Written By Jeffrey Reed
LondonOntarioGolf.com (est. 2004), the Voice of Golf in Southwestern Ontario, announces long-time London radio personality Ryan Spence of Dorchester is winner of the 2026 Heart Award. Spence is the first media member to win the Heart Award, presented annually since 2011 to members of the Southwestern Ontario golf community who unselfishly give back to golf while growing the game.
For three decades, Spence, 51, filled a variety of roles at 1290 CJBK-AM. A champion for the game of golf, Spence was a morning show co-host, producer, writer, and for a decade host of the weekly one-hour Golf Show. He was also host of Ask The Experts for 25 years, and the Saturday Morning Oldies Show on FM sister station BX-93. He worked along other local radio industry giants including Steve Garrison, Pete James, Mike Stubbs, Andy Oudman and Jim Chapman.
But it was Spence’s passion for golf which always stood out amongst his myriad of talents on the air and behind the scenes. For 30 years, Spence, known affectionately as ‘The 1-Wood,’ championed the game of golf on the air at CJBK. He worked unselfishly and tirelessly to acknowledge golf’s importance to Southwestern Ontario’s identity and how the game is an integral part of the local economy.
Spence’s Golf Show was highlighted on the calendar of every avid local golfer. Shining the spotlight on every aspect of the local golf industry–from junior golf tournaments to hosting LPGA Tour events, and including local courses, charity events and thousands of local golf community members whose accomplishments and efforts were worth noting–Spence teed up the most popular radio golf show in the history of local broadcasting. Over 10 years, he conducted close to 1,000 interviews–including with past winners of the LondonOntarioGolf.com Heart Award, the trophy that now includes him as a winner.
When CJBK went silent in June 2023, Spence turned his efforts to spending more time with his wife, Wendy, and to fulfilling what he calls a “childhood dream” – working at a golf course. A friendly face at London’s Crumlin Creek Golf Club, Spence is now “lucky enough to talk about the great game of golf with golfers every day. Everyone has a story, and at the course I get to hear great, new stories every day.
“I am truly at a loss for words in trying to express my appreciation for this acknowledgment,” said Spence. “The list of past recipients is a who’s who in not only the local golf community for what they have done to advance the game of golf, but also on a broader level inspiring integrity, respect and sportsmanship that transcends beyond the game.”
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.
