Highlights from the 2016 Investors Group Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, June 21-23, at Lambton Golf & Country Club in Toronto. Oakville’s Matthew Sim won the title in a playoff.

CAMBRIDGE— It was a pair of wire-to-wire wins at the 2016 Ontario Peewee Championship, July 26 at Puslinch Lake Golf Course, as both opening-round leaders saw their advantage through to the final hole. Little Britain’s Justin Matthews and Markham’s Victoria Zheng each raised their respective trophies, as they were crowned champions.

Matthews, 12-years-old and a member at the Lindsay Golf & Country Club, entered the day with a one-shot advantage, in the Boys’ Championship, after an opening round of one-under (69). He quickly separated himself from his competitors thanks to birdies on the fifth and seventh holes to get to the turn at two-under. On the back nine, he did settle for a pair of bogeys and a double, but also knocked down two more birdies to complete the round at even par (70) and finish with a tournament total of one-under (69-70-139).

“This is probably the biggest tournament I have ever won,” said Matthews. “I had a lot of fun the past two days. My putting was probably the strongest part of my game, along with my shots off the tee and wedge play. All of that really helped me this week.”

Matthews admitted that playing with the lead was a new experience for him. “I had never had a lead heading into the final round of a tournament. I have always had to comeback from a couple strokes.”

Playing with the lead didn’t seem to affect Matthews, as he becomes just the second champion in the tournament’s young history. Behind Matthews there was a tie for the silver medal between Mississauga’s Thomas Latter and Toronto’s Alex Long at four-over (144). Latter, from Credit Valley Golf & Country Club, was three-over (73) in his opening round and followed it up with a one-over (71) in the second round. Long, from The Country Club, was even (70) after the first day and finished round two four-over (74).

In the Girls’ Championship, Zheng, 12-years-old from Station Creek Golf Club, began the round with a two-shot lead after her two-over (72) in the first round. A birdie on hole five helped her get to the turn at one-over. She went on to play the back nine three-over to end the day four-over (74) and finished the tournament at six-over (72-74-146).

“It feels good to win the Ontario Peewee Championship. I had a lot of fun playing in this event,” said Zheng. “Entering the day with the lead, I just wanted to work on keeping it and not be too greedy out there. I worked on getting in the fairways and onto the greens. Form there, my putting and chipping really helped me.”

Finishing three-shots back of Zheng and capturing the silver medal was Brampton’s Brooke Rivers. The Brampton Golf Club member began the round two-back of Zheng after an opening round of four-over (74). While she attempted to chase down the leader, it was not to be. Rivers finished the day five-over (75) to end the tournament at nine-over (74-75-149).

Rounding out the podium with the bronze medal was Oshawa’s Madelin Boyd. Boyd, from Lakeridge Links Golf Club, shot an eight-over (78) during round one and followed it up with a four-over (74) during round two to finish the tournament 12-over (78-74-152).

Golf Ontario would like to thank Puslinch Lake Golf Course, along with their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.

For complete tournament information, including the final leaderboards, see the tournament sites at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao1611/index.htm for the Boys’ Championship and https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao16118/index.htm for the Girls’ Championship.

About the Ontario Peewee Championship

The Ontario Peewee Championship made its debut in 2015. The championship is hosted by the Puslinch Lake Golf Course, which has a history with Golf Ontario, hosting the Ontario Bantam Championship from 1999 to 2012. The tournament is open to males and females who are younger than 13 years of age as of Aug. 1.

LISTOWEL— Make it a junior stoke-play championship sweep for Langton’s Peyton Callens. Callens, who won the Investors Group Junior Boys’ Spring Classic earlier this year, capped off the feat on July 22 as he added the 2016 Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship to his resume.

