Martin Makes Golf History for Medicine Hat
by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips
With winds gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour, intermittent heavy rains with the combination of cold weather, golfers decked out in toques and wearing gloves were the norm Friday at the conclusion of the 2016 PING Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Golf National Championships.
Held at Prince Edward Island's Fox Meadow Golf & Country Club and hosted by Holland College, the highest placement by an Alberta Colleges Athletic College (ACAC) representative was that of Medicine Hat College Rattlers' Becky Martin, shooting a three-day total of 234 which was good enough for a bronze medal in women's individual placement.
Martin, with several years of NCAA golf experience behind her, had led the 29-player field on opening day Wednesday with an impressive 74, including four eagles, which gave her a two-stroke lead.
Coming in at 78 after Round 2 Thursday, Martin had a one-stroke advantage against Addison Wallwin of the Georgian College Grizzlies.
But disaster struck Friday on Hole No. 13 for Martin as she needed eight shots on a par four...finishing the day at 83 for a 234 total.
Wallwin would come into the clubhouse with a 78; good enough for the gold medal behind a three-day accumulation of 230.
Noémie Ouellette of Cégep Champlain St. Lawrence won the silver with a 233 (76-78-79) which was 17 over-par for the tournament.
"It was a basically a mental blip for Becky," said Rattlers head coach Trevor Moore of Martin's play on No. 13. "She missed a short putt and got a bit careless and missed it again. She seemed to be in her rhythm at the time, so it was a bit of a surprise. She then regrouped and was able to get back into her game which shows her commitment.
"It is great (bronze medal) for our school's program which is making history by the day and the (2016 PING CCAA Golf National Championship) was a first-class experience. We will take away memories from on and off the golf course."
Shaye Leidenius of the Red Deer Queens had the highest placement for her school, tied for seventh at 239 (78-80-81).
"She played really well," said Red Deer assistant coach Jeff Willmer. "The golf course was not that easy and did not play that easy. The greens are tough and you had to be creative to make some putts."
Top finisher for the MacEwan Griffins was Elizabeth Stewart at 13th place with 255 (80-81-94).
"Lizzy had a really great week and I knew that's what she was wanting...to perform well after last year," said head coach Jodi Campbell, of Stewart, who was an CCAA All Canadian last year and tied for 15th at the 2015 CCAA championships held in Abbotsford, BC and hosted by University of the Fraser Valley.
"She stumbled a little bit today (Friday) but the final day of competition was tough on the players...being windy and rainy. Overall, I think she had a really great week. The fact that she was able to elevate her game was really good of her."
Campbell said the Griffins were also hampered by the fact that they were unable to practise outside prior to traveling east. "For the last week-and-a-half we had to practise in a golf simulator due to Edmonton's golf courses being closed. Not being able to see the ball fly is a big deal. There is no doubt that the time off hurt us."
Georgian College Grizzlies won the overall women's title with a total of 467 compared to Humber College Hawks 481.
Medicine Hat Rattlers, MacEwan Griffins and Red Deer Queens were 5th, 6th and 9th respectively with 491, 523 and 554 totals.
|
ACAC MEN
A bit of controversy entered the men's individual battle as during the closing ceremonies it was discovered that first place finisher Conner Watt of Humber Hawks had scored and signed his scorecard wrong.
This meant his disqualification with Josiah Dixon of the Niagara and Marc-Olivier Plasse of Cégep André-Laurendea, who had tied for second, ha returning to the course for a playoff. With darkness approaching Dixon won on the third hole.
Top finisher for the ACAC in men's individual competition was Josh Gorieu of MacEwan Griffins tied for 7th with a seven over par 223 in the field of 78 golfers.
"Josh is the kind of guy who has always been at the top of the leaderboard," said head coach Campbell. "Sometimes his performances are overlooked due to the performances of his teammates. He played outstanding golf all week. He shot a 71 today (Friday)."
Only three men shot under par Friday.
Tied for 9th with seven other players, shooting a 226 was Red Deer Kings Cole Morrison. "Cole played really well even though he wasn't at his best today (Friday)," said coach Willmer. "It was tough conditions and they got the better of him."
Tops for the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings was Michael Harrison tied for 12th at 229.
Niagara College Knights won the overall men's title with a total of 879 only one stroke better than the 880 of Cégep André-Laurendeau.
MacEwan Griffins, University of Alberta Augustana Vikings, and Red Deer Kings were 6th, 12th and 13th respectively with 905, 944 and 953 totals.
Of the hosting of the event Willmer said: "I thought it was great. This was my first time at this event (CCAA Golf Championship) and the calibre of competition was first-class. The best golfers that could be here were here."
According to the CCAA website this year's championship, "Featured several firsts for the championship. This was the first time that the results from the PING CCAA National Golf Championships were counted towards the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
'This was also the first time that this Championship was broadcasted live which was a major success thanks to the hard work from all involved including TV1 presented by Bell Aliant and Universum Media."
ACAC OVERALL
This is only the sixth time since the inaugural event in 2000 that an ACAC representative, male or female, had medalled in individual play at the CCAA golf championships.
Last time was in 2015 with Katie Griffiths of the Red Deer College Queens gaining silver,
The other women's golfer to reach the podium was Whitney Townsend of Mount Royal Cougars in 2001.
The ACAC has yet to win gold in the women's team action, claiming bronze in 2007 and 2008 with Red Deer Queens and 2011 behind the Lethbridge Kodiaks
Gold has also been hard to find in men's team competition at the national level with the ACAC held to silver in 2000 for Mount Royal.
Bronze medal status was also awarded to Mount Royal in 2001 and 2009 with Lethbridge gaining the same recognition in 2003.
In men's individual play three medals have been announced to date.
Mount Royal's Andrew Montgomery is the only ACAC golfer to ever claim CCAA gold. In 2001 he beat out Jon Hackett of Humber College with a three-day score of 224 to 229.
Mount Royal's Kolby Kniel and Phil Kondrak also putted their way to CCAA bronze in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
Link to CCAA Golf leaderboard http://ccaa.ca/sports/golf/championship/schedule_and_results/leaderboard
Link to CCAA Golf photos http://ccaa.ca/sports/golf/championship/photos/index