Golf Team Returns to Lakehead Athletics Lakehead Athletics is pleased to announce that golf is back at Lakehead University. This Thunderwolves' club team will be coached by Dustin Wilson, Canadian PGA Professional and Director of the Core Golf Academy at the Whitewater Golf Club, which will serve as the team's training facility. “This is an exciting moment for the future of golf at Lakehead and in the community as well” said Wilson, who plans to ensure a strong and healthy and future for Lakehead Golf.
With future goals of winning provincial and national tournaments, Wilson's strategy is simple: “We will develop local junior golfers, along with scouting and recruiting athletes with the goal of playing golf at the University level. With our new Developmental Centre at Whitewater we now have a hub to train at a high level during the competitive season and the off-season. This year's program is a starting point, and Lakehead Athletics is fortunate and glad to have Mackenzie Tout, a top level Amateur
player with NCAA experience attending Lakehead. Tout has been involved with starting up this program since February in cooperation with Lakehead’s Athletic Director, Tom Warden. “Since the moment I pitched this idea to Tom, he's been supportive and positive towards the idea of 're-birthing' our golf program,” says Tout. “I’m excited to compete and succeed at the highest level again but more excited to bring home tournament championships for our school. I’ve experienced the loyalty and passion our student body and local community shows
our Lakehead teams, so it’s very encouraging to know we have such a supportive community behind us.” Tom Warden is enthused to renew a long tradition of golf at Lakehead Athletics: "We're glad to welcome coach Dustin Wilson and a golfer like Mackenzie to be spearheading this initiative. Golf has a rich history in Thunder Bay and at Lakehead, and we are looking forward to engaging local community members and potential sponsors who are ready to contribute to the renewed vitality and success of golf in the Thunderwolves family."
MACKENZIE HUGHES WINS CANADIAN MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Team Canada National Squad member earns exemption into 2012 RBC Canadian Open Winnipeg, Man. (Golf Canada) – Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., carded a final round 1-under par 70 to capture the 107th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Niakwa Country Club in Winnipeg. Hughes, a member of Team Canada’s National Squad, finished at 10-under par
274 for the championship, besting 2010 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion and teammate, Albin Choi of Toronto, by two strokes. Choi posted a four-day tally of 8under par 276, after posting a score of 1under par 70 in round four. “It was one of the hardest days of golf that I've had to play,” said Hughes, who is entering his senior season at Kent State University. “It was really fun and I enjoyed being in that position, but I was sweating, big time. Thankfully, I got it done.”
Coming off an impressive win at the 2011 Glencoe Invitational, a T9 finish in the stroke play portion of the 2011 Western Amateur and a junior collegiate campaign that saw the 20-year-old earn individual medalist honors at the 2011 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship and also garner First-Team All-MAC honors, Hughes called the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship victory the “biggest” of his career.
a long time coming. I've had some close calls in these big events for Canada, so this feels amazing. Definitely, at the top of my list for wins.”
“To say I'm a national champion of Canada is a huge honor,” said Hughes . “It has been
“That’s storybook,” said Hughes. “Whenever [the Canadian Open] is at Hamilton, the last two times it was there, I was dying to be there playing. Obviously, back then I wasn’t good enough, but next year hopefully my game keeps improving and I can have a good week in front of the home crowd.”
Facility includes: 9 Hole Regulation course, 9 Hole Par 3 course, Driving Range, Practice Area * Men’s and Ladies Twilights * Pro Shop * Phone 935-2687 for more information or to book tee times
With the victory, Hughes earned exemptions into the 2012 RBC Canadian Open, a PGA TOUR event at Hamilton Golf & Country Club as well as the 2011 U.S. Amateur Championship at Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, Wisc., later this month.
*
540 Twincity Crossroad, Thunder Bay, ON P7G 1S6
Brian Jo h nstone Head P r o f e s sional
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Jacob Patte of Oshawa, Ont., a member of Team Ontario’s 2011 Willingdon Cup championship team, Team Canada Development Squad member, Wilson Bateman of Spruce Grove, Alta., 2011 B.C. Mid-Amateur Championship winner, Cory Renfrew of Victoria, B.C., and Team Canada National Squad member, Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., finished in a four-way tie for third at 7-under par 277 for the championship. Opening-round leader, T.J. Bordeaux of Tacoma, Wash., posted a four-day tally of 4-under par 280 to finish T7 alongside Matt Hansen of Los Osos, Calif., and Justin Shin of Pitt Meadows, B.C. The 2011 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Niakwa Country Club featured 240 players with a cut after 36 holes to the low 70 and ties. Elmhurst Golf and Country Club joined Niakwa Country Club in hosting the opening two rounds of the championship with the final two weekend rounds being contested at Niakwa Country Club. The 2012 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will take place at Camelot Golf & Country Club in Cumberland, Ont., from August 4-10, 2012. The 108th playing of the championship will once again feature an expanded field of 240 competitors with Club de golf Outaouais in Rockland, Ont., also challenging players during the opening 36-holes of the event.
