Some of Grenfell’s youngest golfers took to the greens to bring home the gold.
Junior students from Grades 7 through 9 participated in the Montmartre tournament on Sept. 28, claiming individual and team victories.
In the girls division, Grade 8 student Meagan Sangwais placed first overall while Josh Schutz brought home the boy’s first place title scoring 45, with team mate Mackenzie Schoepp following a close second with 51.
“We were very please with the results of the tournament. Our team took home all the medals that were available,” said Coach Barbara Coleridge. “We were quite excited about that, and also for the students’ sportsmanship. They were very honest and they were good ambassadors for Grenfell.”
In addition to the individual wins, the Grenfell junior team took first place with a final score of 210, strokes ahead of Montmartre with 226 and Kelliher with 260.
“It felt awesome because we beat all the rest of the schools,” said junior golfer Tyler Krausher. “It took quite a bit of work but we made it.”
While some players say it’s hard work, others say it’s luck.
“I don’t really practice,” said Sangwais, who placed first in the 2010 and 2011 junior tournament.
“The only time I golf here (at school) is when we go to the tournaments.”
Some students have natural talent but others, like Krausher, have to work diligently to improve their skill and get their game up to par. “I practiced after school and just practiced my driving at home,” said the first year team member.
“It’s a very short practice season once they get back to school so we don’t have a lot of time,” said Coleridge. “They almost have to work hard through the summer to get where they want their game to be.”
Despite the team’s advantage of playing a similar green, Coleridge said the unfamiliar course and fall season did present some challenges.
While temperatures were mild, the players had to contend with slight wind and fallen leaves.
“I do think putting was a factor that day,” said Coleridge. “For Mackenzie it was a fabulous day, but he had a few putts that he missed that he’d liked to have had.”
Even with some adversities, the team finished strong and carried on a longstanding winning streak.
“We’ve been very, very successful over the years,” said Coleridge, who has been coaching the high school golf program for 14 years. “I think our golf team is our most successful team. Every year we do manage to bring home some gold medals and we usually have some representation in provincials.”
Dakota Christie and Josh Schutz did qualify for this year’s provincials, though both players were unable to attend.
