HOFFMAN WIRE-TO-WIRE CHAMPION AT INVESTORS GROUP ONTARIO AMATEUR

BRAMPTON, Ont. - Thornhill resident Mark Hoffman closed out the 2011 Investors Group Ontario Amateur Championship in style on Friday, nailing a 30-foot putt on the 18th green to seal his six-stroke victory over the field at Brampton Golf Club.

The 22-year old posted an opening-round 68 (-3) to earn his spot at the top of the leaderboard, a position he wouldn't relinquish for the duration of the 72-hole event. He delivered the best performance of his career, steadily putting together four sub-par rounds to earn his chance to hoist the Gary Cowan trophy.

"This win means so much to me, and there are so many big names on this trophy," said an elated Hoffman, who was doused in champagne by his caddie following the victory. "I don't think this has really sunk in yet, but I'm sure it will once I'm sitting back at home."

Hoffman is coming off a spectacular collegiate year as captain of the Humber Hawks men's golf team, where he lead his squad to victory at the Canadian University/College Championship and also earned the individual gold medal. He also captured team and individual wins at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association championship and at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association championship, rounding out his final year at Humber with Male Athlete of the Year accolades.

Despite his recent string of successful performances, the Thornhill Golf and Country Club member was overwhelmed by his newly acquired Ontario Amateur title.

"I had some expectations coming in, but my goal was to just shoot under par and re-evaluate after each of the days," said Hoffman, who remained composed throughout his final round despite teeing off with a tight three-stroke advantage over the highly competitive field.

"I was in a similar situation earlier in the year at the University/College championships and I kind of knew what the feeling was like, and what to expect if anyone started to pressure me," he said of the final 18 holes. "Although I didn't change my game plan once."

Golf is a family affair for Hoffman, who is the son of GAO Past President Liz Hoffman, herself a former Ontario Junior Girls' and Quebec Amateur champion. He also watched older brother and current Canadian Tour player Matt Hoffman lose in a playoff to Listowel's Corey Conners at the conclusion of the 2010 Ontario Amateur.

"I wasn't going to let that happen again," he said. "This is a big win because my Mom is so involved with the GAO and my grandfather's name is on the Ontario Match Play trophy.  I've grown up around this my entire life."

Hoffman closed out the tournament with a cumulative score of 275 (68-70-68-69), nine-under par. Despite earning a berth at the upcoming Canadian Amateur championship, Hoffman's next move will be an appearance at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China this August.

Runner-up honours went to Mt. Pleasant, Ontario resident Ryan Terdik, a member at Brantford Golf and Country Club. Terdik put forth a solid performance highlighted by an ace on the 190-yard 7th hole during Tuesday's opening round. The 21 year-old finished at 281 (72-67-70-72), three-under par.

23 year-old Oshawa resident Jacob Patte finished in third place at three-over par, with a total score of 287, while 2010 Canadian Amateur champion Albin Choi of Toronto tied for fourth place with former Ontario Match Play champion Stephane Dubois of Brantford. The duo both closed out the event at 288, four-over par. 2010 champion Conners finished 11th, at seven-over par.

The event also serves as a qualifier for the Canadian Amateur championship, set to be co-hosted by Niakwa Country Club and Elmhurst Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg on August 9-14. With Hoffman heading to China, Terdik and Patte will represent the province as Team Ontario alongside Choi, who earned his spot after besting Dubois in a playoff.

The Golf Association of Ontario would like to thank the staff, members and volunteers from Brampton Golf Club for their outstanding hospitality and use of their course for the week, as well as Investors Group for their continued support of amateur golf in Ontario.

The Investors Group Ontario Amateur Championship is contested annually and features Ontario's best amateur golfers. Played for the 89th time this summer, the final field of competitors was determined following the results of thirteen qualifying tournaments played prior to the event plus those players that had earned exemptions. Past champions include 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir (1990 & 1992), PGA Tour player Jon Mills (2001), Gerry Kesselring ( ‘49, ‘51, ‘52, ‘53) and Gary Cowan, who holds the record for the most Ontario Amateur Championships with nine (’64, ’68, ’71, ’74, ’74, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’81 & ’84).

Source: Golf Association of Ontario