UBC and UFV hold on to commanding leads heading into final round of Canadian University/College Championship
UFV Cascades (Credit: Golf Canada)
Golf Canada
Individual leaders Li and Campbell help keep their teams into top positions heading to final day
CHILLIWACK, B.C. – It was another momentous day for UBC and UFV fans alike during the third round of the Canadian University/College Championship at Chilliwack Golf Club on Thursday. For the third consecutive day, the Thunderbirds and Cascades lead the women’s and men’s divisions, respectively, going into the final round.
The UBC Thunderbirds are one round away from continuing their historic showing in the women’s team event after posting a collective 16-over-par 664 and earning a strong 20-stroke lead over the University of Victoria Vikes. The Vikes moved up to second with an overall score of 36-over-par 684 while the Université de Montréal Carabins sit third at 42-over-par 690. Rounding out the top-six women’s teams advancing to the final round are the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, University of the Fraser Valley Cascades and Université Laval Rouge et Or.
The Thunderbirds’ own Avril Li is definitely one to watch as she chases a potential wire-to-wire victory in this year’s women’s individual competition. Even back-to-back birdies couldn’t bring the Port Moody, B.C., talent down as she held on to her lead at 4 under.
Sarah Dunning from the University of Guelph played her heart out to recover after a difficult second round. Thanks to seven birdies and an eagle, Dunning earned the lowest round of the day (-5) and will start the final round in second with a current tournament total to 1-over. Rounding out the top three is Ana Peric of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, who fell one spot back into solo-third.
Meanwhile, host school University of the Fraser Valley Cascades are primed to follow in the footsteps of the 2014 University of Manitoba Bisons —the last host institution to win a team title— as they hold the lead in the men’s team division for the third straight round with a considerable 18 stroke advantage.
“We came into this knowing it was going to be a hard four day grind,” said Cascades coach, Chris Bertram. “Just because we have a bit of a cushion doesn’t mean we aren’t going to come out here and look to put our best foot forward with a solid effort.”
The University of Victoria Vikes go into the final day in second with a combined score of 7-under-par 857 ahead of the UBC Thunderbirds, who are in third with a team total of 6-under-par 858. They are joined by the Humber College Hawkswith a total score of 864, as well as the University of Manitoba Bisons and University of Ottawa Gee-Gees at 6-under-par 870.
The Université Laval Rouge et Or, Western University Mustangs, Université de Montréal Carabins and Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks also advance to the final day of the tournament.
It was a tight race in the men’s individual edition during the third round, but Cascades player Daniel Campbell came on top after firing a 10 under.
“The first two holes were a little rough but I bounced back from there and just played really well on the back-nine,” said Campbell who was recently named PACWEST male athlete of the year. “It always feels good to be on top, especially with only one hole left.”
Four strokes separate Campbell from fellow teammate Zach Olson, who posted a 6-under to share a piece of second with University of Victoria Vikes’ Lawren Rowe.
For more information on the tournament, please click here.
UFV and UBC maintain top spots at Canadian University/ College Championship
Golf Canada
Golf Canada
CHILLIWACK, B.C. – The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds remained atop the leaderboard in the men’s and women’s team divisions, respectively, after the second round of the Canadian University/College Championships at Chilliwack Golf Club.
Everyone kept their eyes peeled on the host team as the Cascades continued to dominate the men’s team competition. They sit in top position with a substantial 12-shot lead at 21-under-par 555, in large part thanks to top-three finishes by three of their golfers – Zach Olson, Daniel Campbell and Halen Davis. The UBC Thunderbirds posted the lowest team score of the day, sitting in second with a combined score of 9-under-par 567. The third spot belongs to the University of Victoria Vikes, who earned a team total of 3-under-par 573.
In the individual men’s category, the Cascades’ own Olson entered the day in a three-way tie for first and never looked back.
“I went out with the same game plan”said Olson. “I kept the ball in play and hit a lot of fairways and greens today, so it was steady.”
The Strathmore, Alta. talent ending the second round sitting in solo-first at 7-under-par 137, one stroke ahead of teammate Daniel Campbell who moved up two spots to second. Davis, also of the Cascades, shares the T3 spot with Baptiste Mory of the Université Laval Rouge et Or and UBC’s Andrew Harrison at 5-under-par 139.
