Young Ladies Can Try Hitting the Links at Girls Golf Kawartha League Free Event

Young ladies aged seven to 17 can try out their drives, chips and putts as the Girls Golf Kawartha League’s (GGKL) ‘Girls Try Golf Free Event’ being held at the Kawartha Golf & Country Club on May 25.

Sydney (pictued) nailing a hole in one at The Quarry’s third hole of the executive course on Oct. 11, 2021. Photo courtesy of Girls Golf Kawartha League.

This is our second year of the Girls Golf Kawartha League.

“I run it for girls to create a fun, safe, non competitive way for girls to learn and love golf,” said Courtney Carroll of GGKL.

To kick off the season, the newly-formed organization is bringing back the free event and a free league at The Quarry in June.

The league meets every Wednesday night for an hour. There is also a pay-per class with group lessons with Shana Kelly of the Coaching Association of Canada and of Kawartha Golf Club.

“Our goal is to get 100 girls out this summer,” said Carroll.

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Kawartha Dows Releases Schedule of Events for 2024; Harness Racing Moved to Friday Nights

Kawartha Downs (KD) has opted to get bigger and become a better hub as they released their lineup of events for 2024 including their harness racing schedule announced at the track on Thursday afternoon.

Daniel D’Ercole, Kawartha Downs general manager (left); Jim Huck, Kawartha Downs ‍Director of Horse Racing (middle) and Richard Weldon, Kawartha Downs President. One major change o the harness racing is they will start on Friday nights with post time at 7 p.m. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Daniel D'Ercole, KD's general manager, and Richard Weldon, KD's president, made the announcement.

Returning events include the Tractor Pull, Demolition Derby and pit party, Monster Madness and Agricultural Fair. New additions include Weiner Dog Races, Yuk Yuk’s Comedy, Axe Throwing, a Wedding Show and more.

“The reception from our community and township has been tremendous,” said D’Ercole. “Everybody’s excited about the events that we held last year and so our motivation to further that list and continue to build on that comes from their support.”

Harness racing moves to Fridays with post time at 7 p.m. with the first date for May 17.

The following is the 2024 event schedule:

• May 17 - Live Entertainment (Opening Night Harness Racing)

• May 18 - Live Entertainment

• May 25 - OTTPA Truck + Tractor Pull Door 5 p.m., start time 6 p.m.

• May 28 - Yoga Class 6 p.m. start time

• May 30 - Line Dancing 6 p.m. buffet, 7:15 dance class

• June 8 - Yuk Yuk’s Comedy 6 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show

• June 9 - FoxFest Car Show 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• June 4, 11 & 18 - Yoga Class 6 p.m. start time

• June 20 - Line Dancing 6 p.m. buffet, 7:15 p.m. dance class

• June 27 - Axe Throwing 6 p.m.

• July 6 - Demolition Derby Pit Party 5 p.m., Start time 6:30 p.m.

• July 13 & 14 - Agricultural Fair TBD start time

• July 19 - Weiner Dog Races (Harness Racing)

• July 20 - Monster Madness

  • Show 1- 1 p.m. pit party and 2:30 p.m. show time

  • Show 2- 5 p.m. pit party and 6:30 p.m. show time

• July 24 - Axe Throwing 6 p.m.

• August 1 - Line Dancing 6 p.m. buffet, 7:15 p.m. dance class

• August 14 - Axe Throwing 6 p.m.

• August 24 & 25 - Beer + BBQ Fest TBD start time

• August 29 - Line Dancing 6 p.m. buffet, 7:15 p.m. dance class

• Sept. 18 - Axe Throwing 6 p.m.

• Sept. 26- Line Dancing 6 p.m. buffet, 7:15 p.m. dance class

• Sept. 28 - Model Train Show TBD start time

• Nov. 10 - Wedding show TBD start time

The following are all harness racing dates on Fridays with post time scheduled for 7 p.m.:

• May 17

• May 24

• May 31

• June 7

• June 14

• June 21

• June 28

• July 5

• July 12

• July 19

• July 26

• Aug. 2

• Aug. 9th

• Aug. 16

• Aug. 23

• Aug. 30

• Sept. 6

• Sept. 13

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The 15th Annual Berlett Cup Kicks Off Men's League Play At the Peterborough Golf & Country Club

To kick off the men’s golf season, the prestigious 15th-annual Berlett Cup began for the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (PGCC) on Tuesday afternoon.

Connor Blair (left) and Taylor Blair (right) were co-captains of the defending-champion team, ‘Team Birdie Juice’ and plan to win the title for a second-straight year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Cup is a summer league that runs from May to September. It is comprised of eight teams of 20. This year, 173 golfers including several new members participated in this year’s Cup.

Ian Armstrong, PGCC director, says the league highlights the spirit of golf and is a great way to kick off the season.

