THORNTON — The home-course advantage was just what Alliston’s Taylor Beckstead needed as he captured the 2017 Ontario Junior Boys’ Match Play Championship on July 28 at Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club.

The 18-year-old Beckstead found himself in the finals against Fonthill’s Freddy D’Angelo. The match went back and forth on the front nine as each player held the lead at one point. With D’Angelo 1up after the eighth, Beckstead birdied the ninth to square the match at the turn.

Beckstead was dialed in on the back nine. He went 1up on the 10^th and then extended the lead on the 12^th. He hit back-to-back putts on the 13^th and 14^th for wins and was four-up with four to play. The two would halve the 15^th hole resulting in the 4&3 win for Beckstead.

Afterwards, Beckstead spoke about winning the title on his home course. “This is awesome! I have so much support from my family, friends, the guys who work here, even the junior camps! Everyone is cheering for me, so it was a lot of fun.”

Match play championships are some of the hardest to win and this one was no different for Beckstead. He began with a 5&4 win over Woodstock’s Davey Morton, followed by a 2&1 win over Brantford’s Michael Rizzo. In the third round he defeated Long Sault’s Ty Celone 2up, before a 20-hole win in the quarter finals against Etobicoke’s Justin Allen. In the semis, he edged out Peterborough’s Tyler White 2&1 to book his spot in the finals.

“It is a lot, you have back-to-back days with 36 holes and I didn’t finish my matches easily,” added Beckstead. “My first match yesterday went 20 holes and my second went right to the 17^th so it was a long day but I thought I played really well in the quarters.”

Beckstead was recently named to Team Ontario for the Canada Summer Games. He said that this win would go a long way in building his momentum. “The win not only gives me a boost for the Canada Summer Games but also for the Canadian Junior next week. I didn’t play well last week at the U.S. Junior, so it fell good to come back and play well here.”

As for D’Angelo, 16-years-old and from Lookout Point Country Club, his road to the finals began with a 1up win over Burlington’s Justin Grant. In the second round he knocked out Georgetown’s Thomas Giroux 2up, followed by an 8&6 win over Penetanguishene’s Adam Jordan in the third round. He defeated Cobourg’s Nicholas Oosterhof 2&1 in the quarters, before beating Sudbury’s Tristan Renaud, the Ontario Junior Boys’ Champion, 4&2 in the semis.

Golf Ontario would like to thank Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club along with their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers for their continued efforts in making provincial events successful.

For full tournament information, including round-by-round results, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao1723/index.htm

About the Junior Boys’ Match Play Championship

The Junior Boys’ Match Play Championship has been contested since 1998. Male golfers under 19 years of age before August 1 are eligible to compete. The field is determined by results from four qualifiers. Notable past champions include Matt McQuillan, Justin Shin, Stephane Dubois, and Jon Boncoddo.

SCARBOROUGH — The final round of the Investors Group Ontario Senior Men’s Championship, July 27 at Cedar Brae Golf Club, was a back and forth affair. The day saw numerous lead changes between Orillia’s John Murphy and Pickering’s Christopher Kertsos. The two players were the first and second-round leaders respectively, so it only made sense that they would be battling on the final day for the prize.

Things began well for Murphy, from Barrie Country Club, as he was three-under through seven. Meanwhile, Kertsos, from York Downs Golf & Country Club, had some early struggles and was two-over through three. However, Murphy would bogey eight, nine and 10 allowing Kertsos to regain the lead. Both players bogeyed the 12th and 14th and it was Kertsos with a one-shot lead with four holes to play.

It came down to the final hole where Kertsos put his second shot into a hazard. That resulted in a double bogey and opened the door for Murphy. Murphy was able to get up and down for par to win the title. He finished the day and the tournament at two-over (69-73-73-215). Kertsos finished the day five-over (76), the championship three-over (72-68-76-216) and tied for the silver medal.

Barrie’s David Greenaway also finished the tournament at three-over (74-71-71-216) in a tie for the silver medal. Greenaway, began the day in the second to last group at three-over. The Barrie Country Club member had one of the more consistent rounds on the day and found himself even after nine. He went on to play the back nine even as well, which helped lift him to the podium.

