Connecting London's golf community online
With snow finally falling and the
holidays approaching, golf may not
be at the fore of many people's
minds.
LondonOntarioGolf.com, a website published and edited by Fanshawe professor Jeffrey Reed, is aiming to change that and keep people thinking about golf year round.
"It's probably the most comprehensive guide to Canadian golf that I've ever seen on the Internet," Reed described. He summed up London Ontario Golf as an online lifestyle magazine that features reviews and guides to local and international golf destinations, equipment reviews, a section specifically for women golfers and more. In short, he described it as a "digital version of any golf magazine you would find on a newsstand with a London and Canadian flavour."
In 2010 and '11, London Ontario Golf was selected as best website golf feature from the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. "I beat the big guys in that contest," he chuckled, including magazines he used to write for. "It was nice to be recognized by my peers."
The site also has a charitable cause at its core; "Every (event) we do is always going to be a fundraiser with Heart and Stroke," said Reed.
The website launched in September 2005, after Reed was searching for golf-related information on the Internet and couldn't find what he was looking for. "I decided to offer that to visitors from around the world."
Reed is currently a professor in Fanshawe's Corporate Communication and Public Relations program, and he also does freelance writing for a variety of publications. He is an award-winning writer with two books under his belt (and a third slated to be released early 2013) and has been a nationally recognized golf journalist since 1990. He brings a wide range of knowledge and a true love of sports to the site.
The website is currently running its first ever Best of London Golf contest, which began in October. Site visitors can vote on 18 categories, such as best private course, friendliest beverage cart staff, and best charity golf tournament, to laud the best courses in London and area. Voters have the chance to win one of three prizes: a round of golf for four with cart from The Fox Golf Club; a hybrid from Wilson Staff; or a Clearball Putter from Innovations Golf. Voting runs until December 31. "Let's keep golf in the news all year long," said Reed. "By the time we announce the winners, then people are getting ready for (the next) golf season."
Winners of the Best of London Golf contest will be announced on February 8 at a special event at Joe Kool's. Tickets to the event are $10, and are a ballot into a draw to win some great golf swag. The event will also be the official kickoff for a fundraising campaign for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, which will take place at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club in June.
The February 8 event will also be where the winner of London Ontario Golf's 2013 Heart Award will be announced. "(The Award) is given to someone who gives back unselfishly to the game of golf," explained Reed. The 2013 winner will join the ranks of other recipients like Fred Kern (2012 winner) who ran the Junior Tyson Tour for over 30 years, and Mike Olizarevitch (2011 winner), who created North America's first golf course specifically designed for physically challenged players, the Parkside Nine at Fanshawe Golf Club. The Heart Award winner will be presented with the trophy at the June fundraising event.
London Ontario Golf's recent news was that they launched their YouTube channel, which you can check out at youtube.com/londonontariogolf. Their videos include reviews of golf equipment and courses, interviews with golf personalities and special events coverage. It's a way to connect with the community beyond the site, said Reed.
For more information on London Ontario Golf, to vote for the best courses in the city or to find out more about fantastic local courses, check out LondonOntarioGolf.com.
LondonOntarioGolf.com, a website published and edited by Fanshawe professor Jeffrey Reed, is aiming to change that and keep people thinking about golf year round.
"It's probably the most comprehensive guide to Canadian golf that I've ever seen on the Internet," Reed described. He summed up London Ontario Golf as an online lifestyle magazine that features reviews and guides to local and international golf destinations, equipment reviews, a section specifically for women golfers and more. In short, he described it as a "digital version of any golf magazine you would find on a newsstand with a London and Canadian flavour."
In 2010 and '11, London Ontario Golf was selected as best website golf feature from the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. "I beat the big guys in that contest," he chuckled, including magazines he used to write for. "It was nice to be recognized by my peers."
The site also has a charitable cause at its core; "Every (event) we do is always going to be a fundraiser with Heart and Stroke," said Reed.
The website launched in September 2005, after Reed was searching for golf-related information on the Internet and couldn't find what he was looking for. "I decided to offer that to visitors from around the world."
Reed is currently a professor in Fanshawe's Corporate Communication and Public Relations program, and he also does freelance writing for a variety of publications. He is an award-winning writer with two books under his belt (and a third slated to be released early 2013) and has been a nationally recognized golf journalist since 1990. He brings a wide range of knowledge and a true love of sports to the site.
The website is currently running its first ever Best of London Golf contest, which began in October. Site visitors can vote on 18 categories, such as best private course, friendliest beverage cart staff, and best charity golf tournament, to laud the best courses in London and area. Voters have the chance to win one of three prizes: a round of golf for four with cart from The Fox Golf Club; a hybrid from Wilson Staff; or a Clearball Putter from Innovations Golf. Voting runs until December 31. "Let's keep golf in the news all year long," said Reed. "By the time we announce the winners, then people are getting ready for (the next) golf season."
Winners of the Best of London Golf contest will be announced on February 8 at a special event at Joe Kool's. Tickets to the event are $10, and are a ballot into a draw to win some great golf swag. The event will also be the official kickoff for a fundraising campaign for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, which will take place at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club in June.
The February 8 event will also be where the winner of London Ontario Golf's 2013 Heart Award will be announced. "(The Award) is given to someone who gives back unselfishly to the game of golf," explained Reed. The 2013 winner will join the ranks of other recipients like Fred Kern (2012 winner) who ran the Junior Tyson Tour for over 30 years, and Mike Olizarevitch (2011 winner), who created North America's first golf course specifically designed for physically challenged players, the Parkside Nine at Fanshawe Golf Club. The Heart Award winner will be presented with the trophy at the June fundraising event.
London Ontario Golf's recent news was that they launched their YouTube channel, which you can check out at youtube.com/londonontariogolf. Their videos include reviews of golf equipment and courses, interviews with golf personalities and special events coverage. It's a way to connect with the community beyond the site, said Reed.
For more information on London Ontario Golf, to vote for the best courses in the city or to find out more about fantastic local courses, check out LondonOntarioGolf.com.
