Woo Continues to Lead Ontario Amateur Championship

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:40:16

"Unionville, Ontario: 19-year-old Charlie Woo will tee off tomorrow for the third consecutive day as leader of the 2002 Investors Group Ontario Amateur Championship and should he emerge victorious, make a little history as well. The Markham resident and York Downs Golf & Country Club member, made his way around his home track in 72 strokes during today's third round and now owns a three shot lead entering play tomorrow.

Woo, who came to Canada with his family from South Korea five years ago with aspirations of establishing a career as a professional golfer, stands to become the first person of ethnic minority to claim the Ontario Amateur Golf Championship in its 80 year history.

Earlier this year, Woo, who attends the University of Louisville, won the Greater Toronto Area Golf Association's 'Toronto Star Amateur Championship by a four stroke margin.

Second round co-leader and 1998 Ontario Amateur Champion - Michael Hospodar of Brantford carded a triple bogey seven on the par 4, fourth hole. ""From that point on, everything just went down hill,"" the 22-year old Brantford Golf & Country Club member revealed. Hospodar went on to post an uncharacteristic nine-over 81 and dropped to fifth spot, nine shots off the pace.

Brampton native, Sean Donnelly recorded consecutive rounds of 74 and occupies sole possession of second place. The 21-year-old opened the tourney with a 69; he'll play in tomorrow's featured group along with Woo and Andrew Ross of Dundas.

While the majority of the field struggled to deal with the windy conditions and escalating speeds to the greens, Ross managed to tour the York Downs layout in only 71 strokes. Ross spent a better part of this past winter honing his golf skills at an Australian Golf Academy.

York Downs G&CC stretches to 6,835 yards and plays to a par 72. The present York Downs layout, which includes three, nine hole golf courses was opened in 1971 and designed by acclaimed golf course architects Geoffrey Cornish and Robbie Robinson.

33-year-old Alistair Varley of Cobourg sits alone in fourth spot after posting a two-over 74 today; he's at 6-over par for the championship.

David Lea of Waterloo has mounted the biggest climb of the tourney. The 22-year-old has posted rounds of 77 74-72--223 and managed to move from 57th to 26th to 5th spot.
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