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Northwestern Ontario Golfing News September 2011
www.golfingnews.ca The New Cabot Links Soon May Be Canada’s Finest Golf Course BY SCOTT A. SUMNER
NW Ontario Golfing News There has been much anticipation and excitement for a new true links style golf course in Canada for several years. It was my pleasure to play the recently opened preview holes of Cabot Links located in the beautiful ocean front setting of Inverness, Nova Scotia on Cape Breton Island. Ben Cowan- Dewar, age 32, is the managing Director and one of the owners of
parcels owed by various levels of governments and other stakeholders. In late 2007 Cowan- Dewar and his team acquired the land and started construction in 2008. “ We had the ability to take it slow, build all the key features and to open 10 preview holes this year and get a sense of the operation and see what people like. It has been a fun go-slow approach. My partner is Mike Kaiser, owner of the golf resort Bandon Dunes in Oregon, who has been so successful by building several golf courses on one site and building even
Top: The unique clubhouse at Cabot Links fits the course well. Above: This par 3 hole goes right to the ocean and may be a signature hole!
Cabot Links. “ I started a golf travel company 12 years ago and had been fortunate to travel and play a lot of golf at the worlds great courses. After these experiences I wanted to develop a course myself and with that aspiration we looked at parcels of land, found the Cape Breton site and just fell in love with the land. We never brought people here before in the golf travel business but I had been here on my own. Adding another course here in Capet Breton would make the destination even more appealing,”said Ben Cowan-Dewar, who plays golf to an 8 handicap. “ There was an idea to build a golf course long before we became involved. Nicklaus Design had even done a routing at one point. When I first took hold of the idea in 2005 it required about 2 1/2 years to obtain the land because there were quite a few
greater destinations. With Mike being the king of remote golf similar to Bandon it made sense he be a partner. We are a destination not near a main centre,” said Ben Cowan-Dewar. “This Cabot Links site is about 200 acres and we also have hundreds of acres for future development right adjacent. It is about finding a great seaside site. Rod Whitman is the architect and has done some Scoregolf magazine top 25 courses like Wolf Creek and Blackhawk both in Alberta. He has since opened Sage brush in BC. I had knew Rod for a number of years, played golf with him and was amazed with his work so set him loose on this site.” Ben Cowan-Dewar started playing golf as a very young child and used to draw golf holes as a 6 year old. He thought he wanted to design golf holes but instead he is now developing them! “ This has been quite a venture and a lot of fun. It has been
amazing to have it come to reality and see what were the towns dream before it was mine come to fruition. We believe in the site and destination and think it is some-
Celsius and sunny. We do get days of wind but for the most part it is a reasonable nice climate. We have been as busy in poor weather with people who want to experi-
thing unique in Canadian golf terms. We are targeting the traveling golfer much like the success of Bandon Dunes in Oregon, which draws golfers from all over North America. The most common gateway here is to fly to Halifax and drive up because they have direct flights from many US and Canadian cities. There is talk of an airstrip closer to here so they can fly in their own planes or hopefully we will get a scheduled service here. It would be great to have Porter Airlines here,” said Cowan-Dewar.
ence true links weather.”
“ The biggest challenge was putting together the land and beyond that is has been fun. We like our clubhouse, which is very unique, like the golf course. It is 5000 square feet and a modern look from a Halifax based architect. It is nice and I like how it sits on the land. We are beginning construction on 50-room hotel in the next two weeks and hope to be open next summer together with all 18 holes. It will be a reasonably high-level hotel and all the rooms will face over the ocean. We are excited seeing the hotel take place. It is an expensive project but we don’t focus on the money we spent but just try to do a good job,” said Cowan-Dewar. “ I like links golf and have spent a lot of time in Ireland and the UK where you hit the ball along the ground and try different shots using the bump and run with some great contours. The scenery and seeing the water from all 18 holes make it special. The weather here today is nice at 27
Cabot Links will typically open in mid April to mid November for a 6-month season. The body of water on which the course is adjacent to is warm and temperate into the fall and you can get nice fall days according to Cowan-Dewar who moved to Inverness three years ago from Toronto and built a home living year round. “ We are targeting July 1 for next year for all 18 holes and anticipate the green fee rate will be around $100. We are a walking only course but have a couple of carts for people with mobility issues. One of the great traditions of a links course is walking,” said Cowan-Dewar. “ We are thrilled with the progress so far here at Cabot Links. There is so much to do in the area as well. Inverness had live harness racing yesterday and there is the beautiful beach. The Cabot Trail is a great part of any trip to the area” It was great fun to play Cabot Links with caddie Neil. The setting really reminded me of Pebble Beach, which is high praise for sure. Playing bump and run shots like I have done before in Ireland golf is a nice way to play the game. Cabot Links is a course you definitely want to play and I’m sure you will be absolutely impressed. I look forward to playing the course again when all 18 holes open next year! see www.cabotlinks.com for more information.
Publisher & Editor SCOTT SUMNER Marketing Information Call Sylvia Gomez at 623-2348 WWW.NORTHSUPERIORPUBLISHING.COM
We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada through the Canada Magazine fund of the department of Canadian Heritage for this project.
