Player Eligibility:
Entries are open to male amateur golfers who:
1. Are Golf Ontario members through a member golf club or the Public Player Program.
2. EACH team member must have an up-to-date Golf Canada Handicap Index of 8.0 or less visible on the Golf Canada Score Centre at the time of online registration through the completion of qualifying
3. EACH team's combined Handicap Index must not exceed 12.0 at the time of online registration through the completion of qualifying
4. Out of province Golf Canada members may also participate but must meet all eligibility requirements
5. Out of country players may 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.
Composition of Teams:
Four-Ball is a form of play involving partners where:
- Two partners compete together as a side, with each player playing his or her own ball, and
- A side's score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole.
After the close of entries, changes in the makeup of the team will not be permitted. Team members do not have to belong to the same golf club.
Application Procedures & Entry Fees:
All teams, including those exempt, must apply on-line at www.golfontario.ca before the entry deadline: August 14th, 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 $260
- Championship Fee $104
- Exempt Team Fee $364
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.
Teams 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:
1. Regional Qualifying - 18 holes for all teams, except those exempt, at various qualifying sites throughout the province
2. Championship - 18 holes - Thompson – Homenuik courses
Monday, October 5- Shotgun Start - 56 teams (112 players)
Lowest 18 Hole team score for the championship will be the champions. In the event of a first place tie for the championship, the winners will be determined by a hole-by-hole sudden death playoff between those teams tied for first place. The playoff holes and the order of play will be determined by Golf Ontario and announced prior to the championship.
Championship Banquet – All players are invited to the championship banquet held at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club clubhouse following play. Proper attire is required.
Due to the limited space, extra tickets for family members, friends, guests or caddies are not available.
Format
Four-Ball Stroke Play – “Better-Ball”
A competition in which two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is the score for the hole. If one partner fails to complete the play of a hole, there is no penalty.
Representation of Side:
A side may be represented by either partner for all or any part of a stipulated round; both partner’s score need not be present. An absent competitor may join his partner between holes, but not during play of a hole.
Scoring
The marker is required to record each hole only the gross score of whichever score is to count. The gross scores to count must be individually identifiable; otherwise, the side is disqualified. Only one of the partners need to be responsible for complying to Rule 3.3b.
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: Caddies are not permitted for Four-Ball Qualifiers & Championships
Motorized Transportation: Power carts may be used during qualifying and championship rounds. 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 the qualifying and championship round, scores will not be uploaded/posted to the Golf Canada Score Centre from Golf Ontario on any competitors behalf. It is the players responsibility to post their own score to their handicap record preferably on a hole-by-hole basis. This score is an acceptable score for handicap purposes and is required to be posted by the player to their scoring record. For more information on how to post a score under this format for handicapping purposes, please refer to Rule 3.3 by clicking here.
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:
There is no official practice round for this event.
Registration at Championship: To allow time to register and get to your starting hole, teams must register in person 45 minutes before the scheduled shotgun start time on Monday, October 5 at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. Place may be forfeited by a team whom no word is received by this time.
Awards:
First Place: Champions Trophies and the Oakdale Trophy (to be retained by Oakdale Golf & Country Club).
Second Place: Second Place Trophies. If there is a tie, duplicate trophies will be awarded.
Third Place: Third Place Trophies Awarded only if no tie for Second Place. If a tie for third place, duplicate trophies 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.