What could’ve arguably been the most anticipated and significant weekend of golf the Hollinger Golf Club has welcomed in its 99 year history, Golf Canada’s NextGen Fall Series East Championship wrapped up on Sunday with Cameron Pero of Bloomington, ON claiming the boys title with a 3-shot lead while Ella Weber of Burlington, ON bested the girls division by 2 strokes.With some of the best up and coming juniors of the country taking over the Hollinger from September 16th-19th, this weekend signified a little more than just great golf.
Boys champion Cameron Pero & Girls Champion Ella Weber. (Picture from Kenneth Harrison of Golf Canada
To give you a better idea, the Northern Golf Association was absent from the Golf Ontario and Golf Canada membership for 25+ years before formally rejoining the programing in 2018. The Hollinger didn’t rejoin until 2017 after a short stint in the early 2000’s. These were big steps for both the NGA and the Hollinger along with its members for several reasons worth noting. A Golf Canada membership has proven to be beneficial for a number of reasons;
- Track your official handicap index
- Access Golf Canada Score Centre to track stats
- Compete against others in fun games
- Up to $2,500 reimbursement for damaged, lost or stolen equipment
- Up to $1,000 towards the cost of repairing or replacing a window
- Up to $2,500 for golf cart related accidents
- Up to $1,000 for any travel related incidents
- Several discounts with partnering corporations
Not only is a Golf Canada membership beneficial for the individual golfer, but as seen this past weekend, beneficial for member clubs as well.
Through the efforts of many, the Hollinger was able to successfully bid and host a nationally sanctioned event for the first time in the history of Timmins and Golf Canada. It is very unusual for Golf Canada to take a chance on a small Northern Ontario community as there are countless of golf, community and financial requirements needed to meet the standard of hosting a high caliber event.
Long-time Hollinger member, Northern Golf Association Board of Director, junior golf advocate and Tournament Chair Owen Rigg accepted this challenge and understood what this could mean for the game of golf in Northern Ontario for years to come.
Being able to host a tournament like this, it’s huge. I think we executed everything from top to bottom and showed that Golf Canada can’t sleep on the north. This was our opportunity to showcase what we can do and everyone at the Hollinger and the city of Timmins came together. It’s definitely a proud moment for us.
Rigg also acknowledged the importance of bringing a high level of junior golf to the area and what it means for junior golf moving forward.
“The Hollinger did such a great job sparking our junior program this year, and to have those kids out here volunteering and being a part of something special, it’s pretty cool to see. We hope that it inspired them to want to compete and continue to improve for years to come.”
Hollinger’s SuperCamp Juniors circle #18 green with ‘quiet’ signs with a crowd looking on
In an e-mail to the Tournament Committee, Golf Canada Assistant Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna was quick to acknowledge Rigg’s work in bringing the event to Timmins.
Tournament Chair Owen Rigg & Golf Canada Assistant Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna
“A special thank you to Owen in pushing to bring this event to the Hollinger. Often it takes a community champion to make things happen, and you were certainly that in ensuring the Hollinger had the opportunity to host a Golf Canada championship. The players and parents certainly notice when a club goes above and beyond, and your committee certainly achieved that this past week.”
McKenna also acknowledged the tremendous work of Hollinger staff, Jo-Lee for her leadership and accommodation, Superintendent Cory Hofferd and his team, the city of Timmins and of course all those who played a role in putting on a first-class event. McKenna added that she is looking forward to seeing what Golf Canada can do in the future in Timmins.
It goes without saying that this event would not have been possible without the help of so many, so much so that a simple thank you would not be sufficed. A separate post will be released to give much deserved recognition to everyone involved.
VIEW FULL TOURNAMENT RESULTS HERE
VIEW HOLLINGER PHOTO GALLERY OF THE NEXTGEN CHAMPIONSHIPS BELOW
