Round two of the 103rd Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship wrapped up earlier today at Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course, as all 156 players returned to the course looking to secure a spot inside the Low 60 & Ties.

Leading the field heading into Friday’s third round is Domenic De Luca (The National Golf Club of Canada), who holds the outright lead at 4-under-par (70-70-140). A California State University golfer and former College of the Canyons standout, De Luca helped capture two state championships during his time in California. Originally from Toronto, he was also part of the 2020 OFSAA-winning team while at St. Michael’s College. He’ll look to keep that consistency rolling heading into Round 3.

Just one shot back in a tie for second at 3-under-par (141) are Garrett Rank (Westmount Golf & Country Club), Charles Fitzsimmons (The Thornhill Club), Eric Zhao (Bayview Golf & Country Club), and Zachary Smith (Brampton Golf Club). Fitzsimmons, a past Ontario and Canadian Mid-Amateur champion, brings valuable experience into Friday’s round. Zhao, the 2025 NextGen Ontario Champion, continues his strong season, while Smith, now competing for Penn State, has captured titles at the 2022 Golf Ontario Tour Championship and HJGT at Penn State, along with a consistent record across provincial and national events.

With a stacked leaderboard, the stage is set for an exciting moving day. Round 3 tees off Friday, June 27 at 8:00 a.m. with players going off both the 1st and 10th tees as the race for the title heats up.

Stay Connected

Live Scoring, Pairings & Results

Round 2 Tournament Photos

For updates, highlights, and live scoring throughout the tournament, follow along @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook.

June 25–28 | Deerhurst Resort, Muskoka ON

One of Golf Ontario’s premier major championships is heading to the heart of Muskoka, as the 103rd Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship tees off at Deerhurst Highlands, the acclaimed championship course located within Deerhurst Resort. As one of the most coveted titles in provincial amateur golf, the Men’s Amateur brings together Ontario’s top players for four rounds of high-stakes stroke play on a layout known for its elevation, beauty, and strategic challenge.

More than just a tournament, this year’s championship represents a major moment for both Golf Ontario and Deerhurst Highlands—a celebration of elite amateur golf on a course that’s recently undergone a bold revitalization.

“Hosting one of the province’s most prestigious amateur golf championships is a tremendous honour for Deerhurst Highlands and a defining moment for our entire team,” said Taylor Ophelders, Golf Operations Manager at Deerhurst Resort. “This championship is the most prestigious event ever held at the Highlands, and it reflects our deep commitment to excellence in both course conditioning and guest experience.”

The championship returns to Deerhurst Highlands for the first time since 2017, when the course hosted the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur. This year, the venue welcomes a stacked field of returning champions, breakout talents, and seasoned contenders looking to etch their names into the province’s amateur golf history.

“Deerhurst is a special venue, and with the strength of this year’s field, we’re expecting an incredible week of competition,” said Rob Watson, Manager of Competitions at Golf Ontario. “This championship represents the highest level of amateur golf in the province.”

A Deep and Talented Field

Among the notable names competing this year are:

• Cameron Pero, 2023 Ontario Men’s Amateur champion

• Garrett Rank, 2018 champion

• Charles Fitzsimmons, fresh off his third Ontario Men’s Match Play title and still seeking his first Amateur win. Fitzsimmons also boasts victories at both the Ontario and Canadian Mid-Amateur levels.

In recent years, several Ontario Amateur champions have turned pro and competed on the global stage:

• Sudarshan Yellamaraju (2017) – Korn Ferry Tour; RBC Canadian Open

• Matt Anderson (2019) – Korn Ferry Tour

• Cougar Collins (2020) – Also teed it up at the RBC Canadian Open

 

A Course Built for Championship Moments

Opened in 1990, Deerhurst Highlands was the first championship course in Muskoka, co-designed by Robert Cupp and Tom McBroom. The layout has stood the test of time, combining dramatic granite outcroppings, elevation shifts, and smart bunkering to create one of Ontario’s most compelling tests of golf.

“The layout at Deerhurst Highlands is a masterclass in thoughtful, championship-caliber design,” Ophelders explained. “It rewards great shot-making and punishes anything less, which is exactly what makes it such an exciting and worthy venue for top-level competition.”

Key holes to watch include:

• Hole 2: A brutally tight par four with an uphill, multi-tiered green that can turn birdie hopes into bogey reality

 

• Hole 5: A links-style par five that tempts aggressive play but punishes miscalculation

 

• Hole 10: A dramatic dogleg right flanked by a towering granite rock wall—Deerhurst Highlands’ signature hole

 

“The greens will be a defining factor this week,” Ophelders added. “They’re undulating, multi-tiered, and require exceptional precision. Scoring well at the Highlands demands power, imagination, and control.”

