There was little suspense as to who was going to win the provincial golf championship.
The Walnut Grove Gators blew away the field at Abbotsford’s Ledgeview Golf Course, winning by an eye-popping 42 strokes in capturing the school’s first-ever B.C. AAA provincial golf championship.
The two-day, 36-hole competition was held Tuesday and Wednesday.
“They were focused and steady both days,” said Walnut Grove coach Dana Ferguson.
“This is a huge accomplishment for our school and these boys.
“It’s a very emotional win (and I’m) especially happy for the three Grade 12s to win it.”
The victory is also redemption for the squad.
At the 2016 championships, Walnut Grove led after day one, but could not maintain their hold on first place, bringing home the silver medal instead. That tied a program-best as they also finished second in 2013.
But while the golfers faltered over the final 18 holes in 2016, this time they got better. The team had shot 8-over-par on the Tuesday before following that up with an even par 280 on Wednesday.
Walnut Grove combined for a two-day total of 568, 8-over-par.
“They were focused and steady both days,” Ferguson said.
The St. George’s Saints were well back at second place with a score of 610 and the only drama left was for the top overall score ,and even that came down to a pair of Gator golfers with Andy Kim and Andy Jang needing a playoff to determine the individual champion.
Both golfers shot 1-under-par 139 with Kim beating Jang on the second playoff hole.
Brock Hertz was tied for fourth with a +5 for the tournament and Jaewook Lee was tied for seventh at +6. Ben Whiton was the fifth member of the squad and he came in at +12.
This was the third tournament title for Walnut Grove this golf season as they previously captured the Delta Police tournament title and the Fraser Valley title.
Being a clear-cut favourite can prove challenging, the coach admitted.
“It’s a bit nerve-racking but I had faith in my boys all year that they would come through,” Ferguson said.
