Player Eligibility:
Entries are open to:
- Male amateur golfers who are Golf Ontario members through a member golf club or the Public Player Program.
- Have an up-to-date Golf Canada Handicap Index of 7.0 or less visible on the Golf Canada Score Centre at the time of online registration through the completion of qualifying
- Out of province Golf Canada members may also participate but must meet all eligibility requirements
- Out of country players may also participate but must pay an additional affiliate fee and meet all eligibility requirements
Rejection of Entries
Entries are subject to rejection at any time (including during the Championship) by Golf Ontario. The reason for rejection may include unbecoming conduct.
Application Procedures & Entry Fees:
All players, including those exempt, must apply on-line at www.golfontario.ca before the entry deadline: May 9, 2026 @ 4:00pm.
Only one application and entry fee may be filed per player.
Applications are subject to the approval of Golf Ontario. Golf Ontario will acknowledge each entry through email.
Schedule of Entry Fees:
- Qualifier Fee $218
- Championship Fee $114
- Exempt Player’s Fee $332
All entry fees listed above include applicable credit card processing fees and are subject to additional national and provincial taxes
Entries for qualifying are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the field for the qualifying site is full.
Entries are then placed on a waiting list in order of receipt and contacted if, and when, a spot becomes available.
Players who successfully advance to the Championship through qualifying must pay the Championship Fee based on the schedule above.
Players eligible for exemption based on the exemption page must pay the fee based on the schedule above.
A $45 plus tax non-refundable administration fee will be applied for any withdrawals prior to the tournament entry deadline. Entry fees will not be refunded after the entry deadline date. Late entries will not be accepted.
Schedule & Field Size:
The competition will be conducted in two stages of stroke play:
- Regional Qualifying – 18 holes for all players, except those exempt, at various qualifying sites throughout the province.
- Championship – 156 players eligible, including those exempt. 36 holes for all players to determine the low 60 players and ties for an additional 36 holes.
Sunday, July 5 – Official Practice Round
Monday, July 6 - First Round, 18 Holes
Tuesday, July 7 – Second Round, 18 Holes
CUT: After 36 holes, the low 60 scorers and anyone tying for 60th place continue play. The remainder are eliminated. Third & fourth round starting times will be emailed to players or visit the tournament website on www.golfontario.ca.
Wednesday, July 8 – Third Round, 18 Holes
Thursday, July 9 – Fourth Round, 18 Holes
Lowest scorer for 72 Holes will be champion. In the event of a tie for the championship, the winner will be determined by a hole-by-hole playoff. The playoff holes and the order of play will be determined by Golf Ontario and announced prior to the championship.
Qualifying & Alternates:
There are no age divisions used to determine qualifying positions.
Locations: Qualifying will take place at various sites throughout the province. Applicants may choose any qualifier they wish to participate in but subject to availability. A player may sign up for only one qualifier per championship. Golf Ontario reserves the right to cancel a qualifying site for any reason including but not limited to weather, limited entries, etc. If a qualifying round is cancelled players may choose either to receive a refund or relocate to another qualifying site.
Qualifying Spots & Ties: Golf Ontario will determine the number of qualifying spots available at each location after the entry deadline. The number of qualifying spots available will be based on the size of the qualifying field compared to the overall number of qualifying entries. This will be available and posted at registration at each qualifying site. For more information, please visit the Qualifying Spot & Alternate Policy.
A tie for the last qualifying spot will be decided by the Golf Ontario tie-breaking method.
Championship Alternates: Alternates will be determined after the completion of all qualifying rounds and will be listed on the Championship website.
Successful Qualifiers Entry into Championship: Following each qualifier, every player that has successfully qualified will automatically be entered into the Championship (at this time the player will also be charged the applicable Championship Fee listed above).
Conditions of the Competition:
Caddies:
A player may provide their own caddie. A player is not required to employ a caddie for any phase of the championship. Caddies must adhere to the Footwear Policy.
Motorized Transportation:
Power carts may be used during qualifying rounds only. During the Championship, the use of any form of transportation is prohibited unless authorized by the Tournament Rules Committee. All players must adhere to the Motorized Transportation Policy.
Starting Times:
Starting times will be established by Golf Ontario and will be posted on the tournament website within (7) days of the competition.
Score Posting:
Following the completion of all qualifying and championship rounds, Golf Ontario will be posting players’ scores directly into their Golf Canada Score Centre account. Players are advised not to post their scores, as this will result in a duplicate posting.
Other Golf Ontario Competition Policies: For a full list of competition policies, please click here.
Practice & Registration:
AT QUALIFIER SITES:
There are no official practice rounds provided by Golf Ontario at any qualifying site. Players should register 30 minutes prior to their starting time at the Golf Ontario registration tent.
AT CHAMPIONSHIP:
Official Practice Round: Practice privileges at Otter Creek Golf Club are extended to players only in the Championship on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Access to the club is not provided by Golf Ontario prior to this date.
Practice rounds for Sunday, July 5 may be booked through the host club pro shop. Double booking of times is prohibited, and violation of this policy may result in further disciplinary action.
Play One Ball Only in Practice Rounds: To maintain conditions of the course and speed of play, playing one ball only is permitted during the practice round with the following exceptions:
- If a player misses the green with their stroke to the green, they may play one additional ball (provided this does not unduly delay play)
- A player may practice putting or chipping on or near the putting green of the hole last played (provided a practice stroke is not made from a bunker or penalty area and does not unduly delay play).
Violation of this policy may result in the player being removed from the golf course and possibly receive further disciplinary action.
Registration at Championship: All players for the championship must either;
- Register in person with Golf Ontario at the championship site between (Times TBA); or
- Email the Tournament Director prior to the Official Practice Round and report to the tournament office prior to the player’s round 1 tee time.
Awards:
First Place: Gold medal and the Gary Cowan Trophy (to be retained by Golf Ontario).
Second Place: Silver medal. If a tie, duplicate medals will be awarded.
Third Place: Bronze Medal. Awarded only if no tie for Second Place. If a tie for third place, duplicate medals will be awarded.
Notice of Withdrawal:
If a qualified player or exempt player withdraws, they must notify by emailing tournaments@golfontario.ca promptly in order to ensure an Alternate has a fair opportunity to play. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from future GO competitions. Please see the Golf Ontario Withdrawal Policy for full details.
DISCLAIMER
Golf Ontario reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, terms, provisions and/or schedules herein.