Callens, 16-years-old and from the Delhi Golf & Country Club, entered the final round, at Listowel Golf Club, in a three-way tie for fourth place at four-under. Playing in the second last group, Callens, a Team Ontario member, birdied the opening hole. He added a second on the par-four sixth hole but bogeyed the eighth to make the turn at one-under. On the back nine he made back-to-back birdies on 10 and 11 to get into a share of the lead. While he did bogey the 16^th, he made par on the 18^th, which was good enough to earn him the championship at two-under (70) for the day and six-under (71-67-74-70-282) for the tournament.

Afterwards, Callens spoke about what winning the championship meant to him. “Winning this event feels pretty good, it is one of the bigger events I have won. Winning both this and the Spring Classic means a lot to me, it has been a good Golf Ontario season, now I have to continue this play at the Canadian Junior.”

Callens admitted he wasn’t sure where he stood coming into the final few holes. “I hadn’t looked at the leaderboard. I thought I probably needed to get to eight-under to win. I was seven-under coming into 16 but I bogeyed so I thought I needed to birdie one of the last two holes. I got in with two pars and it turned out to be enough to win.”

For Callens, the strength of his game this week was his iron play. He talked about how it set him up on the greens. “I probably had at least 20 birdie putts inside 10 feet this week and that was all thanks to my iron play and ball striking.”

Now Callens will turn his attention to the Canadian Junior Championship. “My goal is always to win but this is the first time that I have played this event. I know it will be hard in Newfoundland, so I’m just looking to post good scores each day.”

Joining Callens on the tournament podium were Ancaster’s Ryan Murphy and Mono’s Isaac Maxwell who shared the silver medal at five-under for the tournament. Maxwell, from the Shelburne Golf and Country Club, began the day in sole possession of top spot and looked to be in good shape on the front nine. He birdied the first and fifth holes before a bogey on the seventh. He got that right back with a birdie on the eighth and was two-under at the turn. However, it was the back nine where he faltered. A bogey on 11, followed by a double on 12 and another bogey on 14 created a swing that saw him give up the lead. Still, he managed to limit any further damage, finishing the day two-over (74) capping off the tournament at five-under (75-66-68-74-283).

As for Murphy, he entered the day in a tie for second at five-under. He found himself two-under early in the round thanks to birdies on holes one, three, and five, with a bogey on four. After making the turn at two-under, Murphy would bogey the 14^th and 18^th to finish the round at even par (72). That kept his tournament total at five-under (75-66-70-72-283).

In addition to playing for the title, the top 34 golfers received a quota spot to play in the Canadian Junior Boys’ Championship, Aug. 1-4 at Clovelly Golf Course in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Team Ontario was also named for the team competition at the Canadian Junior Boys’ Championship. Representing Ontario will be Callens, Murphy and Sudbury’s Tristan Renaud who earned the spot thanks to a playoff win.

For complete tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao169/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank Listowel Golf Club, along with their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to title sponsor Investors Group and the Golf Ontario volunteers 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 nine qualifiers held across the province in June and early July. 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.

THORNHILL— After coming close to the title a year ago, finishing in a tie for third, Unionville’s Max Sear came into the 2016 Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship, at the Thornhill Club, with unfinished business. Sear, a York Downs Golf & Country Club member, took care of that business with an impressive week that was capped off by hoisting the trophy on July 15.

Entering the final round, Sear, 19-years-old, sat alone in top spot at 11-under for the tournament with a three-shot lead. He began his round well with birdies on third and fourth holes. He would settle for a pair of bogeys on five and nine and was even at the turn. Meanwhile, Kitchener’s Keaton Jones, who entered the day in second, was one-over at the turn giving Sear a four-shot lead with nine to play.

After Sear birdied the 11^th and Jones, a Whistle Bear Golf Club member, bogeyed the 13th, Sear had a six-stroke lead with five holes to play. That turned out to be more than enough as Sear ended the round at even par (71) to finish the tournament at 11-under (69-68-65-71-273).

Afterwards, Sear spoke about how his experience last year helped him claim the 2016 title. “It felt really good to come out on top this year. I think the big difference was my third round. Last year I had the lead after the second round, but shot four-over in the third round. This year I knew I had to keep my foot on the gas pedal, which I did. It was frustrating last year, but I learned a lot and I guess it paid off this year.”

