enhancing physical activity can be achieved through the sport of golf and Golf Canada is prioritizing communicating health as part of its strategic plan.

“We are proud to launch this campaign ahead of World Health Day to showcase the breadth and depth of mental, physical and social health benefits that the game of golf can provide for all participants,” said Tim McLaughlin, chief marketing officer with Golf Canada. “The campaign brings awareness to what Canadians think they know about golf with the many known health benefits they might not be aware of. We launched a website resource with the latest clinical research focused on golf and health. We are also working with golf clubs across the country to share this impact with golfers who are enjoying the game in record numbers. We have also made it easier for Canadians to track their health progress through new health tracking features and enhancements to our Golf Canada Mobile App.”

The Golf and Health campaign focuses on three key pillars: mental, physical, and social.

The mental benefits of golf include enhanced overall well-being, improved brain health, and helping to reduce the risk of dementia. Golf can also assist to boost confidence, promote increased focus and concentration, and help to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. Being out on the golf course can also help to slow down stress response and induces a feeling of calm.

As published in The R&A Golf and Health Report, and in addition to the mental benefits, the physical benefits of golf are undeniable. Research has shown that playing golf regularly can add five years to your life highlighted by the physical exercise, mental stimulation, and time spent outdoors while playing. As a physical activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, golf can also help to prevent or lessen the impact of over 40 different chronic illnesses including diabetes, cancer, along with heart attacks and stroke.

Golf is viewed as a moderately demanding form of exercise and is a great way to contribute to daily step goals. The average golfer walks 5,000 steps in a 9-hole round which is the equivalent of three to five kilometres. With nearly 2,300 golf courses in Canada including both public and private facilities, the sport is highly accessible and significant strides have been made in accessible technology to make the game more inclusive for the differently abled people of all ages.

The inherent social nature of the game is also an important factor in helping increase social well-being and is a great way to bond with old friends and meet new ones. It is a sport that welcomes families and partners to be active together and is also an effective way to network and build business relationships.

Operating as small businesses in communities across Canada, golf courses provide players of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to enjoy the game. Golf Canada is collaborating with the Provincial Associations to provide information and assets on the Golf and Health campaign to club operators across the country.

Golf Canada has launched a new website that highlights the benefits of the game including helpful resource information and articles – please visit health.golfcanada.ca to find out more.

The Golf Canada Mobile App continues to be the all-in-one place to track progress and connect with colleagues and friends. In support of the Golf and Health campaign, the app is providing significant health tracking enhancements to the golfer experience. In addition to tracking scores and stats, users can now gain valuable personal insights into how each round positively affects their health. New health stat features include number of steps, distance walked, stand time, calories burned, elevation gained and heart rate. Users will also be able to view health statistics over different periods of time all of which is private and secure within their profile. For more information on the Golf Canada Mobile App, please click here. To download on Apple devices click here, to download on Google Play devices, click here.

“Golf brings people together and has an incredible impact on our personal heath and well being,” added McLaughlin. “Whether through physical activity over a lifetime, mental health improvements or the wonderful social experience shared by family and friends, now is a great moment for the Golf and Health campaign to inspire golfers and new enthusiasts to consider the incredible impact that our sport is having on Canadians.”

The Golf, It’s Good for You campaign will run season long and be featured at Golf Canada championships and events including Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont. and the CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club Calgary, Alta.

Golf Ontario is excited to announce a new partnership with Swing Lab Theory.

This collaboration introduces a three-part Health and Wellness Webinar Series exclusively for Golf Ontario members. Swing Lab Theory, renowned for its expertise in golf performance and therapy, steps in as a key partner in this initiative.

“We’re excited to partner with a leader in golf movement performance and therapy centre, Swing Lab Theory,” says Golf Ontario’s CEO Kyle McFarlane. “The webinar series and additional content Swing Lab Theory is developing will be greatly beneficial to members, allowing them to enjoy the game of golf more through improving the connection between their body and their golf swing.”

The webinar series, accessible to all Golf Ontario members, focuses on three crucial areas:

• Spring Tune-Up
• In-Season Performance
• Off-Season Training

Beyond the live webinars, Swing Lab Theory will also create supplementary materials, including a detailed PDF and video for each session, offering deeper insights into the webinar topics.

“Here at the Swing Lab, we have been helping golfers for the last several years and we are pleased to officially partner with Golf Ontario to help golfers all across Ontario improve their body-swing connection and ultimately play better golf,” says Michele Liew, Swing Lab Theory Founder and Owner.