Afterwards, Murphy spoke about what winning the title meant to him. “Winning this means everything. It is what we practice for and is why we play as much as we do. To win the Ontario Senior is unbelievable!”

Murphy chalked up his success during the week to his game off the tee. “For the most part, I drove the ball pretty well. Near the end, I didn’t hit it as well but you just can’t win here, with the field as tough as it is, without everything going your way.”

During the tournament, Murphy saw a first-round lead disappear after the second round. He admitted his nerves got to him but entering the third round he found a way to put it past him. “I had never held the lead at an Ontario Championship. I was pretty nervous in round two but I got through it. Coming into today I thought ‘If I handled round two, today should be fine.’”

The 65+ Division title went to Vineland’s Kerry Short. Short, who entered the day with a share of the division lead, went on to card a two-over (73) during the final round to end the tournament at 10-over (75-75-73-223).

In the 70+ Division it was New Hamburg’s George Stokes who captured the title. Stokes shot a six-over (77) on the last day to bring his tournament total to 14-over (71-79-77-227).

Murphy, Kertsos and Greenaway all earned the right to represent Ontario in the interprovincial competition at the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship, Sept. 11-14 at Kanawaki Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec.

For more information, including the final leaderboards see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao175/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank Cedar Brae Golf Club, their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers and to title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.

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. 2017 marks the 82nd playing of the event, and notable past champions include: Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members Stu Hamilton and Nick Weslock, Herb Carnegie, Ed Ervasti, and Michael Jackson.

Highlights from the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Women’s Senior and Mid-Amateur Championship, June 25-27 at Wildfire Golf Club in Lakefield, Ontario. Both titles were won by Thornhill’s Judith Kyrinis.

SCARBOROUGH— The Investors Group Ontario Senior Men’s Championship is set to take to the course at Cedar Brae Golf Club, July 25-27, for the first time in the tournament’s 82-year history.

The three-round 54-hole event is set to see 149 of the best senior men’s golfers, age 55 and older, compete for the provincial title. Players qualified for the championship through one of seven qualifiers held in June and July.

“Cedar Brae Golf Club considers hosting the Ontario Senior Men’s Championship a privilege and an honour. This tournament has roots going back to 1936 and we felt that it was important to be part of its history,” explained Martin Piché, General Manager / COO at Cedar Brae.

The format will see two days of competition before the field is cut to the lowest 60 scores, including ties for the final round. In addition to the main championship, the top 65 and over player will win the 65+ division. An additional 17 players are playing exclusively for the 70+ Division title.

“Hosting this championship encouraged the completion of our ongoing golf course improvements, which will challenge the competitors with the best possible conditions that our membership will enjoy for years to come. The members and staff of Cedar Brae are proud to be the host of the 2017 Ontario Senior Men’s Championship and look forward to a great competition!” Added Piché.

This year’s field boasts an impressive line up of players who have already found success on the provincial level. There are four past champions that are set to tee it up again this year. The list includes: defending champion Pickering’s Christopher Kertsos, Oakville’s Larry Cooper, three-time champion Collingwood’s Michael Jackson and three-time champion Collingwood’s Brian Jeffery (70+ Division).

Also in the field are a handful of Ontario Senior Men’s Champion of Champions winners. That group includes: Burlington’s Mike Fernie, Whitby’s Barry Fairhurst, Bolton’s Dan Partland, New Hamburg’s George Stoke (70+ Division), Jackson and Kertsos.

With numerous players all knowing what it takes to capture provincial gold, it should be interesting to see who is atop the leaderboard at the end of the tournament. The action gets underway on July 25 at 7:30 a.m. and as always, spectators are invited to take in the action free of charge, at Cedar Brae Golf Club. For more information, including pairings and leaderboards (updated once play is underway) visit the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao175/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. 2017 marks the 82^nd playing of the event, and notable past champions include: Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members Stu Hamilton and Nick Weslock, Herb Carnegie, Ed Ervasti, and Michael Jackson.

UXBRIDGE— Golf Ontario is proud to announce the six players that will represent the province at the upcoming Canada Summer Games, July 28-Aug. 13 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun, London’s Ellie Szeryk and Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj will comprise the girls’ team, while Thornhill’s Kelvin Lim, Sudbury’s Tristan Renaud and Alliston’s Taylor Beckstead will make up the boys’ team.

