Tuesday, September 29th saw Hunters Pointe Golf course in Welland play host to day two of the 2015 OCAA Golf Championships. Heavy rainfall and wet weather conditions proved to be the story of the day. At one point, the field of 85 golfers were forced to take shelter for approximately 90 minutes due to pooling water on the greens.
Despite the tough playing conditions, many of Ontario's best post-secondary golfers managed to post outstanding scores.
On the men's side, the day proved to belong to the Humber Hawks. The Hawks' men shot a team best 283, riding the strong play of Will Gavarkovs (69), Christian McCullough (71), Scott Benzoni (71), Michael Vance (72). After day one the Hawks trailed the home course Niagara College Knights by 14 strokes. Their strong second day play sees Humber just three strokes (577) back heading into Wednesday's final round. Benzoni and McCullough currently both sit tied for 5th place at +4 in the men's individual division.
After posting a red opening round 280 the host Knights shot a team total of 294 on day two, for a cumulative total 574. The team saw scores posted by Josiah Dixon (71), Evan Littlefield (73), Mark Wikkerink (75), and Logan Lammerant (78). Dixon's second round 71, gives him a two day total of even par 140 and will see the first year Knight enter the final round with a two shot lead in the individual division. Littlefield enters day three tied for third at +3 (143) with Steve Brown of the Lambton Lions.
"Our players played their hearts out through tough conditions throughout their round" said Niagara Knights golf coach Cameron Thin. "The defending champion Humber College Hawks threw their best effort at us today to close the gap, however we stayed strong and carry the lead into the final day."
The Durham Lords and St. Lawrence-Kingston Vikings currently sit tied for third in the men's team division with a total of 595. The Lords got consistent play from all five golfers, while the Vikings were boosted by an outstanding round from Assaad Moussaoui who posted a tournament best -3(67). The 67 sees Moussaoui move into second place in the men's individual division with a two day total of 142 (+2).
On the women's side round two was all about the Georgian Grizzlies. Unfazed by the weather conditions, the Grizzlies shot an dazzling 146, 18 strokes better than their nearest competitors. Emilie Tyndall and Corey Pond shot matching 73s. Tyndall not sits in first place with a two day score of 149 (+7). Pond sits in third place at +19 (159). The Grizzlies now sport a team total of 303 and hold a 16 stroke lead heading into the final day.
The second place Humber Hawks turned in a team total of 164 giving them a two day total of 319. The Hawks received solid rounds from Michaela DiMarcantonio and Sheila McKeen who shot matching 82s on the day. McKeen currently sits tied for the with Pond (+19), while DiMarcantonio is at +20.
The St. Clair Saints currently sit in third place in the women's team division with a two day total of 323 (+43).
Round one women's individual leader Lorelle Weavers turned in her second consecutive strong round. The second year Niagara Knight posted a 76 (+6). Despite her strong play the Burlington native now trails Tyndall by two strokes.
Final round tee off is set for Wednesday, September 30th at 7:30 am. Medals will be handed for all four divisions at the conclusion of the round. For the most up-to-date information please visit www.goknights.ca.
Men's Team
1 Niagara, +14 (574)
2 Humber, +17 (577)
T3 Durham, +35 (595)
T3 STL-Kingston, +35 (595)
5 Georgian, +38 (598)
Men's Individual
1 Josiah Dixon, Niagara, E (140)
2 Assaad Moussaoui , SLC – Kingston, +2 (142)
T3 Steve Brown, Lambton, +3 (143)
T3 Evan Littlefield, Niagara +3 (143)
T5 Alexander Zappio, St. Clair, +4 (144)
T5 Scott Benzoni, Humber, +4 (144)
T5 Christian McCullough, Humber +4 (144)
Women's Team
1 Georgian, +23 (303)
2 Humber, +39 (319)
3 St. Clair, +43 (323)
4 Niagara, +56 (336)
5 Sault, +150 (430)
Women's Individual
1 Emilie Tyndall, Georgian, +9 (149)
2 Lorelle Weavers, Niagara, +11 (151)
T3 Corey Pond, Georgian, +19 (159)
T3 Sheila McKeen, Humber, +19 (159)
5 Michaela DiMarcantonio, Humber, +20 (160)