UXBRIDGE— Golf Ontario is proud to announce the return of The 12 Days of Golf in support of the Future Links Golf In Schools program. In 2016, the fundraising campaign debuted and was met with overwhelming support, managing to raise more than $30,000.

With the holiday season right around the corner, Golf Ontario is ready to again help shoppers find the perfect gift for the golfer on their list. The 12 Days of Golf will once again officially begin on December 1st and run until December 12^th.

“The 12 Days of Golf gives all Ontario golfers the chance to purchase exclusive tee times and play some of the best courses in the province,” said Mike Kelly, Golf Ontario Executive Director. “This is a great way to treat the golfer on your holiday list and it is all thanks to the generosity of our great member clubs!”

Angus Glen, Copper Creek Golf Club and Muskoka Bay Golf Club are just some of the exciting courses that will be up for grabs. Golf Ontario has made it their goal to make the 12 Days of Golf online auction a one-stop shop for people looking for gifts for golf enthusiasts. Once a foursome has been purchased it will be sent directly to the purchaser in time for the holidays.

The best part about the campaign is that all of the proceeds will go towards the Future Links Golf In Schools Program in Ontario.

“The Future Links Golf In Schools program is a great grassroots program that Golf Canada and Ontario run in the province. Introducing young people to all that golf has to offer helps to shape our youth by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance,” added Kelly.

When the 12 Days of Golf begins on December 1, multiple foursomes will be available for auction every three days. The items will only be in the auction for those three days before being replaced by a new set of foursomes. Bidders are encouraged to check back regularly to see what foursomes are available. All items will have a minimum bid, depending on the course, and will have a Buy It Now feature, in case there is an item that is a must have.

Golf Ontario would like to thank the participating courses for supporting this outstanding initiative.

The auction will be accessible through Golf Ontario’s main webpage (gao.ca/12days) and will also be live on Golf Ontario’s eBay page at: http://www.ebay.ca/usr/golfontario.

About Golf In Schools

The national Future Links Golf in Schools program is offered in the province by Golf Ontario in partnership with Golf Canada, PGA of Canada, and Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada).

The goal of Future Links Golf in Schools is to introduce students and teachers to the game of golf in a fun and exciting environment, and to link them to local golf facilities where they can transition into the sport.

Future Links Golf in Schools includes equipment and programming that can be delivered by school teachers, community golf coaches, and local golf professionals at schools or golf facilities.

Below is a list of Ontario golfers who have signed their National Letter of Intent to attend NCAA schools during the 2017 early signing period. If you are or know of a student who has recently committed to an NCAA school to pursue their education and golf career please let us know by email (dmatte@gao.ca).

Matthew Anderson, Mississauga- University of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA)

Johnny Travale, Stoney Creek, Kent State (Kent, OH)

Dylann Armstrong, North Gower, Ball State (Muncie, Indiana)

Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

Tyler McDowell, Whitby, Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL)

Kristen Giles, Georgetown, Drake University (Des Moines, IA)

Joe MacNeil- Severn, Lindenwood University (St Charles, MO)

Peyton Callens, Langton, Texas A&M (College Station, TX)

Anthony Occhiuto, Guelph, University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit, MI)

Alexandra Naumovski, Hornby, Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC)

Emily Ward, Niagara Falls, University of Richmond (Richmond, VA)

Abby White, Simcoe, Chadron State College (Chadron, NE)

Curtis Hughes, Belle River, Bowling Green (Bowling Green, OH)

Golf Ontario congratulates all Ontario golfers who have committed to a school during this signing period and wishes them the best as they further their academic and athletic careers.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) 51^st Annual Conference took place Nov. 5-8 in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the conference, the association named its President for 2018, Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario’s Director of Golf Services.

“Being President of the IAGA is quite the honour for me. It is an exciting time to be in the golf industry with so many new ideas and philosophies to better grow our game. I am excited to have this opportunity and am eager to face the challenges that come with it,” said Loughry.

Loughry, a resident of Courtice, has been with Golf Ontario since 1998 where he began overseeing Handicapping and Course Rating for the province. Since then his role has evolved but Loughry has continued to share his expertise in the field at multiple levels. He has held a similar role with Golf Canada and volunteered with the USGA on their Handicap Procedures Committee. In addition, he currently represents Canada on the World Handicap Committee.

Since 2012, Loughry has been a member of the IAGA Board of Directors. He becomes the fourth representative from a Canadian golf association and the first from Ontario.

Loughry has had a life-long passion for the game of golf. He has a well-accomplished playing career that includes the record for most Ontario Public Player Championship wins with four.

The IAGA has been in existence since 1968 with the goal of promoting and conserving the best interests and the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. The IAGA serves as a medium for golf administrators to exchange information, techniques and other data relating to the game of golf and establish channels of communication among all of the world’s golfing fraternities.

Loughry will serve as IAGA President until next year’s annual conference.

Highlights from the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Senior Men’s Championship, July 25-27 at Cedar Brae Golf Club in Scarborough, won by Orillia’s John Murphy.

