Ontario clubs recognized nationally for junior golf excellence
Golf Ontario
Golf Canada has awarded National Facility Awards for Junior Golf to golf clubs across the nation for their success in going above and beyond in developing young Canadian golfers in the 2025 season.
Golf Ontario is proud to recognize Ontario clubs across the province that strive to shape a stronger future for the game.
Of the courses awarded, four Ontario clubs were recognized for their success:
- South Ajax Golf Club (Ajax, ON)
- The Oaks of St. George Golf Club (Paris, ON)
- The Marshes Golf Club (Ottawa, ON)
- Summit Golf Club (Richmond Hill, ON)
The South Ajax GC won the “Youth On Course Program Location of the Year” award for their strong commitment to fostering a junior golf environment through the Youth On Course program. This award is presented to facilities that demonstrate exceptional commitment to youth golf development by providing extensive course access through the Youth On Course program.
Golf Ontario’s Manager of Participation, Madelyn Grossi, shares the significance of this award.
“This award recognizes the impact and efforts of junior golf and South Ajax is an ideal Youth On Course facility for juniors, and we are proud that they are supporters of the program,” Grossi says. “Their commitment to providing access through their tee sheet helps reduce barriers and makes golf more accessible for families to introduce at a young age.”
This award also carries personal significance to the South Ajax Golf Club team, as the club’s General Manager, Steve Uden shares:
“This award means a lot to me personally, as my grandfather, Sam Sauve, was a huge proponent of introducing kids to the game of golf,” Uden says. “I took his lead that accessibility was the biggest deterrent to being introduced to the game of golf.”
Accessibility has been a driving force behind the club’s junior golf growth.
“With Youth On Course breaking down the barriers of accessibility, it made it incredibly easy to build a program at South Ajax that saw instant success and growth,” Uden says.
South Ajax Golf Club continues to prioritize junior golfers within their community.
“The staff at South Ajax are amazing at working hard to create a welcoming environment for everyone, but the juniors share a special place in everyone’s heart here.”
South Ajax Golf Club recorded 494 participants and 2,712 rounds in 2025 – nearly doubling from the previous season – while seamlessly integrating Youth On Course into its junior programs and maintaining strong engagement.
National Facility Awards for Junior Golf Ontario Club Finalists
The Oaks of St. George GC was recognized as a finalist for the “Grassroots Junior Program of the Year” award, showcasing their ability to develop new junior golfers through local programming.
The Marshes GC was a finalist for the “Junior Golf Opportunity” award – highlighting facilities that provide exceptional access and opportunities to junior golfers.
Summit GC was named a finalist for the “Competitive Junior Program of the Year” award, in recognition of their junior golfers’ success in both provincial and national championships.
The National Facility Awards for Junior Golf highlight the important work being done by golf facilities across Ontario to support junior development, improve accessibility and support the growth of the game for future generations to come.
