Round 3 Recap

Peter McCarthy Fights Back to Win Second Ontario Men's Mid-Amateur Title

Thornhill, ON – Toronto’s Peter McCarthy held on to claim the the Investor’s Group Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship today at Thornhill Golf and Country Club, finishing 54 holes with a three-over 216. McCarthy joins former champion Stu Hamilton (1993, 1998) as only the second player to win the title twice.

McCarthy started the day three strokes behind leader Shawn LaFontaine, but took over the lead after consistent play through the front nine. A member of Rosedale for the past 24 years, McCarthy continued his momentum into the back nine with a three-foot birdie putt on the tenth hole. Three more birdies were to follow, and despite a pair of missed putts for par and a shot into the water on 18, McCarthy’s solid three round performance clinched the title by one stroke.

McCarthy considers his victory the icing on the cake following a challenging year. After being diagnosed with lymphoma cancer during last year’s Mid-Amateur, McCarthy spent much of 2007 focused on his health.

"I consider today a big step forward," says McCarthy of his recovery. "It means a lot to be able to be here this week."

Peter was joined at the course by his biggest fans - twin two year old daughters Hannah and Molly, who accompanied wife Janet to watch Dad win his second Mid-Amateur Championship.

Finishing in second place at four-over 217 was Rob Cowan of Waterloo. The Westmount Golf and Country Club member finished with the best round of the day, carding six birdies for a three-under 68 to jump up the leaderboard. Cowan also clinched the Ontario Mid-Masters title (age 40 and over). Third place went to 2007 champion Dave Bunker of Woodbridge who finished the week with a 54 hole total 220. Round two leader LaFontaine of Cobourg carded nine bogeys to slip to a tie for sixth with Matthew Ion Young of Burlington.

The top 32 players at this tournament receive exemptions to the Canadian Mid-Amateur this summer at Qualicum Beach, British Columbia. McCarthy, Cowan, and Bunker will represent Team Ontario at the same event along with Stoney Creek’s Darren Shaw who won the honor in a playoff hole with Mark Brewer of Pickering after the final round today.

The Golf Association of Ontario would like to thank Investors Group for their continued support of amateur golf in Ontario. Special thanks is also extended to the staff of Thornhill Golf and Country Club for their hospitality throughout the week.

About the GAO

The GAO is representative of over 425 member clubs/groups and over 110,000 individual members across Ontario. While promoting the growth and development of amateur golf, the GAO provides core member services such as the Rules of Golf, Handicapping, Course Rating, and Player Development initiatives. The GAO also conducts Provincial Championships, Camps, Clinics and Seminars across the province.

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For more information, please contact:

Claire Welsh

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Golf Association of Ontario

Phone: 905.852.1101 ext. 234

cwelsh@gao.ca