Joe McLean, PGA of Ottawa
July 25, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – The PGA of Ottawa held its 2023 Championships for assistant, senior and ladies golf professionals on the Flagstick.com PGA Ottawa Tour at the Mississippi Golf Club in Appleton, Ontario on Monday, July 24, 2023.
The weather was perfect at the beginning of the three championships being contested at the Mississippi. A gentle breeze tempered the heat of the noon-hour start to the competitions. However, a storm blew in around 4 pm just as the lead group was finishing and because of the imminent threat of lightning in the area, PGA of Ottawa Zone Executive Director Carol Ann Baxter brought the competitors into the clubhouse with a long blast of the horn. Within 40 minutes, the storm had passed and players were back on the course and most of the competitors were able to finish before the horn sounded again around. A fresh storm passed through quickly round 6:30 and the final three groups were sent out to complete their final few holes.
Ladies Championship Won by Rivermead’s Sarah Landry
Sarah Landry from the Rivermead Golf Club in Gatineau, Quebec, winner of the PGA of Ottawa’s Summer Open at Whitetail Golf Club earlier this summer, continued her winning streak with her score of 7 over par 79 in winning her first PGA of Ottawa’s Ladies Championship. Runner-up with a score of 86 was Alison Timlin from the Kevin Haime Golf Centre.
Sarah Landry talked about her championship win. “It was nice to play today with Alison Timlin, my former junior competitor. The course was in excellent shape and my golf ball was rolling nicely on the greens and we had lots of fun. I tried to play smart all day keeping my ball in play and only using my driver when I felt comfortable. I’m happy for my win.”
Assistant’s Championship Won by Ottawa Hunt’s Shawn Banfield
Shawn Banfield from the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club bested the field of assistant professionals with his score of 73 to hoist the Kolar Trophy donated by Mississippi Golf Club’s Pro-Manager Dan Kolar. One stroke back was Reggie Harmer from the 19th Tee. Tied for third place with scores of 75 were Rideau View Golf Club’s Tyler Epp and Brett Claggett Woods from the Canadian Golf & Country Club. Allen McGee from the Edgewood Links Golf Club and Taylor Lafferty from GOLFTEC Ottawa tied for fifth place with their scores of 76.
“I remember my five-hole playoff out here pre-COVID”, said the newly crowned PGA of Ottawa Assistant’s Champion. “It’s nice to be on the winning side this time around. I did ask where I stood on the 18th tee and when I heard I had a two-stroke lead; it made my decision on what to hit off the tee easier. I decided not to lie up short of the creek and instead flew it leaving me in a great position. I had an up and down day out there. As a typical assistant in the zone, we don’t get to play a lot of golf and my shots weren’t as crisp as they could be but considering this was only my fourth game this year, I’m quite happy with the win. My driver was the best club in my bag today and I was swinging it free and easy. Hopefully I can carry this win over to the zone championship next month.”
Seniors ‘ Championship Won by GUNNGOLF’S Graham Gunn
For the 11th time, GUNNGOLF’s Graham Gunn lifted the Stan Kolar Memorial Trophy as winner of the PGA of Ottawa’s Senior Championship. Graham posted his winning score of 2 under par 70 narrowly edging out Rideau View’s Roger Beale by one stroke for the overall title. Roger was playing in his first senior championship.
“It was nice to win my eleventh PGA of Ottawa Senior Championship”, said GUNNGOLF’s Graham Gunn. “That was kind of a goal for me and I was hoping there was one more left and I’m grateful for this win. I finished under par in spite of a double and two other bogies. The course was spectacular. I was saying to Dan (Kolar) earlier that it was the best I’ve seen it. It was flawless.”
The senior division is broken into age divisions so Roger finished in first place in the junior-seniors division for golf professionals aged 50-59. Tied for second with scores of 74 were Champlain’s Marc Blais and Pasquale Mongillo from Archies Family Golf Centre in Cornwall, Ontario. Fourth place was won by the recently retired PGA of Canada’s Darrell Buchanan with his score of 76.
In the veteran senior’s division of golf professionals aged 60-69, Pineview Golf Club’s Steve Hall led the way with his score of 74 followed by Smiths Falls’ John Doolan and Champlain’s Jean Pilon with scores of 75 and 80 respectfully.
Cedarhill’s Barry Laphen led the way in the super-senior division for golf professionals aged 70-79 with his fine score of 77.
Candidates for Membership
Nick Fowler from the eQuinelle Golf Club gained his membership in the PGA of Canada by playing in at Mississippi Golf.
PGA of Ottawa golf professionals thanked the members of the Mississippi Golf Club for giving up playing time and allowing them to hold their assistant, ladies and senior championships. PGA of Ottawa golf professionals also extended their thanks to Mississippi Pro- Manager Dan Kolar and his staff for their assistance during the day.
Next up for PGA of Ottawa golf professionals on the Flagstick.com PGA Ottawa Tour is their Pro-Lady at the Loch March Golf Club on Monday, August 14.
PGA of Canada – Ottawa Zone
The Ottawa Zone of the PGA of Canada was established in 1975 becoming one of nine zones across Canada. The PGA of Ottawa is a non-profit Association comprised of nearly 200 golf professionals across the Zone. The Association’s mandate is to develop, promote and support its members in living a better life and earning a better living while growing participation, excellence and passion for the sport of golf.
