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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PGA of Ontario Winners

Adam Tobin – Retailer of the Year

Adam Steinschifter – Candidate for Membership of the Year

Sean Casey – Junior Leader of the Year

Henry Brunton – Teacher of the Year

Dustin Kerr-Taylor – Golf Professional of the Year

Gareth Raflewski – Coach of the Year

Jason Helman – Professional Development Award

Iain Reston – Class A Professional of the Year

OGSA Award Winners

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

Peter Kinch – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Mid Amateur Championship

Jim Burlington – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship

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

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

Chad Adamson – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship

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

Dan Magrin – OSGA Recognition – Ontario Summer Games Championship

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

Perry Beausoleil – OSGA Recognition – Mackenzie Tour National Capital Open

Tom Kinsman – OSGA Recognition – LPGA Manulife Financial Classic

Richard Creed – OSGA William Sansom Distinguished Service Award

Pelino Scenna – OSGA 50 Year Member

Cecil-Roy French – OSGA 50 Year Member

Paul Dermott – OSGA 50 year Member

Ontario Order of Merit Rankings

Juvenile Boys

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

Junior Boys

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

 Juvenile Girls

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

Junior Girls

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

Women’s Amateur

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

Women’s Mid Amateur

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

Men’s Amateur

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

Men’s Mid Amateur

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

Women’s Senior

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

Men’s Senior

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

Golf Ontario Volunteer Awards

Jim Arbuckle – Volunteer of the Year

Ralph Franchino – Distinguished Service Award

Elaine Jackson – District Volunteer of the Year

John Turner – Honorary Life Director

Future Links Order of Merit Rankings (Ontario players)

CN Future Links National Junior Boys Order of Merit

2. Peyton Callens

6. Sam Meek

7. Kelvin Lim

CN Future Links National Junior Girls Order of Merit

2. Monet Chun

3. Grace St-Germain

5. Chloe Currie

8. Isabella Portokalis

10. Ellie Szeryk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UXBRIDGE — Golf Ontario would like to request that members ‘save the date’ for the 2017 Annual General Meeting. This year the meeting is moving to the spring to be more accessible to all members. The meeting will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton. The format will also have new features including an awards reception to celebrate the 2016 Order of Merit winners. Complete details and registration information to come in early 2017.