Conditions were a factor this week, but Sear managed to keep them at bay. He talked about his week and the key moments on his march to the championship. “I felt like my game was in a good spot and had a lot of momentum coming off the first round. I think the real turning point for me was the final four holes during the second round. I went five-under on those four holes and that just sparked me. I came into the third round with a lot of confidence and went low. Everything seemed to work out for me after that.”

Picking up the silver medal was Jones. Jones ended the day with a one-over (72) and finished the tournament seven-under (70-67-68-72-277).

Earning the bronze medal was Cayuga’s Charles Corner. Corner began the day at one-under in a tie for third. He separated himself from the rest of the players in that tie thanks to the low round of the day, three-under (68). That brought him to four-under (69-72-71-68-280) for the tournament.

The three will represent Ontario in the team competition at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, Aug. 8-11, at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club & Eagle Creek Golf Club in Ottawa-Gatineau.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao168/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank the Thornhill Club, along with their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to title sponsor Investors Group and the Golf Ontario volunteers 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, and has a rich history of former champions. 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 is the fourth time Thornhill has hosted the Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship. 155 players began the four-day, 72-hole tournament.

WINDSOR— Heading into the final round of the 2016 Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship, July 15 at Ambassador Golf Club, it was anyone’s tournament to win as eight players were all within five strokes of the lead.

The final group consisted of co-leaders Ridgeway’s Madeline Marck-Sherk, Guelph’s Rachel Pollock and Ottawa’s Grace St-Germain, who was just one back. St-Germain got out to a good start with a birdie on the opening hole and would add three more on the front nine, along with a pair of bogey’s, to head to the turn at two-under.

Meanwhile, Marck-Sherk, a member at the Bridgewater Country Club, and Pollock, Whistle Bear Golf Club, had their share of struggles on the front nine. Both players finished the front nine three-over resulting in a big swing, in St-Germain’s favour, on the leaderboard.

St-Germain, 17-years-old and a member of Golf Canada’s National Development Squad, would close things out on the back nine finishing it at one-over to end the round at one-under (71). That brought her tournament total to two-under (69-70-76-71-286), good enough for a four-stroke victory.

“It feels amazing to win the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship,” said St-Germain. “To have my name on this trophy with all of these great players is fantastic!”

Ambassador and the elements were tough on the players this week, but for St-Germain, her putting kept her in it. “My putting was the strongest part of my game this week. I was putting really well, which helped on these greens.”

Like most players, St-Germain had her ups and downs during the week, especially during the third round. However, she ended that round with birdies on two of the final three holes. She talked about how that late charge helped her mind frame heading into the final round. “Getting those birdies at the end of round three gave me a lot of confidence because I wasn’t playing very well. It gave me momentum coming into today.”

There was a tie for the silver medal between Marck-Sherk and Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun resulting in a podium swept by current and former Team Ontario members.

Marck-Sherk went on to play the back nine one-over and ended the round at four-over (76) bringing her tournament total to two-over (74-71-69-76-290).

As for Chun, a Summit Golf & Country Club member, she finished the day at even par (72). Chun followed up a one-over front nine by carding a one-under on the back nine to end the tournament in the tie at two-over (68-75-75-72-290).

In addition to crowning the winners, the top three also earned the right to represent Ontario in the team competition at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, July 26-29 at the Ken-Wo Golf Club in New Minas, Nova Scotia. With some players not electing to participate in the event, Ontario will be represented by: St-Germain, Chun and Pollock, who finished the tournament at five-over (68-75-71-79-293).

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao165/index.htm

Golf Ontario would like to thank Ambassador Golf Club, along with their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to title sponsor Investors Group and the Golf Ontario volunteers 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 101st time this summer, and for the first time at Ambassador Golf 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. In total, 64 players began the four-day, 72-hole tournament.