The low-score of the day goes to Vikes player Lawren Rowe, who carded a 7-under 65 for an overall 140.
In the women’s division, the Thunderbirds continue their historic lead with an overall team score of 13-over-par 445. The Université de Montréal Carabins are second, 8 strokes behind at 21-over-par 453 while the University of Victoria Vikes sit in third at 26-over-par 458.
Thunderbirds golfer Avril Li began the day sharing the lead with fellow teammate Kelly Hellman. Though a double bogey on her second hole threatened her lead, Li managed to stay ahead card a 1 under to end the second round in solo-first with a comfortable 5-stroke lead.
“Overall it was a pretty consistent round, pretty similar to yesterday,” said Li. “I had one bad hole on number 2 but I didn’t let that bother me just stuck to my game plan.”
Veronique Fortin-Latreille of the Université de Montréal Carabins had a difficult front-nine with back-to-back bogeys and a double bogey but ended her day strong after an eagle on the 18th hole. Fortin-Latreille shares second with Ana Peric of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and Victoria Vikes’ Quinn Fitzgerald at 3 over.
The women’s and men’s individual winners receive an exemption into their respective Canadian Amateur Championship. The top three men’s and women’s individual finishers qualify for the 2019 Summer Universiade.
For more information on the tournament, please click here.
TOP-5 MEN’S TEAMS
University of Fraser Valley Cascades -21(555)
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds -9(567)
University of Victoria Vikes -3(573)
Université Laval Rouge et Or E(576)
Université de Montréal Carabins +5(581)
TOP-5 WOMEN’S TEAMS
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds +13(445)
Université de Montréal Carabins +21(453)
University of Victoria Vikes +26(458)
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades +27(459)
University of Toronto Varsity Blues +34(466)
TOP-5 MEN’S INDIVIDUAL
1. Zach Olson University of Fraser Valley Cascades *68-69-137 -7
2. Daniel Campbell University of Fraser Valley Cascades *69-69-138 -6
T3. Halen Davis University of Fraser Valley Cascades *70-69-69 -5
T3. Baptiste Mory Université Laval Rouge et Or *70-69-69 -5
T3. Andrew Harrison University of British Columbia Thunderbirds *72-67-139 -5
TOP-5 WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL
1. Avril Li University of British Columbia Thunderbirds *72-71-143 -1
T2. Veronique Fortin-Latreille Université de Montréal Carabins *73-75-148 +4
T2. Ana Peric University of Toronto Varsity Blues *75-73-148 +4
T2. Quinn Fitzgerald University of Victoria Vikes *74-74-148 +4
T5. Veronica Vetesnik University of Manitoba Bisons *73-73-149 +5
T5. Emily Leung Simon Fraser University Clan *73-73-149 +5
UBC Thunderbirds and Fraser Valley Cascades top the leaderboard at the Canadian University/College Championship
Golf Canada
Golf Canada
Hellman, Lee, Graham, Olson and Brook top individual standings
CHILLIWACK, B.C. –An overcast first round of the Canadian University/College Championship saw five individuals sit atop the leaderboard today at Chilliwack Golf Club.
Zack Olson shot a 4-under to share a piece of 4th and give host team University of the Fraser Valley Cascades a commanding lead, while Kelly Hellman and Avril Li carded an even-par to help defending women’s champion University of British Columbia Thunderbirds top the women’s competition.
The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s team earned a combined 10-under par to earn a commanding lead, building a 13-shot advantage over defending men’s team champion Université Laval Rouge et Or who posted a 3-over par. University of Guelph Gryphons are currently in third with a 4-over par.
Three players in the men’s individual championship – Adam Graham (Brock University Badgers), Wyatt Brook (Vancouver Island University Mariners), and Zach Olson (University of the Fraser Valley Cascades) – head into tomorrow in first place at 4-under par.
Thunderbirds Kelly Hellman of Nelson, B.C. and Avril Li of Port Moody, B.C. both fired an even-par 72 to earn top spots in the women’s individual competition. The Thunderbirds have won 12 of the past 15 editions of the women’s team event.
