Junior golf in Ontario isn’t just about tee times — it’s where young talent begins to take shape.

Across the province, regional tours allow junior players aged 6 to 18 to compete, improve their skills, and fall in love with the game. These programs, whether in the heart of the GTA, along the shores of Lake Erie, or in northern regions, are building more than just swings; they are also developing character. With an emphasis on skill development, sportsmanship, and personal growth, Ontario’s junior golf environment is shaping the next generation of champions on and off the course.

Ontario has an extensive network of junior golf tours, several of which have become important parts of their local communities. The Junior Tyson Tour, established in 1968, holds the distinction of being Canada’s oldest junior golf tour and it continues to provide a competitive and inviting atmosphere for young players in the London region. Similarly, the Hamilton Halton Junior Golf Tour, founded in 1984, was Ontario’s first structured junior tour and remains a premier platform for high-level competition among players aged 10 to 18.

Across the province, tours such as the Niagara District Junior Tour, Simcoe County Junior Golf Tour, Pepsi Titleist Junior Tour, North Eastern Junior Golf Tour, and Lambton Golf Tour, among many others, give junior golfers a regional stage to test their skills, elevate their game, and proudly represent their communities.

At the core of Ontario’s junior golf development is the Junior Golf Pathway, a structured program that guides young players from recreational beginnings to high-level competitive opportunities. Designed for athletes who want to improve, the pathway offers guidance on tournament selection, access to quality coaching, and support for long-term development in the sport. It includes four progressive levels: Emerging, Advancing, Competitive, and Performance. Each stage reflects a player’s development and level of commitment. As athletes gain experience and grow their skills, the pathway helps them transition from learning the fundamentals to competing at provincial, national, and even international levels. At every stage, the focus remains on building confident, well-rounded players who are prepared for success.

For Golf Ontario, junior tours are more than just a series of events, they are a vital part of shaping the future of the sport. As Alexandra Taylor, Manager of Junior Performance, explains, these tours form a foundational piece of the Junior Golf Pathway by providing the structure young players need to develop key skills and confidence. “Junior tours matter because they are where it all starts,” she says. “They help young players fall in love with the game, learn to compete, and begin charting their path, whether toward provincial teams, post-secondary golf, or a lifelong passion for the sport”. These tours play a central role in the Junior Golf Pathway by providing meaningful opportunities for competition, connection, and growth.

As Golf Ontario CEO Kyle McFarlane adds, the Junior Golf Pathway is designed to act as the bridge between early participation in regional tours and long-term development in the sport. “These tours offer structured, age-appropriate competition that allows athletes to test their skills, learn from their experiences, and measure their progress,” he says. “They’re often the first step for players aspiring to move through our Junior Golf Pathway and into provincial championships.” He emphasizes that the impact of junior tours extends beyond competition. “They also contribute to Golf Ontario’s mission of ‘Shaping Lives Through Golf,” McFarlane says. “Junior tours don’t just develop great golfers—they create moments that build character, confidence, and lifelong skills on and off the course.”

This vision aligns closely with Golf Ontario’s broader mission of shaping lives through golf and its commitment to ‘Golf for All’, ensuring that every young athlete has access to meaningful, inclusive experiences that foster personal development, a love for the game, and a lasting connection to the sport.

From the first tee to the provincial stage, Ontario’s junior golf tours and the Junior Golf Pathway provide young athletes with the tools to grow, compete, and thrive. Rooted in community and backed by a commitment to long-term development, these programs are not only shaping future champions but also creating positive experiences that last a lifetime. With every swing, junior golfers across the province are building the foundation for a strong, confident, and a connected future in the game.

To learn more or find a junior tour near you, visit https://juniorgolfpathway.ca/  

Golf Ontario is proud to unveil the 2024 Junior Golf Pathway Players of the Year, recognizing outstanding performances across multiple age groups. This year’s honourees include:

• Girls U15, U17 and U19: Nobelle Park
• Girls U13: Riviera Lindholm
• Boys U19: Gabriella Mainella
• Boys U17: Jager Pain
• Boys U15: Joseph Totino
• Boys U13: Wilson Doornekamp
  

The Ontario Junior Golf Pathway Ranking system is used to recognize the top-performing Ontario junior golfers who succeed over the course of the golf season. Junior golfers can earn points through each event they play in, with their best eight results counting towards the rankings.

