Team Canada member Chris Hemmerich has become a flag bearer in recent years among  Canadian golf talents choosing to hone their skills at post-secondary institutions north of the border.

Hemmerich, a second-year student at the University of Guelph, is currently the team captain of the Gryphons golf team.

The Kitchener native was recently profiled in the University’s ‘At Guelph’ publication – you can read the full article here.

Among the highlights from the piece written by Dierdre Healy, the 21-year old shared how he transited from hockey to golf as well as a glimpse of his immediate goals…

“I was a decent hockey player, but I knew I was definitely better at golf,” says the fourth-year bachelor of commerce student. “I started playing golf competitively as a teenager, but never really thought about a future in the sport until about a year or two ago.”

Now the Kitchener native’s future aspirations include becoming a successful professional golfer after graduation in the spring, earning a spot in the U.S. Open and representing Canada in the 2016 Olympics.

Hemmerich also shared insight into what he finds most tiring as he works to develop his game….

“Golf is very mentally draining,” he says. “You can hit so many good shots and not be rewarded. In hockey you may hit the post once a game, but in golf it can happen over and over again, because all it takes is a gust of wind. There are constant triggers that can impact your focus, but if you let them affect you, you will never do well. You have to be mentally tough and shake it off.”

While driven to be one of this country’s best golfers, appreciating the game’s balance of social and competitive nuances is something not lost on Hemmerich….

 “It’s a fun sport. You get to spend five hours outdoors with friends. It’s great social time.”

“It’s not like in other sports, which are pretty much stationary and stay the same. A basketball court is the same no matter where you are playing, but with golf elements of the game are always changing. Your shots will be different each time you play a course and the conditions will be different, too. It could be windy at one hole and raining by the time you reach the next.”

“The element of the unknown is what makes competitive golf stressful, but also exciting”, he adds.

For more on Chris Hemmerich and other members of Canada’s National Amateur Golf Team, click here.

Uxbridge, ON – The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) has announced the recipients of the Volunteer of the Year, District Volunteer of the Year and Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Awards for 2013.

The GAO volunteer recognition program has been designed to recognize outstanding performance and contributions by volunteers who have played an instrumental role in promoting the growth and development of amateur golf throughout the province of Ontario while preserving the integrity and traditions of the game. The recipients will be formally recognized at the GAO Annual General Meeting, set to take place on January 25 at Peterborough Golf and Country Club.

Volunteer of the Year – Karen Newman

The GAO Volunteer of the Year Award has been designed to recognize and honour a GAO volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding performance and contributions while preserving the integrity and traditions of the game.

For the past six years, Collingwood resident Karen Newman has been a familiar face GAO at qualifiers and championships assisting with registration, starting and scoring. At the 2013 Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship, Karen stepped up to take on the challenging role of volunteer chair, an integral part of the execution of the event. Traditionally, a major tournament of this size would have seen the tasks grouped into committees with a separate chair for each, but due to time restraints Karen managed the full team of over 70 volunteers. She skillfully recruited and scheduled members from her home club, Blue Mountain Golf and Country Club, OslerBrook, and neighboring golf clubs to make up a full team of volunteers. Throughout the championship, Karen was on-site ensuring the “blue team” of volunteers was successfully engaged.

Born and raised in Toronto, Karen was the longtime Director of Volunteers at the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga. A member at Blue Mountain for the past eight years, the grandmother to five started volunteering as an activity that she could share with her husband Pat, who is a GAO Rules Official.

By taking on the daunting task of managing a full team of volunteers for a major championship, Karen played a key role in the execution of the Ontario Amateur, the GAO’s biggest championship.

District Volunteer of the Year – Bruce Rand, Essex-Kent District

This award has been designed to recognize those volunteers who embody the spirit of volunteerism and have shown dedication by making a significant contribution in promoting, supporting and expanding amateur golf within their District.

Windsor resident and longtime Essex-Kent District Coordinator Bruce Rand first began volunteering with the Ontario Golf Association in the mid-1980’s, serving as club representative for Beach Grove Golf and Country Club. A former assistant pro at Beach Grove, Bruce started actively volunteering with the Essex Kent District as a starter and scorer before taking on the lead role of District Coordinator in 2001 when the GAO was established. He has been a vital link between the GAO and golfers in the Essex-Kent District, tirelessly promoting GAO initiatives and growing the game at the club, District and provincial level. Bruce was instrumental in bringing three GAO events to Beach Grove over the past two years, and continues to act as a starter and scorer at provincial events throughout the District. While leading the District Executive Committee and serving on Beach Grove’s golf committee, Bruce is a familiar face at functions and meetings throughout Essex-Kent providing information about GAO programs and encouraging golfers to get involved by participating or volunteering. In 2013, Bruce served as the Senior Tournament Official at the Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship, one of the GAO’s major events.

Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award – Liz Hoffman

This award is considered the highest honour recognizing individual service to the game of golf in Ontario. The award is named after Richard H. Grimm, who was affectionately known as “Mr. Canadian Open” for his service to the event from 1965 to 1993. Throughout his time in golf, he has been known a masterful coordinator, promoter, official, fan, and – most importantly – a passionate volunteer who put his heart and soul into making golf better. The GAO’s Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual’s meritorious service to the game of golf in Ontario as a volunteer. Recipients of this award embody the principles of integrity, dignity and commitment which are central to the volunteer experience and to Mr. Grimm’s persona.

For more than three decades, Thornhill’s Liz Hoffman has been an influential leader in Canadian sport, as an elite athlete, successful coach and widely-respected administrator. She joined the GAO Board of Directors in in 2007, bringing her extensive knowledge and experience to become a driving force within the Association as a volunteer and fervent supporter of junior development programs across the province.

Liz’s passion for golf developed at an early age, when she won the Ontario junior and Quebec amateur championships before becoming a member of the national team and participating in numerous amateur championships throughout the world.  While serving as the University of Toronto’s Director of Athletics, Liz joined the GAO as a volunteer and immediately became part of the Executive Committee as Vice President before assuming the role of President in 2009. Outside of those key roles, Liz has also lent her expertise to multiple GAO committees including Hall of Fame, Scholarship, Governance, and Finance, while also chairing the Sport Development Committee and becoming a familiar face as a tournament official at championships across Ontario.

Liz’s outstanding leadership skills and passion for the advancement of young athletes has been instrumental in the establishment of multiple new GAO initiatives to develop junior golfers. She has been influential in the launch of Junior Golf Development Centres, which provide developmental pathways and coaching support for juniors, while providing guidance in securing provincial grants to help fund new programs. She also serves as a link between the GAO and Golf Canada, where she is a member of the Board of Directors and numerous Golf Canada committees. A member at Thornhill Golf and Country Club, Liz has been highly involved with junior golf at the Club, the golf and greens committees, and is on Thornhill’s Board serving as Membership Director.

For more information about the Golf Association of Ontario’s Volunteer program, or to become a volunteer, please contact the GAO’s Coordinator of Volunteers Sandy Davidson at 905-852-1101 ext. 236 or sdavidson@gao.ca

In the latest vote conducted by the Golf Coaches Association of Canada (GCAC), the University of Fraser Valley men’s squad and the Université de Montréal Carabins women’s team were both selected as the top-ranked male and female post-secondary golf programs in the country.

According to the GCAC Top 20 Fall Rankings, the Fraser Valley Cascades, the 2013 PACWEST and CCAA Champions, earned 41 points, edging out the University of Western Ontario Mustangs by two points. The University of Victoria Vikes (36 points) finished in third in the poll, while the Université de Laval Rouge et Or (30 points) and University of Toronto Varsity Blues rounded out the top-5.

The defending Canadian/University College champion the Université de Montréal Carabins (36 points) are the leaders of the GCAC Top 10 Fall Rankings on the women’s side. The Carabins narrowly edged out the University of Victoria Vikes (35 points). The University of Toronto Varsity Blues followed in third place (33 points), while the Cascades and the University of Waterloo Warriors completed the top-5.

The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) announced Genevieve Stelmacovich of Holland Landing, Ont. as the recipient of its 2013 Helena Harbridge Sportsmanship Award.

Stelmacovich, a 17-year old member at Pheasant Run Golf Club in Sharon, Ont. is the third Ontario native to earn the honorable distinction for an award that recognizes sportsmanship, dedication, and commitment in the game of golf.

The award is named after Helena Harbridge, an outstanding junior golfer and CJGA alum that passed away in 2006 during her freshman year at West Georgia University.

“I am very honoured to receive the Helena Harbridge Award” said Stelmacovich. “Helena represented traits I find valuable in junior golf and I try to emulate these traits on and off the golf course.”

Similar to the path Helana took, Stelmacovich is planning to play collegiate golf. Last season, she finished second on the CJGA’s National Order of Merit and currently sits sixth on this years ranking with one event left to play.

“Having golf in my life has helped me learn how to stay positive, have the will to work at something – no matter what the outcome seems to be – and to persevere,” added Stelmacovich. “All of these things have developed as I continue to golf and are present throughout my daily life.”

Winners of the Helena Harbridge Sportsmanship Award receive a beautiful custom trophy and a complimentary life time membership to the CJGA.

Helena Harbridge Sportsmanship Award Winners:

• 2012 – Molly Molyneaux (Prince Edward Island)
• 2011 – Marlies Klekner-Alt (Ontario)
• 2010 – Shannon Lee Greenshields (Quebec)
• 2009 – Thea Hedemann (Saskatchewan)
• 2008 – Jocelyn Alford (Alberta)
• 2007 – Juanita Rico (Alberta)
• 2006 – Lauren Bowerman-Ritchie (Ontario)

The world’s first digital-only golf news publication announced their inaugural Global All-Amateur Teams that recognize on-course amateur excellence around the world.