BATH— It was an early start to the day for the final round of the 2016 Investors Group Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship, on July 7 from the Loyalist Country Club in Bath. Heading into the round, defending champion, Mississauga’s Chloe Currie, had a three-shot lead. That cushion turned out to be enough as she had a solid round and cruised to the win.

Currie, a Mississaugua Golf & Country Club and Team Canada Development Squad member, played a consistent final round. The 16-year-old made only one bogey on the day, on the first hole, but went on to par the remaining 17 holes. That consistent play helped her see the tournament through as she ended the day at one-over (73) to bring her four-day tournament total to two-under (70-73-70-73-286).

“It feels incredible to defend the Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship. I was dreaming about this coming into the week and it is just awesome that I was able to win it twice!” Said Currie.

Currie recognized that winning back-to-back titles is a special feat and that she has joined some impressive company. “It is incredible, it is such an inspiration to join the great names to have won multiple times. Hopefully, I will be able to have my own accomplishments like theirs.”

When asked about the strongest part of her game, Currie pointed to her short game. “My chipping and putting were really good this week. I got up and down many times and gave myself great chances.”

Finishing in a tie for second were London’s Isabella Portokalis and London’s Ellie Szeryk. For Portokalis, the leader after the first two days, she had a rough start to the day finishing five-over on the front nine. However, the West Haven Golf & Country Club and Team Ontario member, rebounded nicely on the back nine shooting four-under to complete the round at one-over (73) and the tournament at three-over (68-74-76-73-291).

As for Szeryk, she entered the day in second three back of Currie. However, she was unable to make ground on the leader during the round. She finished the front nine two-over and then was one-over on the back. That gave her a three-over (75) for the day and a three-over for the tournament (76-69-71-75-291).

Rounding out the top five was a tie for fourth between Hornby’s Alexandra Naumovski (72-72-76-74-294) and Ridgeway’s Madeline Marck-Sherk (79-74-72-69-294) at six-over. The two played off for the final Team Ontario spot, for the Canadian Junior Girls’ Championship, Aug. 2-4 at The Links at Penn Hills in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. After the playoff, Naumovski, a Team Ontario member, joined Currie and Portokalis as the representatives for Ontario.

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

For more information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao1625/index.htm

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 82nd time this summer and 2016 marks the first time Loyalist Country Club has hosted. 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.

Golf Ontario, and our extended family, would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Canada Day!

THORNTON — It was a wet end to the week, on July 1, at the Junior Boys’ Match Play Championship, hosted by Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club. When all was said and done, it was Barrie’s Abe Holmes who hoisted the championship trophy.

The championship match featured Holmes, from the Barrie Country Club, and Peterborough’s Sam Meek, from the Kawartha Golf & Country Club. Holmes, 17-years-old, got out to an early lead after sinking a long birdie putt on the third hole. However, the lead was short-lived as Meek, 17 and a member of Team Ontario, nailed a birdie putt of his own on five to even the match. Meek got aggressive with his second short on the seventh hole, which ended up hurting him. Holmes would take advantage, winning the hole and regained the lead. Holmes added to the lead with another win on the eighth hole, but found the tall grass on the ninth with his drive. He was forced to punch out and Meek capitalized by winning the hole and went to the back nine only down one.

Rain began to beat down on the players on the back nine. Meek conceded the 10^th and Holmes went 2up. It would remain that way until the par-five 13^th when Meek chipped in for birdie to win the hole. Holmes regained the 2up lead with a par putt on 15, putting the pressure on Meek with only three holes to go. After halving the 16^th, Meek’s tee shot found the long grass on 17 and he was unable to find his ball. That proved to be the end for Meek as Holmes took the match and the title 3&1.

“It was really good to finally get my game together for this long, endurance test of golf,” said Holmes. “I am very proud of my performance and happy to win this championship. The conditions were tough out there today. Sam and I were grinding it out and both had a tough time, but I was able to hang on and get the win.”

