MILTON— Golf Ontario took a new approach to their Annual General Meeting this year, April 21-22 at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton, by creating an Ontario golf industry weekend. The goal was to bring together the various associations that are involved with the sport in the province and to strengthen relationships. Nothing showcased that more than the Golf IN Ontario Awards Night on April 21.

The evening was a chance for Golf Ontario, the PGA of Ontario, Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association (OGSA), and Golf Canada to recognize their award winners from the past year in front of the Ontario golf industry.

In all, 19 of the award winners were in attendance and recognized by the various associations for their achievements.

“It was an exciting night to celebrate together the many people who make the sport of golf in Ontario so great!” Said Golf Ontario Executive Director Mike Kelly. “It was an impressive group of volunteers, players, PGA professionals and course superintendents all of whom champion and serve the golf industry in communities across Ontario. Congratulations to all!”

The evening appeared to be a hit with the individual award winners as well. Many were excited to be sharing the spotlight with the other winners from across the province.

“This event is really fabulous,” said PGA of Ontario Golf Professional of the Year Dustin Kerr-Taylor. “To be here and celebrate with all of the award winners from 2016 is great. We are all trying to do one thing and that is grow the game. It was interesting to mingle with everyone and to hear the successes they are having in their associations. I am hoping to translate some of those successes into what I am doing as a golf professional.”

“This is pretty exciting,” added Christopher Kertsos, Golf Ontario Senior Men’s Order of Merit winner. “It is the first time for me to be ranked number one for the seniors. It is nice to see everyone here from all corners of the industry. It is great to see what Golf Ontario has done here tonight.”

Golf Ontario would like to congratulate all of the award winners from all of the golf associations in Ontario.

PGA of Ontario Winners

Adam Tobin – Retailer of the Year

Adam Steinschifter – Candidate for Membership of the Year

Sean Casey – Junior Leader of the Year

Henry Brunton – Teacher of the Year

Dustin Kerr-Taylor – Golf Professional of the Year

Gareth Raflewski – Coach of the Year

Jason Helman – Professional Development Award

Iain Reston – Class A Professional of the Year

OGSA Award Winners

Patrick Greenman – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Women’s Mid Am/Sr. Championship

Peter Kinch – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Mid Amateur Championship

Jim Burlington – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship

Dave Girard – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship

Greg McFarlane – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship

Chad Adamson – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship

Brooks Young – Shelburne G & CC – Ontario Bantam Boys Championship

Dan Magrin – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Summer Games Championship

Phil Auger – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Senior Men’s Championship

