OVGA Hosts Inaugural Hall of Fame and Year-End Celebration
The OVGA’s inaugural 2025 Hall of Fame & Year-End Celebration, presented by La-Z-boy is now in the books! It was a packed house at the beautiful Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club on Friday, October 3, 2025, with everyone in attendance enjoying a delicious dinner and a great evening. Through our sponsors, individual donations and the live/silent auctions, the event raised $25,000, which will go towards OVGA programs and junior development. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
Photo by Al Letourneau
During the pre-dinner cocktails, attendees were entertained by guitarists, Ian Clark and Stuart Rutherford.
Ian Clark & Stuart Rutherford
Photo by Al Letourneau
We were fortunate to have Jenni from Hot 89.9 The Morning Hot Tub as our master of ceremonies and auctioneer for the evening. Jenni is an avid golfer, and has already had three holes-in-one! She is on the board of Upstream Ottawa, a provider of community based mental health services, and is the organizer of their annual golf tournament. Thank you so much, Jenni.
Master of Ceremonies, Jenni, from HOT 89.9 The Morning Hot Tub
Photo by Al Letourneau
Our keynote speaker, Brad Fritsch, OVGA Hall of Famer and former professional golfer, entertained all of us with stories from his time competing in OVGA events through to the PGA tour. One of the best competitive golfers to come from our region, Brad had some advice to share with the competitors: work on your short game and putting, make sure you practice (and not just warm up), and have a coach you can trust, who is also good friend. Brad is now the co-owner of Red Roster Golf, a company that creaties top-tier golf gloves, and supports junior golf through its Play It Forward initiative.
Keynote Speaker, Brad Fritsch, 2023 OVGA Hall of Fame Inductee and former PGA Professional
Photo by Al Letourneau
We were happy that most of the 2025 OVGA Hall of Fame inductees were able to attend and to be recognized for their significant contributions to the game of golf. Joe McLean and Ross Heuchan of the OVGA Hall of Fame Committee were on hand to present certificates to the inductees.
2025 OVGA Hall of Fame Inductees
Left to Right: Kurtis Barkley, Tracey Wakelam (on behalf of her grandfather, Ernie Wakelam), Bob Henry,
Left to Right: Kurtis Barkley, Tracey Wakelam (on behalf of her grandfather, Ernie Wakelam), Bob Henry,
Michael Renaud (on behalf of Marc-Étienne Bussières)
Missing from Photo: Danielle Nadon
Photo by Al Letourneau
To read the full biographies of each of the recipients since 2021, click on the "Hall of Fame" tab on the OVGA website.
OVGA Hall of Fame Inductees, 2021-2025
Photo by Al Letourneau
Thank you to retired Ottawa Police Sargeant, Daniel Lovacz, for piping the 2025 OVGA Hall of Fame inductees into the room.
Dan Lovascz, Bob Henry, Kurtis Barkley & Tracey Wakelam
Photo by Al Letourneau
Serge Lafontaine, OVGA Vice-President, recognized many of this year’s OVGA tournament champions, and OVGA Order-of-Merit winners. We also had a slide-show on display with photos of many of our winners. Congratulations to all of you!
Serge Lafontaine and Aidan Reil (Camelot)
2025 Junior U19 OVGA Cup Champion and 2025 Juvenile Order-of-Merit Winner
Photo by Al Letourneau
The top-ranked players in the 2025 OVGA Order-of-Merit Men, Women & Senior Men divisions were each awarded a gift certificate of $1,000 from James Maxwell and La-Z-boy Home Furnishings and Décor. Thank you, James!
OVGA President, Michael Renaud, presented Jim Davidson with an OVGA Certificate of Appreciation for his many years of volunteering with the OVGA, and recognized his significant contributions to amateur golf. In addition to the numerous Golf Quebec, Golf Ontario and Golf Canada committees on which he has served over the years, Jim has been volunteering with the OVGA since 2010, first as a rules official, then as an OVGA board member. Much of the current success of the OVGA Junior Development Team is due to Jim's vision and leadership. Jim’s work as the 2025 OVGA acting managing director, responsible for overseeing all the OVGA operations, was also acknowledged. Thanks again, Jim!
Michael Renaud (left), OVGA President, with Jim & Kirstin Davidson
Photo by Al Letourneau
Professional photographer, Al Letourneau of Imagerie A.L. was on hand to take photos throughout the evening. Click here to see the photo gallery of the event.
Following the celebrations were the live and silent auctions. Attendees were able to bid on the silent auction items online both before and during the celebration. Auction items included foursomes at top private clubs, lessons with local PGA professionals, local experiences and more. If you are a winner and were not at the celebration, we have been in contact with you with instructions for picking up your prize. If you have not yet heard from us, you can reach us at gala@ovga.org.
The winner of the first live auction prize took home a Luminox Automatic Sport watch, courtesy of La Mode Fine Jewellers, and two tickets to the Ottawa Senators. The second live auction prize was a round of golf for a foursome with carts at Rideau View Golf Club, with a food voucher for $500, and four tickets to the Ottawa Senators.
Thank you to all of the individuals and companies who provided items for us to auction off, and to the many who purchased a sponsorship of an OVGA event, and/or made a donation to the OVGA.
A huge thank you to the organizers of our inaugural event: Don Sweet, Serge Lafontaine, Michael Renaud, and most importantly, to Julie Ross and Haylie Ross who worked tirelessly to make the evening happen. It could not have happened without them. Thank you too to Carrie Smith, Food & Beverage Manager of the the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club and staff for their hospitality. In addition, we thank our title sponsor, La-Z-boy Home Furnishings & Décor, who also sponsored the 2025 OVGA Tournament of Club Champions. We also thank Jenni, Brad, the musicians, the piper and the photographer, who all donated their time and talents to the event.
Haylie Ross, Organizer, 2025 OVGA Hall of Fame & Year-End Celebration
Photo by Al Letourneau
Finally, thank you to everyone who came out to the Inaugural OVGA Hall of Fame and Year-End Celebration, including the many clubs and associations who purchased a table. With your support, the OVGA will be able to continue to fulfil its mandate of supporting and growing the game of golf in the Ottawa Valley region.