Senior Ryder Cup
Georgian Region Playoff
North Granite Ridge Golf Club – August 8, 2023
Threatening skies and even more threatening forecasts changed dramatically as the start of Georgian Region Playoffs got underway. In the end, the 128 golfers were treated to beautiful sunshine, occasional stiff breezes and very playable temperatures. The course designed on 320 acres by Jason Miller threads its way through a beautiful Muskoka setting marked by rock outcroppings and majestic pines. Despite the heavy rains in the previous 24 hours, the course was well drained although players were allowed to lift, clean and place their balls. The greens were generally large but with challenging and subtle slopes, consistent with Miller’s designs elsewhere. In addition, pins placed on the edges and corners of the greens increased the level of difficulty for competitors.
The clubs challenging for 3 Championship positions in Brampton on September 18th and 19th came from all parts of the Georgian Region. Teams from the northern edges of the SRC territory included Cedar Green, Idylwylde and Lively Golf Clubs in the Sudbury area and Osprey Links Golf Club in Callander. Seaforth, Saugeen and Goderich Sunset Golf Clubs represented the Lake Huron area while North Granite Ridge and South Muskoka represented Muskoka. The largest contingent came from Simcoe County including Settler’s Ghost, Borden, Vespra Hills, Tangle Creek, Heritage Hills and the Barrie Country Club. Lindsay Golf and Country Club represented the most eastern part of the Georgian Region.
The Georgian Region has been represented at the SRC Championship by number of clubs over the last several years including Vespra Hills Golf Club and Barrie Country Club who finished second and fourth respectively in the 2022 Championship at Lookout Point Golf and Country Club last year. This year Idylwylde Golf Club broke through with a very strong showing 22 of a possible 24 points. They were closely followed by perennially strong teams from Saugeen Golf Club (20 points) and Barrie Country Club (18 points). While those three teams dominated, very close competition existed between the remaining competitors. Nine other clubs, led by Tangle Creek and Vespra Hills Golf Clubs, were separated by only two points. Complete results can be found on our website under Events/Playoffs/Georgian.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, competition was not limited to team events. Closest to the pin prizes were donated by our sponsors on all four of the challenging par 3s at North Granite Ridge. Gary Gravett from Goderich Sunset Golf Club won a Coleman Grill donated by Good Things Promotions on the lengthy second hole. Greg Hotham, Barrie Country Club’s Captain, was closest to the hole on the 200 yard plus ninth hole and received a bottle of liquid refreshment from Fraser Trottier of Lorne Steinberg Wealth Management for his skill. On NGR’s shortest par 3, Tim Gordon from the Georgian Region Championship Team won some excellent wine from Reif Estates. Finally on the 17th hole, another one shotter approaching 200 yards, Ron Young from Cedar Green Golf Club was closest the pin. He received another drinkable product from Charlton-Hobbs Seagrams.
Producing our five Playoffs and the Championship events is a major organizational and financial undertaking that is assisted significantly by a number of generous sponsors. As well as those who donated to closest the hole prizes we would like to thank Sleemans, Tilley Canada, Walter Caesar, Hides Canada, Winding Road Maple, Charton Hobbs, Reif Estate Winery, Jancor Sales, Visit Tucson, Renfro Hosiery, Pizzaville, BDO, Maui Jim, Golf Away Tours, Sketchers Golf, Henri et Victoria, Chilly Moose, TruLOCAL, Sapsucker and Callaway. They have all allowed us to add team and raffle prizes to each playoff and expand our lunch time offerings. The in - kind donations helped us raise $1020.00 from our raffle. That money is used to defray some of our playoff expenses. As you will see below, Tilley has provided the much sought after sunhats for the Playoff Champions.
Next Monday, we head east to Smuggler’s Glen Golf Club and the East Region Playoffs where 16 more potential champions will compete.
Georgian Region Champions – Idylwylde Golf Club
From the left Tom Nederpel, Senior Ryder Cup President, Bruno Tassone, Peter Demarco, Todd Crowder,
John Kusnierczyk (Captain), Guy Robineau, Tim Gordon, Jim Christison and Bob Chaperon
Sporting their new Tilley hats
Garry Gravett from Goderich Sunset Golf Club receives his closest to the pin prize from Nick Bogias, Vice President of Sales for Good Things Promotion.
Fraser Trottier from Lorne Steinberg Wealth Management present Greg Hotham, Barrie Country Club his closest to the pin prize and Mike Bell from Vespra Hills his Golf Town $500.00 Gift Certificate.
Ron Young from Cedar Green Golf Club receives his Closest to the Pin prize donated by Charton Hobbs – Seagrams – presented by Senior Ryder Cup President, Tom Nederpel
North Granite Ridge Golf Club from start to finish – Holes #1 on the left and hole #18 on the right
