For Immediate Release

May 19, 2016

Champion claims 2016 Women’s Champion of Champions; Pilkey victorious in Senior Women’s Champion of Champions

HAMILTON— The Golf Ontario women’s provincial championship calendar kicked off on May 19 from the Beverly Golf & Country Club in Hamilton with the Women’s and Senior Women’s Champion of Champions, presented by Turkish Airlines. This year saw 42 club champions from across the province tee it up in the Women’s event and 40 take part in the Senior championship all with the goal of becoming the Ontario Champion of Champions.

It was a well-rounded field as champions ranged from just 18 years of age all the way to 73, between the two events. In the Women’s event, it was 19-year-old Julia Champion who carded the low round of the day. Champion, from Markham and the Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club, shot a three-over (73) to claim the title. After the win, the Western Michigan University Bronco talked about the key to her success. “Today my ball striking was the best that it has probably been in a while. My short game was great too, it saved me a couple of times. I left a couple out there, but overall I am happy with the way I played.”

Finishing tied for second were Pickering’s Crystina Kertsos, from York Downs Golf & Country Club, and Etobicoke’s Marion Reid, from Islington Golf Club. Both players were just one shot off the lead, finishing four-over (74).

The senior side saw a familiar face to Golf Ontario. Former President Kathy Pilkey, from Sleepy Hollow Country Club, put together the best round of the day, carding a four-over (74) to take the title. It was the first provincial title for the 60-year-old Claremont resident.

“It feels fantastic to win this title, I am so thrilled!” said Pilkey. “The strength of my game today was definitely my ball striking. I had a lesson on Tuesday and all of a sudden, things started to feel great. I didn’t make one birdie, but I played rock-solid golf and it felt good.”

Winning the silver was last year’s champion, Strathroy’s Jane Hedges-McKinnon, from Bear Creek Golf & Country Club. Hedges-McKinnon finished one back at five-over (75).

Earning the bronze medal was Mississauga’s Debbie Court. The Toronto Golf Club member finished six-over (76) to round out the top three.

Golf Ontario would like to thank Beverly Golf & Country Club along with their staff and members for hosting the event. Thanks also to all of the Golf Ontario volunteers for their continued hard work. Finally, a big thanks to Turkish Airlines for sponsoring the event.         

For full results and information from the Women’s Champion of Champions see the tournament site here: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao1614/contest/1/leaderboard.htm

For the Senior Women’s Champion of Champions see the tournament page at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao16117/contest/1/leaderboard.htm

About The Ontario Women’s Champion of Champions and Senior Women’s Champion of Champions

Since 2006 the Ontario Women's Champion of Champions event has been contested annually and features female club champions from Golf Ontario member clubs across the province. Past champions include: Brittany Marchand, Stefani Markovich, Julia Hodgson and Elizabeth Tong. The Senior Women’s Champion of Champions made its debut in 2015 and has been played in conjunction with the Women’s Champion of Champions for the past two years.

ABOUT GOLF ONTARIO

Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world.  From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and getting the game of golf into our school systems, to keeping the Ontario golf community aware of all relevant issues and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to making golf better for everyone in Ontario. We share a love and passion for golf, while preserving its past, fostering its future, and championing golf’s best interests for everyone who enjoys the sport.

For more information, please contact:

Darren Matte, Communications and Marketing Coordinator

Golf Ontario

905-852-1101 ext. 234

dmatte@gao.ca