INNISFIL, Ont. - Jamaal Moussaoui (Kingston) of St. Lawrence-Kingston is the men's clubhouse leader after the opening round of the 2016 OCAA Golf Championships presented by belairdirect.

Moussaoui shot a three-under 69 to take a one stroke lead into Tuesday's action. Josiah Dixon (Bognor) of Niagara and Daniel Watts (Burlington) of host Georgian also finished their first 18 holes under par, just one stroke back of the leader.

Fanshawe's Thomas Code (Dorchester) and Durham's Lucas Pichl (Cobourg) shot an even-par 72 to round out the top five.

In the men's team competition, Georgian has a slim one stroke lead over Durham, with defending champion Niagara just three strokes back.

Defending women's champion Lorelle Weavers (Burlington) of Niagara is in a familiar spot after her first 18 holes of 2016 provincials, shooting a one-over 73. She has a two stroke lead over Addison Wallwin (Barrie) of Georgian. Humber's Sonia Nagindas (Aurora) is currently in the bronze medal spot shooting eight-over, one stroke ahead of 2015 silver medalist Emilie Tyndall (Kirkland, Que.) of Georgian.

With its two golfers in the top four, Georgian leads the women's teams standings, six strokes in front of Humber. Seneca is in the bronze position, 16 shots behind the leaders.

Competition continues Tuesday at National Pines Golf Club in Innisfil, Ont. A total of 85 golfers are representing 15 Ontario college campuses, including Confederation, Durham, Fanshawe, Georgian, Humber, Lakehead (Orillia), Lambton, Mohawk, Niagara, St. Clair, St. Lawrence (Brockville, Cornwall and Kingston), Sault and Seneca.

The tournament consists of three 18-hole rounds, weather permitting. The male and female player posting the lowest gross score through 54 holes will earn their respective individual championship.

Men's teams consist of four or five golfers, with the top four individual scores of each round contributing to the total team score. Women's teams consist of two or three golfers, with the top two individual scores of each round contributing to their total score. Schools with the lowest aggregate of gross scores after 54 holes win the respective team titles.

This will mark the 50th time the OCAA will award golf medals as one of its inaugural varsity sports back in 1967. That year, Mohawk won the men's team title, with St. Clair's Dan Hasson winning individual gold.

Designed by Thomas McBroom, National Pines Golf Club was third in Golf Digest's ranking of best new courses in Canada. It is 7,013 yards in length, a great walking course that predominantly features Love Creek which comes into play 14 times during a round. Facilities include a three-level 7,000 square-foot clubhouse, a three-tiered grass deck with 15 hitting stations, seven target greens, and a putting green. National Pines was home to the 2007 and 2008 Canadian Tour Championship and the 1995 Ontario Amateur.

Daily results at the championships will be available online via the championship website and OCAA.com.

Daily results at the championships will be available online via the championship website and OCAA.com.

Championship Website: ocaa.com/championships/golf/2016-17/index

National Pines Golf Club: nationalpines.clublink.ca

Results via Golf Ontario: gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao16/event/gao16549/index.htm

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com