SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. - The championship season is upon the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) as the top collegiate golfers in the province compete at the OCAA Golf Championships presented by belairdirect.

The scheduled 54-hole tournament runs Monday through Wednesday at Crimson Ridge Golf Course in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and is hosted by Sault College.

OCAA student-athletes have competed in four separate 18-hole tournaments gearing up for this championship. If these results are an indication of what is to come, the Georgian Grizzlies could be the program to beat, with three separate male golfers, including Josh Lynch (Burlington), Andrew Russ (Oakville) and Tyler Hale (Burlington) all taking turns finishing in first place shooting rounds of 69. Only Blake Mackey (Belleville) of the Fanshawe Falcons broke the Georgian stranglehold at the most recent Niagara tournament, while teammate Thomas Code (Dorchester) tied Hale for top spot at the Lakehead tournament. Humber's Conner Watt (Mississauga) tied Russ for first place in the Georgian tournament.

On the women's side, reigning national champion and 2016 OCAA silver medalist Addison Wallwin (Barrie) of Georgian won two of the tournaments, finishing runner-up in the other two. Two-time OCAA bronze medalist Sheila McKeen (Ottawa) of Humber won the other two tournaments, finishing runner-up at the most recent Niagara tournament. It is a good bet these two competitors will be back on the OCAA podium once again, with only the colour to be determined.

Niagara is the two-time defending men's team champion, as well as defending national champions. Georgian is the two-time reigning OCAA women's team champion, as well as the defending national champions.

Nearly 70 golfers will represent 14 Ontario college campuses, including Confederation, Durham, Fanshawe, Georgian, Humber, Lakehead (Orillia), Mohawk, Niagara, St. Clair, St. Lawrence (Brockville, Cornwall and Kingston), Sault and Seneca.

The tournament consists of three 18-hole rounds, weather permitting. The male and female player posting the lowest gross score through 54 holes will earn their respective individual championship.

Men's teams consist of four or five golfers, with the top four individual scores of each round contributing to the total team score. Women's teams consist of two or three golfers, with the top two individual scores of each round contributing to their total score. Schools with the lowest aggregate of gross scores after 54 holes win the respective team titles.

Crimson Ridge boats a spectacular collection of natural Northern Ontario landscape. Waterfalls, creeks, numerous elevation changes, mature hardwoods and spectacular views and vistas await OCAA student-athletes on this scenic par 72 layout. This course is a journey through bentgrass tees and greens, and dwarf bluegrass fairways and rough.

OCAA golfers will participate in a practice round on Sunday before teeing off for real on Monday. Daily results at the championships will be available online via the championship website and OCAA.com.

Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/championships/golf/2017-18/index

Crimson Ridge Golf Course: www.golfcrimsonridge.com

Results via Golf Ontario: gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao17150/contest/17/leaderboard.htm

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com