Highlights from the 2017 Ontario Juvenile Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, Aug. 15-17 at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort in Camlachie. The titles were won by Fonthill’s Freddy D’Angelo and Markham’s Victoria Zheng.

UXBRIDGE — Six players are returning to Team Ontario (U19) in 2018 and will be joined by eight new faces as Golf Ontario is pleased to announce the newest installment of the squad. The 2018 team will see an even split of seven boys and seven girls.

Leading the returning players for 2018 is Markham’s Victoria Zheng who captured the 2017 Ontario Juvenile Girls’ title at Sawmill Creek Golf Resort in Camlachie. Zheng will be joined by fellow returnees: Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj, who represented Ontario at the Canada Summer Games, Mississauga’s Matthew Anderson, Mississauga’s Robbie Latter, Markham’s Hailey McLaughlin, and Tillbury’s Hailey Katona.

The new members of the squad bring some impressive credentials from this past season. Sudbury’s Tristan Renaud won the Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship, Fonthill’s Freddy D’Angelo was the Ontario Juvenile Boys’ Champion, Aurora’s Vanessa Chychrun captured the Ontario Junior Girls’ Match Play title, and Caledon’s Raesa Sheikh was the Ontario Bantam Girls’ Champion. Also new to the team are: Waterloo’s Dylan Henderson, Windsor’s Shawn Sehra, Waterloo’s Bennett Ruby, and Windsor’s Jasmine Ly.

Entering his fifth season as the Head Provincial Coach is Milton resident Reggie Millage. Millage is joined by Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Martichenko and Mental Skills Coach Charles Fitzsimmons. Delaney Howson will act as the Team Coordinator.

“The start of a new season is always exciting but this year even more so,” said Millage. “This group is filled with talented, young athletes that are striving to be better and willing to do the work necessary to achieve their goals. I expect one of the hardest working teams this year and I have no doubt that they will show their off-season work next spring.”

The team will train throughout the winter at Peak Performance Golf in Vaughan. They will have a pair of local camps, followed by three winter warm weather camps including the Can/Am Matches, during March Break with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association at the Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

2018 Team Ontario

About Team Ontario

Golf Ontario’s Team Ontario program is a high performance training program for the top junior aged golfers in Ontario. Athletes are selected in the fall each year and the program runs during the winter into the Ontario golf season. Team Ontario athletes receive the very best in coaching services, training/competitive opportunities, and sport science support. Being selected to Team Ontario is a tremendous accomplishment and offers unparalleled support and guidance to the participating athletes and their families. New for 2018, Team Ontario will be piloting a number strategic initiatives with Golf Canada and its National Team program focused on ensuring identified Next Generation players are getting opportunities and programming to best prepare them for high performance golf.

Highlights from the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship, July 11-14 at Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ontario won by Mississauga’s Sudarshan Yellamaraju.

Highlights from the 2017 Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship, July 4-7 at The Rock Golf Club in Minett, won by Sudbury’s Tristan Renaud.

UXBRIDGE — The lifeblood of Golf Ontario is truly the volunteers that make running events and services possible. On October 2, from Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge, those volunteers were given the royal treatment at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Day, themed crowning moments. The volunteers were treated like the kings and queens they are as they were recognized for all of their contributions, culminating with the presentation of the District Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award, and Honorary Life Director Award.

“On behalf of the board, I personally want to thank each and every one of our volunteers,” said Golf Ontario Board Member Ivy Steinberg. “Thanks also as a competitor because we don’t play with out you. Without each and every one of you our events don’t happen. It is often overlooked how important you are to our organization. I know how much time goes into volunteering and that you have many things you could be doing in your lives. Thank you for everything you do.”

Honorary Life Director— Jim King

Honorary Life Directors are recognized for their outstanding achievements through their involvement as a Committee and Board Member. This year, the award went to Waterloo’s Jim King, an individual who has made tremendous contributions to the association and golf in the province.

In 2014, King became the first Golf Ontario President to serve a second term. He has been a volunteer with the Golf Ontario since 2008, serving on the Finance, Rules and Competitions, Marketing and HR and Compensation committees, while spending countless hours as a tournament starter and Level 3 Rules Official.

Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award— Lee Griffin

The Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award is considered the highest honour recognizing individual service to the game of golf in Ontario. The award is named after Richard H. Grimm, who was affectionately known as “Mr. Canadian Open” for his service to the event from 1965 to 1993. Golf Ontario’s Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual’s meritorious service as a volunteer. Recipients of this award embody the principles of integrity, dignity and commitment, which are central to the volunteer experience and to Mr. Grimm’s persona.

The 2017 recipient is Cambridge resident Lee Griffin. Griffin has been a rules official for more than 17 years. She also served on the Board of Directors from 2003 to 2006. Griffin has been a part of numerous committees and currently chairs the Officials Development Committee. In addition to the hours spent on the course, Griffin has also been instrumental in teaching new officials. She has helped in administering exams and putting more people through rules training programs. Thanks to the time she has spent, Ontario has one of the highest pass rates for rules training.

