Written By Jeffrey Reed
It’s not uncommon for young athletes to excel in multiple sports. But in the case of Delaware’s Ben Landers, a member of both the Mt. Brydges Bulldogs hockey club and the Fanshawe Falcons men’s golf team, there’s much more on display than just excellence on the playing field.
Landers, 21, has always been an old soul. While winning tournaments on the Junior Tyson Tour as a young teenager, Landers spoke about golf as if he was a grizzled veteran with much knowledge of and respect for the game. The same can true about his love of hockey. It’s why the Falcons consider him a leader, and why the Bulldogs named him an assistant captain this season.
A fourth-year forward with the Bulldogs, Landers is better known as a local golf standout – many are surprised when discovering that he plays Jr. C hockey. At the recent OCAA Golf Championships, Landers – a third-year Falcon and 2023 Ontario college individual champion – finished as the top Fanshawe golfer, in fourth spot, and helped his squad capture the team silver medal. Fanshawe now competes in the CCAA national tournament at RedCrest Golf Club in King, Ont. from Oct. 15-18.
A member of The Oaks Golf Club, and student of 2008 and ‘09 Canadian Junior Boys golf champ Mitch Sutton, Landers said his game is “peaking at the right time. It was a little rusty at the end of the summer, but I’m back in the groove now, being able to practice and play every single day.”
Even as a youngster, Landers has always thought deeply before answering a question, and before offering his thoughts on the state of the game of golf. Case in point: during a recent chat, Landers spoke passionately about slow play which has been plaguing the university, college, high school and junior ranks this season.
“I am quite opposed to slow play. I wouldn’t mind if they implemented the (USGA-backed) 40-second rule – you have 40 seconds to hit your ball. I don’t think that those who are playing at such a slow pace understand just how much of an impact it has on their playing partners.”
While slow play bothers Landers, there’s nothing lagging with his golf game. He’s a back-to-back member of the OCAA All-Ontario Team with an admirable work ethic. And he’s always quick to applaud the efforts of others, including Falcons head coach Colin Robertson.
“Our chemistry this season is phenomenal. Everybody fits in. We have a great bunch of guys – a lot of local golfers. And honestly, the best times are when we’re together on the bus and on the road at hotels. We all get along very well.”
Landers studies Business Insurance at Fanshawe. But for now, he’s taking care of business with the Falcons and the Bulldogs – both teams looking at Landers for leadership this season.
Award-winning writer
Jeffrey Reed has covered Middlesex County sports since 1980. He is publisher and editor of LondonOntarioSports.com. Reach him at
jeff@londonontariosports.com.
