Don Martone wins the 2025 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship in a stunning debut
SAULT STE. MARIE – It still hasn’t quite sunk in for the Sault’s Don Martone.
The former CPGA competitor dominated on the national stage earlier this week, winning the 2025 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship in New Minas, N.S.
The win marks Martone’s debut at the event, which has seen golfers 55 years of age and older compete for the national amateur title since its inception in 1962.
“I’ve won a few tournaments before, but nothing at this level,” Martone told SooToday while making his way back home from the tournament. “To be able to call yourself a Canadian champ, that’s pretty crazy.”
The 55-year-old almost didn’t make the final round of the championship because of a seized back he had suffered while playing the 12th hole during the third round.
“When I woke up for the last round, I could barely get out of bed — it took three or four hours just so I could get my back to where I could actually get up and move,” Martone said.
The senior championship wasn’t the golfer’s only big win this week.
Martone also led Team Ontario to its first inter-provincial title in 15 years during the same event, ending Team Alberta’s four-year run as champions.
The Sault’s Don Martone led Team Ontario to victory at the 2025 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship in New Minas, N.S. this past week. Golf Canada
Martone said his preparation for this year’s Canadian Men’s Senior Championship consisted of playing team matches during a golfing trip to Pebble Beach, Calif. with more than a dozen other golfers from both Canada and Scotland.
“I was in Pebble Beach for a week, and then I flew from San Francisco to Toronto and Toronto to Halifax — non-stop,” he added.
The win at the national championships has opened a lot of doors for Martone.
He automatically qualifies for a number of high-profile golf tournaments in 2026, including the U.S. Senior Amateur.
“That’s just going to be a big year,” he said.
Martone plans on celebrating his win with well-wishers in the Sault at Up & Down Lounge, a fully-licensed, golf-themed lounge with high-definition golf simulators that he co-owns.
“We’re going to have a big party there when I get back and celebrate,” he said.
All in all, Martone thinks it was “kind of cool” representing Sault Ste. Marie on a national level.
“It was a pretty proud moment,” he said.
