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.

UXBRIDGE — Golf Ontario is pleased to announce this year’s four new members of the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. James Fraser, Thomas McBroom, Ken Tarling and Stacey (West) Mahoney will become the 76^th, 77^th, 78^th and 79^th members of the Hall at the official induction ceremony on May 3, 2017 at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge. In addition, Ian Hutchinson will be receiving the Lorne Rubenstein Award, which is presented annually to accredited members of the Ontario media for “major contributions to golf.”

2017 Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Inductees

James Fraser

Oakville resident James Fraser, 79, enters the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the Builder category. Originally born in Montreal, QC, Fraser, has been working in the golf industry since the early 1960s at the club, provincial and national levels serving in numerous roles. While many of his roles have revolved around Rules, Fraser has also served as Governor (RCGA, Canadian Seniors’ Golf Association) and Director (Beaconsfield GC, Toronto Golf Club, Quebec Golf Association, Canadian Golf Foundation, Stanley Thompson Society and RCGA). In 2007 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Golf Ontario (Golf Association of Ontario), the RCGA Distinguished Service Award and International Association of Golf Administrators Distinguished Service Award. He is an honorary member of Beaconsfield GC, Quebec Golf Association, the International Association of Golf Administrators, and the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.

Thomas McBroom

Port Carling resident Thomas McBroom is known as one of Canada’s most respected golf course designers and enters the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in the Builder category. The majority of his work in his 25-year career has been in Ontario, yet McBroom has designed more than 60 courses across the country and even more internationally. Golf Digest has named six of his designs Best New Canadian Course and one (Memphremagog) as one of the Top 100 in the world. Two of his European courses have even cracked Europe’s Top 100. In addition, SCORE Golf Magazine has named 14 of his courses among the Top-100 in Canada. Today, McBroom, 64 and a member at both St. George’s and Oviinbyrd, is still active and while he has designs in North America, Europe and the Caribbean, he has set his sights on expanding with courses in China.

Ken Tarling

Entering the Hall in the Professional Golfer category is Sandford’s Ken Tarling. Originally from Saskatoon, Tarling turned pro in 1982. Throughout his career, Tarling captured 21 provincial titles, two national (2001 PGA of Canada Club Professional Championship and 2011 PGA of Canada Senior’s Championship), one Canadian Tour win and 12 international victories in eight countries. Now at the age of 58, Tarling is competing on the European Senior Tour. Tarling has also served as the President of the Canadian Tour, been on the PGA of Canada Board of Directors and taught at Humber College in the Professional Golf Management program. In 2012, he received an Honorary Life Membership with the Canadian Tour.

Stacey (West) Mahoney

While now a resident of Cary, North Carolina, Stacey (West) Mahoney, 58, carved a name for herself in Ontario as a junior golfer. She was a three time winner of the Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship (1975, 76, 77) a feat she replicated at the National level with the Canadian Junior Girls Championship (1974, 76, 77). After her junior career, Mahoney also captured the Canadian Ladies’ Amateur Championship in 1979. She found success as Low Amateur at the Peter Jackson Classic (Canadian Women’s Open) in 1977 and 1980. Mahoney also represented and captured many team honours during her career. She enters the Hall in the Amateur Golfer category.

Ian Hutchinson – Lorne Rubenstein Award

Ian Hutchinson is a veteran Canadian golf writer whose career began as a sports writer in 1978 before he began specializing in golf. His history in the game includes an extensive background with Canadian golf trade publications. Hutchinson is also a regular contributor to publications and websites in Canada and the United States. In 2008, Hutchinson started Golf News Now as a way of offering the industry immediate access to breaking news and new product introductions and to offer a central meeting place for information through links to company, association and media websites.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO GOLF HALL OF FAME

The Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in the game of golf in Ontario. Founded in 2000 by the Ontario Golf Association and the Ontario Ladies’ Golf Association, the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame is housed at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge.

FRIGATE BAY, ST. KITTS — It has been a busy start to the year for Golf Ontario. Partnering with the St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA), Golf Ontario recently sent the Junior (U19) Provincial Team to the island for a training camp, followed by a group of guests for the second annual St. Kitts Invitational.

“Having the junior team here was a main event for St. Kitts,” said Raquel Brown, SKTA CEO. “You had Canadian teenagers interacting with kids from St. Kitts, explaining golf and giving them a different perspective on the sport. It was a great way for us to start off the year!”

“I am glad to see that there were even more persons this year for the Invitational. It means that we are growing,” said Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. “I believe that over the years the Invitational will continue to grow. We have a wonderful partnership with Golf Ontario.”

The Ontario contingent on the island began on Dec. 31 with the junior team traveling to St. Kitts for their first winter training camp of the season. The junior team, led by Reggie Millage, Head Provincial Coach, took part in a seven-day camp, which saw them play and train at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club.

“The experience was great,” said Millage. “We received first-class treatment from the moment we got off the plane and the rooms at Royal St. Kitts Hotel were great accommodations for the team.”

Each day the team utilized the nearby beach for their morning training, something that was a big hit with the players. Afterwards, the team took to the course for morning rounds, followed by training at the club’s practice facilities in the afternoon.

“It was refreshing to have the junior Ontario team here in St. Kitts,” said Bruce Wilson, Director of Golf at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club. “They are very disciplined and some of the most respectful and courteous juniors that I have had the pleasure of working with. I wish them the best of luck in their golf careers.”

As part of Golf Ontario’s goal of helping the island to grow the game of golf, the team took part in a two-hour junior golf skills clinic. Thirty local kids from the island took part in the clinic, run by the Team Ontario players.