Perry Beausoleil – OSGA Recognition – Mackenzie Tour National Capital Open

Tom Kinsman – OSGA Recognition – LPGA Manulife Financial Classic

Richard Creed – OSGA William Sansom Distinguished Service Award

Pelino Scenna – OSGA 50 Year Member

Cecil-Roy French – OSGA 50 Year Member

Paul Dermott – OSGA 50 year Member

Ontario Order of Merit Rankings

Juvenile Boys

1. Peyton Callens
2. Kelvin Lim
3. Zack Mason
4. Robbie Latter
5. Johnny Travale

Junior Boys

1. Sam Meek
2. Peyton Callens
3. Ty Celone
4. Minwoo Park
5. Tyler Nagano

 Juvenile Girls

1. Monet Chun
2. Chloe Currie
3. Isabella Portokalis
4. Emily Ward
5. Jasmine Ly

Junior Girls

1. Grace St-Germain
2. Monet Chun
3. Chloe Currie
4. Isabella Portokalis
5. Alexandra Naumovski

Women’s Amateur

1. Grace St-Germain
2. Monet Chun
3. Mary Ann Hayward
4. Crystina Kertsos
5. Samantha Spencer

Women’s Mid Amateur

1. Judith Kyrinis
2. Mary Ann Hayward
3. Casey Ward
4. Ivy Steinberg
5. Marion Reid

Men’s Amateur

1. Garret Rank
2. Maxwell Sear
3. Blair Hamilton
4. Josh Whalen
5. Austin James

Men’s Mid Amateur

1. Garret Rank
2. Philip Arci
3. Charles Fitzsimmons
4. Ryan Kings
5. Matthew Sim

Women’s Senior

1. Judith Kyrinis
2. Mary Ann Hayward
3. Ivy Steinberg
4. Terrill Samuel
5. Marion Reid

Men’s Senior

1. Christopher Kertsos
2. Larry Cooper
3. Lars Melander
4. Robert Gibson
5. Nick Digiandomenico

Golf Ontario Volunteer Awards

Jim Arbuckle – Volunteer of the Year

Ralph Franchino – Distinguished Service Award

Elaine Jackson – District Volunteer of the Year

John Turner – Honorary Life Director

Future Links Order of Merit Rankings (Ontario players)

CN Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit

2. Peyton Callens

6. Sam Meek

7. Kelvin Lim

CN Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit

2. Monet Chun

3. Grace St-Germain

5. Chloe Currie

8. Isabella Portokalis

10. Ellie Szeryk

MILTON— Golf Ontario held its Annual General Meeting on April 22 at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton. At the AGM, the 2017 Board of Directors was announced along with President and Vice President.

Filling the role of President for 2017 will be John Gallinger (Meadowbrook Golf & Country Club), who says he is excited about the opportunity. “On one hand, it will be a little intimidating because I am following in the foot steps of a lot of great leaders. In my three years on the Board I have seen both Jim King and Chris Osborne who are both great leaders and charismatic speakers. So from that perspective, I hope I can live up to the standards they have set. On the other hand, I have lots of confidence. We have a great team, the staff, the Board, including three new members who bring a lot of unique life experience, so it is going to be a lot of fun. We have a lot of good things going on in golf and a lot of good things going on with Golf Ontario.”

Gallinger has served on the Golf Ontario Board for the past three year but has been involved with golf throughout his life. As a player, he played university golf at the University of Waterloo and continues to participate in Golf Ontario events to this day. He has sat on numerous Golf Ontario committees including: Finance, which he also Chaired, Governance and Junior Golf Drive. Gallinger has also represented Ontario at the Golf Canada Provincial Council and served on the Golf Canada Foundation Board of Directors.

What makes Gallinger a great fit for the role might be his professional experience. Now running his own consulting company, Gallinger previously served as CEO for Standardbred Canada, a national not-for-profit association. “I have been in Golf Ontario Executive Director Mike Kelly’s position and know what it is like to run the organization and report to a board of volunteer members,” added Gallinger

As for his goals for the coming year, Gallinger realizes that all accomplishments must be a team effort. “My goal would be, if I can take the words from Chris Osborne, to leave it (Golf Ontario) in a better place than it was when I came in. I recognize that is not just me; it is the board, the staff and everyone working collectively. No one person makes a big change, so I see my role as being the facilitator of the group and I hope to be successful in that role.”

Taking on the role of Vice President will be Tim Cain (Glenn Abbey Golf Club). Cain joined the board last year and has already shown his commitment to Golf Ontario in moving into the new role.

Returning to the Board in 2017 are: Howard Atkinson (Goodwood Golf Club), Anthony Dunn (The Marshes), Jason Harris (Orr Lake Golf Club), Mark Hayes (Rattlesnake Point Golf Club), Ivy Steinberg (Granite Golf Club), and Kent Trainor (GO Public Player). Chris Osborne will serve as Past President.

New to the board this year will be: Jay Aspin (GO Public Player), Barbara Beaudoin (Hamilton Golf & Country Club), and Susan Vail (Dunnville Golf & Country Club).

Golf Ontario would like to welcome the new board members as well as thank the departing members: Peter Zakarow (Beacon Hall GC), Carol-Ann Goering (Toronto Golf Club) for their service.