2024 Honourees

For more information about the Junior Golf Pathway Rankings, CLICK HERE.

By Dalton Finkbeiner

Golf season is winding down for most recreational players across the country. For high-performance athletes, however, the grind never stops.

That is the case for members of Team Ontario, who recently wrapped up their first camp of the so-called “off-season.”

Team Ontario athletes engage with the provincial high-performance coaches year-round. During the summer months, athletes compete in tournaments across the province and participate in Team Ontario training days. Throughout the fall and winter, the program hosts camps in the United States, primarily in Florida. The team has camps scheduled in the Sunshine State next February and March. The final session south of the border takes place in Myrtle Beach and culminates with the Can-Am Matches against South Carolina.

“Our camps allow our coaching team to really dive into the four pillars of performance,” said Team Ontario’s head coach, Reggie Millage. “We focus on mental performance, physical strength and conditioning, injury prevention and technical and tactical approach.”

The camps are among the many draws of being part of a provincial program. Ahead of the Junior Golf Drive, a fundraising tournament held at Stouffville, Ont.’s Granite Golf Club in September, Team Ontario athletes said the extra sessions help them improve on and off the course.

“It’s really fun, the camps are obviously great,” said Angela Cai, who hails from Oakville, Ont., and plays out of RattleSnake Point Golf Club in nearby Milton. “We get to go to really cool places like Florida and Myrtle Beach. I have definitely improved, mentally especially. I have become aware of my mental state on the course. My swing has also improved, which is a bonus.”

“All the coaches have provided me with different information and different ways to look at the game, ways I have not thought of before,” added Bode Stephen, who plays out of Cataraqui Golf & Country Club in Kingston, Ont. “It has really helped to improve my game all around.”

One key aspect of the provincial program is allowing golfers to thrive in a team environment. Golf’s individual nature leaves few opportunities to practise and socialize with other players, something high-performance programs aim to fix.

“Having that team environment has been really fun,” said Stephen. “The team aspect of it is cool because of the individual aspect of golf; you don’t get that team environment very much, so it’s a cool experience.

“Bringing them together allows them the opportunity to push each other and learn from one another,” explained Millage. “Golf is hard and can be a lonely game at the top level, so the support network of having teammates there with you not just now but bonded together for years to come as they continue their journey in the sport.”

There is always a question of when the best time is for athletes to specialize in a certain sport. And while provincial and national coaches hope athletes prioritize golf, there are major benefits to participating in other activities that can help players down the line.

“Having other experiences as an athlete in other sports is such an asset to be an elite golfer,” said Millage. “The physical literacy, being in a team environment and dealing with adversity will help them now and into the future.”

The 2024 Ontario Provincial Super Camp & Junior Tour Championship concluded in a head-to-head playoff at Black Bear Ridge.

Boys’ Division

The rain was coming down as Rylan Hall of Team Ontario and Whistle Bear Golf Club played off against Team Canada’s Luke Smith of The Thornhill Club on hole 18.

After making the winning putt, Luke Smith was crowned the champion, scoring 69 for a total of 213. Hall finished the round with a score of 70.

Close behind in third place was Jager Pain who was two-under-par with scores of 73, 74, and 67 for a total of 214.

Girls’ Division

Team Ontario had two players winning Gold and Silver. Angela Cai of Heron Point Golf Links was the champion of the girl’s division after a strong performance with scores of 74, 71, 72 for a total of 217. Nobelle Park of Rattle Snake Point took home silver with scores of 74, 75, 73 for a total of 222.

Finishing in third place was Kayla Black of Markland Wood Golf Club. Black had scores of 74, 73, and 76 for a total of 223, only one point behind Park.

For all final results, CLICK HERE.

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Golf fans, brace yourselves—we’ve got one final auction item, and it’s nothing short of superhero-level cool. 

Thanks to our incredible partners at TaylorMade Canada, we’re thrilled to offer a dozen limited-edition, comic book-inspired TP5 PIX golf balls. These collector’s items sold out faster than you can say “Smash! Boom! Pow!”—and now’s your chance to get your hands on them.

What makes these golf balls truly special?

