Charles Fitzsimmons (Beacon Hall) claims Ontario Mid Amateur Championship
Golf Ontario
McKELLAR, ON – The 34th Golf Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship concluded on Wednesday, June 17, after three rounds of play at Manitou Ridge Golf Club.
This championship brought together some of the province’s top amateur golfers aged 25 and older to test their skills across the unique terrain of Northern Ontario.
The Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship has crowned many of the province’s best golfers throughout its history. Several past champions returned to the field this week, including Ryan Tsang, David Lang, Ryan Kings, Charles Fitzsimmons and defending champion Cam Burke. The championship’s rich history is filled with memorable moments and exciting finishes – and this year was no exception.
Championship Play
Monday marked the start of official play, as players took to the course at Manitou Ridge Golf Club. Kyle Gordon set the pace early, taking an early lead with a score of 68 after the opening round of play.
Tuesday’s second round narrowed the field; a cut was made after two rounds of play. Gordon maintained his position at the top of the leaderboard, while Fitzsimmons climbed into a share of the lead. The pair entered the final round tied at 6-under par with matching 36-hole totals of 138, setting the stage for an exciting finish.
Wednesday began with rainy conditions, but the weather did little to impact the excitement of play. Gordon and Fitzsimmons remained close throughout the day, with Gordon holding the lead at 5-under par heading to the 18th hole.
Fitzsimmons capitalized on the final hole to secure the championship title and claim his second Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. After a back-and-forth final round, he finished one stroke ahead to complete the comeback victory.
“Winning is always a really special thing; winning a provincial championship is even more special,” said Fitzsimmons. “It’s been seven years since my first one, so it was a bit of a long stretch there, and I’ve been close a couple of times, so to get it done here, it means a lot.”
Reflecting on the final round, Fitzsimmons emphasized the importance of perseverance.
“Winning golf tournaments is hard,” he said. “That was the kind of thought I had going through my mind on the back nine. I hit a couple of tough shots and Kyle played really well for a long stretch there, but I just kept saying it’s hard to win golf tournaments; stay in there, see what you can do.”
Final Leaderboard
- 1. Charles Fitzsimmons (Beacon Hall Golf Club) finished at 4-under par with rounds of 70-68-74 for a three-round total of 212.
- T2. Tyler Stone (Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club) finished at 3-under par with rounds of 75-67-71 for a total of 213.
- T2. Kyle Gordon (Coppinwood Golf Club) finished at 3-under par with rounds of 68-70-75 for a total of 213.
Championship Highlight Moments
The championship featured several memorable moments throughout the three rounds of play.
- One of the week’s standout moments came on the 10th hole, where Torey Peet recorded a rare albatross.
- Jackson Bowery recorded the championship’s lowest single-round score, carding a 66 in the third round of play.
Beyond the competition, players and spectators embraced the true Northern Ontario experience, with frequent wildlife sightings throughout the week – including a curious bear wandering throughout the course and driving range.
Thank You Manitou Ridge
Throughout the championship, competitors praised the outstanding conditions at Manitou Ridge, particularly the quality of the greens, which remained in excellent condition despite changing weather conditions.
Golf Ontario extends a sincere thank you to everyone at Manitou Ridge for their generosity, hospitality and dedication in hosting this year’s Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
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