UXBRIDGE— Golf Ontario is pleased to announce the 2018 St. Kitts Playcation, January 13-20, 2018. Entering its third year, the Golf Ontario St. Kitts member trip continues to grow and provide Golf Ontario members and guests with a unique experience to one of the Caribbean’s newest and most exciting golf destinations.

“The 2017 trip was great!” said guests Paul and Anita Pouliot of London, Ontario. “We met lots of nice people, played some beautiful golf courses and had lovely weather. We had a really good time and were happy we went.”

Building on the successful format in the previous two trips, the 2018 St. Kitts Playcation will be similar, but as guests will tell you, Golf Ontario always has a few surprises planned.

The trip will once again feature the St. Kitts Invitational, a friendly two-round, two-person team, modified net stableford tournament at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club. In addition to the tournament rounds, guests receive a practice round and a fourth round to be used at their leisure. The trip also includes a full day on the sister island of Nevis, which includes golf at the fabulous Four Season Resort Golf Course.

Luxury accommodations for the trip are provided by the Marriott St. Kitts. In addition, guests receive a welcome dinner at one of St. Kitts’ top restaurants, as well as an awards dinner, hosted by the Marriott, after the completion of the Invitational.

Cost of the trip is $5900 CAD, per couple, which includes round trip flight out of Toronto’s Pearson Airport.

For more information visit gao.ca/stkitts or contact Jason Hraynyk (jhryanyk@gao.ca or 905-852-1101 ext. 233).

For booking, please contact Vinnie Vatts at TravelAir (vinnie@etravelair.com or 416-964-1950 Ext 100).

View photos from the 2017 St. Kitts trip here!

UXBRIDGE— Golf Ontario is proud to announce the two teams that will represent the province in the Senior Women’s Ada Mackenzie Matches, against the New York State Golf Association, and the Senior Men’s Ontario/Michigan Matches versus the Golf Association of Michigan.

Both sets of matches will take place in May beginning with the Ada Mackenzie Matches, May 14-16 at Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor, NY. The Men’s Ontario/Michigan Matches will take place May 24-25 at Pointe West Golf Club in Amherstburg, Ontario.

Ada Mackenzie Matches

The Ada Mackenzie team will be made up of: Mary Ann Hayward, Judith Kyrinis, Ivy Steinberg, Marion Reid, Cheryll Damphouse, Diane Dolan, Chris Critelli, Allyson Harrison, Theresa deLuis, and Nannette Cuddy. The team is made up of the top 10 from the 2016 Golf Ontario Senior Women’s Championship.

The Ada Mackenzie Matches have been conducted since 1960 and are an annual team event with Upper New York. The format for the competition consists of two match-play rounds. The first day consists of Chapman-format team matches. Chapman format is where both players drive, then hit each other’s tee shot for the second shot, before the best ball is selected and players play alternately on the selected ball for the remainder of the hole. The second day sees morning Better-Ball matches, followed by the trophy presentation to the victorious team. Ontario is the defending champion at the event.

Ontario/Michigan Matches

Representing Ontario in the Ontario/Michigan Matches will be: Larry Cooper, Lars Melander, Christopher Kertsos, Robert Gibson, Jim Briggs, Rick Valin, Tim Southcott, and?John Husband. Players were selected based on finishes in the 2016 Golf Ontario Senior Men’s Order of Merit.

First contested in 2011, the format for the Ontario/Michigan Matches is a two-day Ryder Cup style, team event with the top eight senior men from Ontario competing against the top eight senior men from Michigan. The first day on will consist of four best-ball matches and the second day will consist of eight singles matches.

Golf Ontario wishes the teams the best of luck in both competitions and thanks them for representing their province.

By Scott MacLeod- Ontario Golf News

Come Monday there will be three Canadian pros taking on the Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC) as part of the field for The Masters for 2017. Before they took up the spotlight though, it was time for it to shine on another trio of Canadians of the amateur variety. Juniors, in fact.