“It was awesome to see our kids interact with the team. It helps them realize that with some time and effort, they have the potential to reach that level of golf. The St. Kitts kids haven’t had the expose to other young golfers to see what they can become. It was really nice for them to see and it gives them a challenge to work towards,” added Wilson.

As the team departed the island on Jan. 7, the next group of Ontarians arrived ready for the second annual St. Kitts Invitational. The two-day event made its debut in December of 2015. The 2017 tournament saw 22 individuals (11 teams) compete, doubling the field of the inaugural event. They were joined by a pair of teams from the island.

Defending champion Dave Ramsumair, with teammate Sylvia Jones, won this year’s event. Ramsumair, a Canadian now living on the Island, and Jones accumulated 96 points to win the two-day net stableford competition.

Receiving the award for Top International Team were Hamilton’s Jim and Sheila Drury who scored 88 points in the two-day event.

In addition to the tournament, the group enjoyed the accommodations of the St. Kitts Marriott, who hosted the annual awards banquet. During their stay on the island, the group experienced dining at some of the island’s best restaurants, which gave them a true taste of St. Kitts. The trip also included a visit to sister island Nevis for a round at the Four Seasons Nevis Golf Course.

In all, the guests seemed to enjoy what the island had to offer. “The trip has been great!” said London’s Paul and Anita Pouliot. “Lots of nice people, beautiful golf courses and lovely weather. We have had a really good time and are happy we came.”

“It has been seamless!” added Jim and Sheila Drury. “Going from the airport to hotel to golf course it has been a very good experience. The courses and people have been really nice.”

As the group departed on Jan. 14, it was clear that the relationship between Ontario and St. Kitts is helping to grow the game on the island. “I want to say thank you to Golf Ontario for 2017. We want this event to grow and we think golf is the perfect avenue to get Canadians to St. Kitts. Visitors come to golf but get to see the destination in its truest form. The fact that the junior training camp and Invitational did so well gives St. Kitts a different perspective for golf,” added Brown.

Golf Ontario would like to thank the SKTA for their efforts in organizing the trips. Thanks to the Royal St. Kitts Hotel and Marriott Resort for providing accommodations and Royal St. Kitts Golf Club and Four Seasons Nevis Golf Course for use of their facilities. Stay turned for the announcement of the 2018 St. Kitts Invitational.

To vie photos from Team Ontario’s training camp and the St. Kitts Invitational visit our Facebook Photo Gallery Page.

UXBRIDGE— The 2017 golf season is just around the corner and Golf Ontario is proud to announce it’s 2017 championship schedule, which will open for registration on January 23 at noon. Early registration comes with a discount, before prices increase 14 days before an event’s final entry deadline.

“We are once again excited to offer a full championship schedule to all golfers in Ontario,” said Golf Ontario Competitions Manager Larry Longo. “We are pleased to be heading to some of the best courses in the province in 2017 and thank those clubs for hosting our events.”

Once again, the schedule is highlighted by the Investors Group Ontario Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships, which will both be run from July 11-14. The men will take to Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, while the women will tee it up at Galt Country Club in Cambridge.

The schedule features a full junior program, beginning with the Investors Group Spring Classics, May 20-22, at Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge (Boys) and Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Stouffville (Girls). The Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Championships will also be contested during the same week, July 4-7. The boys will play The Rock Golf Club in Minett, while the girls will be at the Elmira Golf Club. One change this year for the juniors is that there will be no final qualifying. New exemptions have been created for juniors, largely base on Golf Ontario Junior Rankings (Junior/Juvenile/Bantam).

One more addition to the junior schedule is the introduction of a junior girls 9-Hole Learn to Compete series.

“Junior events have always been a staple of our championship schedule. By continuing to offer a variety of events to junior golfers, along with new initiatives like the 9-Hole Learn to Compete series, we hope to continue to grow the game at the grassroots level,” added Longo.

The Men’s Match Play Championship returns to the Lake Joseph Club in Port Carling (June 6-9). Lake Joseph hosted the event from 2007-2015 and Golf Ontario is please to be returning in 2017. On the women’s side, the Women’s and Junior Girls’ Match Play Championships will be contested together at Diamondback Golf Club in Richmond Hill, Aug. 8-9. There will be no on-site qualifying for these events this year, but rather participants and seeding will be based on final results from the Women’s Amateur and Junior Girls’ Spring Classic. This change means that in order to compete in the match play championships, players must participate in either the Junior Girls’ Spring Classic or Women’s Amateur.

The Investors Group Senior Women’s Championship will be once again be early in the schedule, as they will be at Wildfire Golf Club in Douro-Dummer, June 27-29. Meanwhile, the Investors Group Senior Men’s Championship will be held at Cedar Brae Golf Club, July 25-27. A change to the men’s championship is that the 60+ Division will now become a 65+ Division, a change that aligns with Golf Canada.

Team competitions officially open the season in Ontario with the Men’s Better Ball Championship at Oakdale Golf & Country Club on May 11. The George S. Lyon will see it’s second year in it’s new spot in the schedule, May 30, after moving from late in the season. This year’s field will be limited to the first 32 teams that register.

2017 should be another exciting golf season in Ontario. To register or view the 2017 schedule visit: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/schedule/full.htm?view=detailed&display=date

The Golf Ontario staff would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Reminder, our office will be closed as of December 23 until January 9.

For all of our members, you can also now check out your Performance Report by simply logging into your Score Centre account.

We wish everyone the best and we’ll see you in the New Year for another golf season!