2011-12 NEWS RELEASES

UOIT Athletics Media Release
Thursday, August 11, 2011

Ridgebacks form a partnership with the Oshawa Golf & Curling Club

- Golf & Curling program to be introduced in 2011/12 -

OSHAWA, Ont. – The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) athletic department is proud to announce that a partnership has been formed with the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club, which will serve as the home of the Ridgebacks for the newly formed golf and curling programs.

“We are very excited to be able to offer golf and curling beginning this fall,” said Ken Babcock, UOIT Athletic Director. “Having the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club as our home and as a partner gives our student-athletes outstanding facilities to train and pursue provincial and national titles, let alone an extremely convenient location for teams to access.”

The Oshawa Golf Club was built in 1895. However, the original charter for the club was granted, at its present site, on Nov. 21, 1906. Since 1911, when the first bunkers were built, the course has continued to be groomed, modified and refined to sustain its challenge. Many of these modifications were designed by Canada's foremost golf course architect, Stanley Thompson, which qualifies the Club as a “Stanley Thompson Course”. This century old layout with its thousands of mature trees and well manicured fairways and greens, is The Hidden Gem of Durham Region.

In 1960, a new clubhouse and six sheet curling rink was built. Since then, curling has continued to grow and flourish. In 2006, the Club decided to operate as The Oshawa Golf and Curling Club to better reflect its year round activities.

UOIT becomes the 13th participant in OUA golf. The season runs in the fall semester with the OUA championship scheduled to take place from October 16-18 at the Cataraqui Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Ont.

The Ridgebacks are the 12th member in OUA curling in 2012. The provincial championship will be held at the Guelph Curling Club from February 16-20 and the CIS national championship will take place on March 14-18 at the Welland Curling Club.

The athletic department will begin its' search for the coaching staff of the two programs immediately.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Scott Dennis

Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator

Durham College and UOIT Athletics

905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)

905.259.2825 (C)

905.721.3117 (F)

scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca

With files from the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club
Pictured – Head Professional Peter Butler and Athletic Director Ken Babcock