Three young Ontario girls qualified for the finals of this year’s Drive, Chip & Putt Championship Finals at Augusta National. They did their nation proud with their performances.

Carlee Meilleur (Landowne, ON), Mia Wong (Markham, ON), and Savannah Grewal (Mississauga, ON) each took to the famed golf course in Augusta, Georgia to compete and it was all televised around the world on The Golf Channel.

Completing play first, in the girls 7-9 category, was Carlee Meilleur. She came out strong in the driver and chipping portion of the event but struggled a bit with the putts on the treacherous ANGC surfaces. She ended play in a very respectable tie for 5th place.

Eleven year-old Mia Wong of Markham competed in the 10-11 Girls Category and worked her way to a 9th place finish, with her strongest showing in the putting.

Capping the day was the performance of Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ontario. She came into the final event, the putting, with a slim lead. Ultimately she needed to get her last putt within five feet of the hole and managed to have it stop at 4? 10? past the cup. It was enough to secure victory by a mere two inches.

She was presented with her division-winning trophy by 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson.

Later in the day Grewal posted some comments to her Instagram account. She said, in part: “Words can’t describe how grateful I am right now. Being able to win the #drivechipandputt on the 18th green at Augusta National is a dream come true. I was proud to represent Canada and become the first Canadian to ever win the #drivechipandputt competition. Thanks to everyone who has supported me and encouraged me throughout the years and everyone who helped make this possible. Congrats to all my fellow competitors for the great achievements.” 

Congratulations to all the competitors and the organizers involved. As it has been for four years now, it is great way to start The Masters week.

Complete Results

UXBRIDGE— From August 6-12, Winnipeg, Manitoba will host the 2017 Canada Summer Games. More than 4,000 athletes are set to take part in 16 sports, including Golf, during the course of the week. Southwood Golf and Country Club will play host to golf during the games. 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.

Golf Ontario has outlined its selection criteria, which will include a Prep Camp, April 22-23 at Grand Niagara Golf Club in Niagara Falls. This invitational camp will be used as the first look at the potential athletes that can be selected to the 2017 Canada Summer Games team for Ontario. The two-day camp will consist of physical and technical testing along with two rounds of 18 holes.

In addition to the camp, the rest of the selection criteria includes results from: the 2017 Ontario Junior Spring Classic, Future Links Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, Ontario Junior Boys’ and Girls Championships, International Invitational Events, and Ontario Order of Merit rankings up to July 20^th.

A long list of athletes have the potential to make up Team Ontario at the 2017 Canada Summer Games. Names will be submitted to the selection committee on June 23rd. The final team will be chosen no later than July 7th.

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— Golf Ontario is once again calling for volunteers to be part of its 2017 Golf Advisory Teams (GATs). Created in 2016, GATs are an innovative way for Golf Ontario staff to gather advice and guidance from experts and program participants on matters related to a particular area that supports the Golf Ontario strategic plan.

In 2017, Golf Ontario will have the following GATs: Communications, Golfers, Facilities and Next Gen. Each team will have a staff lead who will appoint members of the committee in consultation with the Golf Ontario Executive Director. Members will range from three to eight depending on GAT. GATs will meet a minimum of twice during the year with the goal of providing a list recommendations.

The GAT model aims to support the Golf Ontario Strategic Plan. The GATs will help to accomplish the goal of becoming the Best Provincial Sport Organization in Canada; innovate golf by providing industry leading services; drive more people to play the sport and encourage more children to get into the game; support golf clubs/facilities and all people involved in the game by aligning golf organizations, creating positive partnerships and ensuring that golf remains the most popular sport in Ontario.