“It speaks to the culture of friendship, camaraderie, healthy competition, having fun and trying to shoot the best golf scores you can,” he explained. “The numbers demonstrate how much people love this day; it's the highlight of their week and it's the highlight of the summer golf schedule at the club.”

The tournament is named after the late Dan Berlett, who was a well-respected longtime member and former president of the PGCC.

“Dan was all about camaraderie, competitiveness, fairness and most importantly, getting men together and socializing after a round,” said Kurtis Sweeting, PGCC sport director.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The draft occurred a few weeks before the event. Last year’s defending champions were ‘Team Birdie Juice.’ Connor Blair, a member of the winning team, says the league brings out the golfers' competitiveness but in a fun and sportsmanlike way.

“It's quite competitive,” he explained. “Obviously we're out here to have fun but when strokes matter and you're playing against teams each and every week, I would say it can get heated at times and it's not out of the normal to see a two-footer be a gimmie late in the playoffs because you want to make sure everyone makes everything.”

The league marks the beginning of the golf season for everyone at PGCC. The golfers' eagerness to hit the links for the Berlett Cup is obvious according to PGCC members and staff.

“It (The Berlett Cup) speaks to number one, to the culture here at Peterborough,” said Blair. “We always get such a good showing and it's a very inclusive club. Whether you're brand new to the game or if you've played for 20 years, it's not uncommon to have a beer and meet someone for the first time or play with your buddies that you've played with for 10-plus years.”

“This event speaks to the culture and values of the club that we come together on a weekly basis to celebrate our friendship and our membership,” said Armstrong.

“This was a lot of members' home opener,” explained Sweeting. “We didn't get to open the men's officially due to weather but this is basically our official opening and the guys are excited.”

The PGCC hosted its Ladies Open tournament on Tuesday.

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Kinsmen Minor Football League Registration Open For the Fall Season

The Kinsmen Minor Football League (KMFL) has opened registration for the 2024 Fall Season.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The League will consist of a Junior Division (kids born from 2014-2016) and a Senior Division (kids born from 2011-2013).

Weekly practices start on Aug. 26, Saturday games begin Sept.14 and the season concludes on Championship Day on Nov. 2. 

Cost is $395 with Early Bird pricing of $345 in effect until July 1.

All equipment, excluding mouthguards and cleats, is provided.

“We are very excited to open our 2024 Season,” said Bryan Junkin, KMFL president. “Due to the generosity of this community through sponsorships and fundraising, we are able to keep our player costs at last year's level and add a large amount of new player and training equipment.”

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Peterborough Golf & Country Club Growing Women's Golf As Longstanding Ladies Open Sees 65 Golfers Tee Off

With golf season back in full swing, 65 women hit the links for the annual Ladies Open at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (PGCC) on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The tournament has been with the PGCC for several decades spanning over 125 years of being in town. It has been a long-standing tradition to the course the continues to grow women’s golf each year.

“The ladies are really the lifeblood of this club,” said Jermaine Brissett, PGCC general manager. “They are involved in absolutely everything and they contribute to the club in so many ways. Having them kick off this year is absolutely perfect.”

“We're working on growing the sport and trying to bring in all age levels especially younger people,” said Michele Cavanagh, ladies golf director.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Women’s golf in Peterborough has grown in Peterborough as the club has seen more ladies hitting the links more than ever.

“If you see what we've been able to accomplish this season, our leagues are up 35 per cent,” said Kurtis Sweeting, PGCC sport director. “We've had 15 to 20 percent more play in years past. Golf is an accommodation sport.”

The club has several events catered specifically for women including League nights, tournaments, golf camps and even a wine and cheese night.

Couples evening league is a service that PGCC offers to appeal to both genders.

The tournament offered either an 18-hole or 9-hole format. Once the women have finished the first nine holes, the ladies playing half the course join in.

“The tournament actually gets bigger after nine holes which is kind of unique,” explained Brissett.

Whether teams score birdie, par or bogey, the message is that they all enjoy themselves playing the game.

“We've been working towards promoting the spirit of fun, friendship and golf,” said Cavanagh.

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Peterborough's Porter Martone Captains Canada to Gold At the IIHF U18 World Championship With 6-4 Win Over the United States

Peterborough’s Porter Martone may not have gotten on the scoresheet in the finals but he captained Team Canada for a 6-4 win over the United States to win a gold medal at the IIHF U18 World Championship at the Metro Areena in Espoo, Finland on Sunday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Hockey Canada.

Four of Canada’s goals came from the power play thanks in part to USA’s Trevor Connelly who was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a check to the head. Three of Canada’s man-advantage scores came from the major penalty.

Martone had a chance to score and tie the game with a man advantage near midway through the final frame. He received a pass from outside the faceoff circle in a high-danger area but was robbed by USA goaltender Nick Kempf.

