Conners Fires Course Record to Capture Ontario Amateur Championship

Posted by on Monday, July 12, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

Sudbury, ON – Eighteen year old Corey Conners gave spectators a thrilling finish at the Investors Group Ontario Amateur Championship, carding a flawless course record breaking 65 before securing the title in a two-hole playoff victory.


Corey Conners of the Listowel Golf Club


Conners birdied his way to the top of the leaderboard after starting the day five strokes back at picturesque Idylwylde Golf and Country Club. With all eyes on second and third round leader Jace Walker of St.Thomas battling with Thornhill’s Matt Hoffman in the lead grouping, Conners quietly delivered a bogey-free performance to finish at seven-under for both the round and the tournament.


Earlier in the day, signs pointed to Walker as the likely candidate to pick up the Gary Cowan trophy as he pulled away from the field, carding a trio of birdies before making the turn and adding another on the 13th hole to sit at nine-under par. The tables quickly started to turn as Walker stumbled on the next green, missing a putt for par and carding his first bogey of the day. Hoffman, trailing by five strokes, turned up the heat with birdies on 15 and 16 while Walker three putted for bogey on the 16th green, cutting his lead to just one stroke and ending any chance of a runaway win. One more bogey for Walker on 17 tied the pair at six-under par as they made their way down the 18th fairway toward the large gallery gathered to see if Conners’ performance could be topped.


Hoffman, riding the momentum of his eleventh hour surge to the finish, took advantage of the opportunity to force a playoff by rolling in his putt for birdie to finish tied with Conners at seven-under. Despite a solid effort from Walker, he couldn’t deliver the final elusive birdie and closed out the round in third place.


Both Conners and Hoffman had the opportunity to claim the title on the first playoff hole, but settled for par each missed similar six-foot birdie putts. The action moved to the par 5 first hole, with both players hitting monster drives down the fairway. Conners set up a chance for eagle after placing his ball on the left side of the green, while Hoffman found himself in the bunker and was left with a challenging long putt after chipping out that he was unable to make. Conners, who recently shared individual medalist honours at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan, skimmed the edge of the hole on his putt to leave himself a virtual tap-in for birdie and the 2010 title.


Conners’ recent performance in Japan, where he went 65-66 in the final two rounds, gave the young player a confidence boost before squaring off against a packed field of amateur heavyweights.


“After how I played in Japan, I knew I would be capable of winning this tournament,” said Conners, who will head off to Kent State University on a golf scholarship in the fall.
‘I got off to a really good start this morning, and after I chipped in for birdie on the (par 3) 14th, I just told myself to make sure I got into the clubhouse with the lowest possible score. I just kept making birdies.”


Conners becomes one of the youngest players to win the Ontario Amateur title in its 88 year history. His name will now be etched on the trophy alongside the likes of Mike Weir, Nick Weslock, Gary Cowan, Jon Mills and Matt Hill, the 2009 champion who recently turned professional.


“This is a huge accomplishment for me, for sure. It doesn’t get much bigger than this in amateur golf,” said Conners.


Conners will be the heavy favourite at the upcoming Investors Group Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship to be held at his home club in Listowel on July 20-23.


Hoffman, a member of the University of Illinois men’s golf team, earned runner-up honours while Walker picked up the bronze medal. Two-time defending Canadian Junior Boys’ champion Mitch Sutton of London placed fourth after tying the course record with a final round 67.


The tournament also determines the inter-provincial team that will represent Ontario at the upcoming Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship that is being co-hosted by London Hunt and Country Club as well as ultra-exclusive Retail Golf Course. Conners, Hoffman, Walker and Sutton will comprise Team Ontario at that event, which takes place August 10-15.


The Golf Association of Ontario would like to extend their thanks to the staff, members, and volunteers from Idywylde Golf and Country Club for their outstanding hospitality throughout the week, and to Investors Group for their continued support of amateur golf in Ontario.


  • story courtesy of the GAO

Leaderboard – Top 20


1 Corey Conners Listowel GC (p) -7 F -7 73 71 72 65 281
2 Matt Hoffman Thornhill G&CC -7 F -4 74 69 70 68 281
3 Jace Walker St. Thomas Golf & Country -6 F -1 71 69 71 71 282
4 Mitch Sutton West Haven G & CC -4 F -5 74 70 73 67 284
T5 Patrick Williams Donalda Club -1 F -5 78 73 69 67 287
T5 Jeff Clarridge National Pines Golf Club -1 F -3 71 71 76 69 287
T5 Dave Bunker Public Player(GAO Member) -1 F +1 74 69 71 73 287
T5 Mackenzie Hughes Dundas Valley Golf & Curl -1 F E 75 72 68 72 287
T9 Albin Choi Caledon Woods GC E F -3 73 75 71 69 288
T9 Brett Cairns Otter Creek GC E F +4 71 71 70 76 288
11 Drew Symons Craigowan (Oxford) G&CC +1 F -2 75 72 72 70 289
12 Scott Samuel Weston G&CC +3 F -5 77 72 75 67 291
T13 Rob Cowan Westmount G & CC +4 F +1 75 72 72 73 292
T13 David Byrne Sutton Creek Golf & Count +4 F +2 74 69 75 74 292
T13 Garrett Rank Whistle Bear Golf Club +4 F +2 74 72 72 74 292
16 Cam Burke Rebel Creek Golf Club +5 F +1 76 71 73 73 293
17 Brandon Ng Beacon Hall GC +6 F +4 71 74 73 76 294
T18 James Krantz Oshawa Golf & Curling +7 F -1 75 76 73 71 295
T18 Richard Jung Caledon Woods GC +7 F +3 72 75 73 75 295
T20 Adrian Cord Islington GC +8 F E 72 75 77 72 296
T20 Jay Jewett Timberwolf Golf Club +8 F +2 75 77 70 74 296


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