Local pros keep their edge on Ontario-based circuits
Several of Waterloo Region’s top professionals have been quenching their thirst for competition this summer on the Hamilton-based Great Lakes Tour.
Launched in 2001, the highly competitive circuit is continuing its wraparound 2020-21 schedule this week with the Southern Ontario Open at the Port Dover Golf Club. Players are competing for $54,000 in prize money at the 54-hole event, with the first-place winner earning $8,000 and one of 10 available exemptions into the Aug. 12-15 Canada Cup in Victoriaville, Que.
A maximum of 156 golfers will compete in the Quebec event, with players competing for $125,000 in prize money and a $25,000 winner’s cheque. The tournament has offered exemptions to players from three of Canada’s biggest development tours, with Quebec’s East Coast Pro Tour receiving 45, the Great Lakes Tour receiving 40 and the Vancouver Golf Tour getting 10.
The Southern Ontario Open wraps up Saturday with Waterloo’s Austin Ryan, a former Ontario university champion, leading the local contingent into the final round. The former Wilfrid Laurier standout fired a round of 7-under 64 for a twoday total of 11-under 131 and is one shot behind second-round leader Sebastian Szirmak of Toronto.
Victoria Ciesielski of Cambridge is 18th at 4-under 138 (70-68), Brendan Leonard
of Cambridge is tied for 19th at 139 (67-72) and Luke Moser of Waterloo is tied for 31st at 2over 144 (72-72).
The Port Dover tournament is a milestone event for the Great Lakes Tour, which for the first time is livestreaming the event for those who are willing to cough up a $6 subscription fee. Subscribers will also have access to the Canada Cup and the Sept. 9-10 GLT Tour Championship.
Ottawa-based GolfZoogle has a three-year deal with the Great Lakes Tour and will also serve as presenting sponsor.
Additional information and streaming registration are available at greatlakestour.com and golfzoogle.ca.
Another Ontario option
A few of the aforementioned locals are also competing on the Toronto Players Tour that resumes with the July 20-21 Sudbury Golf Championship.
After seven events, Leonard leads the order of merit with 2,217.50 points and is well ahead of Ryan, who sits second at 1,147.42. Keaton Jones of Kitchener is fourth at 1,029.63 and Moser sits 11th at 642.20.
Of note, Leonard finished first and won $5,000 at the June 9-10 Belleville Classic, and Jones finished first and won $4,000 at the Brooklea National Championship. Jones’s victory came on the fourth playoff hole against Moser and was his first win on the Toronto Players Tour.
Chip shot closer to normality
Ontario’s move into Step 3 — with 70 to 80 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 25 per cent vaccinated with two doses — has a significant impact on the province’s golf industry.
The news is good for owners and players alike, especially for those who miss things we took for granted before the arrival of COVID-19.
For example, flagsticks can now be touched/removed when putting and ball-blocking devices such as pool noodles and PVC pipes have been removed. Traditional bunker rules have also returned, with players now able to hit out of the sand and rake their mess when exiting.
Masks must still be worn indoors but there are no longer limits on seating for outdoor dining/drinks. Players are also allowed to arrive in advance of their rounds to use locker rooms, practice range, putting green or other facilities as opposed to the 20 minutes that had been previously recommended.
As well, golfers sharing a cart from different households will no longer be required to be masked while riding together.
CHIP SHOTS: Whistle Bear member Andreas Diogenous get his first taste of competition at the U.S. junior amateur championship Monday at the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst. The Cambridge teen is one of seven Canadians in the field of 264 competitors . ... A qualifier for the July 26-29 Ontario junior boys championship at Whistle Bear will be staged Sunday at Cambridge Golf Club. Locals in the field include Anupam Chettimada , Charlie Cooper, Graem Costigan, Justin George, Joey Parkhill, Tyson Roth, Carter Roung, Kayden White, Matthew Whitehead and Nolan Wilson . ... A qualifier for the Sept. 28-30 Ontario mid-amateur championship at Taboo Muskoka Golf Course will be staged Tuesday at Rebel Creek. The local entries include
Bradley Goulding, Chima McLean, Dean Weber, Scott Richardson, Jeff Kelly, John Storozuk, Josh Hunke, Matthew Hunter, Mike Roberts
and Rob Cowan.