Veronique Fortin-Latreille of the Université de Montréal Carabins and Sarah Dunning of the University of Guelph Gryphons are very close behind, sitting second in the women’s individual competition one stroke behind at 1-over par.
With a combined score of 5-over par, the Thunderbirds are two strokes ahead of the Université de Montréal Carabins, who posted a team score of 7-over par on day one. The University of Victoria Vikes sit in third place at 10-over par.
The Women’s and Men’s Individual winners receive an exemption into their respective Canadian Amateur Championship. The top-three Men’s and Women’s individual finishers qualify for the FISU Universiade Games.
For more information on the event, including tomorrow’s tee times and current results, can be found here.
TOP-5 MEN’S – TEAM
1 University of the Fraser Valley Cascades. -10. F -10 278
2 Université Laval Rouge et Or +3 F* +3 291
3 University of Guelph Gryphons +4 F +4 292
T4. Université de Montréal Carabins +5 F +5 293
T4. University of British Columbia Thunderbirds +5 F +5 293
TOP-5 MEN’S – INDIVIDUAL
T1. Adam Graham Brock University Badgers *35-33-68 -4
T1. Wyatt Brook Vancouver Island University Mariners *35-33-68 -4
T1. Zack Olson University of the Fraser Valley Cascades *32-36-68 -4
T4. Nicholas Striker University of Guelph Gryphons *34-35-69 -3
T4. Daniel Campbell University of the Fraser Valley Cascades *32-37-69 +2
TOP-5 WOMEN’S – TEAM
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds +5 F +5 221
Université de Montréal Carabins +7 F* +7 223
University of Victoria Vikes +10 F +10 226
University of Toronto Varsity Blues +18 F +18 234
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades +20 F +20 236
TOP-5 WOMEN’S – INDIVIDUAL
T1. Kelly Hellman University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. *35-37-72 E
T1. Avril Li University of British Columbia Thunderbirds *36-36-72 E
T3. Veronique Fortin-Latreille Université de Montréal Carabins *38-35-73 +1
T3. Sarah Dunning University of Guelph Gryphons *38-35-73 +1
T5. Mylène Limoges Université de Montréal Carabins *37-37-74 +2
T5. Quinn Fitzgerald University of Victoria Vikes *41-33-74 +2
Click hereto download photos; credit to Golf Canada.
Canadian University/College Championship heads to Chilliwack Golf Club
(Chilliwack Golf Club)
CHILLIWACK, B.C. – Canada’s top student-athlete golfers will descend on Chilliwack Golf Club in Chilliwack, B.C., from May 29 – June 1 for the 2018 Canadian University/College Championship.
2018 marks the 16th playing of the event, which was established in 2003 by Golf Canada to give the country’s best college and university golfers a chance to compete at a national championship.
The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades will host the event this year on the magnificent tree lined fairways of Chilliwack Golf Club.
Established in 1958, the course has played host to every major provincial tournament in British Columbia. The course, which celebrates their 60th anniversary this year, features a creek that meanders through the back nine and breathtaking mountain vistas in every direction.
“We are thrilled to welcome the best Canadian student golfers to Chilliwack Golf Club. We’re looking forward to a competitive championship, and showcasing our beautiful course,” said host club General Manager, Bryan Ewart.
Golf Canada prides itself on conducting a top-notch tournament that is the highest level of national competition for college and university golfers in the country.
“The Canadian University/College Championship provides a unique opportunity for the best student-athlete golfers in Canada represent their school and compete for a national championship,” added tournament director, Adam Cinel. “Golf Canada is proud to conduct this event to showcase the talent from universities and colleges across the country.”
In 2017, defending champion Kat Kennedy went wire-to-wire to capture medallist honours and lead the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to their second consecutive Canadian University/College Championship. Her final-round 78 was the lowest of anyone in the women’s draw and helped her finish 14 over par for the tournament, 15 strokes ahead of field.
Evan Holmes of Calgary, Alta. captured medallist honours with a 5-over-par effort. His win, however, was not enough to catapult the University of British Columbia into top spot as the Université Laval Rouge et Or walked away with a two-stroke victory at 75 over par for the tournament.
UBC returns to the tournament having won 12 women’s and five men’s titles.
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades will look to draw upon the magic of the University of Manitoba Bisons—the last host institution to win a team title—when they captured the men’s division championship in 2014 at Southwood Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg.
