Brockville/Uxbridge, ON – On May 18th, both the Junior Spring Classic (U19) Boys and Girls Championships kicked off, showcasing some of the best junior talent in the province.
Junior Spring Classic (U19) Boys Championship
At Brockville Country Club, the Junior Spring Classic (U19) Boys Championship got underway with 12:00pm tee times. The 105 year old course has considerable elevation changes, many narrow fairways, and challenging par 3’s, making it deceptively challenging. The course proved to be difficult for the players, as many had issues with the steep fairways.
Through the challenges though, it was Bennett Ruby from Westmount Golf and Country Club who led the charge after the first day, scoring -3 (68). Ruby was steady throughout the first half of the day, but found some trouble at hole 11 where he double-bogeyed. Ruby, having to pull himself out from behind, redeemed himself with four birdies on the last five holes. With some steady shooting and seven total birdies, Ruby was able to lock the first place spot heading into day two. He will be looking to continue his success tomorrow.
“I was really frustrated from my double bogey earlier, so I just told myself to get aggressive and play with confidence,” said Ruby. “I’m hoping to go into tomorrow with the same mindset, and hopefully come out with a similar outcome.” Ruby looks to take his success from day one and carry it on for the rest of the tournament.
Thomas Stafford and Brandon White, both from Golf Quebec, sit tied for second with scores of -1 (70). Both shot consistently throughout the day and now have a steady placement heading into day two.
There was also a tie for third place, with Eric Byun, from Glendale Golf and Country Club, and Michael Ikejiani from Barrie Country Club both shooting even at 71 shots throughout 18.
The players will continue to face off on the challenging course tomorrow to take the lead for a chance to win the WD Randolph Millage Trophy. The top 3 Ontario boys will get exempt into the Ontario Junior Boys Championship, and the low Ontario boy will get a spot in the Canadian Junior Boys Championship.
Day two will commence tomorrow at a 12:00pm, with split tees starting at the first, and tenth hole.
Junior Spring Classic (U19) Girls Championship
Under a mix of sun and cloud, the Junior Spring Classic (U19) Girls Championship first round got underway at noon from Wooden Sticks Golf Club in Uxbridge, ON. The day featured some fierce competition and beautiful shots made by a very talented field of junior girls’ golfers on the immaculate course.
Lauren Zaretsky (Ladies GC of Toronto) was on fire today shooting an early -1 (71). She went off in the second group of the opening round, and it turned out to be a score nobody else could match on the day. Her combination of 6 birdies and 5 bogeys catapulted her to the top of the leaderboard.
The day was just good overall according to Zaretsky. “It was good, first time playing the golf course without any practice rounds, so it was a good day. Overall I thought everything went well today and I felt like all my shots were solid.”
Jasmine Ly (Kingsville Golf & Country Club) and Katie Cranston (Oakville Golf Club) each fired a solid +2 (74) to sit closely behind. Nicole Gal (Oakville Golf Club) and Adele Chun (Station Creek GC) sit two strokes farther back after rounds of +4 (76).
Wooden Sticks has brought together some of the most recognizable golf landscapes from the PGA and sculpted them into the scenery of the local area to produce 18 holes that will challenge the girls all weekend long. With golf holes inspired by Augusta, St. Andrews, Pine Valley, Carnoustie, TPC Sawgrass, and Oakmont, it has holes not for the faint of heart. It should help make for two more days of memorable golf.
About the Junior Spring Classic (U19) Championships
The Junior Spring Classic (U19) Championship is contested annually over the Victoria Day long weekend and features many of Ontario’s best male and female junior golfers. The field of competitors gained entry to the competition through a qualifying process earlier in the season.
The three day tournament will challenge the focus, stamina, and skills of all the participating golfers. We wish all attending both Brockville and Uxbridge good luck, and we’ll see you on the course! For more information and complete results, visit the tournament page at:
https://www.bluegolf.com/amateur/events/gao197/index.html – Boys Leaderboard
https://www.bluegolf.com/amateur/events/gao198/index.html – Girls Leaderboard
Facebook Photo album from Boys Championship
Facebook Photo album from Girls Championship
Golf Ontario would like to thank the members, volunteers and staffs at both Wooden Sticks and Brockville Country Club for their support over the course of the weekend.
Ryan MacKenzie
rmackenzie@gao.ca
