Cam Davie and Jodie Wiltse accomplished firsts during the Penticton Junior Golf championship.
In their tournament play debut they won the boys and girls junior championship. Davie edged Zachary Gardner by one shot, while Wiltse topped Kiana Rowlands.
“It felt really good. It was really nice to come out with the win,” said Davie, who carded 80 in the first round then 74 in the second on Aug. 17.
After having the lead going into the 16th hole and losing it, Davie got it back on 17.
“Going down 18 it was pretty nerve-racking. I just had to really focus.”
Davie went into the championship knowing if he could shoot in the low 70s, he could pull of the win. Adding to the excitement of the win was playing with friends in perfect, sunny weather.
With the win under his belt, Davie said he has the confidence to win more tournaments in 2016. He plans to play in B.C. Golf’s Zone 2, which is hosted by clubs throughout the Okanagan Valley.
Winning the boys’ 17-18 age group was Matt Haukas. Caleb Rousseau won the 14-16 age group, while Jack McLennan won the 11-13 group. The low net champ is Jackson Coates.
As for Wiltse, she liked how things ended as she scored 276 over the two rounds.
“It felt good to come out on top,” said Wiltse. “I could have done better. We all have our ups and downs together. If one of us is playing better, the others kind of try always to play up to them. It’s good, they kind of push you.”
With a tournament win under her belt, Wiltse isn’t sure if she will compete in more tournaments next year.
“I usually just golf for fun,” she said, adding she might play for the Pen High Lakers team.
Junior golf program instructor Jeff Hollman said the tournament is about the athletes learning to play the game under tournament conditions.
“Players are competitive,” he said. “Sometimes I have to try to settle them down.”