The squad is already well accomplished in 2017 in the province and will look to ride their momentum to gold at the national level. Renaud, from Idylwylde Golf & Country Club, captured the Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship, on July 7 at The Rock Golf Club in Minett. That same day, Szeryk won the Ontario Junior Girls’ title at the Elmira Golf Club.

Earlier in the season, Lim, a Station Creek Golf Club member, took the Ontario Junior Boys’ Spring Classic at Wooden Sticks in Uxbridge and Chun, from The Summit Golf & Country Club, won the Girls’ Spring Classic at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club in Stouffville. Meanwhile, Beqaj, from the Toronto Golf Club, is coming off a runner-up finish in the Junior Girls’ Championship and Beckstead, a Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club member, a T4 at the Junior Boys’.

In addition to the players, the coaches that will represent the team will be: Cambridge’s Carla Munch and Woolwich’s Mike Martz.

More than 4,000 athletes are set to take part in 16 sports, including Golf, during the Games. Southwood Golf and Country Club will play host to golf, Aug. 8-11. Each province and Territory can send a team of three boys and three girls, under 19 years of age, to compete in the individual and team 72-hole competitions.

For more information on Golf Ontario’s Canada Summer Games team visit: https://gao.ca/excelling-performing/team-ontario/canada-summer-games/. For more on the Canada Summer Games, see the Winnipeg 2017 website at: http://www.2017canadagames.ca/.

UXBRIDGE — The Golf Ontario Scholarship Application Deadline has been extended until July 22. Since 1996, Golf Ontario has been awarding scholarships to deserving student golfers throughout the province. Now, 11 years after the program was established, more than $500,000 has been awarded.

The program is supported by partners including: the Estate of Ken McKenzie, Investors Group, the Craig Revell Memorial Award Fund, the Helena Harbridge Award Fund and the Christine Fisher Memorial Student Award Fund.

Requirements for Golf Ontario Scholarships are that recipients maintain at least a 75% academic average, are enrolled in a post secondary institution, are members of Golf Ontario and are actively involved in the game of golf.

Thanks to Golf Ontario Scholarships, many recipients have gone on to do great things in the golf industry. Many begin at the collegiate level like 2016 scholarship recipient Meghan Bennett. Bennett, 21 from Pickering, was awarded the Helena Harbridge Award to help further her studies in Communications and Digital Media at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Bennett is currently a member of FAU’s golf team, is a past member of Golf Ontario’s Team Ontario program and a past provincial champion (2012 Ontario Junior Girls’ Match Play).

“I was really honoured to receive to a Golf Ontario Scholarship,” said Bennett. “ It meant even more considering I have been part of the Golf Ontario family. Being a past member of Team Ontario and competing in Provincial Championships, made it very rewarding. It felt like I had come full circle and that my accomplishments had been recognized.”

To submit an application for a Golf Ontario Scholarship, please fill out the form at the following address: https://www.cognitoforms.com/Mdaymangaoca/_2017ScholarshipApplicationForm

For more information on Golf Ontario Scholarships visit: https://gao.ca/supporting-the-game/financial-assistance/gao-scholarship-program/

WINDSOR— In what can only be described as a phenomenal final round, 16-year-old Sudarshan Yellamaraju captured the Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship at Ambassador Golf Club on July 14.

Yellamaraju, from Mississauga and Blue Springs Golf Club, entered the day one shot off the pace at seven-under for the tournament. Despite being one of the youngest in the field, Yellamaraju was dialed in early during the final round. After a birdie on the third hole, he proceeded to drain three in a row from six to eight and made the turn at four-under. He would not let up on the back nine. He birdied both 10 and 12, stretching the lead to five strokes. While he did run into trouble with bogeys on 14, 15 and 17, he drained a clutch birdie putt on the 18^th, which earned him the win. He went on to finish the round four-under (67) and finished the tournament 11-under (69-68-69-67-273).

