Board of Directors/Staff

Bradley Lawrence  joined the HHJGT Board of Directors in 2021 and quickly ascends to President of the HHJGT in 2023.. Brad is a member of the golf professional staff at Hamilton Golf & Country Club as an Associate Golf Professional.  Brad is a passionate youth golf advocate and notable junior golf leader. He was a top-three finalist for the 2020 Jack McLaughlin Award, recognizing a PGA of Canada professional who is a leader in junior golf, who reflects the ideals of those who work with youth. 

Welcome Brian to the HHJGT Board of Directors in 2022.  

Ruth's experience as a volunteer with Golf Canada and the Golf Association of Ontario (winner of the 2007 GAO Volunteer of the Year, 2007 Golf Canada Volunteer of the Year and the 2011 GAO Dick Grimm Distinguished Volunteer of the Year) helps our Tour events run efficiently. She has been on the HHJGT Board since 1999 and served as President in 2002-2003. Ruth serves as Secretary for the Tour Board of Directors. Ruth continues to volunteer regularly with Golf Canada and the GAO as a starter and scorer and feels she is helping the Tour players realize competitive golf is not just on the course, but at the scoring table as well. 2022 Golf Canada Distinguished Service Award Recipient.

Welcome Michael to the HHJGT Board of Directors in 2023..  

John was proud to join the HHJGT Board in 2015 and was the 1985 HHJGT Tour Champion. The tour assisted John in pursuing a career in golf. A NCAA Division I scholarship golf athlete at the University of Houston, Professional Golfer/Coach, and Owner, Infinity Sports Services & Mgmt., assisting professional and elite amateur golfers attain their golfing career aspirations and objectives.  He is pleased to assist the community and this non-profit organization to promote the participation of young athletes while developing their personal and athletic skills and growing the game of golf in our community. John is the Head Coach for the McMaster University Women's & Men's Golf teams. Board of Director member & Tournament Director for the ANNIKA Challenge Canada.

Scott Niewland  was President of the HHJGT for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. ​Niewland has been an active member of the HHJGT Board of Directors since 2012, serving as Treasurer from 2012-2014 and Vice-President in 2014-2015. He competed four seasons on the Tour before accepting an athletic scholarship (Div. 1) to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. The Tour prepared Scott for his collegiate career and would like to provide junior golfers with a similar positive experience with the game. 

Garry returns to the HHJGT Board of Directors in 2018. Garry has been covering golf for more than 40 years. He was a huge contributor to the success of the tour in its early years. Well before the days of the internet, Garry insured that the tour received regular media coverage in The Hamilton Spectator. He has contributed to all the major Canadian golf publications and periodicals in the U.S.A. and Germany. In 2009, he moved into radio hosting the "Canadian  PGA Golf Radio Show." He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the International Network of Golf and is currently the Past-President of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. Garry is a voting member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. Also, he sits on the Score Golf Top 100 and the Ontario Golf Magazine Best New Course and Top 50 panels. 2022 Golf Canada Distinguished Service Award Recipient.

​Ian has been a HHJGT Board member since 1994 and served as President from 1996-1998. Ian earned a Hons. BSc. from McMaster University, where he played on the golf team for four years and worked at McMaster for another 33 years. Ian is a Level 4, certified Rules Official with Golf Canada. He served as a Governor with Golf Canada for ten years and is a Past President of the OGA and the Golf Association of Ontario (2000-2001). Ian is the recipient of the GAO, Dick Grimm, Distinguished Volunteer of the Year for 2014. He continues to volunteer extensively with both Golf Canada and the GAO as a rules official and also as a starter at the RBC Canadian Men's Open and the LPGA Manulife Classic. He is happy to pass on his knowledge to the Tour's young players. 2022 Golf Canada Distinguished Service Award Recipient.

Bruce has served on the HHJGT Board of Directors since 2005, serving as President in 2008 - 2009. He has an extensive and varied business background, which has included foodservice, real estate and investment management, augmented by leadership roles on private, public and volunteer boards. Bruce’s involvement with HHJGT gives back to a game that has given him years of challenge and enjoyment, and to support a well-established local junior golf tour provide a competitive tournament environment for young aspiring athletes to hone their skills, and to build character and friendships.

Jim joined the Hamilton Halton Junior Golf Tour Board of Directors in 2012 and later became President for the 2014-2015 seasons. Jim is a former Tour player having competed four seasons from 1995-1998. His best finish was Runner-up in 1998. Jim turned professional in 2005 and joined the PGA of ​Canada in 2007 and attained his Class A status in the winter of 2013. Currently Jim's company, KMGS manages and holds majority ownership of the Great Lakes Golf Tour. The goal of KMGS is to build golf communities and ensure the long-term sustainability for competitive golf in our country. 

Deb joined the HHJGT in 2016 as our Tour Coordinator and now a member of the Board of Directors for 2022.  Deb has been a PGA of Canada member for over 25 years with a background as a LPGA Tour touring professional, teaching professional, and collegiate coach. Deb was a NCAA Division I golf athlete at Indiana University where she was a four time tournament champion and a two time Honourable Mention All-American. She was the Big 10 Player of the Year in 1990. Has competed in almost 200 professional tournaments, winner of 10 professional tournaments, 88 top-10 finishes. Previously ranked #1 Amateur in Canada, 5 time Ontario Women's Amateur Champion, National Amateur Champion (France).  Deb was the Mohawk College Head Golf Coach, Men’s and Women’s Teams for 10 years. A Coaching Association of Canada Certified Instructor, she has a special interest in wanting others to enjoy this amazing game and enjoy the process of learning how to play it as well. In 2020 Deb was elected into the PGA of Ontario ​Hall of Fame as a Charter Class member. Congratulations Deb!