Cover: Top:Cape Breton Golf Has A New CourseCabot Links Bottom Right: Chapples Golf Course Bottom Left: Keltic Lodge Nova Scotia
Northwestern Ontario Golfing News is published five times a year: May June July August/ September. This publication is free of charge. Northwestern Ontario Golfing News is published by NORTH SUPERIOR PUBLISHING INC., Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5N3 Telephone 623-2348 Fax 6237515. Contents of this publication are protected by copyright. Reproduction of this in any form is strictly prohibited. While due care and diligence is used in proofreading advertising copy for accuracy, the publisher and advertiser are not responsible for misprints, mistakes or typographical errors.
Northwestern Ontario Golfing News Septem,ber 2011
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Cape Breton Golf Is Amazing: More Images
This is our last issue of the 2011 Golf Season. As usual it has been fun writing about golf. I anticipate a busy off season playing golf in places around the world and look forward to telling you about these golf destinations next season. In the interim please visit:
www.golfingnews.ca for further up to date articles! See You On The Course!
Scott Sumner Contact me at nspinc@tbaytel.net Page 6
Northwestern Ontario Golfing News September 2011
Hemlo Golf: Marathon, White River, Manitouwadge Peninsula Golf Course
greens.
OPEN FOR THE SEASON
The course is open from May to October and booking of tee times is not necessary
October for the golfers and doubles as our local cross country ski club facility in the winter months. The clubhouse can be rented for private tournaments or functions. During the golfing season arrangements can be made for your event by calling (807) 826-4265. During the off season please call the Community Services Department at (807) 826-3227, ext. 234 or 226.
"Winnie the Pooh", White River holds an annual festival commemorating the bear cub who became the inspiration of author A.A. Milne. >Read story Residents of our area enjoy a quality of life second-to-none. From the moment you arrive, you will find a real sense of community, where raising a family and enjoying the spectacular outdoors becomes a natural way of life.
Discover the Beauty of White River Welcome to White River, a progressive and vibrant community located midway between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie in the heartland of Northwestern Ontario. Set amongst a stunning landscape of lush boreal forest, and abundant fresh water lakes and rivers, White River boasts rugged beauty and a hearty climate, where wildlife and adventure abound.
Marathon’s Peninsula Golf Course Stanley Thompson, CGA, designed Peninsula Golf Course, a beautiful, public 9-hole golf course overlooking Lake Superior. With a licensed club house, pro shop, resident golf pro, rental equipment, and golf carts, you will find everything you need for a great day of golfing! The Golf Course is located on Peninsula Road and hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to dusk, daily. Lounge hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Pro Shop hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. For those looking to practice their swing, feel free to visit our nearby driving range. Memberships and Fees During the season, all items may be purchased at the golf course. During the off-season, season passes, trail permits and locker rentals are available for purchase at the Recreation Complex during regular cashier hours.
With tourism on the rise, White River's economy is increasing, making our town an ideal location for your next business venture. Come explore White River Ontario -- we truly have it all!
Perhaps best known as the birthplace of though a call to the clubhouse at 807-8264265 to check on course conditions and tournament play would be recommended.
Course Information 9 Holes/Par 36 Tees for Seniors National Rating: 75 Slope rating: 125 Putting Green Golf Cart Rentals Green Fees under $ 20.00 Municipal Clubhouse Our newly constructed licensed clubhouse offers lights snacks, club storage lockers, and limited sale of golf merchandise. An excellent view of the entire course can be seen from our balcony on the second floor. This facility is open from May to
MORIN AUTOMOTIVE
Vital Morin
Tel: 807.826.4562
38 Huron Walk, Box 3117 Manitouwadge, ON P0T 2C0
Fax: 807-826-4257
Marathon Travelodge (807)229-1213
Hwy 17 & Peninsula Rd.
For Reservations: 1-888-235-5555
WALSH'S ESSO Gift Shop & Convenience
Stay and Play Package for Out-of-Town Visitors: Stay at a local hotel or B&B, show your room key, and receive fifty percent (50%) off your green fees. Call the golf course at (807)229-1392 for more information.
Greyhound, Sears & OLG Agents, Fishing & Hunting Licensing
FOR RESERVATIONS
Phone: 807-822-1234
Jim & Rollie Walsh
201 HWY 17, White River, ON
Owners/Operators
1-800-822-5887
Manitouwadge Municipal Golf Course
Phone: 807-822-2333
The Manitouwadge Municipal Golf Course is a 9 hole course measuring 3193 yards for men's play and 2475 yards for ladies. The course offers a picturesque setting and a combination of undulating and flat fairways with small, well positioned
Online Reservations: www.whiterivermotel.com
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ZERO 100 1-800-461-4010 Call for Reservations
MOTOR INN 37 Peninsula Rd.
Gloria's Motel & Restaurant 20 Modern Units Fully Licensed Restaurant Satellite T.V.
1-800-625-7475 Tel: 807-822-2307
Marathon, ON
Phone: 807.229.0100 Fax: 807.229.2517 zero100@shaw.ca
2 For 1 Green Fees 9 hole or 18 holes "A Stanley Thompson Design"
807-229-1392
MARAT HON, ON gloriasmotelandrestaurant.ca Northwestern Ontario Golfing News September2011
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