Located in Richmond Hill, Ont., Swing Lab Theory operates as an independent facility committed to providing a positive and inclusive environment. Thanks to its team of dedicated golf therapists and performance specialists, the center caters to a wide range of golfers—from seasoned players and juniors to those recovering from injuries. The primary goal at Swing Lab Theory is to assist golfers in developing a consistent and efficient swing.

The inaugural webinar, titled “Spring Tune-Up,” is scheduled for April. Golf Ontario members are encouraged to stay tuned for further details via email and social media.

As April marks the observance of Celebrate Diversity Month, it presents Golf Ontario with a wonderful opportunity to share inspiring stories and honour the diverse backgrounds and contributions of our members, volunteers, players, and colleagues.

Throughout the month, we aim to highlight stories showcasing diversity, focusing on our four Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) buckets of: Women, Youth, Indigenous, and Adaptive.

If any members of our community wish to share their own stories of diversity during the month of April, or to share personal experiences in and around the game of golf where diversity has played a positive role in that experience, feel free to tag us on social media @thegolfontario and use the hash tag #GolfForAll in the post.

Celebrate Diversity Month was first initiated in 2004 recognizing and honouring the diversity surrounding us all.

In alignment with Golf Ontario’s Strategic Plan, we are committed to intentionally developing and implementing initiatives to bring awareness and programming of EDI to our sport. The commitment to our EDI strategy is at the forefront of our ability to achieve our vision. We embrace the important role we play as one of the largest Amateur Golf Associations in the world in inspiring our sport and achieving our vision of Golf For All.  

The stars of the LPGA Tour are headed back to southern Ontario as Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have announced that the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will be contested at the historic Mississaugua Golf and Country Club from August 18-24, 2025.

The 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will mark the 21^st time that the province of Ontario has hosted Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship and the first since 2022. The 2025 event will be the 51^st playing of Canada’s National Open Championship and the first time that Mississaugua Golf and Country Club will challenge the stars of the LPGA Tour. 

In hosting the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, Mississaugua Golf and Country Club will become only the eighth club to host Golf Canada’s four premier events: CPKC Women’s Open, RBC Canadian Open, Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, and Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

“Together, with our partners at CPKC and the LPGA Tour, we are very proud to bring the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open to the world-class city of Mississauga and the prestigious Mississaugua Golf and Country Club,” said CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Mississaugua Golf and Country Club has been an incredible partner to Golf Canada, hosting countless Golf Canada Championships at both the professional and amateur level. We are excited to add our National Women’s Open to this impressive list in 2025.”

Through its CPKC Has Heart campaign, CPKC once again will be making a significant charitable contribution to the host community. Since 2014, the CPKC Women’s Open has helped raise over $19 million in support of children’s heart health in North America.

“CPKC is thrilled to bring the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open to the city of Mississauga and back to the province of Ontario, which is an integral part of our North American network,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and CEO. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact the tournament will have in helping young hearts across Ontario.”

A host community beneficiary of the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open will be named by CPKC and Golf Canada at a later date.

Originally founded in 1906, Mississaugua has overlooked the Credit River in Mississauga for more than a century. The Club, which features an 18-hole championship golf course, has a storied history of hosting not only provincial championships but national championships as well, including the RBC Canadian Open, Men’s Canadian Amateur, and Canadian Women’s Amateur along with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship. Mississaugua is a full-service club offering along with golf: a four clay-court tennis facility, a six-sheet curling rink, state of the art fitness centre, and year-round dining options.

“The Members of Mississaugua are thrilled to welcome the very best LPGA Tour players to the Club for the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open,” said Rodger Leslie, Mississaugua Golf and Country Club President. “Hosting this wonderful tournament at our historic club gives us the opportunity to not only showcase our championship golf course but proudly share Mississaugua with the rest of Canada and the world. We are looking forward to partnering with Golf Canada and the surrounding community of Mississauga as we prepare for this world-class tournament in 2025. A highlight of the event for Mississaugua is the philanthropic dollars that will be generated for local charities through the CPKC Women’s Open, a cause near and dear to the heart our members.”

The Tournament Partners of the LPGA awarded the CPKC Women’s Open with Tournament of the Year honours in the previous two years (2022 and 2023). Golf Canada and CPKC also received Gold Driver Awards for Best Volunteer Engagement in 2023, Best Sponsor Activation in 2019, 2022, and 2023 as well as Best Community and Charity Engagement in three of the last five full season campaigns.