Holmes’ road to the championship began with a 3&2 win over Guelph’s Matthew Onik in the first round. Then he needed 22 holes to knock out Waterloo’s Dylan Henderson. Holmes then defeated St. Thomas’ Sam Manfredi 4&3, before beating Courtice’s Cory Williams 7&5 in the quarter finals. He earned a 2&1 win over King City’s James Wyndham-West and punched his ticket to the final.

As for Meek, his road to the final included wins over: Toronto’s Matthew Puzhitsky 1up, Mississauga’s Trevor Corner 3&2, Waterdown’s Nic Francis 2&1, fellow Team Ontario members Dunrobin’s Jake Bryson 1up, and London’s Jackson Bowery in 19 holes.

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/gao16/event/gao167/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.

Highlights from the 2016 Investors Group Ontario Women’s Senior and Mid-Amateur Championship, June 7-9, at The Briars Golf Club in Sutton West, Ontario. The Mid-Amateur was won by Wasaga Beach’s Kristy McLaughlin, while Thornhill’s Judith Kyrinis captured the Senior Championship.

UXBRIDGE— Golf Ontario is pleased to announce a new partnership with Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines, is already investing in golf worldwide with their amateur series the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup (TAWGC) along with their sponsorship of a European Tour event, the Turkish Airlines Open, and now their support of Golf Ontario can be added to the list.

“On behalf of team at Turkish Airlines based here in Canada, it is our distinct pleasure to continue our sponsorship of the many events Golf Ontario hosts. I was honoured to recently host a trip to Istanbul and Antalya in which Golf Ontario and Canadian golf media participated in and by all accounts it was a resounding success. Something we hope to build on moving forward,” said David Batey, Regional Corporate Sales Manager, Turkish Airlines.

Turkish Airlines will offer support to Golf Ontario in a variety of fields. Turkish Airlines will become the presenting sponsor of all Golf Ontario Champion of Champions events (Men’s, Women’s, Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s) along with the Women’s Four-Ball Championship.

Golf Ontario’s vTour will also get a boost from the partnership. The vTour is a season-long competition that incorporates the Golf Canada Handicap System, which allows golfers of all abilities to compete on an equitable basis. Participants simply play their round at any course they choose and are entered in the specific vTour simply by posting their scores. Not only will Turkish Airlines sponsor one of the vTour events, they will offer qualifying spots to the TAWGC to participants.

In addition to the involvement in championships and vTours, Turkish Airlines will also be a sponsor of Golf Ontario’s main fundraiser the Junior Golf Drive. Turkish Airlines has also committed to sponsoring future “Learn to Golf” events.

On the Golf Ontario side, the association will be more present in assisting Turkish Airlines with their Ontario-based World Golf Cup competition. The Golf Ontario tournament staff will assist in running a qualifier for the event, along with promotion and support of the competition itself on Aug. 11 at Glen Abbey Golf Club.

“As one of the top airlines in the world, Turkish Airlines shares a passion for excellence, innovation and service making this a wonderful partnership for Golf Ontario,” added Golf Ontario Executive Director Mike Kelly. “Turkish Airlines has invested in golf all over the world and we are thrilled to work with them to enhance the experience for Ontario golfers through unique programs and offers.”

ABOUT TURKISH AIRLINES

Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a 4-star airline that flies to 115 countries, with a fleet of 306 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 286 destinations worldwide with 236 international and 49 domestic. According to Skytrax survey of 2015, Turkish Airlines was chosen “Europe’s Best Airline” for the fifth and “Best Airline in Southern Europe” for the seventh consecutive year. Having won in 2010 the world’s “Best Economy Catering Service”, in 2013 the world’s “Best Business Catering Service”, and in 2014 “Best Business Catering Service” awards, Turkish Airlines was awarded in 2015  the world’s “Best Business Class Lounge Dining” and “Best Business Airline Lounge”  prizes in the Skytrax survey. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on www.turkishairlines.com