It was a full field event today at Heron Point, with alternates waiting onsite to get into the tournament.  The day started with grey skies and some rain, but it warmed up and the sun came out to shine on Joe Rinker.  It was Rinker's day to get back into the GLT Winners Circle.  Rinker bested the field today with a round of -3, winner by one over 2011 Champ, Michael Gligic; Multiple GLT winner, Nick Kenny; and Tour Rookie Jacob Patte. 

Derek Gillespie took the season opener Win earlier today at Grey Silo with a -3, 68.   Ryan Jeffrey finished solo second with a -2, 69; while Victor Ciesielski finished 3rd alone at -1, 70.  This year was by far the toughest weather the players have yet faced at the famed Grey Silo season opener.  Battling snow squalls, rain, high northerly winds, it was a wonder anyone was able to score today.  Gillespie has been working hard and it is obviously paying off.  Having so much experience and knowing a one day event is difficult to win, he noted the importance of keeping the ball in front of him would be the key to scoring well.  "It was extremely tough out there today,  I made a lot of good putts and simply played smart off the tee".  Derek continued, "this win is a great start to my season, feels good to be back out competing on home soil".  Gillespie plans to play most of the GLT events early in the season and then travel to some of the Canadian Tour Events this summer.  Be sure to read the Score Golf article on Gillespie this month - it will also be available on line tomorrow.

Dan Payton won in a 4 hole playoff to take home first prize at the PreSeason Shootout over Victor Ciesielski earlier today.  The pair shot 4 strokes better then the rest of the field by posting -5 (66's).  Michael Gligic placed 3rd with a round of 1 under par (70).  Payton won a full season on the Great Lakes Tour, both Regular and Platinum Series event packages.  Ciesielski and Gligic both took home packages of 10 Regular Series events.  There were 71 Players in the field today, making the Shootout a sellout for a 4th season in a row.  The Tour will stop again next week for the first official tournament of the season at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo.

Announced today, the Province will once again have an OPEN Championship.  2012 will mark the Tournament’s inaugural year and will host the Provinces top Professional and Amateur Golfers.  Hosted by Hidden Lake Golf Club in Burlington, On, the Championship will boast a $75,000.00 purse.   A 54-Hole, gross stroke play competition.  Set to take place August 30 – September 1, 2012.  One Hundred and Fifty Six players will vie for the Title of being Ontario’s Best.

NEW FOR 2012 SEASON.   All PGA of Canada Members and Can Tour Member receive a discount off GLT Membership.   Any player who have existing accounts - fill out your PGA number in your personal information page.  Anyone who signed up for the early bird who is a PGA Member - please fill in your PGA number, email the office,  and the Tour will refund you the difference ASAP.