Written By Jeffrey Reed
When I retired from playing and coaching with the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League in 2001, I did so, realizing I had accomplished what most said was impossible: pitching at the semi-professional level as a disabled athlete. Later, I became a golf teaching professional and brand ambassador, despite my myriad of skeletal deformities.
Through LondonOntarioSports.com, I am able to use my inspirational story to recognize other athletes who beat the odds. This year, 15-year-old golfer Bryce Burridge of London is winner of the 11th annual Jeffrey Reed Courage Award, presented to a Southern Ontario athlete who demonstrates courage on and off the playing field.
One of the most accomplished local junior golfers in recent memory, Bryce has faced much adversity en route to the winner’s podium. In September 2023, his mother, Dawn Marie, died of cancer at age 53. Bryce suffered a debilitating injury in 2024 when he broke his collarbone playing minor hockey. And in the classroom, this incredible young man faces reading and writing challenges which he has met head-on through working with a tutor and his school’s guidance department.
Despite his challenges, Bryce has kept his eye on the prize, winning numerous golf tournaments in Canada and the U.S. while making local golf history. A Grade 10 student at London’s Saunders Secondary School, Bryce became the first Grade 9 TVRA student athlete to win the boys’ golf championship in 2024. He captured back-to-back titles in 2025.
Sporting a +4.1 handicap index, he captured the 2025 Ontario Boys U15 golf championship in a playoff, and won the ‘25 WOSSAA boys’ golf championship while helping the Sabres capture the team title. Also in ’25, he finished T7 at OFSAA, T26 at the Canadian U15 Boys championship and second at the Florida-hosted U.S. Kids Golf PGA Golf Club Invitational.
Those are just a few of his achievements on the golf course. In the classroom, Bryce has shown much initiative for someone his age as he has reached out for assistance to achieve good grades. He said he continues to “work very hard in the classroom.” His father, Rick, said he is “very proud of Bryce. Some of us have to work harder to achieve things in life, but we get to the same spot because of the hard work.”
Bryce’s best days on and off the golf course are ahead of him, and he’s working hard in preparation for a bright future. In fact, his work ethic alone stands out amongst the crowded leaderboard of life. And a solid foundation provided by his loving family adds to his championship demeanour.
Said Rick, “We’ve had a couple of very tough years (and) golf initially took a back seat. Hopefully, we’re all coming out of it stronger as a family. And without a doubt, golf helped us heal.”
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.