• Each ball features bold comic book language like “Smash!” “Boom!” and “Pow!” perfectly aligned to create pix’s ClearPath Alignment for improved visibility.
• The outside of the collector’s box? Showcasing four of golf’s greatest superheroes—Rory McIlroy, Brooke Henderson, Collin Morikawa, and Tommy Fleetwood!
• But that’s not all: the inside reveals more about their golf super-powers!

And now for the real plot twist… this exclusive box is signed by:

? Brooke Henderson? Collin Morikawa? Tommy Fleetwood? World No. 1, Scottie Scheffler

That’s right—you get signatures from some of the biggest legends in the game, making this item a once-in-a-lifetime collector’s dream!

But time is running out! ⏳

This online-only auction closes this Friday at 5 p.m.—so don’t wait! Place your bids on this super cool, one-of-a-kind treasure before it’s gone for good.

BID NOW

Every dollar raised from this auction directly supports junior golf programming across Ontario. Let’s keep building the future of the game—one superhero golf ball at a time!

The 2024 Ontario Juvenile (U17) Boys and Girls Championship concluded in thrilling fashion at Hollinger Golf Club.

Boys’ Division

In an unforgettable comeback, Dawson Lew of Team Ontario and Wyndance Golf Club claimed the prestigious Mike Weir Trophy.

Entering the final round nine strokes behind the leader, Lew delivered a stunning performance, carding a 7-under-par 65 to tie the Hollinger Golf Club course record. His remarkable round allowed him to finish one stroke ahead of Station Creek Golf Club‘s Jager Pain.

Pain, who led going into the final round, finished with a total score of 216 (even-par), securing second place. Hawk Ridge Golf Club’s Spencer Shropshire rounded out the top three with a final score of 220.

Lew’s final tally of 1-under-par 215 included seven birdies, with four consecutive birdies between holes five and eight.

His extraordinary finish adds to Team Ontario’s success this season, joining RattleSnake Point Golf Club’s Nobelle Park, who has won multiple championships, including the Ontario Junior Girls Spring Classic, and the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship.

Girls’ Division

In the girls’ division, the competition was intense as Avery Nordman of the Canadian Golf & Country Club and Alexis Card of Galt Country Club battled throughout the day.

Both players entered the final round tied for the lead. Although Card appeared to be pulling away on the back nine, Nordman staged a fierce comeback to ultimately claim the Sandra Post Trophy. Nordman finished four strokes ahead of Card and six strokes ahead of Narisse Daye from Sarnia Golf & Country Club.

After a challenging start with rounds of 77 and 76, Nordman rebounded with an impressive 71 in the final round, bringing her total score to 224.

Just 21 days after finishing as a finalist in the Ontario Junior Girls Match Play Championship, Nordman can now proudly call herself the Ontario Juvenile Girls Champion.

For all final results, CLICK HERE.

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The 2024 Ontario Juvenile (U17) Boys and Girls Championship heads to Hollinger Golf Club in Timmins August 19 – 21.

The top 60 boys and 30 girls aged 17-and-under compete in 54-hole stroke play for the Mike Weir and Sandra Post trophies.

Notable past winners of the Ontario Juvenile Girls Championship include Alena Sharp (1996), Jessica Shepley (1998), Stephanie Sherlock (2003) and Rebecca Lee-Bentham (2006 & 2008).

Notable past Ontario Juvenile Boys Champions include Gary Cowan (1954), Bob Panasiuk (1956 & 1957), Brandon Ng (2007 & 2009) and current Team Canada NextGen member, Matthew Javier (2022 & 2023)

All three rounds will see morning tee-offs starting at 8 a.m. from the first and 10th tees.

For first round pairings and start times, CLICK HERE.

FIELD NOTES

Team Ontario:

Chase Jerome (Royal Ottawa Golf Club), Bode Stephen (Cataraqui Golf & Country Club)and Dawson Lew represent Team Ontario in the Juvenile Boys division.

Next Waive:

Five of the Next Waive program’s 11 male athletes compete: Matthew Simpson (Lambton Golf & Country Club), Michael Vivone (Royal Ottawa Golf Club), Tristian Zhang (Summit Golf & Country Club), Josh Ye (Summit Golf & Country Club) and Bo Dong.

