Posted On: Wednesday, June 26, 2019
The 18th hole on the Legends course at Woodington Lake Golf Club is a spectacular finishing hole.
Golf Ontario held a Media Day Tuesday, June 25 to celebrate the announcements that the Ontario Open - a storied championship that dates back to 1923 - and the first-ever Ontario Disability Championship will be held in late August at Woodington Lake Golf Club.
“We are thrilled to be bringing back the Ontario Open, one of the oldest golf Championships in the world in 2019,” said Mike Kelly, Executive Director of Golf Ontario.
“This Championship will be a true open championship and should attract some of the best golfers in Ontario and beyond to test their games on the beautiful Woodington Lake Golf Club. With a minimum purse of $40,000, we expect this championship to immediately become a must-play event on the golfing calendar in 2019,” he said.
Past winners include golf greats Sam Snead, Moe Norman, George Knudson and Nick Weslock, a 7-time winner.
Woodington Lake, located near Tottenham, has signed a five-year agreement to be the host club for the Open.
“We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Golf Ontario to be bringing back the Ontario Open,” said Domenic DiGironimo, Woodington’s General Manager.
“The thought of being part of the return of a championship with previous winners like Snead, Norman and Knudson, is something that gets the whole team at Woodington Lake Golf Club excited, and we look forward to showcasing our facility to the region’s best golfers in August. With 11 green-side bunkers to be rebuilt and 23 others refurbished during the month of July, the course is expected to be in peak condition for the Open.”
The event, open to amateurs and pros, will be held Aug. 26-29.
There will be multiple qualifying sites available: June 26 – Meadowbrook Golf Club; June 29 – RiverBend Golf Club; July 2 – Greyhawk Golf Club; and July 6 – Woodington Lake Golf Club.
During a press conference at the Media Day, tournament organizers noted the strong sponsorship support for the event.
The Evanov Radio Group is providing key support as the lead media partner and the list of current sponsors includes presenting partners Moosehead Breweries and TaylorMade Canada. Other partners include Beattie’s Distillers, Lavazza, Tre Amici Wines, and Yamaha Turf Care.
Golf Ontario will also be partnering during the same week in August to present the Disability Championship. That event will be held Aug. 24-26.
The event will help deliver on a core element of the Golf Ontario strategic plan, says Kelly.
“The Golf Ontario Disability Championship is an important first step in building a more diverse and inclusive golf environment in Ontario. Taking part the same week as the Ontario Open will provide strong exposure and good infrastructure as we deliver what we hope to be the first of many, many years of the Golf Ontario disability championship,” Kelly said.
Tony Bennett, President of the European Disability Golf Association, and Head of Disability and Inclusion of the International Golf Federation, is applauding the efforts to introduce this event in Ontario.
“With a growing realization of the health-enhancing benefits of physical activity and social inclusion, golf for the disabled is gaining ground as the sport of choice for an increasing number of individuals with a disability,” he said.
“As a still ball game, golf offers even the most profoundly disabled an opportunity to participate and enjoy the thrill of the game. For those who wish to test their skills against others the golf handicap system and modified rules ensure a level playing field regardless of their ability,” said Bennett.
“I offer my congratulations to Golf Ontario for their leadership in bringing to life the Ontario Disability Championship and to the Woodington Lake Golf Club for stepping forward to be the host venue. I am sure all who play in this event will have a wonderful experience, create lasting memories and forge new friendships,” Bennett said.
The championship will feature one practice round and 36 holes of championship stroke play across four open divisions. There will be a low gross and low net for both women and men. The Championship will be open to all ages and will require participants to have an Official Handicap Index Limit of 28 for men, and 36 for women.
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