A New Era Begins

This year also marks the debut of a fully redesigned 3rd hole, a par three that has remained untouched since the course’s opening. The renovation—part of a long-term investment by Freed Golf—was guided by Tom McBroom and brings both aesthetic beauty and strategic depth to the front nine.

“It’s a bold update that adds a fresh strategic element,” said Ophelders. “This isn’t just a new hole—it’s the start of a new era for Deerhurst Highlands.”

The update includes a rebuilt green complex, reshaped approach area, and the installation of a modern capillary bunker system—all designed to enhance playability and course conditioning.

Championship Atmosphere

Excitement is already building across the resort as Deerhurst prepares to welcome players, families, and spectators.

“The atmosphere leading up to a major golf event like this is truly electric,” Ophelders said. “Our turf team, members, and staff are all incredibly proud to showcase what we’ve built here. There’s a real sense of pride around Deerhurst Highlands.”

With a revitalized layout, a talent-rich field, and a deep legacy in Ontario golf, the 103rd Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship at Deerhurst Highlands promises to deliver a defining moment in the 2025 season.

Stay Connected

Deerhurst Resort Page: https://deerhurstresort.com/events/golf-ontario-mens-amateur-championship/ 

Live Scoring, Pairings & Results

For updates, highlights, and live scoring throughout the tournament, follow along @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook

Championship season is heating up as Ontario’s best female golfers get ready to tee it up at Peninsula Lakes Golf Club for the 2025 Women’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championships, two key titles on the provincial women’s golf calendar, taking place June 23 to 26. 

The event features 90 players competing in 72 holes of stroke play. After 36 holes, the top 50 in the Amateur division and the top 15 in the Mid-Amateur division move on to the final rounds, all aiming to make their mark over four days of elite provincial competition.

A Scenic and Strategic Championship Test

Peninsula Lakes Golf Club, located in Fenwick, Ont., is built on a former sand and gravel quarry, offering a distinctive layout with dramatic elevation changes and water features throughout the course. 

Peninsula Lakes is also a nationally recognized facility, earning a 4½ star rating from Golf Digest and ranking among GolfPass’s Golfer’s Choice 2023 – Best Hidden Gems in Canada.

​​The course’s mix of challenge and scenery makes it a great place to host four rounds of competitive amateur golf.

Names to Know at Peninsula Lakes

• Returning Champions:
  
  • 2024 Amateur Champion: Nobelle Park
  • 2024 Mid-Amateur Champion: Alexandra Taylor
  • 2023 Mid-Amateur Champion: Mary Ann Hayward
• Team Ontario Athletes Set to Compete: 
  
  • Nobelle Park
  • Kaprice Park
  • Alexis Card
  • Amelia McFarlane
  • Sadie Wu
  • Kaylan Green

With a strong mix of past champions and up-and-coming athletes, the 2025 field promises plenty of exciting competition.

Stay Connected

Live Scoring, Pairings & Results: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11300379951733197069

Full Player Roster: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11300379929587271921

For updates, highlights, and live scoring throughout the tournament, follow along @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook

June 18, 2025
Sarnia, ON – Cam Burke of Golf Canada Club – Ontario successfully defended his title, winning the 2025 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship on a rain-soaked final day at Sarnia Golf and Curling Club.

Burke, the 2024 champion, entered the final round tied atop the leaderboard at 6-under after posting the lowest score of Round 2 — a stellar 7-under-par (65). Despite multiple weather delays totaling more than three hours, Burke remained focused and composed. Battling through the challenging conditions, he held off the competition to complete the repeat and secure back-to-back Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships.

In the Mid-Master division, Derek Dalziel of The Oaks Golf & Country Club was crowned the 2025 Mid-Master Champion.

The top 32 players have earned spots at the 2025 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, taking place at Seymour Golf & Country Club in North Vancouver, BC, from August 19–22, 2025.

For full results, click HERE

Stay Connected
Follow @thegolfontario on Instagram and Facebook for photos, highlights, and coverage throughout the championship season.

June 17, 2025

Sarnia, ON – Round two of the 33rd Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship took place earlier today at Sarnia Golf and Curling Club. All 144 players took to the course and battled to make the cut.

Heading into the final round of the 2025 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, Nate Lockey and Cam Burke are tied atop the leaderboard at 6-under. Lockey surged with a 4-under-par (68) in round two, setting himself up for a potential breakthrough win, while Burke, the defending 2024 Men’s Mid-Amateur champion, fired the lowest round of the day at 7-under-par (65), as he looks to become the back-to-back champion. 