Also in the field are three of the Next Waive program’s four female athletes: Sierra Kowlayshyn (Sawmill Golf Course), Ava Gilbert (Summit Golf & Country Club) and Kirsten Lee (Brampton Golf Club).

Top Junior Golf Pathway Rankings (Girls):

Avery Nordman, No. 2, U17; Alexis Card, No. 4, U17; Amelia McFarlane, No. 7, U17.

Top Junior Golf Pathway Rankings (Boys):

Bode Stephen, No. 2, U17; Dawson Lew, No. 3, U17; Jager Pain, No. 4, U17.

PLAYER NOTES

Notable players in the Juvenile Boys division include:

The 2024 Ontario NextGen Champion, Jager Pain (Station Creek Golf Club), who also finished top five in the recent Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

Bode Stephen (Cataraqui Golf & Country Club), who won the 2024 Golf Canada NextGen Atlantic Championship. 

Dawson Lew (Team Ontario), who finished tied for second in the 2024 Ontario NextGen Championship and fourth in the 2024 Ontario Junior Boys Championship.

Spencer Shropshire (Hawk Ridge Golf Club), who comes in fresh off finishing third in the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.

Notable players in the Juvenile Girls division include:

Avery Nordman (Canadian Golf & Country Club), who was a finalist at the recent Ontario Junior Girls Match Play Championship.

Ava Gilbart (Summit Golf & Country Club), who finished tied for 2nd at the Golf Canada NextGen Atlantic Championship. 

Alexis Card (Galt Country Club), who finished top ten in this year’s Ontario Junior Girls Championship.

Winner of last year’s Ontario Peewee Girls Championship, Evelyn Ma (National Pines Golf Club).

QUOTES

Connor Doyle, Tournament Director: “The Ontario Juvenile U17 Championship has always had a very competitive field. The field for this year’s championships is no different as it features multiple Team Ontario, Next Waive athletes, and many top ranked players from the 2024 Junior Golf Pathway rankings. Hollinger Golf Club will be a great test for the players with its tight treelined holes and angulating greens. We look forward to another excellent championship in the north.”

Taylor Dupuis, General Manager – Hollinger Golf Club: “Hollinger Golf Club is excited to not only welcome the top Juvenile players in the province, but to also showcase our beautiful Northern Ontario landscape, hospitality and championship calibre course. This is the first time a provincial championship has made its way to Timmins, and we look forward to setting a standard for years to come. This is a great opportunity for junior golfers and parents of our area to come by and experience an environment and of course golf of this calibre and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

FAST FACTS

Championship Venue: Hollinger Golf Club

Championship Dates: August 19 – 21

Field: 90 players (60 boys, 30 girls)

Format: 54-hole, stroke play, (36 Hole Cut – Low 60 & Ties)

Leaderboard Link: 24′ Ontario Juvenile (U17) Boys’ & Girls Championship Event :: Tournament Results (golfgenius.com)

Fun Fact: Hollinger Golf Club is named after its previous owners, the Hollinger Mine of Timmins. The course was renamed from Timmins Golf Club after the Hollinger Mine closed and sold the club in 1974.

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The 2024 Ontario Pewee (U13) Championship heads to Victoria Park East Golf Club August 12-13 in Guelph, Ontario. 

This championship will see 72 players, 33 on the girl’s side, and 39 from the boy’s division.  

Of these 72 players competing many of them are ranked within the top ten of the Junior Golf Pathway rankings.   

The first two rounds will begin tee times between 11:00am- 3:00pm. 

For first round pairings and start times, CLICK HERE. 

FIELD NOTES

Riveria Lindholm No.1, Keisha Han No. 2, Katherine Xia No.3 are top three under the U13 Girls Junior Golf Pathway Rankings.  

Gerry Kou No.1, Chi-Shen Lin No.2, Dustin Zhao No.3, are top three under the U13 Boys Junior Golf Pathway Rankings. 

PLAYER NOTES

Notable names in the 72-player field include: 

Riviera Lindholm of St. Georges Golf and Country Club  has competed at the Women’s Amateur at just 11 years old. She will also be competing for the Ontario Pewee (U13) Girls Championship. 

QUOTES

Mason Cowan, Tournament Director: “We are beyond excited to host our Ontario Pewee U13 Championship at Victoria Park East. Their staff and ownership have done an amazing job to provide our athletes with great course conditions. It allows our athletes to showcase their talents over the next two rounds. I’m looking forward to watching the future of golf in action!”

