Written By Jeffrey Reed
Since 2011, LondonOntarioGolf.com (est. 2004) and parent publication LondonOntarioSports.com (est. 2015) have presented 155 awards to Southwestern Ontario athletes, coaches, administrators and volunteers. In addition, the partner websites surpassed $150,000 in charitable giving in 2024.
The 21st annual LondonOntarioGolf.com and LondonOntarioSports.com awards luncheon on May 2 at Greenhills Country Club in Lambeth was a celebration of these accomplishments and milestones. More importantly, it was a forum for not only celebrating the best local sports have to offer, but also for all of the award recipients – past and present – to inspire others with their fight to be the best they can be on and off the playing fields.
Middlesex County has been well represented over the past 15 years as three major awards – the Heart Award, Courage Award and Community Spirit Award – in addition to the Best of London Golf Awards have honoured the likes of golf course architect Rene Muylaert, Strathroy’s Caradoc Sands Golf Club and SARI Therapeutic Riding, just to name a few award recipients.
No one represents the mission of the awards program better than 2025 Courage Award winner Chris Lauzon, the reigning Special Olympics North America golf champion from London. The Courage Award recognizes one Southern Ontario athlete who inspires with courage on and off the playing field – read Chris’s biography at the website.
“Never in my wildest dream did I ever think I would win an award like the Courage Award,” said Lauzon, also a member of the London Blazers who represented Ontario at the 2024 Special Olympics – Canada Winter Games in Calgary and captured Gold in floor hockey. “I look forward to being a Courage Award ambassador,” added Lauzon, “and I love competing with Special Olympics – my teammates and coaches are a band of brothers.”
Long-time Sunningdale Golf and Country Club head golf professional Jason Wyatt captured the 2025 Heart Award for giving back to golf while growing the game. As Wyatt received the Heart Award, he was overwhelmed with emotions as he recognized past winners who include 2003 Masters Tournament winner Mike Weir, and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame inductee Patty Howard.
“The game of golf has been my life, and to continue to grow the game, change the golf industry and continue to mentor young professionals is still my passion. I believe these are the pillars of the Heart Award,” Wyatt Said.
SARI Therapeutic Riding in Arva received the 1st annual LondonOntarioSports.com Community Spirit Award for changing and bettering the lives of others through sports, leisure and recreation – read more about SARI at the website.
The web publications look forward to sharing details of the revamped 2026 awards program in August.
