Golf Ontario celebrates 2025 Volunteer Award recipients
At Golf Ontario, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Their dedication, time, and passion fuel the success of our programs, events, and the vibrant golf community we continue to grow across the province. Each fall, we come together to celebrate these incredible individuals at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Days. During these celebrations, we honour milestone years of service and proudly present two of our highest volunteer accolades: the Volunteer of the Year Award and the Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award.
Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award
Sharon has volunteered with Golf Ontario since 2008. For over 15 years she has been a tremendous asset to the course rating team. She currently acts as the team leader for the Peterborough region and does so with infectious energy. She’s always on time for ratings, keeps the process running smoothly, and makes sure everyone is on the same page with her communication skills. Known for being detail oriented (a tremendous asset in the CR process) Sharon also finds time to play Oliver’s Nest Golf Course (her home club) and flirts with being a single-digit handicap!
Sharon’s dedication and positive attitude make her a pleasure to work with, and her commitment to Golf Ontario and the course rating program is exemplary. When she does retire from the course rating team lead, we are certain Sharon will continue to share her genuine love for golf with others and will be a lifelong ambassador for the game.
Sharon goes above and beyond; embodying the spirit, passion and dedication of the sport, which makes her an obvious choice for the Golf Ontario Dick Grimm Distinguished Service Award. Thank you Sharon!
Volunteer of the Year Award
Since joining Golf Ontario as a volunteer in 2018, Judy Pouliot has distinguished herself as an exceptional leader and ambassador for the game. A nationally certified Level 3 referee, Judy has not only mastered the Rules of Golf but has also dedicated herself to educating and mentoring others.
Her leadership in delivering “Rules Ready” programming at clubs throughout the Kingston area has introduced countless golfers to the fundamentals of the game, while her instruction in the Level 2 Rules program has inspired many to pursue advanced certification. Judy’s impact extends well beyond education—her presence as a referee has been instrumental in the growth and success of Golf Ontario championships, in addition to her contributions at Golf Canada and GTA AM Tour events.
Judy is known for her professionalism, fairness, and warmth on the course. She fosters an inclusive and welcoming environment for athletes and volunteers alike, handling every ruling with integrity, kindness, and respect. Her passion for golf and unwavering commitment to the sport exemplify the very best of volunteerism. Judy Pouliot’s contributions have left a lasting mark on our championships and community, making her a truly deserving honoree.
As a Course Rater since 2018, Darrell Peters has been a fabulous support and model of volunteerism for Golf Ontario. In 2025 Darrell exhibited the Golf Ontario value of Brilliance via his commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and creativity in his work. Specifically, Darrell developed an AF1 tool (Automated Excel based form with programmed upload on data to the USGA CRS) which saves countless hours for our teams and has helped simplify rating process.
Darrell is also appreciated for his efforts with course rating in more than one region. All this while finding time to volunteer on the RINK hole at the Canadian Open, and carrying a single digit Handicap Index at his club: Markland Wood Golf Club. Thank you, Darrell, for embracing Golf Ontario’s mandate of Shaping Live by Connecting People to Positive Golf Experiences.
At the heart of Golf Ontario, our volunteers are the lifeblood in a variety of critical areas, including championships, rules, course rating, and governance on committees and our board of directors. They are the sport’s ambassadors and an essential part of our team, enabling us to deliver exceptional programming and experiences to golfers, partners, and industry stakeholders.
Interested in becoming part of the Golf Ontario volunteer family? Find out more about the opportunities and rewards on our Volunteering Resource page HERE.