FAST FACTS

Championship Venue: Victoria Park East Golf Club 

Dates: August 12 – 13, 2024 

Field: 72 Players (33 girls, 39 boys) 

Format: 36-hole, stroke play 

Leaderboard Link: 24’ Ontario Pewee (U13) Boys & Girls Championship 

Fun Fact: Many of the players competing are ranked top ten in the JGP Rankings. 

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The Ontario Bantam U15 Championship will take place August 8-9 at Chedoke Golf Club in Hamilton.

This event will feature 50 players on the boys’ side and 40 players in the girls’ division.

Both divisions will be starting off in a split tee format, beginning on holes No. 1 and No. 10.

The first group will tee of at 8 a.m. Thursday. For first round pairings and start times, CLICK HERE.

FIELD NOTES

TOP 10 U15 BOYS JGP RANKINGS: Owen Fong, No.1, Max Li, No.2, Joseph Totino, No.3, Oscar Lin, No.4, Karson Hurlburt No.5, Justin Chu, No.6, Austin Reid, No.8, Terrence Den, No.9, Dustin Zhao, No.10.

TOP 10 U15 GIRLS JGP RANKINGS: Nobelle Park, No.1, Kaprice Park, No.2, Alexis Card, No.3, Andrea Lai, No.4, Kaylan Green, No.5, Riviera Lindholm, No.6, Ava Gilbart, No.7, Evelyn Ma, No.8, Payton Pattison, No.9, Evelyn Li, No.10.

PLAYER NOTES

Notable names in the 90-player field include:

Last year’s U13 Peewee Boys Champion, Oscar Lin (Station Creek Golf Club).

Nobelle Park (RattleSnake Point Golf Club), winner of this year’s Junior U19 Girls Spring Classic and Women’s Amateur Champion.

2024 Junior Girls Match Play Champion, Kaylan Green (Scarboro Golf and Country Club).

QUOTES

Mason Cowan, Tournament Director: “I’m looking forward to watching some amazing golf this week. Chedoke Golf Club has provided us with great playing conditions for our championship. This tournament will showcase the outstanding talents of the top U15 golfers in the province, and we get to watch them display their abilities against each other.”

FAST FACTS

Championship Venue: Chedoke- Beddoe Course

Dates: August 8-9

Field: 50 Boys, 40 Girls.

Format: 36 Hole Stroke Play

Leaderboard Link: 2024 Ontario Bantam (U15) Championship

Fun Fact: This is the 100th Anniversary between the City of Hamilton and Chedoke Golf Club.

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The final day of the 2024 Ontario Junior Boys and Girls Match Play Championships at Grey Silo Golf Course featured breathtaking finishes.

Taking home the Len Goldson Trophy on the boys’ side is Will Drewery, who faced fellow Whistle Bear Golf Club athlete, Rylan Hall of Team Ontario, in the finals.

It all came down to an extra 19th hole, where Drewery defeated Hall with a Birdie putt to complete a comeback from 3-down earlier.

En route to the finals, Drewery won the Round of 64 8&7, the Round of 32 3&2, the Round of 16 2 Up, the Quarter-Finals 2&1, and both the Semi-Finals and Finals in 19 holes.  

Regardless of the outcome, an Ontario Junior Boys Match Play Championship title was in Whistle Bear Golf Club’s hands before the finals even began.

In the Junior Girls’ final, Kaylan Green of Scarboro Golf & Country Club took on Avery Nordman of Canadian Golf & Country Club.

After the two went back-and-forth all afternoon, their match came down to a 21st hole, where Green sunk her Par putt to clinch the victory.

Both contestants were playing in their first Ontario Junior Girls Match Play Championship and went through impressive lengths to make it all the way to the finals.

In the end, Green’s journey to the title included a 4&3 win in the Round of 32, a 3&1 win in the Round of 16, a 4&3 win in the Quarter-Finals, a 3&2 win in the Semi-Finals, and a 21 hole win in the final showdown with Nordman.

CLICK HERE for all results of the Ontario Junior Girls Match Play Championship.

CLICK HERE for all results of the Ontario Junior Boys Match Play Championship.

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