University of Toronto Athletics

Updated: August 2025

Player Selection
Player selection will be based on the following factors:

• Tournament experience, including:
  • performance in provincial, national and international competitions
  • performance in university events
  • performance in junior and club competitions
• Performance in team qualifying rounds.  For 2025-26, a walk-on day is planned for August 25, and formal qualifying rounds are planned for August 28, September 4 and the weekend of September 6-7.  Subject to weather conditions and course availability, the qualifying event will consist of a minimum of 36 holes over 2 days.  Green fees must be paid by participants. If weather or other variables prevent the completion of play, the coaching staff will select the team based on the other selection criteria.
• Level of commitment to the program, including availability to attend tournaments and team practices, and to participate in fitness sessions and fundraising activities.
• Fitness level – please note that players must be able to walk and carry/pull their own clubs for up to 36 holes in one day; caddies and electric carts are not permitted in competitions.
• Ability to respond to coaching and personal compatibility with all members of the team, including athletes and coaches.  Sportsmanship and general bearing and attitude will be heavily weighted during the selection process, in accordance with the Varsity Blues Expectations of Behaviour, OUA Code of Conduct, Rules of Golf and etiquette.
• Year of study, with an emphasis on selecting a balanced roster that will include students from a range of years to ensure team succession for future seasons.

Qualifying Event
 
Open qualifying for the men’s and women's golf teams will begin the week of August 25. There will be a walk-on day on Monday August 25, followed by formal qualifying rounds [round 1 planned for Thursday August 28] for players who contact the coaching staff in advance and register to participate. There will be an 18-hole cut based on the results of the first round.
 
Player Commitments
 
The fall tournament schedule will be posted on the team website at www.varsityblues.ca when available, and is subject to OUA and University of Toronto guidelines for events, as those are updated from time to time.  Players must be available for all scheduled tournaments, formal outdoor practices on weekends throughout the fall season, additional team meetings, practices or practice rounds as announced from time to time, morning indoor practices and fitness sessions at Varsity Centre following the fall competitive season, and spring tournaments, including invitationals and the Canadian University/College Championship (typically the last week of May or first week of June). 

Players who are successful at qualifying will need to pay a team fee to participate ($300 for returning players who have contributed in the past and have a golf bag; $500 for new players who will be receiving their team golf bag this year).  

Evaluation and Communication of Final Roster
 
Our coaching staff will evaluate the above factors and convey invitations to join the Varsity Blues golf team by email within 24 hours of the completion of the final round of any qualifying event.  Selected athletes are expected to respond to these invitations within 24 hours.  If you have any questions about player selection, please speak with a member of the coaching staff.
 
Coaching Staff Contact Information
 
Chris Tortorice, chris.tortorice@utoronto.ca