Amongst the 178 players worldwide selected for the awards, 11 Canadians were recognized at the amateur, mid-amateur and senior amateur levels.

Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson, 16, of Smiths Falls, Ont., earned First Team Women’s Amateur honours alongside 2013 Canadian Women’s Open Champion and former World Amateur No. 1, Lydia Ko of New Zealand. In 2013, Henderson’s excelled on the amateur and professional stage, winning the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and also making the cut at the LPGA’s U.S. Women’s Open and Manulife Financial LPGA Classic.

On the Men’s Mid-Amateur side, Team Canada’s Garrett Rank and Victoria’s Kevin Carrigan were named to the Men’s Mid-Amateur First Team. Rank, 26, of Elmira, Ont., earned medalist honours at the U.S. Amateur Public Links in the stroke-play competition and finished runner-up to Victoria, B.C.’s Carrigan (27) at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Christina Proteau of Port Alberni, B.C., and Stefi Markovich of Welland, Ont., each received Women’s Mid-Amateur First Team honours. Proteau captured the Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur title and advanced to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, while Markovich, the 2013 Ontario Mid-Amateur Champion, was a semi-finalist at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.

On the senior side, Calgary’s David Schultz was named to the Senior Men’s First Team after his victory at the Canadian Men’s Senior Championship where he held off the USA’s Chip Lutz. On the women’s side, 2013 Canadian Women’s Senior Champion, Mary Ann Hayward of Aurora, Ont., grabbed a spot on the First-Team, after making it to the Round of 16 at the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur.

Team Canada’s Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., notched the lone position in the Men’s Amateur awards. The Kent State University senior earned Second Team accolades after his runner-up finishes at the U.S. Amateur and Canadian Men’s Amateur Championships. Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., received an honorable mention after his victory at the Porter Cup.

Also earning Second Team honours were Jennifer Lochhead of Ancaster, Ont., and Judith Kyrinis of Thornhill, Ont., in the women’s mid-amateur division.

To see the entire award winners list, click here.

Canadians Kevin Carrigan of Victoria, B.C., and Bobby Wiebe of Headingley, Man., failed to make it past the second round of match play at the Argentine Amateur in Buenos Aires at the Martindale Country Club on the weekend.

Carrigan started out strong on Wednesday, capturing the second seed overall heading into Friday’s match play rounds. The 27-year-old earned the designation by carding an 8-under 136 (69-67) to finish one back of Filippo Campigli of Italy.

Carrigan went on to defeat 63rd seed Martin Flores by one hole in the first round of match play. He was later knocked off by Alfonso Otoya 6 and 5.
Wiebe was given the 35th seed after making the cut with a 6-over 150 (80-70). He came up short in the first match play round, losing to Andre Wink of Brazil, 4 and 3.

The eventual champion was 15-year-old Argentinian Marcos Montenegro of Buenos Aires. The youngster defeated Jacopo Vecchi Fossa of Italy 4 and 3 after 36 holes of play.

For stroke play scores, click here.
For a match play tree, click here.

Peterborough native Reggie Millage has been named Head Provincial Coach for The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO).
In his new position, Millage will lead the delivery of the GAO’s high performance programs including Team Ontario, the regional team development programs and coach development programs.

“I am very humbled and excited by this opportunity to coach some of Ontario’s finest athletes,” said Millage. “I look forward to working and learning with the other great coaches in the province as we help Ontario’s junior golfers shine on the international stage.”
Millage is one of Canada’s top high performance coaches, drawing on his extensive experience and success as a competitive golfer. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Millage starred on the NCAA Div. 1 golf team for four years and was also a member of Golf Canada’s national team from 1998-2000.

After turning professional, Millage played on various tours from 2000-2004 before shifting his focus to coaching while continuing to play competitively. A Class “A” PGA of Canada professional, Millage is currently ranked 14th on the PGA of Canada Players rankings.

Millage has worked alongside some of Canada’s most accomplished coaches and has several years of experience working with juniors while teaching at The Glen Abbey Academy and Henry Brunton Golf. He is a familiar face to Team Ontario athletes, serving as a member of Team Ontario’s coaching staff for numerous events over the past two years while coaching at Team Ontario’s winter training facility, The Golf Lab.

“Following an extensive search, the GAO is thrilled to welcome to Reggie to the team,” said Mike Kelly, GAO Managing Director of Sport. “We have no doubt he will have an immediate impact on the Team Ontario program.”

Millage will also manage the implementation of the Provincial High Performance Strategic Plan, the High Performance Integrated Support Team (IST), as well as player identification, scouting programs and recruiting systems.

“It is an honour to join the staff at the Golf Association of Ontario,” said Millage. “I fondly remember the days competing in GAO events and the great road trips and friends I made as a member of Team Ontario.”

The terrific staff and tireless volunteers are constantly working to grow the game and I can’t wait to work with them.”