The 72-hole stroke play competition will feature 20 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams from across the country vying for the national championship titles.
Following the third round, the field will be reduced to the top 10 men’s teams and the top six women’s teams, in addition to any individuals within 15 shots of the lead. Individuals within 10 shots of third place will also make the cut, or any player within the top 10. Additional information regarding the 2018 championship, can be found here.
FAST FACTS The Université Laval Rouge et Or and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds are this year’s defending champions in the Men’s and Women’s Division, respectively.
In 2016, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds swept the championship, winning all four events. It was the first time in the tournament’s history that a school won the men’s and women’s team and individual events in the same year.
UBC has won the most women’s titles with 12 out of the last 15 editions in the team event and the most men’s championships with 5.
The individual men’s and women’s champions receive exemptions into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, respectively.
For pairings and additional information, click here.
ABOUT THE COURSE Chilliwack Golf Club was established in 1958.
The par-72 layout has played host to every major provincial championship and was recognized as the PGA of BC’s Facility of the Year in 2013.
Course record of 61 was set in 2017 by James Allenby.
MEN’S TEAMS Bishops’ University Gaitors
Brock University Badgers
Concordia University Stingers
Durham College Lords
Humber College Hawks
Queen’s University Gaels
University of Alberta Golden Bears
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
University of Calgary Dinos
University of Guelph Gryphons
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns
University of Manitoba Bisons
University of Ottawa Gee-Gees
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades
University of Victoria Vikes
University of Waterloo Warriors
Université de Montréal Carabins
Université Laval Rouge et Or
Western University Mustangs
Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks
WOMEN’S TEAMS
Humber College Hawks
Queen’s University Gaels
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades
University of Manitoba Bisons
University of Toronto Varsity Blues
University of Victoria Vikes
University of Waterloo Warriors
University of Windsor Lancers
Université de Montréal Carabins
Université Laval Rouge et Or
Western University Mustangs
Thunderbirds’ Kat Kennedy ends university career with a bang
Kat Kennedy (Paul Bennett/ Golf Canada)
Andrew Bottomley/ Golf Canada
The dream of every athlete is to go out on top, to go out a winner.
It’s a feat so rarely accomplished because you only get one chance at it. You only get one last tournament.
But on Sunday at the 2017 Canadian University/College Championship Kat Kennedy did just that.
As she watched her final putt drop, Kennedy walked off the green and into the arms of her teammates after a dominating 15-stroke victory in the individual women’s division, leading her University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to its second consecutive title at the event.
And she did so at her final event at the end of her university golf career.
“It feels amazing to end my last tournament of my university career on a high note and with such a good team,” said Kennedy, after securing herself and her team at the top of the leaderboard. “It feels awesome right now.”
The 22-year-old science student from Okotoks, Alta., has hung up her Thunderbirds’ gear after successfully defending her 2016 title and plans to finish her undergrad degree next year.
Like most collegiate athletes, Kennedy’s commitment to the golf team has allowed her to pursue a higher education, but the time commitment to her sport means she must pick up a few more credits in her fifth year.
“I love golf,” she said. “I love the game. I just want to keep playing as long as I can. I still have one more year left, so I have some time to decide what I want to do next. Right now, I’m going to focus on school and keep playing and improve my game as best as I can.”
The weather was not kind to Kennedy and the other players during the championship, which was held from May 29 – June 1. Two thunder delays, constant rain and a windy, cold final round lashed out at the field. But there behind Kennedy for every shot sat her parents, Tai and Len, on tiny portable stools they carried with them as they followed her around.
The two are, of course, her biggest fans and have traveled to every Canadian tournament she has played in as well as many down south in the United States. They are so committed to their daughters play that they don’t even take a hole off – even during the six-degree, extremely windy final round on June 1.
“Never,” said Tai, when asked if she was going to warm up for a couple of holes in the clubhouse after Kennedy made the turn. “She always wants us to be there. With some kids they always want their parents to stay away, but for us she’s always like, ‘I’m glad you’re here.’”
For Tai, golf isn’t just a game that her daughter plays for a way to go to university. It’s a part of her that has contributed to her growth as a human being.
