Golf Ontario – KANATA — Heavy winds took over the second round of the 2016 Investors Group Ontario Senior Men’s Championship on Aug. 5 at The Marshes Golf Club in Kanata. The conditions severely affected the field as only a pair of players were able to card rounds under par. Leading the way at the end of the day was Pickering’s Christopher Kertsos at one-under for the championship (71-72-143).

Kertsos, from York Downs Golf & Country Club, came into the round sitting in a tie for third after an opening round of one-under (71). The 60-year-old began round two on the back nine and found himself even for the day at the turn. Back-to-back birdies on holes one and two dropped him to two-under for the day. However, after a bogey on the fifth, he doubled the sixth. He did finish the round on a positive note with a birdie on the ninth, which helped him end the day at even par (72). Kertsos also has the lead in the 60+ Division.

Sitting two-shots back in second place is Ottawa’s Randy Blondin. Blondin, who is playing the event at his home course of The Marshes, also entered the day tied at one-under.  After an even front nine, Blondin battled the back nine and finished the round two-over (74). He is now one-over for the championship (71-74-145).

Third belongs to Kitchener’s Rick Valin and Toronto’s Robert Gibson at two-over. Valin, from Deer Ridge Golf Club, followed up an opening round four-over (75) with one of only two below-par rounds during the second day. Valin finished the second round one-under (71). As for Gibson, from Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club, he carded a two-over (74) to follow up his first day of even par (72).

Rounding out top five is a four-way tie at four-over (148). Included in the tie are: Wasaga Beach’s Nick Digiandomenico (71-77), Peterborough’s Dan O Donoghue (75-73), Oakville’s Lars Melander (74-74) and London’s Douglas Alexander (68-80).

In the 70+ Division, Collingwood’s Brian Jeffery leads at eight-over for the tournament (80-72-152).

In total, 137 players began the competition. After the round, the field was cut to the lowest 60 scores including ties. The cut was set at 14-over (158) and 67 players advanced to tomorrow’s final round. The final round begins tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.  For complete tournament information visit the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao1612/index.htm

In addition to the championships, players are also competing for one of 34 quota spots for the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship, Sept. 6-9, at Grand Niagara Golf Club. The top three also earn the right to represent Ontario in the team competition at the Canadian Senior Men’s Championship.  

About the Investors Group Senior Men’s Championship

The Investors Group Ontario Senior Men’s Championship is contested annually and features Ontario’s best male amateur golfers age 55 and older. 2016 marks the 81st playing of the event, and notable past champions include: Ontario Golf Hall of Fame members Stu Hamilton and Nick Weslock, Herb Carnegie, Ed Ervasti, and Michael Jackson.

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