WELLAND, Ont. - The first medals of the 2015-16 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) season will be awarded this week as the top collegiate golfers in the province compete at the OCAA Golf Championships.

The scheduled 54-hole tournament runs Monday through Wednesday at Hunters Pointe Golf Course in Welland, Ont., and is hosted by Niagara College.

It has been a familiar theme at the OCAA golf provincials, and this year is no exception. Can anyone knock off the nine-time defending OCAA men's team champion Humber Hawks? The program has the longest championship streak in OCAA history, as it looks to make it a perfect 10 in Welland. Humber is led by 2013 OCAA individual gold medalist Christian McCullough (Richmond Hill).

There will be a new look to the men's podium, with only one returning 2014 medalist. Fanshawe's Spencer Dunseith (Woodstock) looks to improve on his bronze medal performance 12 months ago. Mitchel Kennedy (Scarborough) of Seneca is another returning OCAA medalist, taking home silver in 2012.

St. Clair is the defending women's team champion, and will be led by returning golfers Laura Martin (Chatham) and Victoria Ducharme (Windsor).

Similar to the men, there is only one returning OCAA women's individual medalist, and she will have an advantage on her home course. Niagara's Lorelle Weavers (Burlington) is the reigning OCAA silver medalist and national gold medalist, looking to add to her already impressive hardware. She won two of the three OCAA-sanctioned open tournaments leading into provincials.

Golfers will represent 15 Ontario college campuses, including Confederation, Durham, Fanshawe, Georgian, Humber, Lakehead (Orillia), Lambton, 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.

Hunters Pointe was designed by Graham Cooke & Associates, and built on 225 acres once owned by the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority. The course's layout has no trees and lots of undulating greens, widely acclaimed as a great replica of classic links as they are played in Scotland, the birthplace of the game.

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: gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao15299/contest/3/leaderboard.htm

Hunters Pointe Golf Course: www.hpgolf.ca

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 30 members sponsoring 11 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