“It keeps her grounded,” she said. “I’m really happy that she’s on the golf team. She works very hard and strives for the best. That’s what she tries to do every day: become a better person.”
Follow Kennedy for a couple of holes and you can see what Tai means.
Whether she’s lining up for a shot, walking to her ball or retrieving it from the cup, there is a constant laser-like focus in the way she carries herself. Even when she was leading by over a dozen strokes heading down the final fairway, that focus never wavered.
Tai doesn’t know where that work ethic comes from. “That’s just her,” she says. But it’s a major part of the reason that she has never missed a tournament in her Thunderbirds’ career – a goal she set for herself when she first joined the team.
Like many student-athletes, Kennedy started to excel at golf at a very young age. It wasn’t long until she was carding better scores than her father, Len.
“She started to pass me on the course when she was about 14 or 15,” said Len, (not at eight like Tai teased). “It made me feel really proud. She taught me real early to keep my mouth shut when making a bet with her. Don’t say you’ll give her 50 bucks to make a long birdie putt because she’ll put it in.”
As for her next step, Kennedy is still unsure.
She is going to finish her science degree next year while training and working on golf by herself. When she completes her education she is going to decide if she is ready to go pro or not.
In a true testament to her character that the game of golf helped build, she was permitted to play for the team in her fifth year, but she turned down the offer because she felt that it would be unfair to take away that spot from someone else.
Now that she’s done, Tai and Len are ready to retire their trusty stools they always carry around when following her, and they can watch as their daughter takes the next step.
“Golf put her through university,” said Tai. “I’m happy she’s going to get her degree and an education. That’s the main thing. Now I guess I have put this stool on Kijiji.”
Thunderbirds, Rouge et Or hold on to win Canadian University/College Championship
(Paul Bennett/ Golf Canada)
Golf Canada
Kat Kennedy went wire-to-wire to lead the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to their second consecutive Canadian University/College Championship, while Baptiste Mory helped the Université Laval Rouge et Or hold on to win the men’s division at Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club on Thursday.
The Thunderbirds dominated the field through all four rounds of the tournament. Heading to the final day they sat 41 strokes ahead, and on Thursday they cruised through their final round and finished 70 over for the tournament to successfully defend their 2016 title.
Leading the way for the University of British Columbia was defending champion Kat Kennedy who led all four rounds to capture medallist honours. Her final-round 78 was the lowest of anyone in the women’s draw and helped her finish 14 over par for the tournament, 15 strokes ahead of field.
“It feels amazing to end my last tournament of my university career on a high note and with a great team,” she said, after she sank her final putt. “It was tough out there today. This was the most wind we’ve had all week, but we just tried to play calm and steady and play our game.”
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues and the University of Victoria Vikes were deadlocked heading into Thursday, but the Varsity Blues prevailed after their 41-over-par 257 locked them into second place, 53 strokes behind the Thunderbirds. The Vikes ended up third, 128 over par for the tournament.
Varsity Blues’ Laura Upenieks carded a final-round 84 to bring her total score to 29 over, while Sharon Park of the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades finished at 30 over to round out the top three.
The men’s division came right down to the wire as the Rouge et or, the Wilfried Laurier University Golden Hawks and the Thunderbirds were all jockeying for position during the final round.
Eric Flockhart of the Golden Hawks made it interesting on the 18th green when he tapped in a par putt after Mory made bogey, but it proved to be too late as the Rouge et Or walked away with a two-stroke victory at 75 over par for the tournament.
“It’s incredible,” Mory said, after he and his teammates erupted in cheers following the official announcement “I thought after I made a six on 18 that we were going to go to a playoff, but it managed to be enough. It was very difficult to make the right distance today because of all the wind, but I managed to hang in there for my team.”
The Thunderbirds finished five back of the Rouge et Or in third place on the strength of Evan Holmes who captured medallist honours with a 5-over-par effort. Mory finished five back in a share of second place with Varsity Blues’ Kevin Fawcett, who shot a tournament-low 2 over par in the final round.
The top finishers in the men’s and women’s division will get an exemption into their respective Canadian Amateur Championships, and the top three finishers in the men’s and women’s draws will qualify for the Summer Universiade Games, in Chinese Taipei, Taiwan, from Aug. 19-30.
