Golf Ontario — Windy conditions dominated the day as the Women’s and Senior Women’s Champion of Champions tournaments were contested at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton on May 18.

While the wind wreaked havoc on all of the scores, St. Catharines’ Chris Critelli and Strathroy’s Jane Hedges-Mckinnon were able to withstand the gusts and their competition to capture their respective titles.

Much like the men’s event, which was contested two days earlier at Heron Point, the Women’s Champion of Champions needed a playoff to decide a winner. After 18 holes both Critelli and St. Thomas’ Mary Ann Hayward shared the top spot at 10-over (80).

After Hayward, from St. Thomas Golf & Country Club, missed her par putt during the playoff, Critelli, a St. Catharines Golf & Country Club member, had a par putt of her own for the win. She would sink the putt to seal the victory.

“It was a crazy day out there. It was tough to play and I am sure that everybody had a tough round. I can’t believe I won! I am a little speechless. This is a great group of women to play with.  They are all very supportive and I am glad to be a part of it.”

Hayward, who won the event in 2015, took home the silver while Markham’s Sunmi Ko, from Station Creek Golf Club, finished with the bronze, thanks to a round of 14-over (84).

In the Senior Women’s Champion of Champions, it was a familiar face who took home the top prize. Hedges-McKinnon, from Bear Creek Golf & Country Club, was the inaugural winner of the tournament back in 2015. Thanks to her round of 14-over (84), Hedges-McKinnon became the first two-time champion of the event.

“I’ve never been the first person to win anything twice!” Said Hedges-McKinnon after her win. “I am really happy because it was really a question of just sticking in there and not getting disappointed by things. They (the windy conditions) were going to happen to everyone. My long shots were actually ok; it was around the green where it was most difficult. I knew I would make some bogies, but if I slipped a couple pars in, it would all be good.”

Finishing in second place, and earning the silver was Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg. The Granite Golf Club member carded a 15-over (85) to narrowly miss the top spot. Rounding out the podium was London’s Theresa Flanagan from Highland Country Club. Flanagan finished 19-over (89) during the round.  

For more information, including the final leaderboard for the Women’s Champion of Champions visit the tournament site at:https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao17127/index.htm. For complete information on the Senior Women’s Champion of Champions visit:https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao17126/index.htm.  

Golf Ontario would like to thank Heron Point Golf Links and Clublink, along with their staff, for hosting the event.  Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers for their continued support of golf in the province.

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, Elizabeth Tong and Mary Ann Hayward.

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. Kathy Pilkey is the only other past champion.

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 90,000 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

 

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Results for contest 2016 Women's Champion of Champ:
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 1   Chris Critelli     80 +10  
 2   Mary Ann Hayward   80 +10  
 3   Sunmi Ko           84 +14  
 4   Jeanne Beaith      85 +15  
 5   Marion Reid        87 +17  
 6   Joanne Heffernan   88 +18  
 7   Carolyn Agnew      88 +18  
 8   Jean Dohring       89 +19  
 9   Shannon Rowan      91 +21  
 10  Leslie Walsh       91 +21  
 11  Denise Schaefer    91 +21  
 12  Kim Salonen        91 +21  
 13  Julie Green        92 +22  
 14  Dana Saccoccio     93 +23  
 15  Nancy Vamvakas     93 +23  
 16  Patty Vance        95 +25  
 17  Ginny Marshall     95 +25  
 18  Maria Chang        96 +26  
 19  Laura Martin       97 +27  
 20  Kimberley Legge    98 +28  
 21  Brenda Kersey      98 +28  
 22  Tania Clancy       100 +30 
 23  Dianne Haist       101 +31 
 24  Cathy E. Koszman   101 +31 
 25  Lisa Strutt        102 +32 
 26  Leini Locsin       103 +33 
 27  Lori Bishenden     104 +34 
 28  Anita Podolinsky   108 +38 
 29  Michelle Cottrell  108 +38 

Golf Ontario - Women's Champion of Champions Results  -  Powered by BlueGolf
Click here for complete tournament results
Date: May 18
Course:Heron Point Golf Links(Alberton, ON)

Par and Total Yardage By Division
Heron Point Golf Links (Par: 70 Distance: 5600)