Yellamaraju spoke about what the win meant to him, especially after he came up just short last week at the Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship. “I am feeling great right now considering what happened last week at the Ontario Junior. I felt I bounced back well this week and played pretty well. This course provided a good challenge and I am glad I got the victory in the end.”

At just 16, Yellamaraju sees the win as a big stepping-stone in his development. “I definitely think this is a big accomplishment and a great way for me to take the next step in my golf career. To win at my age is very special to me.”

As for his strength during the week, Yellamaraju pointed to his putting. “I felt like the strongest part of my game was my putting. Every time I had five or six footers to make par, I made them. This week I felt very confident putting within 10 feet and it got me to where I finished.”

The silver medal went to Stouffville’s Gajan Sivabalasingham. Sivabalasingham, from Meadowbrook Golf & Country Club, went low during the final round finishing the day five-under (66). Sivabalasingham ended the tournament at 10-under (68-67-73-66-274).

Picking up the bronze was last year’s champion, Unionville’s Max Sear. Sear, from York Downs Golf & Country Club, also had a strong round ending the day three-under (68). That moved him to nine-under (67-67-73-68-275) for the championship.

Yellamaraju, Sivabalasingham and Sear all earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, at the Toronto Golf Club and Islington Golf Club, Aug. 7-10.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao172/index.htm

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

About the Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur

The Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship was first played in 1923 at Lakeview Golf and Country Club. Past winners include: 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir (1990 & 1992), Gerry Kesselring (1949, 1951, 1952, 1953), professional players Jon Mills (2001), Corey Conners (2010), Albin Choi (2012), Chris Hemmerich (2014) and Gary Cowan, who holds the record for the most Ontario Amateur Championships with nine (1964, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981 & 1984). This first time Ambassador Golf Club has hosted the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship.

CAMBRIDGE – It was an up and down week at the Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship for Unionville’s Kelsey Sear. However, when the final score was entered, on July 14 at Galt Country Club, it ended on a high as the York Downs Golf & Country Club member captured the title.

Sear had the opening-round lead but relinquished it during the second day. She ended the third day with a share of the lead and thanks to a two-under (70) during the final round was able to walk away the victor.

Sear began the round well with a birdie on the first hole. She made the turn one-under and remained there until she added another birdie on 15. That brought her to two-under, which is where she finished. She completed the tournament at two-over (69-78-73-70-290).

Afterwards Sear spoke about how she was able to build off her opening round. “After the first round I knew there was still lots of golf to be played. The course suited my eye so I just wanted to play the way I knew I could and enjoy the week.”

For Sear, she attributed her success to her putting. “My speed on the greens was good all week. I had some mishaps during the second round but I knew I was still stroking the ball well the putts just weren’t falling. I knew they would fall and come the next days, they did.”

Sear summed up her excitement and says she is already looking forward to next year. “It was a really great week! I had a blast, this was an awesome course and I will be back to defend the title next year.”

Earning the silver was Ridgeway’s Madeline Marck-Sherk. Marck-Sherk, from Bridgewater Country Club, entered the day with a share of the lead. She started well making the turn at two-under but it was a pair of late bogeys that sealed her fate. She went on to finish the day at one-under (71), and the tournament at three-over (71-71-78-71- 291).

Rounding out the podium with the bronze medal was Mississauga’s Michelle Ruiz. Ruiz, from Diamondback Golf Club, had an even par (72) final round and finished the championship at nine-over (75-74-76-72-297).

Sear, Marck-Sherk and Ruiz all earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, at Cutten Fields Golf Course in Guelph, July 25-28.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao173/index.htm

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

About the Investors Group Women’s Amateur

First played in 1904, the Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship is being contested for the 102nd time this summer, and for the first time at Galt Country Club. Past champions include: 1968 LPGA Championship winner Sandra Post (1964), LPGA Tour players Alena Sharp (1999) and Brooke Henderson (2014), Rebecca Lee-Bentham (2007), and World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit, who holds the record for the most number of titles with 11.

MINETT— Sudbury’s Tristan Renaud is the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Champion, that after a final round of two-under (68) on July 7 at The Rock Golf Club. Renaud, from Idylwylde Golf & Country Club, entered the final round with a four-shot lead and saw it through to the finish, capturing the title.