Click here for information and here for final results.
Rouge et Or, Thunderbirds top leaderboard heading into final round at the Canadian University/College Championship
Baptiste Mory (Golf Canada)
Golf Canada
Université Laval Rouge et Or overtook the top spot in the men’s draw while the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds held onto their lead in the women’s division after round three at the Canadian University/College Championship on Wednesday at Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club.
The Rouge et Or men’s team shot a 13-over-par 297 to jump to the top of the leaderboard, building a one-stroke advantage. They were sitting outside the top two as the final Laval player, Baptiste Mory, headed to the final hole.
Mory, who has been the team’s best golfer through three rounds, sank a clutch 35-foot putt for eagle from just short of the green on 18. That marker led the 20-year-old to a 2-over-par 73 on the day.
“I played very good today,” he said, shortly after his eagle putt. “It was my best day of golf. My coach told me on the fairway that I had to get an eagle to put us up one shot in the tournament. I hit a bad shot to the green, but the putt was amazing.”
The score was his best since his opening-round 71, and it moves him into a tie for third in the individual standings, four back of leader Evan Holmes from the University of British Columbia.
Tied in second, one stroke behind the Rouge et Or, are the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks and Thunderbirds. The Golden Hawks were ahead after the second round but lost their lead following an 18-over-par 302. The Thunderbirds carded the low score of the tournament with a 4-over 288, launching them up the standings from outside the top five.
Golden Hawks’ Eric Flockhart, who was No. 1 through the opening two rounds, slipped on Wednesday with a 77 (+6), his worst score of the tournament. Holmes helped carry the Thunderbirds into contention with his 1-under-par 70, good for a three-stroke cushion.
In the women’s draw, the University of British Columbia holds a commanding lead entering the final day. After a collective 15-over-par 231, the Thunderbirds sit 41 strokes ahead of the competition.
Continuing to lead the way for them is defending champion Kat Kennedy, who recorded her second consecutive 76 to bring her to 8 over for the tournament. Despite posting double-bogeys on holes nine and 18, the 22-year-old from Okotoks, Alta., maintained an 8-stroke lead over the individual women’s division heading to the final round on Thursday.
“I ended up doubling holes nine and 18,” she said, greenside after her third round. “Finishing on a double is kind of rough, so hopefully I get it back tomorrow. It’s my last round in my university career so I want to finish strong and help the team win.”
Final round of the #CDNUniCollege Championship is officially underway. Check out the pics from yesterday's action
Inside the top three are the University of Victoria Vikes and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues who are both tied at 82 over for the tournament.
Laura Upenieks sits in third place with a 5-over-par 77 to lead the way for the Varsity Blues, while Laura Ferreira is the Vikes’ low-scorer at T5 following her 8-over-par 80.
Rounding out the top six teams making the cut in the women’s division are University of the Fraser Valley Cascades, Université Laval Rouge et Or and the Western University Mustangs.
The top finisher in the men’s and women’s division will get an exemption into their respective Canadian Amateur Championships, and the top three finishers in the men’s and women’s draws will qualify for the Summer Universiade Games, in Chinese Taipei, Taiwan, from Aug. 19-30.
More information on the tournament can be found here.
Laurier leading men’s draw, UBC women on top at Canadian University/College Championship
(Austin Stanton/Golf Canada)
Golf Canada
Following consecutive lightning delays in the opening two rounds, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks jumped out to the lead in the men’s division at 17-over par and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds held their advantage atop the women’s division at the Canadian University/College Championships at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club.
On the men’s side, The University of Toronto Blues are second at 24-over par and rounding out the top three is the Université Laval Rouge et Or, who hold the clubhouse lead with a team score of +32. Behind the Rouge et Or are the Western University Mustangs, who are in the clubhouse at 37-over par.
First round individual leader, Eric Flockhart, from Wilfrid Laurier University is still on top. The Mississauga, Ont., product is 1 under par for the tournament through nine holes. He is three shots clear of UBC’s Evan Holmes (+2).
Holmes, the 2015 Individual champion, carded the lowest score of the day among those able to finish with an even-par 71.
“I kept it in front of me off the tee and I didn’t really make any mistakes. I didn’t putt that well today, but I made a few coming down the stretch which was nice,” said the Calgary native. “I felt like it was a pretty good round in the wind all in all.”
