With no B.C. high school A golf championship to defend this year due to job action by B.C. teachers, the Immaculata Mustangs went out and found a title to win anyway.
In a dramatic conclusion, the Mustangs downed the host team from Osoyoos in a playoff this week to capture the Provincial High School Invitational.
Immaculata overcame a five-shot deficit in the second and final round of competition on Tuesday to finish in a tie with Osoyoos at 610.
Five players on each team competed in a one-hole (par 3) playoff with the Mustangs emerging victorious by a single stroke.
“It was an exciting finish, I felt badly for Osoyoos, they started with the lead and played extremely well,” said Immaculata coach Christa Kueber. “Our guys were just extremely consistent, and we were able to capitalize in the playoff.
“The playoff experience was great for all 10 of those kids.”
Steven Lee led the charge for Immaculata on the final day with a round of 74. Michael Lee, James Casorso and Cole Baldigara all shot 75s, while Kennedy Gorges came in at 78. Lauren Rutherglen was also a member of the championship team.
Lee tied for second place in the individual competition with a (73-74) 147 total, one shot back of Mitchell Kelly from Osoyoos.
Madison Kapchinsky of Rutland won the girls title, with Jessica Claggett of KSS taking second.
KSS placed third at 618.
The tournament was organized by Kueber as a alternative to the official B.C. high school championships which were cancelled last month due to the BCTF’s stance on extracurricular activities.
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The Professional Golfers’ Association of British Columbia crowned their first Tournament Champions of the 2012 season this week at the Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna. Mission Golf and Country Club head pro Mark Anderson partnered with club champion Stu Dunaway, to shoot a 7-under par 65 and claim the top prize at the event which partnered club professionals with club champions in a best ball event.
Anderson earned the top professional prize of $1,200 while Dunaway won a brand new set of TaylorMade R11 irons.
Finishing two off the lead in third place (67) were Rob Anderson and Jason Monteleone of Kelowna Golf and Country Club, while the teams from Canoe Creek Golf Course Jesse Crowe and Cody Bell along with last year’s co-champions from Two Eagles Golf Course Dean Claggett and Curtis Pannell tied for fourth with a score of 68.
The TaylorMade & adidas Golf PGA of BC Tournament of Champions is one of the more popular events on the PGA of BC event calendar, as it pairs the best amateur player at golf club’s across the province with that golf club’s head professional. The scoring format of Best Ball takes only the best score of the two players per hole giving the potential of scoring well provided both teammates do not struggle on the same hole. The prize structure offers professionals a chance to win a share of the $6,850 purse, and the Amateurs an opportunity to win their share of over $7000 of TaylorMade and adidas Golf product.
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A hole-in-one by Power 104’s Don Huculak was the highlight of the Molson Tour at the Okanagan Golf Club’s Bear Course on Monday as Kelowna’s recreational golf league continued.
Huculak aced the par 3 14th hole at the Bear and was later rewarded when he splurged for some refreshments as the Molson Tour completed its second weekly points event, using the Stableford scoring system.
Huculak—of course—also claimed a closest to the pin win with his hole-in-one while other KP winners were Lance Menzies, Eric Noble and Paul Clissold. Lyle Hines blasted the long drive on the 10th hole.
Molson Tour golfers will return to the OGC on Monday.
Here are the top 10 point standings through two weeks of competition:
1 Craig Foster
2 Jim Malazdrewicz
3. Cal Warren
4. Dennis Young
5. Kelly Quist
6. Kent Paterson
7. Mike Kirby
8. Dave McMahon
9. Bryan Ritchat
10. Tim Jex
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If you have a golf story, great shot or event that you would like to see published in our golf digest, e-mail kparnell@kelownacapnews.com
