The results are in for the final two days of the Optimist Club’s Fred Wellsby Junior Divot Golf Tour leading into Thursday’s championship event at the Chilliwack Golf Course.
Twenty one golfers ages 16 and under teed off in Monday’s tournament, held at the Cheam Golf Course.
Thirteen year old Langley native Caleb Davies claimed the overall win, blowing through the course with a two-under-par 54 that included birdies on holes one, three, five and 15.
Tyson Dyck placed first in the 14-16 year old category with a 61, with Hayden Lazeo and Albert Sperling both one shot back. All three are from Abbotsford.
In addition to his overall win, Davies grabbed gold in the 11-13 year age group. Abbotsford’s Isaac Bedwell was his closest competition with a 65. Chiliwack’s Lucas DeVisser shot a 72 to finish third while Chilliwackians Sarah Armstrong and Katelyn Jeske shot 80 and 83 respectively.
The 10-and-under age group was led by Chilliwack’s Owen Hornsby, who took top spot with an impressive 79 through 18 holes. Abbotsford’s Ezra Sperling was two shots back in second place. Chilliwack’s Reese Johston shot 104 to finish third and Paige West, coming all the way from Houston, Texas, shot a 106 to finish fourth.
Twenty two golfers were back on the links Tuesday at the Cultus Lake.
Davies dominated again, posting a two-over-par 64 to lead the field and win the Owen Lounsbury Memorial Trophy.
Lounsbury was an enthusiastic local junior golfer who passed away suddenly just shortly before his 12th birthday in July, 2004. The trophy in his name is awarded to the top golfer in the 11-13 year old age group.
“Caleb is heading to Florida to play in an Optimist Club tournament tomorrow (Thursday) and will miss the Champion of Champions Invitational,” said tournament organizer Glenda Standeven. “But he is definitely excited to be golfing in Florida with the best of the best!”
Dyck played an impressive game and defended his title in the 14-16 year old group, shooting a 70 to finish seven strokes ahead of Connor Piers (77) and eight ahead of bronze medalist Sperling (78).
In the 11-13 year old group won by Davies, Ryan Burns (Abbotsford) and Bedwell finished second and third with a 71 and 72 respectively. Chilliwack’s Armstrong and DeVisser scored 82 and 85 for the fourth and fifth lowest gross scores.
Hornsby won again in the 10 and under group, firing an impressive 48 through nine holes.
Sperling was one shot back and Chilliwack’s Colby Bjorndal was three strokes back at 51. Houston’s West took fourth with a 55.
Trophies and medallions were sponsored by the Roy Gleig Memorial Fund.
“Every year we do our best to keep the tournament entry fees to a minimum so more kids can enjoy the sport of golf,” Standeven said. “The donation from the Roy Gleig Memorial Fund really helped!”
“The keeper trophies were absolutely beautiful and the kids also appreciate getting engraved medals they can keep,” added Optimist member and volunteer Julie Muirhead, who has been helping to run the Optimist Club Junior Divot tournament for close to 20 years now alongside fellow Optimist Club members Standeven and Everett Worth.
This year the Champion of Champions Invitational will have a few less participants as long-time Vancouver Optimist member and avid youth golf promoter Harry White passed away earlier this year.
“We are expecting 16 junior golfers to play in the Champions of Champions Invitational whereas we usually have at least 20 with Harry sending junior golfers to our event,” Standeven said. “But the local golfers we have playing are incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to play free of charge thanks to the generosity of Chilliwack Golf Course who donates the green fees and the Optimist Club of Chilliwack who buys them all a burger dinner after their round.
“The new Junior Linkster Tournament facilitator donated prizes for every golfer so this is kind of a big deal for the kids to be invited to play. The keeper trophy, donated by the Roy Gleig Memorial Fund, is just stunning as well so every kid there will be trying their hardest to take it home!”
For more information on the Annual Optimist Fred Wellsby Junior Divot Tour email glendastandeven@gmail.com.