Holmes took advantage of the par 5’s on the back nine, carding a birdie on No. 13 and an eagle on No. 18.
“At Tangle Creek, you really have to get it in play off the tee. The greens are so severe that you also have to be good with your second shots. If you’re on the wrong spot on the green you’re three putting,” said Holmes.
For the second day in a row, The Thunderbirds lead the women’s division (+25). The University of Victoria Vikes are second at 38-over par, and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues sit tied for third alongside the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades at 50-over par.
18-hole leader and defending champion Kat Kennedy, from the University of British Columbia, is in first at 4 over par through nine holes.
The University of Fraser Valley’s Sharon Park is four strokes back at +8. Rounding out the top three are Victoria Vikes teammates Hannah Diamond and Laura Ferreira, who sit at +11.
No women’s teams finished their second round; play is set to resume Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m.
Due to the weather delays, the groups will not be re-ordered after 36 holes. The pairings will be the same as Monday’s draw. After the third round the top-10 men’s teams and the top six women’s teams will advance to the final round.
The top finisher in the men’s and women’s division will get an exemption into their respective Canadian Amateur Championships and the top finishers in the men’s and women’s draws will qualify for the Summer Universiade Games, in Taipei, Taiwan, from Aug. 19-30.
For more information on the tournament, please click here.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Click here to download photos; credit to Golf Canada.
Thunderbirds leading the women’s draw, men’s delayed after round one of the Canadian University/College Championship
(Golf Canada)
Golf Canada
On day one of the weather-shortened Canadian University/College Championship, defending champion Kat Kennedy of Okotoks, Alta., fired an even-par 72 to help put the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds on top of the women’s team competition. The men’s side of the draw was unable to finish the first round due to inclement weather.
After 18 holes, Kennedy holds a four-stroke lead.
“It’s a challenging course. I think learning to be patient is key here, the wind picked up on the back nine and I think just keeping the ball in play and trying to hit the green in regulation was my goal for the day,” said Kennedy, from the scoring table following her round.
With a combined score of 19-over par, the Thunderbirds are 11 strokes ahead of the second place University of Fraser Valley Cascades, who posted a team score of 30-over par on day one. The University of Victoria Vikes sit third at +32.
After starting strong with birdies on the first and second hole, Kennedy made a bogey on the third. She recorded another bogey on seven, but rebounded with a birdie on eight to make the turn at 1-under par. On the back nine Kennedy made a five-foot birdie putt to finish her round as the only player not over par.
In her final university season Kennedy had a stellar year. She was first or T1 five times and set a school record for the lowest single round score when she posted a 67 on the second day of the Grand View Battle at Primm, in Nipton, Calif., from March 20-21.
Coquitlam, B.C., product Sharon Park, a freshman at Fraser Valley, is second in the women’s individual competition at 4-over par (76). Kennedy’s teammate, 22-year-old Winnie Hyun, from Langley, B.C., rounds out the top three at +7 (79).
When play was suspended at 5:46 p.m., Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawk Eric Flockhart from Mississauga, Ont., had posted the lowest men’s score at 2-under par (69) thanks to three straight birdies to close out the round.
“I was getting the same kind of breaks on the front nine, but I just couldn’t buy a putt,” said Flockhart. “I got to the back made a good one from about 10 feet on 10, made a few good par saves and then 14 to 18, I made five putts in a row basically, so the putts started to fall.”
Flockhart had a very strong Ontario University Athletic Association (OUA) season in the fall, including a stretch where he won three straight tournaments—the Waterloo Invitational, the Guelph Invitational, and the University of Toronto Invitational.
The University of Victoria Vikes are currently the leading team at 9-over par through 14 holes of play, with the first round resuming Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. They are followed by the University of Manitoba Bisons and the Queens University Gaels, who hold second place in the weather-delayed first round at 11 over par. The Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks are the lowest team in the clubhouse at 14-over par.
The University of Toronto’s Kevin Fawcett, a product of Newmarket, Ont., was the second-lowest player to finish his round, posting an even-par 71. Lawren Rowe, (Victoria, B.C.) of the University of Victoria Vikes, is, 1 under par through 14 holes.
