A little home cooking made for lots of pars as Mackenzie Barrie captured the Ford Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop Tuesday at Predator Ridge.
Barrie won the MJT Ford Series girls division gold with a two-day score of 72-73 (145).
“I was really consistent with my irons. I didn’t have to be long off the tee. It was better to be short and accurate rather than being long,” said Barrie.
Penticton’s Haley Hewer had a strong second-round of 70, matched with her first-round 79, for the silver. MJT veteran Madison Kapchinsky of Kelowna carded a 79 and 72 to take the bronze.
Barrie is a member at Predator Ridge and received great coaching from her coach and former LPGA golfer A.J. Eathorne.
“She helps me all the time. She has been huge for my game mentally and obviously has helped out my stroke,” said Barrie.
The 18-year-old will head down to the University of Wyoming over the next few weeks for her sophomore campaign with the Cowgirls.
Several locals posted strong scores over the two days.
Andrew Spalti of Vancouver defended his bantam boys title by shooting 69 both days. “My low practice rounds of 66, 71 gave me confidence going into the tournament,” said Spalti. “I love this course, I rate it 10 out of 10.”
Brandon Chai of Vernon won the silver medal by carding a 77 and 73.
Vancouver’s Raymond Li shot 70 on day two to propel him into third place for a two-day total of 151.
Braeden Cooper of Vernon placed eighth with an 82 and 77, and buddy Dexter Weiten finished ninth after shooting 83 and 79.
Jake Scarrow of Dewdney shot a pristine 66 and 72 to drive away with the junior boys title.
“The 20-foot birdie putt I made on 14 put me ahead four shots which I needed. I’m extremely happy with this win – it means a lot to me late in the season,” said Scarrow.
Mac Gourdine of Vernon captured the silver after carding a 77 and 75.
Scott Kerr of Vancouver wrapped up the silver with a 72 and 71.
Casey Sullivan of Kelowna came charging at the end with a 76 and 68, but finished with bronze.
Other locals competed in the junior boys category. Matthew Kreutz finished in a three-way tie for fourth with a 72 and 75. Austin Bosquet finished eighth after shooting 78 and 73. Russell Day placed 30th following his rounds of 90 and 84.
Bosquet was also a winner in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition. Other long drive winners were Veronica Vetesnik of Winnipeg, Kristian Oppenheim of Kelowna and Brandon McManus of Surrey.
The Sundog Eyewear Closest-to-the-Pin winners were Tiegan Taylor of Kelowna, Sam Sweet of Kelowna, Evan Merrier of Surrey, and Kerr.
Golf Town Comeback awards for best second day improvement went to Hewer, Nigel Anderson of Calgary, Cameron Welch of Kelowna and Drew Dougherty of Calgary.
The tournament was a qualifier for the North American Junior and International Players championships.
