TORONTO - Ryerson golfer Kody McWilliams qualified for the Men's Ontario Amateur Championship by posting a 76 Monday at Rosedale Golf Club in Toronto. 

The third year Radio and Television Arts student opened with a 41 on the front nine that included a triple bogey 7 on the tough Par-4 7^th hole, followed by a bogey on the par-5 8^th. 

"I felt pretty deflated after going triple bogey-bogey, but my attitude has always been 'stay positive, it's just golf,' said McWilliams. "Getting upset never gets you anywhere."

McWilliams was able to recover and string together 5 consecutive pars until he reached the difficult Par-3 13^th hole.  With the wind blowing right in the face, the hole was playing well over 200 yards, but McWilliams was able to hit his tee shot to 6 feet and sink the downhill slider for birdie.  He added another birdie before closing with two solid par saves to finish with an even-par 35 on the back nine. 

"I was very lucky to have my Dad out there caddying.  After making bogey on 8, he sort of just looked at me as we walked up the fairway, with a smile, and said 'let it go'.  He also did a great job stirring up conversation when the pressure was on," said McWilliams. "I can count on him to help me out when I might not be thinking clearly and he has a way of sensing when I need advice and when I am in the zone.  Between both my parents and all they do for me, I can't thank them enough".

McWilliams is a front runner to serve as club captain for the 2012-13 Rams golf squad and led the team with 81.88 stroke average last season.  McWilliams also participated in the 2010 Toronto Star Amateur and won consecutive Match-play Championships at York Downs in 2009-10. 

"It's great to see Kody putting together some solid rounds of golf," said Rams Head Coach Vince Marra. "He has had some injury trouble the past two years, but he remained positive and continued to work hard.  As frustrating as injuries can be, he continued to battle in events and I think we're finally seeing what Kody is capable of when he is healthy.  He is a tremendous asset to the Rams golf program."

The Ontario Amateur will take place July 10^th - 13^th at The Summit Golf and Country Club in Richmond Hill.

Tryouts for the 2012-13 Rams season will take place in late summer/early fall. Check back at ryersonrams.ca or contact Head Coach Vince Marra for more information at golf@ryerson.ca.