UXBRIDGE, Ont. — Vaughn, Ont.’s Tony Gil and Thornhill, Ont.’s Selena Costabile each earned comeback wins this long weekend at the Golf Association of Ontario’s (GAO) 2014 Investors Group Junior Spring Classic.
Gil entered the final round tied with fellow Team Canada National Development Team member Carter Simon. Gil went on to score one of the best rounds of the day, a 4-under 68, to finish the tournament at 7-under. As for Simon, the Sutton, Ont. resident carded an 1-under 71 for a tournament total of 4-under.
“My iron play was right on throughout the week. I made a lot of good putts and didn’t make any big mistakes, so it was a good week for me,” said Gil. “The first three birdies on 10, 11 and 12 was a confidence booster and turned my game on. I was a little nervous on the first tee and cold topped it but I just thought to myself that there were 17 holes to go and anything could happen.”
At 16-years-old, Gil also captured the juvenile division title.
Finishing in a tie for third at 3-under for the tournament were Waterloo’s Trevor Ranton and Cayuga’s Charles Corner. In fifth was Mississauga’s Conner Watt.
Over at Sleepy Hollow, in Stouffville, Ont., Alyssa Getty of Kingsville, Ont. began the day with a single shot lead going into the final round. Selena Costabile edged the lead from her with a birdie-birdie start. Costabile continued on to birdie four on the back nine and finished with a confortable three-shot victory. She ended the day 3-under for a tournament total of 2-under.
“I played really well today which helped me close the victory,” said Costabile. “My putts were rolling really well the past three days and most of the credit for my win is because of my putting. After nine holes I was behind but once I started making those birdies on the back nine I knew I had a good chance to win. Birdieing my first two holes, especially the second, was a huge confidence boost, even though I double bogeyed six. I was able to make a few good putts later and it all turned out ok.”
Finishing third was Toronto’s Ana Peric. Pickering’s Crystina Kertsos and Markham’s Stephanie Chu tied for fourth.
The Investors Group Junior Spring Classic Championship is a 54-hole stroke-play competition contested annually over the Victoria Day long weekend that features many of Ontario’s best male and female junior golfers. The field of competitors gained entry to the competition through a qualifying process earlier in the season.
Full Leaderboard and Scorecards – Investors Group Junior Spring Classic, Boys
Full Leaderboard, Info and Scorecards – Investors Group Junior Spring Classic, Girls