To see the core functions of each of the four GATs visit: https://gao.ca/about-us/gats/. To volunteer for a GAT submit the following form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/GolfOntario1/_2017GolfAdvisoryTeamExpressionOfInterest

MYRTLE BEACH, SC— The competitive season in Ontario may still be a few weeks away but for 77 of the province’s top juniors, they got a head start with Golf Ontario’s inaugural Spring Break Challenge, March 16, at Whispering Pines Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The event featured three categories on both the boys’ and girls’ sides and at the end of the day the overall winners were Langton’s Peyton Callens on the boys’ side and Niagara Falls’ Emily Ward on the girls’ side.

While conditions were less than ideal, the players still put forth strong efforts during the round. “It was great once again to host the Ontario juniors in Myrtle Beach. Unfortunately, the weather was very cold and playing conditions were extremely difficult. However, we look forward to hosting again next year, hopefully under much better weather!” Said Keith Stanzel, Marketing Director at Whispering Pines.

In the Junior Boys’ division, Callens, a member of Golf Canada’s National Development squad and past Team Ontario member, earned the win with a three-over (75). Rounding out the top three were a pair of current Team Ontario members Long Sault’s Ty Celone (77) and Toronto’s Zack Mason (78).

The Juvenile Boys’ title went to Team Ontario member and Stoney Creek resident Johnny Travale who ended the day seven-over (79). As for the Bantam Boys’ title, it was won by Burlington’s Peter Blazevic who carded a six-over (78).

The girls’ divisions were not as fortunate as their event was cut to just nine holes, due to darkness. Ward, a Team Ontario member, finished her round at even par (36) to take top honours over former Team Ontario and current Golf Canada National Development squad member Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun (38) and teammate Hailey McLaughlin (39), from Markham.

In the Juvenile Girls’ division, Chun’s 38 would allow her to walk away with the title. Meanwhile, a five-over (41) clinched the Bantam Girls’ championship for another Team Ontario member: Maple’s Alyssa DiMarcantonio.

Golf Ontario would like to thank all of the competitors for participating in the inaugural event. Thanks also to Whispering Pines and their staff for hosting the Ontario Spring Break Challenge. For complete tournament information, including the final leaderboards please visit the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao1733/index.htm

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — March Break is approaching and for many kids it is a welcomed break from their classes. But for Golf Ontario’s U19 Team Ontario it brings an annual tradition, the Can/Am Matches with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association (SCJGA).

With the matches, Team Ontario also takes the opportunity to conduct their third training camp of the winter. They train throughout the week in preparations for the Matches, which will be held this year on March 18-19. In addition to their week of training, the team is introducing a new event this year: the Ontario Spring Break Challenge.

“The event came together when we learned that many Ontario juniors were heading to train in Myrtle Beach during March Break,” said Delaney Howson, Golf Ontario Community Play and Compete Coordinator. “Many players were already going to be there with their personal coaches, so we thought it would be a great way to bring everyone together with a preseason competition.”

The Ontario Spring Break Challenge, is a new 18-hole, stroke-play event that Golf Ontario will run on March 16 at Whispering Pines Golf Course in Myrtle Beach. The tournament will see 83 players from Ontario, ranging in age from 12 to 18, compete in six divisions (Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Juvenile Boys, Juvenile Girls, Bantam Boys and Bantam Girls). The competition will feature all of the members of Team Ontario.

“We were blown away by the number of players who registered. We figured we might get about half of what we did. From our perspective, this is a great opportunity for us to get a first look at some of the top Ontario junior golfers before summer tournaments begin,” added Howson.

While Golf Ontario is happy to be running this event, Keith Stanzel, Marketing Director at Whispering Pines is just as pleased to welcome the juniors. “I have been working spring events for Canadian juniors for more than 20 years at Myrtlewood Golf Club, the TPC of Myrtle Beach and now Whispering Pines. I have enjoyed watching some of Canada’s top juniors but more so, truly value the friendships acquired over the years. I look forward to another event and hope there will be even more in the future!”