“Being selected to host the prestigious CPKC Women’s Open in 2025 is a huge honour and allows us another opportunity to highlight the sport of golf in the mix of events we are bringing to our vibrant city,” said Victoria Clarke, CEO of Visit Mississauga. “We look forward to welcoming the world’s best female golfers and witnessing their incredible talent here in Mississauga, and to showcase the “cultural canvas” that is our city on the world stage.”

Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has traditionally featured one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour vying for a total purse of $2.6 million USD. The 2024 CPKC Women’s Open – the 50^th playing of the event – is being held at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary from July 23-28, 2024.

First conducted in 1973, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil to inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers. Brooke Henderson’s historic victory in 2018 was the first time a Canadian had won the National Open since golf legend Jocelyne Bourassa 45 years earlier.

In a gripping finale at the 24th Can-Am Matches in South Carolina, Team Ontario faced a narrow defeat.

The host team, comprising 16 juniors from South Carolina, emerged victorious at Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, S.C., with a final score of 37 to 35 over the visiting Ontario squad.

“Sixteen individual matches and it ultimately came down to earning one more point,” says Team Ontario’s head coach Reggie Millage.

During Sunday’s Singles Matches, Team South Carolina clinched a total of 26.5 points, surpassing Team Ontario’s 21.5 points. This outcome was a significant turnaround from Saturday’s mixed Four-Ball Matches, where Ontario had taken the lead with 13.5 to 10.5, setting the stage for an intense showdown in Sunday’s 16 Singles Matches. With 48 points available on the final day, each match offered three points—one each for the front nine, the back nine, and the overall match.

“This is the youngest team I have taken to the Can-Am Matches and they showed their skill, resilience and character,” Millage says. “Although there is some sadness and disappointment, I am very proud of this group and excited for the season ahead.”

The Can-Am Junior Team event kicked off on Friday with the Junior Am event, dinner, and opening ceremonies at Wachesaw Plantation Club, marking a warm welcome for the athletes. The juniors paired with members and event sponsors for a round of golf in a pro-am style.

Team Ontario, the 2019 champions of the Can-Am Matches, showcased a formidable lineup this year, including Alexa Ouellet; Angela Cai; Aryn Matthews; Bridget Yu; Kaprice Park; Nobelle Park; Shelby Hardwick; Wendy Li; Ben Sheridan; Bode Stephen; Chase Jerome; Dawson Lew; Graydon Laughlin; Jordan Hwang; Nathaniel Yoo; Luke Smith, and Rylan Hall.

Notably, past participants in the Can-Am Matches include prominent figures such as Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Brittany Marchand, Augusta James, Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Bill Haas, Kevin Kisner, Lauren Stephenson, and Jensen Castle.

To follow Team Ontario’s progress in Sunday’s singles matches on social media, check out their profiles on Instagram, Facebook and X.

Team Ontario holds a lead over South Carolina with a score of 13.5 to 10.5 after the first day of the 24th Can-Am Matches.

The opening day’s eight mixed four-ball matches at Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, S.C., showcased Team Ontario facing off against their South Carolinian counterparts. The visiting juniors from Ontario seized an early advantage, securing 13.5 out of the available 24 points.

“Today’s matches were incredibly close, yet our cohesive teamwork allowed us to take the lead for the first time in years,” says Team Ontario’s Head Coach, Reggie Millage. “I’m immensely proud of our collective achievement today and look forward to the opportunities tomorrow’s matches will bring.”

Team Ontario’s early lead was bolstered by outstanding mixed-team performances from Angela Cai and Dawson Lew; Alexa Ouellet and Bode Stephen; and Bridget Yu and Rylan Hall.

FOR THE CAN-AM MATCHES LEADERBOARD, CLICK HERE.

The Ontario team, comprising the entire Team Ontario roster, will each participate in one of the 16 singles matches at the Wachesaw Plantation Club. A total of 48 points will be at stake during Sunday’s singles matches, with three points available per match (one point for the front nine, one for the back nine, and one for the overall match). The first team to reach at least 36.5 points will claim victory.

CLICK HERE FOR SUNDAY’S SINGLES MATCHES PAIRINGS.

Team Ontario last clinched the Can-Am Matches in 2019.

