SIX NATIONS — Monthill Golf & Country Club welcomed representing golf players from 41 Indigenous nations to the Inaugural Indigenous Ontario Championship from September 18 to 20 in the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
The event marked the first Open Provincial Championship in Canada for Indigenous golfers and featured participants from across North America.
It was a triumphant day on Tuesday, as both John Monture Senior and Junior won hardware.
After four play-off rounds due to an initial tie, the gold medal for the Men’s Overall Division went to John Monture Jr., announcing that the trophy and championship will stay on Six Nations for next year. Silver went to Ian Ford of the Lac Suel First Nation, and bronze went to Conrad Naponse of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation.
The Net Men’s Overall Division saw three Six Nations based medalists including John Monture Sr., with gold, Matt Jamieson with silver, and bronze for Scott Hill.
For Senior Mens, John Monture Sr., earned another gold medal, Ted Williams of the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation won silver and Della Bomberry won bronze. For Junior Boys, Lucas Rogers of the Kettle Point First Nation won gold and Chad Styres of Six Nations won silver.
The Women’s Overall Division saw gold go to Cheryl Mitchell of the Walpole First Nation, silver to Melanie Burgess of the Metachewan First Nation, and bronze to Katheryn Corbiere of the Ojibway First Nation.
The Net Women’s Overall Division saw Savana Smith of the Delaware Nation win gold, Shari Hunt of the Saint Mary’s First Nation win silver, and Nancy Jamieson of the Moravian of the Thames First Nation win bronze. Savana Smith also won gold, the only medal, for the Junior Girls Division.
For the Senior Women’s Division, Kathy Jamison took gold, Shari Hunt took silver and Roxanne General took bronze.
“Having this event at MontHill Golf & Country Club is very special to us being 100 percent Indigenous owned. It was our late owner’s goal to host events of this nature, and I feel he will be smiling down at the 41 different nations coming from all over gathering to play for a provincial championship at MontHill,” said Brendan Painter, Director of Golf Operations at Monthill. “The support our community has shown in helping fundraise and put on a first-class event for all competitors is amazing, and I can’t thank them all enough. We look forward to making this an annual event.”
A large donation was made to the Dreamcatcher Fund through the championship, with Delay Powless providing thankful remarks.
Entry into the 36-hole tournament was open to Indigenous community members (First Nations, Métis & Inuit) to offer two full days of stroke play that contained various divisions, including Men’s and Women’s Gross, Men’s and Women’s Net Stableford, and also recognizing the top junior and senior players.
“For too long, Onkwehon:we have been underrepresented and lacked opportunity in the golf world. This event will showcase and identify great Indigenous golfers, but more importantly, our hope is that it leads to opportunity, access, and growth of the game in our First Nation communities,” added Jesse Smith, Championship Co-Chair.
Sunday the 18th featured a kid’s golf clinic, opening ceremonies and dinner for participants of the event, as well as key representatives from the Host Association Golf Ontario, members of the local Indigenous community including Delay Powless, Cody Jamieson, Brendan Bomberry and Lyle Thompson, and distinguished guests representing the Provincial Government.