MYRTLE BEACH, SC— The competitive season in Ontario may still be a few weeks away but for 77 of the province’s top juniors, they got a head start with Golf Ontario’s inaugural Spring Break Challenge, March 16, at Whispering Pines Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The event featured three categories on both the boys’ and girls’ sides and at the end of the day the overall winners were Langton’s Peyton Callens on the boys’ side and Niagara Falls’ Emily Ward on the girls’ side.
While conditions were less than ideal, the players still put forth strong efforts during the round. “It was great once again to host the Ontario juniors in Myrtle Beach. Unfortunately, the weather was very cold and playing conditions were extremely difficult. However, we look forward to hosting again next year, hopefully under much better weather!” Said Keith Stanzel, Marketing Director at Whispering Pines.
In the Junior Boys’ division, Callens, a member of Golf Canada’s National Development squad and past Team Ontario member, earned the win with a three-over (75). Rounding out the top three were a pair of current Team Ontario members Long Sault’s Ty Celone (77) and Toronto’s Zack Mason (78).
The Juvenile Boys’ title went to Team Ontario member and Stoney Creek resident Johnny Travale who ended the day seven-over (79). As for the Bantam Boys’ title, it was won by Burlington’s Peter Blazevic who carded a six-over (78).
The girls’ divisions were not as fortunate as their event was cut to just nine holes, due to darkness. Ward, a Team Ontario member, finished her round at even par (36) to take top honours over former Team Ontario and current Golf Canada National Development squad member Richmond Hill’s Monet Chun (38) and teammate Hailey McLaughlin (39), from Markham.
In the Juvenile Girls’ division, Chun’s 38 would allow her to walk away with the title. Meanwhile, a five-over (41) clinched the Bantam Girls’ championship for another Team Ontario member: Maple’s Alyssa DiMarcantonio.
Golf Ontario would like to thank all of the competitors for participating in the inaugural event. Thanks also to Whispering Pines and their staff for hosting the Ontario Spring Break Challenge. For complete tournament information, including the final leaderboards please visit the tournament site at: https://gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao17/event/gao1733/index.htm