The roster for Team Ontario includes Alexa Ouellet; Angela Cai; Aryn Matthews; Bridget Yu; Kaprice Park; Nobelle Park; Shelby Hardwick; Wendy Li; Ben Sheridan; Bode Stephen; Chase Jerome; Dawson Lew; Graydon Laughlin; Jordan Hwang; Nathaniel Yoo; Luke Smith, and Rylan Hall.

Former Can-Am Matches participants include notable figures such as Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Brittany Marchand, Augusta James, Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Bill Haas, Kevin Kisner, Lauren Stephenson, and Jensen Castle.

To follow Team Ontario’s progress in Sunday’s singles matches on social media, check out their profiles on Instagram, Facebook and X.

The 24th Can-Am Matches, an annual face-off featuring junior golfers from Ontario against their counterparts from South Carolina, will commence this Saturday at the Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, S.C.

The Ontario team, composed of 17 players, encompasses the entire Team Ontario Squad. Over the course of two days, they will participate in 24 matches: 8 mixed four-ball matches on Saturday followed by 16 singles matches on Sunday. To claim victory, the winning team needs to secure 36.5 points.

“All our athletes, coaches and staff are excited about this year’s Can-Am Matches versus South Carolina at the beautiful Wachesaw Plantation,” says Team Ontario’s Head Coach Reggie Millage. “This event is truly special because our Team Ontario athletes get to experience competing together as a team,” he says, adding, “the unique format, the special golf course and the unbelievable support from the members and staff at Wachesaw make this one of the most memorable events not only of the season, but in many cases, of these athletes’ entire junior careers.”

Team Ontario’s roster includes Alexa Ouellet; Angela Cai; Aryn Matthews; Bridget Yu; Kaprice Park; Nobelle Park; Shelby Hardwick; Wendy Li; Ben Sheridan; Bode Stephen; Chase Jerome; Dawson Lew; Graydon Laughlin; Jordan Hwang; Nathaniel Yoo; Luke Smith and Rylan Hall.

A Junior-Am event will precede the official start of the matches, allowing Can-Am Matches participants to play alongside event sponsors and members. This will be followed by a dinner and opening ceremonies at the Wachesaw Plantation Club.

For updates and standings, please visit the Can-Am Matches leaderboard by CLICKING HERE.

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TEAM NOTES:

Team Ontario (name, high school graduating year):

Boys:

• Rylan Hall, 2025
• Jordan Hwang, 2025
• Chase Jerome, 2027
• Graydon Laughlin, 2024
• Dawson Lew, 2027
• Benjamin Sheridan, 2024
• Luke Smith, 2025
• Bode Stephen, 2026
• Nathaniel Yoo, 2024

Girls:

• Angela Cai, 2026
• Shelby Hardwick, 2025
• Wendy Li, 2025
• Aryn Matthew, 2024
• Alexa Ouellet, 2024
• Kaprice Park, 2028
• Nobelle Park, 2028
• Bridget Yu, 2025

Team South Carolina (name, high school graduating year):

Boys:

• Chase Cline, 2024
• Jack Crousore, 2024
• Dallas Johnson, 2024
• Cade Kriscunas, 2025
• Thomas Lamar, 2024
• Matt Maloney, 2024
• Tip Price, 2024
• Bennett Scaletta, 2027

Girls:

• Claire Green, 2025
• Caroline Hawkins, 2026
• Grace Lindsey, 2025
• Hannah Lowery, 2025
• Madison Messimer, 2025
• Olivia Pellerin, 2024
• Olivia Roberts, 2025
• Bridget Wilkie, 2024

FAST FACTS:

Venue: Wachesaw Plantation Club. Murrells Inlet, S.C.

Dates: March 16-18

Social Media: @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook and X

Teams: Eight junior boys and eight junior girls from Team Ontario versus eight junior boys and girls from South Carolina

Format: Eight four-ball matches on Day 1 and 16 singles matches on Day 2. One full point is awarded for each victory, while a half-point is earned for matches that are all square after 18 holes. The first team to 36.5 points is the winner.

Pairings: First and second round pairings

Leaderboard: Live updates

Series Record: South Carolina leads 19-4

Notable Can-Am Matches Competitors: Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Brittany Marchand, Augusta James, Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Bill Haas, Kevin Kisner, Lauren Stephenson and Jensen Castle.

Fun Fact: Wachesaw Plantation Club was home to an LPGA Tour event from 1997-2000.