Just one shot off the lead are Stephen Brown (Sarnia Golf & Curling Club) and Russell Bowie (Brampton Golf Club). Brown, playing on home soil, has delivered steady rounds and will look to lean on his local knowledge in the final stretch. Bowie, who opened with a stellar 7-under par (65), remains firmly in contention and continues to be one of the most consistent performers at the Men’s Mid-Amateur, still seeking his first title.

Two strokes back at 4-under are Charles Fitzsimmons (Summit Golf & Country Club), Ryan Tsang (Cedar Brae Golf Club), and Derek Dalziel (The Oaks Golf & Country Club). Fitzsimmons, the 2019 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur champion and 2022 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur champion, brings a wealth of experience and success. He will be looking to add to his well-respected resume in the final round. Tsang, the 2020 Ontario Mid-Amateur champion, is also well-positioned to make a charge toward a second title. Both he and Derek Dalziel have recorded back-to-back rounds of 70 and will need to go low on Wednesday to close the gap—Dalziel also currently leads the Mid-Master category.

The third and final round of the Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship will begin at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) off both the 1st and 10th tees, as players look to make a push for the championship.

Stay Connected

Live Scoring, Pairings & Results

Full Player Roster

Round 2 Tournament Photos

For updates, highlights, and live scoring throughout the tournament, follow along @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook.

Based in Ancaster, Ont., Steve Warrick is a dedicated volunteer who brings precision, passion, and a deep love for the game to his role as Course Rating Team Leader for the Hamilton region. With years of experience and a sharp eye for detail, Steve plays a vital part in ensuring the integrity and fairness of the game for golfers across the province. 

He joined Golf Ontario’s Course Rating team in 2019, shortly after retiring from his career. Encouraged by his daughter Alex Blaker (Golf Ontario’s Director of Business Operations), Steve saw it as the perfect opportunity to give back to a game that he loves.

Course rating plays a crucial role in maintaining fairness and consistency in the game. As Steve explains, “It’s a procedure used to determine the expected score of scratch and bogey players by evaluating course features like length, topography, and obstacles. The process ensures handicaps are transferable between courses, no matter how different they may be,” he says.   

One of the most rewarding parts of the role, he says, is discovering hidden gem courses and building lasting relationships along the way. 

“Some of the most memorable experiences have come from rating little-known courses I’d never have played otherwise, and connecting with great people at every stop,” he says 

Being part of the same organization as his daughter has made his volunteer journey even more meaningful.  

“Course rating has given me a better appreciation of what goes into determining a course rating and educates you more on the structure of a golf course, allowing me to become a better player because of it,” he says. “I am so glad Alex approached me back in 2019 to volunteer – I’ll do it as long as I am able to.” 

At the heart of Golf Ontario, our volunteers are the lifeblood in a variety of critical areas, including championships, rules, course rating, and governance on committees and our board of directors. They are the sport’s ambassadors and an essential part of our team, enabling us to deliver exceptional programming and experiences to golfers, partners, and industry stakeholders. 

Interested in becoming part of the Golf Ontario volunteer family? Find out more about the opportunities and rewards on our Volunteering Resource page HERE

Ontario’s Top Mid-Amateurs Set to Compete at Sarnia Golf & Curling Club

June 16–18 | Sarnia, ON

The 2025 Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship will take place June 16–18 at Sarnia Golf & Curling Club, bringing together many of the province’s top amateur golfers aged 25 and older. Over three days and 54 holes of stroke play, competitors will navigate a challenging layout. 

“We’re excited to be back at Sarnia Golf & Curling Club, an established Stanley Thompson design with a deep golf history,” says John Lawrence, Tournament Director at Golf Ontario. “The course always provides a true championship test.”

Past Champions 

This year’s field features a strong mix of past champions and rising talent.

Notable former winners include Garrett Rank (2015, 2018), along with Ontario Golf Hall of Famers Stu Hamilton(1993, 1998), Kelly Roberts (1997), and Dave Bunker (2007, 2011, 2014, 2021). Charles Fitzsimmons and Cam Burke, both consistent contenders will also be in the mix.

“The Men’s Mid-Am always brings a unique intensity,” said Lawrence. “With such a seasoned group, there’s an elevated level of competitiveness. Every shot matters.”

More Than One Title on the Line

In addition to the overall championship, the event also includes the Mid-Master division, contested by players aged 40 and older.

“There’s great excitement around the Mid-Master division,” said Lawrence. “Players take a lot of pride in competing for that trophy, and the added layer of competition makes the event even more compelling.”

 A Community and Club Steeped in Golf History

The championship’s return to Sarnia Golf & Curling Club brings the spotlight back to a respected course known for its strategic layout and deep-rooted golf culture.

“Our course is fair but challenging,” said Jamie Parkinson, Head Golf Professional at Sarnia G&CC. “Many of the Mid-Am participants have played in our Men’s 2-Day Invitational and know what a treat it is to play here.”