After the challenge, Team Ontario’s sights will turn to the Can/Am Matches. In addition to the current members, Team Ontario will welcome back Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun and Langton’s Peyton Callens, who are both currently on Golf Canada’s National Development Squad. Ontario will look to defeat South Carolina for the first time since 2010.

The Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina will once again play host to the Matches, which have been running in their current form since 2010. Before that, the Matches were a junior boys competition. Day one will see the teams compete in four-ball, team matches. Day two will feature singles matches.

In addition to Whispering Pines and the Wachesaw Plantation Club, Team Ontario will also train and play at The Dunes and True Blue Plantation. Make sure to follow Golf Ontario (@TheGolfOntario) and Team Ontario (@teamontariogolf) for updates throughout the week.

For complete information on the Ontario Spring Break Challenge, including participants and scoring, visit the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao1733/index.htm.

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA — Golf Ontario’s Team Ontario recently completed their second winter training camp of 2017 with positive results in the San Diego Junior Golf Association’s (SDJGA) Chris Riley Junior Championship.

The team was in California from Feb. 6-13 and had the opportunity to widen their skill set by playing three courses (Twin Oaks Golf Course, the Crossings at Carlsbad and The Legends Course at La Costa), enjoy a unique experience at the TaylorMade Kingdom and participate in the SDJGA tournament, also at Twin Oaks.

The team trained during the week at Twin Oaks in preparation for the two-day tournament that would cap off their camp. “The weather was great for training,” said Reggie Millage, Golf Ontario Head Provincial Coach. “The terrain was different from what we would see on the east coast and I think that having the tournament at the end of the week added some intensity to our practice.”

While the team did have a training camp just a month earlier, Millage noted that there was work to be done to get the players back to their peak performance. “We had a little rust to start but we definitely saw improvements throughout the week. Sunday was by far our best round as a team.”

As part of the team’s training, and thanks to Golf Ontario’s partnership with TaylorMade, the group spent a day at the TaylorMade Kingdom. “This was an unreal experience for the players,” said Millage. “It is a pretty exclusive place. We got to train on Jim Flick’s deck so we had our own area to work on different things. We had a couple of Trackmans along with their mat technology going, which was great for players to see their results. The big highlight had to be each player working one-on-one with TaylorMade’s putting guru Duane Anderson. A big thank you to Cameron Jacobs at TaylorMade for setting it up!”

The day was made even more special for the team when they received their 2017 Team Ontario TaylorMade golf bags. That gave them the opportunity to donate their old bags to the North County Junior Golf Association where they will be used for junior camps and clinics.

As the tournament began, on Feb. 11, the team still looked to rid themselves of the offseason rust. The players also dealt with rainy conditions, which didn’t make things any easier. As the tournament shifted to the second round the team began to pick up momentum. In the end, Stoney Creek’s Johnny Travale earned the top finish, second on the boys’ side (72-71-143), while Toronto’s Sarah Beqaj was the top girl finishing fifth (76-72-145).

In total, three boys finished in the top 10, including Mississauga’s Matthew Anderson who was fourth and had the low round of the second day (75-70-145), and Toronto’s Tyler Nagano who finished T7 (75-72-147).

As for the girls, they also finished with three top 10 finishes as London’s Isabella Portokalis T8 (76-76-152) and Markham’s Victoria Zheng T10 (78-77-155) joined Beqaj.

“Johnny played well and had a chance to win heading to the 18^th hole of the second round,” said Millage. “Sarah did very well to earn her top five finish as she was dealing with an injury during the round. I think overall this was a neat experience for the team. This was the second major event for the SDJGA already this season, so it was a true measure of where our game is.”

With the camp complete, Millage offered the team the following advice as they look towards their final camp and Can/Am Matches in March against the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. “I think the results really spoke to how positive our ball striking was during the week, but we definitely need to focus our short game heading into the Can/Am Matches.”

The Can/Am Matches will take place March 18-19 at the Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.