“I am hugely honoured and still in shock,” said Griffin. “When I received the call I was absolutely dumbfounded, I literally didn’t know what to say. A lot of people who I have worked with in the past, that I have looked up to and who have mentored me, have won this award. So to be joining such an accomplished group is really cool and I could not be more proud.”

Volunteer of the Year— Lea Hill

The Golf Ontario Volunteer of the Year Award has been designed to recognize and honour a Golf Ontario volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding performance and contributions while preserving the integrity and traditions of the game.

This year’s recipient is Mississauga’s Lea Hill. Hill has been a vital member of York District Course Rating Team for the past several years and has taken on the role of Team Coordinator. In this role, he sets up the dates that course rating will take place and then actively solicits the assistance of the other members of the team. He has also developed standardize rating sheets that the team uses for landing zones and greens. These have greatly streamlined the work course raters do and made the transfer of data to those doing the charting simpler.

“I must say I was quite surprised and honoured when Chris Osborne (Golf Ontario Past President) called me to tell me I was receiving this award,” said Hill. “I believe I share this award with every volunteer. We all volunteer our time and I know everyone enjoys what they do.”

District Volunteer of the Year— Sheila Buglass

Golf Ontario’s District Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes volunteers who embody the spirit of volunteering and have shown dedication by making significant contributions in promoting, supporting and expanding golf within their district community.

This year the District Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Toronto’s Sheila Buglass. Buglass has been treasurer of Scarboro District and Golf Scarboro for 22 years. She has assisted at the Scarboro tournaments by doing registration, scoring, and photography. She gives sage advice to the committee and contributes at her home club (Westview Golf Club) by organizing events and mentoring new golfers.

Golf Ontario would like to congratulate all of the award winners and send a special thank you to all of the Golf Ontario volunteers who make everything the association does possible.

To see photos from Volunteer Appreciation Day click here.

Korea’s Seo-yun Kwon defeats Nobilio in playoff for individual title 

OTTAWA – Few could have predicted the wild finish that took place on Friday for the World Junior Girls Championship at The Marshes Golf Club.

In thrilling fashion, the Spanish team fired a collective 4-under par (140) to erase an eight-stroke deficit, forcing a playoff with the Korean squad. As light rain began to fall, both teams headed back to the par-4 18th in pairs to conduct the first playoff in World Junior Girls Championship history.

The Spaniards kept their foot on the gas, with two of the first three team members making birdie on the hole to put the trio at 2 under. The Korean team was then forced to hole out for eagle to continue the match, but their approach missed the green to the right.

“If I would not have made that putt, my teammates might not have been as motivated as they were,” said Elena Arias, the first Spanish team member to birdie the playoff. “I just hit the putt like the other times I had played the hole. It just looked so clear to me and went in but I was so nervous.”

Dimana Viudes followed in the second playoff group, capping her 3-under bogey-free round with a birdie of her own.

“It is like Elena said, her putt really gave me confidence because knowing that we already had a birdie was a great start,” said Viudes, who finished in fourth place individually. “I was very nervous but at the same time calm as well. I was just lucky enough to pull off the shot.”

The win marks the first World Junior Girls Championship medal for Team Spain, which is something not lost on the team’s coach.

“This is a dream come true. To beat a strong team like Korea is something else,” said Nacho Gervas, Team Spain coach. “They are so strong that at times you feel like you are playing for second place. I told them (Spain) they had the game to do well today and if we played our game you never know what can happen.”

Republic of Korea’s Seo-yun Kwon, the 54-hole leader, headed into the final round with a two-stroke advantage over Italy’s Alessia Nobilio. Kwon had built a clear advantage on the day before running into trouble on the par-5 14th with a triple-bogey.

Nobilio took advantage of Kwon’s mishap by making birdie on the 14th to briefly hold a one-stroke lead, until giving a stroke back on the next hole. The pair took scores of 9 under to the last hole, forcing another playoff to be commenced after the team event was decided.

With Korea losing the team event, Kwon was determined to come out on top. The 16-year-old missed the green on her approach but went up-and-down for par, beating out Nobilio who slipped with a bogey.

“At first I was angry with myself because I was leading by a few strokes and made one mistake,” said Kwon. “Even though I won the individual medal, I am a little disappointed in myself because if I had done a little more, we could have won the team championship so it is bitter sweet. This is my first win at an international tournament so right now I am so happy.”

Rounding out the team medallists was the trio from Sweden, who finished the tournament at 9 under par, five strokes shy of Spain and Korea. Spain’s Blanca Fernández took home the individual bronze medal, posting a final-round 71 to close the tournament at 7 under par.

Céleste Dao from Notre-Dame-de-L’Île-Perrot, Que., finished as the low Canadian with a share of 24th place at 6 over for the tournament.

In 2018, the World Junior Girls Championship will return to the Ottawa area at Camelot Golf and Country Club next September.

Additional information and full results from the competition can be found here.