Player Eligibility:
Entries are open to male amateur golfers who:
1. Players must be 55 & older as of the first round of the Golf Canada National Championship, (September 9, 2025)
2. Are Golf Canada/or Golf Ontario members through a member golf club or a Gold member of the Public Player Program and
3. Have an up-to-date Golf Canada Handicap Index visible on the Golf Canada Score Centre NOT EXCEEDING 8.5 at the time of online registration through the completion of the championship.
4. Out of country players may participate but must pay an affiliate fee, and also meet the handicap requirements for the championship.
Entries are subject to rejection at any time (including during the Championship) by Golf Ontario. The reason for rejection may include unbecoming conduct.
Age Divisions
Qualifying
There are no age divisions used to determine qualifying positions.
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.
Information regarding the 70+ competition can be found on that tournament website HERE.
Application Procedures & Entry Fees:
All players, including those exempt, must apply on-line at www.gao.ca before the entry deadline: May 30, 2025 @ 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.
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.
Schedule of Entry Fees:
- Qualifier Fee $203
- Championship Fee $94
- Exempt Player’s Fee $297
All entry fees listed above include applicable credit card 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.
A $45 plus tax non-refundable administration fee will be applied for any withdrawals prior to the tournament deadline. Entry fees will not be refunded after the entry deadline date. Late entries will not be accepted.
Starting times will be established by Golf Ontario and will be posted on the tournament website within (7) days of the competition.
Schedule & Field Size:
Competition will be played in two stages, at stroke play
1. Qualifying – 18 holes for all players except those exempt at various sites across the province.
2. Championship – 132 players eligible through Golf Ontario qualifiers and those exempt. 24 spots will be made up from the 70 and over division, if any of those spots go unfilled they will be given back to qualifying. 36 holes for all players to determine the low 60 players and ties for an additional 18 holes. The low 9 players and ties from the 70 and over division will also play an additional 18 holes.
Monday, July 22 - First Round, 18 Holes
Tuesday, July 23 – Second Round, 18 Holes
CUT: After 36 holes, the low 60 scorers for the overall championship and anyone tying for 60th place continue play. The low 9 players and ties for the 70 and over division will continue play. The remainder are eliminated. For third round starting times, check your email or www.gao.ca.
Wednesday, July 24 – Third Round, 18 Holes
Overall
Lowest scorer for 54 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 their order of play will be determined by Golf Ontario and announced prior to the completion of the championship.
First Place (Age 65 and over)
The lowest scorer Age 65 and over for 54 holes will be recognized as the winner of the Age 65 and division. In the event of a first place tie, the winners will be announced as co-medalist.
First Place (Age 70 and over)
The lowest scorer Age 70 and over for 54 holes will be recognized as the winner of the Age 70 and over division. In the event of a first place tie, the winners will be announced as co-medalist.
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 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 entries are closed. 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 the qualifier prior to the start of qualifying.
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 $94 Championship Fee).
Awards:
CHAMPIONSHIP
First Place: Golf Ontario medal, Champions Trophy.
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.
AGE 65 AND OVER CHAMPIONSHIP
First Place: Golf Ontario medal, Champions Trophy and the Albert Hinton Trophy (to be retained by Golf Ontario).
AGE 70 AND OVER CHAMPIONSHIP
First Place: Golf Ontario medal, Champions Trophy and the PC Hucker Trophy (to be retained by Golf Ontario).
Caddies:
Caddies are permitted for this championship.
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 Lora Bay Golf Club are extended to players in the Championship on Sunday, July 21, 2025. Access to the club is not provided by Golf Ontario prior to this date.
Starting Times - Practice rounds for Sunday July 21st may be booked through the Professional 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
- If you are unable to make this date or time please just let us know by emailing tournaments@gao.ca and we’ll have your player package & gifting available in the tournament office on the morning of round 1.
Notice of Withdrawal:
If a qualified player or exempt player withdraws, they must notify by email at tournaments@gao.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.