Team Canada’s hero in the final game went to Martone’s linemate in Gavin McKenna who scored a hat trick including an empty-net goal as an insurance marker to win the game and championship.

Martone ended the tournament with five goals, 12 assists for 19 points in seven games.

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Peterborough Petes Sign Colin Fitzgerald to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

The Peterborough Petes has signed Colin Fitzgerald to an Ontario Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement on Saturday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Peterborough native was selected by the Petes in the first round, third overall of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Last season, he featured in 34 games with the U16 Peterborough Petes scoring 39 goals and adding 25 assists for 64 points. In eight playoff games, he scored 13 times and added eight assists, helping the Petes to the OMHA Championships and the 2024 OHL Cup.

“It’s special to continue to be wearing the maroon and white and play for my hometown team,” said Fitzgerald. “Thank you to Coach Wilson and Mike Oke for giving me the opportunity to be a Pete.”

In six OHL Cup games, the 6’1”, 174 lbs centre finished tied for the tournament lead in scoring with eight goals and five assists for 13 points, leading the Petes to a semi-final finish and being named to the All-Star team.

“We’re extremely excited to add Colin to our group,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Colin is a very talented right-handed centreman who uses his size to his advantage. He’s got a good shot and is strong at faceoffs. With Colin being a Peterborough native, we were able to watch him a lot this year as he continuously improved his game, leading the U16 Petes to an OHL Cup Semi-final appearance and being named to the tournament all-star team. We’re looking forward to aiding in his development for years to come.” 

The CHL Import Draft takes place on July 3 at 110 a.m. The Petes hold the ninth overall selection in the draft.

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Porter Martone's Nets a Goal in 4-0 Shutout Of Latvia In IIHF U18 World Championship Quarterfinals

Peterborough’s Porter Martone helped Team Canada get a 4-0 win over Latvia with a goal in the quarterfinals of the IIHF U18 World Championship at the Vantaa Trio Areena in Vantaa, Finland on Thursday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Hockey Canada.

His lone game came in the with less than eight minutes left in the third period.

After the Latvian goalie made a high-danger save, Caleb Desnoyers coralled the puck and brought it back to the point. He wristed it towards the net and Martone was able to tip it in for a 3-0 lead as another insurance marker.

Canada tacked on another empty net goal with less than a minute left in regulation to make it 4-0 and got the shutout win over Latvia.

Canada has a rematch against Sweden in the semifinals. The former won by a score of 6-3 on April 25. The winner takes on the victor of Slovakia and the United States in the opposite semifinal bracket.

The gold and silver medal games take place on Sunday morning.

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Porter Martone's Five Points Helps Topple Kazakhstan 11-3 At IIHF U18 World Championship

Peterborough’s Porter Martone led Team Canada with a five-point game to dismantle Kazakhstan 11-3 at the Vantaa Trio Areena in Vantaa, Finland on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Hockey Canada.

Martone got a goal and four assists in the game.

His first point was late in the opening period as the secondary assist for Maxim Massé’s one-timer power-play goal with under three minutes left in the frame.

Martone had three points in the second period: a primary assist, a secondary helper, and a goal.

His first was when he entered the zone on the rush with an outnumbered attack. He left a drop pass for Gavin McKenna who gave it to Henry Mews in the high slot and quickly snapped it home for a 5-1 game.

The Mississauga Steelhead’s next point came from intercepting a pass in the offensive zone and immediately dished it to McKenna who scored on the backhand for a 7-1 lead.

The captain’s only goal came from a one-timer where the cross-crease pass found Martone’s stick and had an easy tap-in for the 8-1 lead.

His final point was an assist late in the third period. He passed the puck back off a faceoff win to his defenceman which eventually allowed one of his forward linemates, McKenna, get his second of the game, giving him a 10-2 lead and an eventual 11-3 victory.

Canada finishes first in Group B and will play an opponent to be determined for Thursday in the quarterfinals.

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Porter Martone's Hat Trick Leads Canada In 8-1 Rout Over Switzerland In IIHF U18 World Championship

The captain led the way as Peterborough’s Porter Martone’s hat trick helped Team Canada rout Switzerland 8-1 at the Vantaa Trio Areena in Vantaa, Finland on Sunday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Hockey Canada.

His first goal came on the power play in the second period as teammate Gavin McKenna got into the zone and knifed through the defence and got a shot off. Martone knocked the rebound out of the air and in for a power play goal and a 4-1 lead.

Martone got his second goal in the last minute as Canada got into the offensive zone on the rush. McKenna fed Martone who one-timed it home to give Canada a 7-1 lead.

The Peterborough forward capped off his hat trick with a highlight-reel goal as he got the puck alone in front of the net and shot it between his legs for the 8-1 win.

Canada continues their preliminary rounds and aim to stay undefeated against Kazakhstan on Tuesday at noon.

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