The 16-year-old Renaud wasted little time in extending his lead. He made back-to-back birdie putts on the third and fourth holes to drop to two-under on the day. Renaud went on to knock down another birdie on the eighth and made the turn at three-under. Renaud had one slip up on the back nine, a double bogey on the 15^th, but he rebounded with birdies on the 16^th and 18^th to end the day with his 68. With that, Renaud completed the tournament one-over (68-75-70-68-281).

Afterwards, Renaud talked about what the win meant to him. “It means a lot that the work that I have put into my game, along with my determination, is starting to pay off. I feel like this is the first (win) of many!”

When asked about what he did well during the week, Renaud pointed to his ball striking. “For three out of the four days, I hit the ball fantastically, I did not miss a fairway. I hit great iron shots, great wedge shots, chipped well and today and the first day I putted really well.”

The Rock proved to be a big challenge for the field, but Renaud seemed to figure it out. “This course is interesting because it is not very long. I didn’t have to hit a driver, but you have to be accurate. You can’t get away with poor shots or missing to one side or the other.”

Sharing the silver medal were Richmond Hill’s Angelo Giantsopoulos and Burlington’s Marcus Khaw. Giantsopoulos, from York Downs Golf & Country Club, began the day in the second last group. He had a consistent round with two birdies and three bogeys, to end the day one-over (71). That brought him to 11-over (77-70-73-71-291) for the championship.

As for Khaw (72-76-69-74-291), from Blue Springs Golf Club, he had a tough front nine to begin the day and was four-over at the turn. While he did have a pair of double bogeys on the back nine, he erased that with four birdies to finish the day four-over (74).

Renaud, Giantsopoulos and Khaw all earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Junior Boys’ Championship, July 31- Aug. 3 at Cataraqui Golf & Country Club in Kingston.

For more information, including pairings and the leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao174/index.htm

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

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 six qualifiers held across the province earlier this season. 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.

ELMIRA – The week at the 2017 Investors Group Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship belonged to London’s Ellie Szeryk, as the 15-year-old capped it off by claiming the title on July 7 at Elmira Golf Club.

It was never really in doubt for Szeryk, who won her second provincial title, the other being the 2016 Investors Group Junior Girls’ Spring Classic. Szeryk began the day with a nine-shot lead and was even after nine, thanks to back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth holes. Szeryk’s start to the back nine was a little rocky, with a bogey on 10 and a double on 11, but thanks to her cushion, Szeryk was never under any threat from the field. She went on to card a four-over (74) final round bringing her tournament total to five-over (73-70-68-74-285).

After the win, Szeryk spoke about what she did well during the week. “I think my approach shots were pretty good. I kind of struggled off the tee but I managed to get up and make par or bogey at worst. I am going to work on my driver and longer irons as I go into my next tournament.”

Szeryk, who had a course record during the third round, was unaware of the feat. “I didn’t know it was the course record. I was actually trying to go even lower because I had a lot more birdie chances and was frustrated being only two-under. I just tried to shoot around even to put myself in good position for the final round.”

Earning the silver medal was Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj. Beqaj, a member of Team Ontario and the Toronto Golf Club, sat in second after the third round but the gap was too large for her to overcome. She began well with a birdie on the first hole, but made the turn at three-over. She would go on to finish the round nine-over (79) bringing her tournament total to 19-over (76-75-69-79-299).

Taking the bronze medal was Richmond Hill’s Emily Zhu. Zhu, who had a share of the lead after the opening round, finished the day two-over (72).  That moved her to 22-over (72-81-77-72-302) for the championship.

Szeryk, Beqaj and Zhu all earned the right to represent Ontario in the inter-provincial competition at the Canadian Junior Girls’ Championship, Aug. 1-4 at Camelot Golf & Country Club, in Cumberland, Ontario.

For more information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao1721/index.htm

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

About the Investors Group Junior Girls’ Championship

The Investors Group Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship is contested annually and features Ontario’s best amateur female golfers age 18 and under. Established in 1927, the championship is being played for the 83^rd time this. The event has a wealth of notable past champions including World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit, Sandra Post, Sue Hilton, Alena Sharp, Jennifer Kirby and Brooke Henderson.