The top finisher in the men’s and women’s division will get an exemption into their respective Canadian Amateur Championships and the top finishers in the men’s and women’s draws will qualify for the Summer Universiade Games, in Taipei, Taiwan, from Aug. 19-30.
The first round will resume tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. Second round tee times will begin at 8:30 a.m. For additional information on the championship click here.
Canadian University/College Championship heads to Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club
(Golf Canada)
Golf Canada
Canada’s top student-athlete golfers will descend on Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club in Barrie, Ont., from May 29 – June 1 for the 2017 Canadian University/College Championships.
2017 marks the 15th playing of the event, which was established in 2003 by Golf Canada to give the country’s best college and university golfers a chance to compete at a national championship.
The Georgian College Grizzlies will host the event this year on the windswept fairways of Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club.
Designed in 2002 by Rene Muylaert, the course is known for its combination of classic and links style features in addition to its grassy hollows and signature fescue.
“We are thrilled to welcome the best Canadian student golfers to Tangle Creek. We’re looking forward to a competitive championship, and showcasing our beautiful course,” said host club tournament chair Mackenzie Cuthbert.
Golf Canada prides itself on conducting a top-notch tournament that is the highest level of national competition for college and university golfers in the country.
“The Canadian University/College Championship provides a unique opportunity for the best student-athlete golfers in Canada to compete for a national championship. Golf Canada is proud to conduct this event to showcase the talent from universities and colleges across the country,” added tournament director, Mary Beth McKenna.
In 2016, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds swept the championship, winning all four events. It was the first time in the tournament’s history that a school has won the men’s and women’s team and individual events in the same year.
Calgary’s Scott Secord went wire-to-wire to win the men’s division by four strokes at 11-under par and Kat Kennedy of Okotoks, Alta., claimed victory on the women’s side by four shots at 12-over par.
UBC returns to the tournament having won 11 women’s and five men’s titles—including three of the last four.
Georgian College will look to draw upon the magic of the University of Manitoba Bisons—the last host club to win a team title—when they captured the men’s division championship in 2014 at Southwood Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg.
The 72-hole stroke play competition will feature 19 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams from across the country vying for the national championship titles.
Following the third round, the field will be reduced to the top 10 men’s teams and the top six women’s teams, in addition to any individuals within 15 shots of the lead. Additional information regarding the 2017 championship, can be found here.
FAST FACTS
UBC is the defending champion on both the men’s and women’s side.
Scott Secord, of Calgary, Alta., is the defending men’s medallist.
Kat Kennedy of Okotos Alta., is the defending women’s medallist.
UBC has won the most women’s titles with 11 and the most men’s championships with 5.
The individual men’s and women’s champions receive exemptions into the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, respectively.
The top three individual men and top three individual women earn the right to represent Canada at the 2017 Summer Universiade Games in Taipei City, Taiwan, from Aug. 19-30.
For pairings and additional information, click here.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club was designed in 2002 by Rene Muylaert.
6,307 yards, CR/Slope: 69.7/131.
Course record of 64 was set in 2011 by Keir Smith.
In 2016, Tangle Creek hosted Golf Ontario’s Junior Boys Match-Play and the PGA of Canada’s Seniors Championship.
In 2003 Golf Digest named Tangle Creek the Best New Golf Course in Canada.
MEN’S TEAMS Brock University Badgers
Concordia University Stingers
Georgian College Grizzlies
Humber College Hawks
Les Patriotes de l’UQTR
Queen’s University Gaels
Universitie du Montreal Carabins
Universitie Laval Rouge et Or
University of Alberta Golden Bears
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
University of Guelph Gryphons
Universit of Manitoba Bisons
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades
University of Toronto Varsity Blues
University of Victoria Vikes
University of Waterloo Warriors
University of Western Mustangs
University of Windsor Lancers
Wilfred Laurier University Golden Hawks
WOMEN’S TEAMS Georgian College Grizzlies
Humber College Hawks
Queen’s University Gaels
Université Laval Rouge et Or
Universitié du Montreal Carabins
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades
University of Toronto Varsity Blues
University of Victoria Vikes
University of Waterloo Warriors
University of Western Mustangs
To view the full list of teams and other information, click here.