Sarnia Golf & CC also has a proud legacy in this event: club members Dan Houlihan and Graham Hill are both past Mid-Am champions.  Hill will tee it up again this year.

“The community is really excited to host,” added Parkinson. “We have some talented local players in the field, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of them in contention.”

With strong local support, a competitive field, and a classic venue, this year’s Mid-Am promises to be one of the highlights of the summer golf season.

Stay Connected

Live Scoring, Pairings & Results: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11292327413817592206

Full Player Roster: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11292327384960780650

For updates, highlights, and live scoring throughout the tournament, follow along @thegolfontario on Instagram, Facebook

KINGSTON, ON – The 2025 Ontario Women’s and Senior Women’s Match Play Championship wrapped up at the historic Cataraqui Golf & Country Club, where two players emerged victorious after a weekend of high-level head-to-head competition.

In the Women’s Match Play Championship, Avery Nordman of Canadian Golf & Country Club claimed the title after a thrilling final match against Kelly Zhao, securing a 2 & 1 victory.

Entering the bracket as the 8th seed, Nordman battled through each round, including a hard-fought semifinal match against Sadie Wu, before sealing the championship Monday afternoon. 

Over in the Senior Women’s division — making its official debut this year — Nachcha Perkins  (Golf Ontario Players Club – Halton Hill) made history as the inaugural Ontario Senior Women’s Match Play Champion winning 7 & 6. 

Entering the tournament as the top seed, Perkins delivered consistent, composed play throughout the event. Her dominant final match performance against Lise Jubinville secured a decisive 7 & 6 win and imprinted her name in the record books.

For full results, click HERE.

SPRINGFIELD, ON: The 2025 Ontario Men’s and Senior Men’s Match Play Championship saw two standout performances at Tarandowah Golfers Club, as both champions rose to the occasion against elite competition.

Charles Fitzsimmons (Summit Golf & Country Club) claimed the Ontario Men’s Match Play Championship, defeating Peter Blazevic (Greystone Golf Club) 1UP.

This marks Fitzsimmons’ third title at the event, having previously won in 2021 and 2022. With three championships in five years, his reign of dominance at the Ontario Men’s Match Play continues.

On the Senior Men’s side, Mike Kray (RattleSnake Point Golf Club) edged out Dave Bunker (Cherry Hill Club) 1UP to secure the Ontario Senior Men’s Match Play Championship.

Kray entered the tournament as the 8th seed and advanced smoothly through the bracket. In the final, he faced Golf Ontario legend Dave Bunker — a four-time Men’s Match Play champion — making his debut in the Senior Men’s division.

Kray ultimately prevailed, defeating the seasoned champion to become the Ontario Senior Men’s Match Play Champion — capping off an incredible run and writing a memorable chapter in his golf journey.

For final results, click HERE.

June 4–8 | TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley 

The RBC Canadian Open returns to Ontario this summer, bringing PGA tour excitement to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon from June 4-8. 

As Canada’s national championship, the RBC Canadian Open has long been a celebration of the country’s top golfing talent. With a deep field of Canadian players, including several with strong ties to Golf Ontario programs, fans can expect a thrilling week of competition on home soil.

Ontario Athletes in the Field

This year’s field features a remarkable group of Ontario-born players, many of whom rose through the ranks of Golf Ontario’s provincial championships or Team Ontario program:

• Taylor Pendrith 
• Corey Conners
• Mackenzie Hughes
• Ben Silverman
• Mike Weir 
• Sudarshan Yellamaraju
• Matthew Anderson
• Ashton McCulloch
• Richard T. Lee
• David Hearn
• Cougar Collins
• Matt Scobie
• Matthew Javier
• Matt Hoffman
• Justin Matthews

A Strong Canadian Contingent

Beyond Ontario, the 2025 RBC Canadian Open will feature a deep lineup of Canadian talent from coast to coast. Fans will recognize several national standouts, including: 

•  Nick Taylor, Adam Hadwin, Adam Svensson, Hunter Thomson, Myles Creighton, A.J. Ewart, Wes Heffernan, Roger Sloan, Brett Webster

With a blend of PGA tour veterans and rising stars, the Canadian presence in this year’s field highlights the depth of talent across the country. Whether it’s a familiar face or a new name on the leaderboard, fans can expect exciting performances from Canadians and Ontarians throughout the week.

Notables: Mike Weir (31st appearance) Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith, Mackenzie Hughes

🎟 Get Your Tickets: Tickets for the 2025 RBC Canadian Open are available now. 2025 Canadian Open Tickets 

📲 Instagram Feature: Check out our Instagram post highlighting the Ontario players in this year’s field. https://www.instagram.com/p/DKfBznIMnZN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==